I think this sounds like a plan since it is often difficult to get away to
the longer conferences, and not just for work-related reasons.

Kimberly A. Lata
Institutional Research Analyst
Shawnee State University
940 Second St.
Portsmouth, OH  45662

Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (740) 355-2450
Fax: (740) 355-2593


-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Hunter [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 12:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: WANTED: Your honest opinions!


Hello fellow OAIRP Members!

I am writing you today to solicit your feedback relative to the OAIRP Fall
Conference.  Your Executive Committee has been working diligently to produce
a conference that will be interesting, fascinating, fun, and worth your
time, effort, and money.  To that end, we (the Executive Committee) have
made available for discussion the possibility of expanding the Fall
Conference to a 1 ½ day to 2 day affair.  The arrangement would be a
Thursday-Friday situation, and we would bring in as speakers nationally
prominent personalities who have spoken at AIR and other such functions.  In
addition, there could be "lighter" workshops for those new to IR, those
looking for ways to better their current job situations (e.g., records
management), etc.  In other words, it will not be "just" two days of "dry"
meetings.  

We would view the expanded conference as a mini-NEAIR or a mini-mini-AIR
(for those who are not fortunate enough to attend either of those forums).
Also, we would want to expand the options so that the "planning" side of the
house would be represented.  

Of course, these are merely ideas.  That is why we would like your feedback.
We know that, as IR professionals, our time is precious.  We know that,
especially in the Fall, our time is spent focusing on "mundane" activities,
such as submitting HEI and IPEDS files, you know...small stuff like that!
Also, we know that our monetary resources are limited.  How many can afford
a two-night stay in Columbus?  On the other hand, would a two-night stay in
Columbus be more affordable than a four or five night stay in a hotel for
the AIR Forum or the NEAIR Forum (and hopefully as beneficial)?  

These are things we would like you to consider.  Please e-mail your
comments, either to me personally or to the listserv as a whole (yes, this
is one time when it's ok to do that!), by May 7.  The dates we are viewing
tentatively for this year's conference are October 18-19.  This may not
become a reality this year (especially if you all do not approve of it!);
perhaps it warrants more discussion (in Long Beach in June and in Columbus
in October).  But, we would like your impressions as of this point in time.


Remember, we are always looking to better the organization, but only with a
consensus from you, the members.  We have the resources (both monetary and
human) to make OAIRP one of the more vital, happening, and high-profile
AIR-related associations in the nation.  But, only if you feel that is the
way we should go.  Thank you for your time.

Larry Hunter
2000-2001 OAIRP President