2006 ANNUAL MEETING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

Questions regarding the Annual Meeting should be addressed to Kimme Carlos, the Annual Meeting Services at asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-8173, ext. 15. Questions regarding membership and/or pre-registration should be addressed to Maggie McLaughlin, Member Services at members@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-8173, ext. 11.

 

Outlined below is a list of frequently asked questions.

 

Q:  My name is misspelled/has changed.  Can I revise it for the Final Program?

 

A:  Changes to your name may be made in your member listing directly online at www.africanstudies.org by clicking on the ASA ONLINE link. Please enter your name exactly as you wish it to appear in the Final Program and on your name badge (e.g., Robert F. Smith, Robert Smith, R. Smith, or Bob Smith). Changes received on or before September 15, 2006 will be printed in the Final Program which will be available onsite during the Annual Meeting. Please note: the Preliminary Program WILL NOT be revised online.

 

Q:  My affiliation is missing/has changed.  Can I revise it for the Final Program?

 

A:  Changes of affiliation may be made in your member listing directly online at www.africanstudies.org by clicking on the ASA ONLINE link. Please enter your affiliation exactly as you wish it to appear in the Final Program and on your name badge (e.g., U of Virginia, Boston U, or U of California - Davis). Changes received on or before September 15, 2006 will be printed in the Final Program which will be available onsite during the Annual Meeting. Please note: the Preliminary Program WILL NOT be revised online.

           

Q:  My paper/panel/roundtable title is incorrect or it has changed. Can I revise it for the Final Program?

 

A:  Requests to revise a paper/panel/roundtable title can be made by sending an email to asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu with the words Title Change in the subject line ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. Requests to change a panel or roundtable title must be made by the panel or roundtable chair. Individuals residing in Africa may also fax their revisions to the ASA Secretariat at 732-932-3394 with the words Title Change in the subject line ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. Please note: NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE AFTER SEPTEMBER 15, 2006.

 

Q:  Can I change the date and/or time of my paper/panel/roundtable presentation?

 

A:  By Board policy the Secretariat will not be able to move papers or presenters from the positions given them in this Preliminary Program to accommodate personal preference or convenience.

 

Q:  Will the Preliminary Program be revised on the ASA website?

 

A:  The Preliminary Program WILL NOT be revised on the ASA website. All changes made on or before September 15, 2006 will be reflected in the Final Program.

 

Q:  I will not be presenting at the Annual Meeting. Can I have my pre-registration fees refunded?

 

A:  During the Fall 2004 Meeting of the ASA Board of Directors, the Board adopted the policy that the ASA will no longer issue pre-registration refunds of any kind. In the Winter, 2006, the policy was amended to issue pre-registration refunds to individuals whose proposals have been declined. Fees are not transferable.

 

Q:  How do I get a Letter of Invitation?

 

A:  The ASA can provide a Letter of Invitation to assist individuals in expediting visas and securing funding. Requests for a Letter of Invitation should be made online at www.africanstudies.org  or by sending an email to asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu with “Annual Meeting Letter of Invitation” in the subject line. Please note: a request requires 4-6 weeks to process. A request for a Letter of Invitation that is received after September 30 will incur a $25 administrative fee and the individual will pay the cost of any express courier that is requested.

 

The ASA does not provide general funds for individuals to attend the Annual Meeting. For information about funding through the International Visitor Award Program, visit

http://www.africanstudies.org/asa_awards1.html

 

Q:  How do I pay the pre-registration fee?

 

A.  To pre-register, visit the ASA website, www.africanstudies.org  and click on the ‘Membership’ link to find a form that can be downloaded from the website, or click on the ‘ASA ONLINE’ link on the website to register and pay by check or credit card online.

 

All Annual Meeting attendees are encouraged to pre-register. The registration fee will increase substantially onsite in San Francisco. Individuals who reside in Africa and who have difficulty obtaining foreign exchange may request authorization to pay pre-registration rates upon arrival in San Francisco; all requests must be in writing, and postmarked on or before September 30, 2006.

             

Q:  How do I pay the registration fee after September 30, 2006?

 

A:  Individuals who wish to attend the Annual Meeting will be required to pay registration fees onsite in San Francisco, CA. The registration booths will be open the following hours:

 

Wednesday, November 15                 5:00 P.M.– 9:00 P.M.

Thursday, November 16                    8:00A.M.– 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.– 5:00 P.M.

Friday, November 17                          8:00A.M.– 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.– 5:00 P.M.

Saturday, November 18                      8:00A.M.– 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.– 5:00 P.M.

Sunday, November 19                        8:00A.M.– 1:00 P.M.

 

Q:  How do I make my travel arrangements?

 

A:  The ASA is pleased to partner with Travizon to offer Annual Meeting participants discounted travel arrangements to and from San Francisco. Please contact the travel agency directly and mention the Group Code “ASA”.

 

Travizon (Philadelphia Office)

Tel: 800-733-3218

Tel: 215-568-4140

Fax: 215-864 -0219

 

Q:  How do I make my hotel arrangements?

 

A:  The host hotel is the Westin St. Francis Hotel, Union Square, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-1875, Tel: 415-397-7000, Fax: 415-744-0124.

 

For detailed ASA discounted room rate information and to make a reservation, please visit the African Studies Association website at www.africanstudies.org or call the Westin St. Francis Hotel at 415-397-7000 with the Group Code “ASA.” Discounted rates using the Group Code “ASA” are valid only until October 23, 2006.

 

Hotel Room Rates*:

Single: $168.00 per night
Double: $168.00 per night
For other room size rates, including suites, please contact the hotel.

 

* These room rates reflect a rebate of $10 for each occupied room night that is paid for at the full guestroom rate to be used for the general support of the African Studies Association.

 

Please be sure to make your room reservations by October 23, 2006 in order to secure the special group rate.

 

Check-In:       3:00 P.M.

Check-Out:    12:00 P.M.

 

Video Review Billing and Video Checkout available.

 

Q:  The hotel rates are too high! What can I do?

 

A:  The ASA has contracted with the Westin St. Francis Hotel to provide the most economical sleeping room rate available. The rate is based on the level of occupancy; your stay at the Westin St. Francis Hotel benefits the ASA by honoring the Association’s contract, thereby ensuring competitive rates for future Annual Meetings. Participants who wish to share expenses may choose to room with a fellow Annual Meeting participant. Please contact prospective roommates directly. The ASA does not provide room sharing information or organize blogs.

 

Still have questions?

For specific questions regarding the Annual Meeting, please contact Kimme Carlos, Annual Meeting Services at asaamc@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-8173, ext. 15.  Membership/Pre-registration questions should be directed to Maggie McLaughlin, Member Services at members@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-8173, ext. 11.