ALUW Winter Quarter Meeting, April 1, 2004

The meeting was called to order by ALUW President Dottie Smith at 3:35, Thursday, April 1, 2004.

Winter Quarter Business Meeting

Treasurer's Report (Alan Grosenheider):   Total ALUW Treasury: $4,844.67

            Legislative Fund:                                   Operating Fund:

                        $2,413.83                                            $2,430.84                   

Alan also announced that the ALUW will provide an honorarium in the amount of $100 to Bernadine Abbott Hoduski, who will speak on Tuesday, April 13^th at 10:30 a.m. (OUGL 220).  Bernadine Hoduski will share information on her experience lobbying Congress on behalf of American libraries.

Alan recommended that everyone look at the photographs from Robert Arnett's prize winning book India Unveiled, currently on exhibit in OUGL (second and third floors) from March 30-June 23.  The photos were taken during Arnett's travels in India and feature some of the rich diversity of India's peoples and places.

Legislative Committee Report (Dottie Smith):

The Legislative Committee had nothing new to report.  However, it was mentioned that ALUW needs additional funding for future lobbyist activities.

Fund Review Committee (Dottie Smith):

Dottie reported that this committee has not yet convened. The group plans to evaluate retirement plans and make recommendations to add or remove them, as necessary.

Reports from Faculty Councils and Committees:

Linda Whang (ALUW representative to Faculty Council on University Relations) provided a brief report on two activities currently under review by this group:

1.) Proposed changes to transportation fees (parking and UPASS) developed by the University Transportation Committee.  If approved by the Regents, they will take effect beginning in July of 2004.  There will be a public hearing on these changes on April 29th, at 1:00 pm in the HUB 309.  Written comments can also be sent to rules@u.washington.edu;

2.) The Faculty Council on University Relations is interested in getting faculty and staff involved in the community.  If you are interested in serving on the board of a local non-profit, there are some boards in the U-District that could use your knowledge and expertise.  Please contact Linda for more information.

Winter Quarter Meeting Program: The University of Washington Press, guest speaker, Pat Soden.

Pat Soden, who joined the UW Press in 1971, provided an excellent presentation outlining the history of the university press in the United States, as well as the history of the University of Washington Press. 

Pat announced that this is “The Year of the University Press.”  As such, there will be upcoming events coordinated between the UW Press and the UW Libraries, including a publishing workshop on Friday, May 7, 2004 (OUGL 220).  The workshop is designed for faculty and graduate students to “discuss the scholarly publishing process.  Special attention will be given to issues faced by scholars working on their first or second books.”  There will also be a design competition sponsored by all members of the AAUP.  Samples submitted will be on display in the Libraries.

Pat reviewed the mission of the AAUP and current trends in publishing.  Some of interesting statistics include: 39% of total sales can be contributed to libraries, through library jobbers & wholesalers; on average, each university press is provided with a 7% subsidy from their affiliated institution--the University of Washington subsidizes only 3% of the UW Press operating expenses; the UW Press began publishing approximately 20 books per year—now it publishes 60-70 titles/year; the UW Press reviews over 1,000 manuscripts per year—it publishes only 6% of these manuscripts.

Pat left us with a word of warning regarding the potential consequences of a new federal office—OFAC.  OFAC has basically made it impossible for US publishers to publish materials from authors in countries officially sanctioned by the US Government.  Publishers are not allowed to make ANY changes or provide any editorial comment to a text/paper written by a scholar within one of the sanctioned countries.  Below is a description of OFAC:

“The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

For more information see: http://www.ofaccompliance.net/default.htm

Submitted by Faye Christenberry, April 5, 2004