Hi Conrad,
I'm a graduate student and just attended SHAs for the second time. The SHAs
are very accommodating to students - we can volunteer for free
registration, in fact, and there's a student travel award we can compete
for. Additionally,the cost of the conference for student members, at $120,
is within your $20-40/day range.
SHA is one of the major annual conferences in archaeology, and smaller
regional conferences (Midwest Archaeological Conference, Council for
Northeast Historical Archaeology conference, Midwest Historical Archaeology
conference, South Central Historical Archaeology Conference, etc) are much
more affordable and much more likely to be within an affordable distance of
wherever you live. There's a place for both types of conferences in
archaeology. Like many people have pointed out, none of us can go to every
conference every year, and most of us are paying quite a bit out of pocket
to attend these conferences, because they cost a lot to put on.
Finally, I don't mind the registration fee because I like the atmosphere of
the SHA and wouldn't want to see it changed. Archaeology is so popular with
laypeople that ultra cheap conference registration would likely result in a
significant influx of members of the public. Archaeology is beholden to the
public and should be responsive and available to them, but that doesn't
mean there's no place in the discipline for professional development in a
somewhat closed sphere. A lot of what makes the SHA so valuable to student
attendees like myself (the opportunity to have their papers seen by
academics and to meet prominent scholars in a relatively accessible manner)
would be diluted if there was a significant proportion of interested
amateurs. I recognize that long-term volunteers are no less knowledgeable
or committed than some students or entry-level professionals, but I'm not
sure whether the organization could address your grievances without really
changing the atmosphere of the conference.
This is just my two cents - I'm not a representative of SHA and am not even
a member yet
Ellen Chapman
On Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 8:59 AM, sent <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> students and those who volunteer to make archeological research possible
> should find attendance easily affordable and not a burden at all. I mean
> just listening to presentations none of the frills I think 20-40 dollars a
> day would be good. It does not cost anything to let a few more very
> deserving people attend. The problem is that it is a big tax break thing or
> expense account item. Feeding the conference industry is more important
> than growing the profession
>
> Conrad
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Stephanie
> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 2:24 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Subject: Re: SHA Conference Early Registration Ends Tomorrow
>
> CB I am a student on a tight budget by saving and planning i have been
> able to attend a few and it was worth it no one is trying to keep out
> anyone money keeps me from attending many events but such is life
>
>
> Conrad Bladey <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> I use English.
>> As a"public" archeologist I am deeply concerned that ordinary people are
>> locked out of a meeting by high costs-these are those who volunteer and the
>> public of public funding-yes the list is not connected but a very relevant
>> topic
>> CB
>>
>> This message has been written by a man whose fingers are too big for this
>> tiny keyboard. Note:iPad spell suggest makes typing a game-the object is
>> guess what I wrote-supposed to be fun
>>
>> On Jan 12, 2012, at 6:35 PM, "Branstner, Mark C" <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Conrad,
>>> You may have a legitimate point, but your attitude and poor choice of
>>> language are not helping your cause ... And by the way, the last time I
>>> looked, there is no formal connection between HISTARCH and SHA.
>>> Mark
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Jan 12, 2012, at 5:28 PM, "Conrad Bladey" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Nice to get your money back but be aware that this scam prohibits
>>>> Those who volunteer to do field work and who can't afford the high
>>>> costs from attending-a. Sad state of affairs.
>>>>
>>>> CB
>>>> This message has been written by a man whose fingers are too big for
>>>> this tiny keyboard. Note:iPad spell suggest makes typing a game-the object
>>>> is guess what I wrote-supposed to be fun
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 12, 2012, at 4:23 PM, "Levy, Philip" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey Nichole--
>>>>> Did anyone send out confirmations of registrations? I am looking for
>>>>> mine for reimbursement. Any clue?
>>>>> Great conference too well done all around!
>>>>>
>>>>> Phil
>>>>> ______________________________**___
>>>>> Philip Levy
>>>>> Associate Professor of History
>>>>> University of South Florida
>>>>> 4202 E Fowler Ave, SOC 107
>>>>> Tampa, FL 33620
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> (813) 974-7642
>>>>> http://history.usf.edu/**faculty/levy/<http://history.usf.edu/faculty/levy/>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Dec 1, 2011, at 1:38 PM, Nichole Sorensen Mutchie wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Colleagues-
>>>>>> The Society for Historical Archaeology conference in Baltimore,
>>>>>> Maryland is fast approaching! Tomorrow (Friday) is the last day to take
>>>>>> advantage of the reduced early bird registration rate. At this point, all
>>>>>> roundtable luncheons are full but there is still space available in all
>>>>>> workshops and tours. We look forward to seeing you in Baltimore January
>>>>>> 4-8!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To register: https://www.conftool.com/**sha2012/<https://www.conftool.com/sha2012/>
>>>>>> Hotel reservations: https://resweb.passkey.com/**
>>>>>> Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_new&**groupID=3515019<https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_gi_new&groupID=3515019>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nichole E. Sorensen-Mutchie, M.S, RPA
>>>>>> Archaeologist
>>>>>> Maryland State Highway Administration
>>>>>> 707 N. Calvert Street, CLL-4
>>>>>> Baltimore, MD 21202
>>>>>> 410-545-8793 (phone)
>>>>>> 410-209-5046 (fax)
>>>>>>
>>>>>
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