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The Association Upcoming Meetings:
10th
CAVEPS and Quaternary Extinction Symposium CANQUA June 5-8, 2005 2nd
International Congress
The Quaternary Times Directory of Quaternary Scientists 2005 Northeastern Friends of the Pleistocene meeting Quaternary-Related Journal Discounts Quaternary Job Opportunities Quaternary-Related Abstracts Quaternary-Related Links Society of American Archaeology Fellowship Announcement Search the AMQUA Site
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AMQUA Council Meeting 2. Secretary 's Report 3. Treasurer's Report 4. Announcements and Matters Arising Paleontological Society Request- Graham reported on a report from Ron Feldman concerning our donation last year of $2000 toward small grants for paleontologists in Russia. Our donation was given with the requirement that the funds be used to fund Quaternary paleontologists. The Society had a total of $23,000 and were able to make 40 grants to Russian scientists at $500 each. The names of the four Quaternary recipients were cited in his letter (on file with the minutes and listed elsewhere in this newsletter). Discussion and consensus by the council was that donations could be considered on a year by year basis depending upon similar requests from other groups. K. Pierce moved that AMQUA continue to support Russian Quaternary paleontologists on a year by year basis via the Paleontological Society. This motion was passed unanimously. Introduction of Abstract fees by GSA‹B. Blackwell voiced concern that the GSA may start to charge a non refundable fee for the submission of abstracts (as is the practice by the AGU). She indicated that this move was to happen without consultation of the GSA Divisions. Holliday thought there was not much we could do to influence this decision as we are not formally linked with the GSA. 5. Old Business AMQUA Award Statue--Farrand reported on the AMQUA award with pictures of the Guthrie statue. The statue cost $800 but this included about $200 for the rubber mold that is now on reserve at the foundry for the production of future statues. Each statue is worth about $550 and is a beautiful work of art. Farrand volunteered to be the liaison with the foundry for future orders. 6. New Business Archiving of Data Published in Quaternary Research‹E. Grimm discussed the need for encouraging or requiring authors to archive raw data of all types for access by the Quaternary community. Pollen or ice core data is an obvious type of data that can be easily archived with the National Geophysical Data Center but not all scientists do this. Some suggested that we encourage authors in QR to indicate in the abstract or in footnote form where the data are being archived to make access easier. Access to raw data is less of a problem in North America than it is in Europe some argued. On the other hand there are many types of data for which there is no formal repository, despite the tremendous access offered by NGDC and groups associated with PAGES. Grimm agreed to compile information for the newsletter concerning the kinds of data bases that are available for archiving Quaternary data of all types. Grimm will also talk with Steve Porter (Editor of QR) concerning the possibility of formally encouraging authors to archive data. Invitations for the 1998 Biennial Meeting Venue‹The only formal invitation offered to the council this year is from the Mexican Quaternary Union. Jaime Urrutia Fucugauchi and Socorro Lozano Garcia presented the council with their ideas for a meeting in either Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta. Questions concerning the best timing of the meeting were discussed, as well as the fact that dorm room accommodations would not be available at either location. The Mexican proposal included suggestions for five different field trips in areas west of Puerto Vallarta. Grimm suggested that a meeting in Mexico would enhance our interactions with Quaternary scientists from Mexico, the location is nice, and the site would be in keeping with the meridional transect themes that have been suggested for the program. A motion was made to hold the 1998 AMQUA Biennial meeting in Puerto Vallarta. This motion passed unanimously. It was agreed that the traditional meeting time in June could work logistically. Program Themes for the 1998 Biennial Meeting‹E. Grimm presented a theme
which would combine ideas he had with those expressed by Connie Sancetta at the Flagstaff
meeting. The suggested title is "Northern Hemisphere-Southern Hemisphere
interconnections and Latitudinal Gradients". inter-hemispheric climatic coupling and the sequencing and phasing of major climate transitions, latitudinal, longitudinal, and altitudinal migrations of plants and animals and interchanges between northern and southern groups, peopling of the Americas, and later hunter-gatherer adaptations environmental context and rates of cultural change. This theme is essentially that of the PAGES-PEP I Transect Project and it represents a timely set of topics. The council discussed the merits of the theme and normal concerns that there be something in this theme for all Quaternarists. The council voted unanimously (with one abstention) to approve the theme presented by Grimm and Sancetta concerning "Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere interconnections and Latitudinal Gradients". AMQUA Lapel Pins‹On behalf of Brigham-Grette, McCoy presented her idea to have lapel pins made up of the AMQUA logo for distribution to the membership. It is suggested that these pins could also be given to new members that sign up at the AMQUA booth at various meetings. The pins are inexpensive, with costs per pin of about 80 cents if we order 2500. No formal action was taken AMQUA Slide Sets‹P. Clark suggested that AMQUA could be the distributor of slide sets covering the eight various disciplines represented on the council. This could be done in a manner similar to those now being sold by NGDC. All agreed this would be a good idea but would need someone to be the distributor. No formal action was taken. 7. Next Formal Meeting of AMQUA Council Meeting was adjourned. Minutes respectfully submitted, |