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VOLUME 31 MARCH 2003 NUMBER 3 ASA Submits Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case on Affirmative Action in College Admissions by William T. Bielby, ASA President In early September, in response to a expertise on race and discrimination, member resolution approved at ASA’s who were charged with identifying and 2002 Business Meeting, Council autho- synthesizing the scholarship relevant to On April 1, 2003, the United States rized ASA to develop an amicus brief the Michigan cases. Reskin volunteered Supreme Court will hear oral arguments that would summarize sociological to draw upon task force drafts to in the lawsuits challenging the use of research that addresses the need for compile the final document. Participat- race in admissions at the University of considering race as a factor in college ing on the Amicus Task Force with Michigan. While the specific cases before admissions. Officially, ASA’s submission Reskin were Walter Allen (University of the Court involve undergraduate (Gratz is on behalf of the University of Michi- -Los Angeles), William Bielby v. Bollinger, et al.) and law school (Grutter gan Law School in the Grutter case and (University of California-Santa Barbara), v. Bollinger, et al.) admissions at Michi- the Student Intervenors (minority Laura Gomez (University of California- prepared by gan, the impact of the court’s decisions students who were granted permission Los Angeles), Cedric Herring (University task force members in ad- are likely to be more far-reaching than by the court to intervene as co-defen- of Illinois-), Sam Lucas (Univer- vance of a two-day meeting held at the the 25-year-old Bakke decision on race- dants), but the issues raised in the brief sity of California-Berkeley), Doug ASA Executive Office in mid-January. conscious admissions. Should the court’s also apply to undergraduate admissions Massey (University of Pennsylvania), The meeting was both an exhilarating ruling overturn Bakke and declare the use to the College of Literature, Science and Ruben Rumbaut (University of Califor- and exhausting experience for everyone of race unconstitutional, admissions the Arts (i.e., the Gratz case). nia-Irvine), and ASA Executive Officer involved. There was spirited debate and procedures and financial aid programs Council authorized a subcommittee Sally Hillsman. discussion, considerable writing and would be affected in both public and led by Past-President of Preliminary discussions were con- rewriting, and seemingly endless quests private institutions throughout the the to as- ducted via conference call in December, to track down relevant articles, data, and United States. semble a task force of sociologists with and partial drafts on specific topics were See Amicus, page 11 Robert K. Merton Remembered Bylaws Tune-up by Craig Calhoun, SSRC insurance, and his father became a Periodically, ASA undertakes a carpenter’s assistant. Merton’s family systematic review of its governing 2003 Candidates for lacked wealth, but he insisted his documents (i.e., Bylaws and Constitu- Robert K. childhood did not lack opportunity— tion) in order to: (1) identify actual and ASA Offices Merton, one of and cited such institutions as a very potential conflicts among the various the towering decent public high school and the library directives, (2) locate vague guidelines, See page 6 to view the figures on donated by Andrew Carnegie in which and (3) ferret out any outdated informa- whose shoul- he first read Tristram Shandy. Indeed, tion. This activity is a natural conse- professional biogra- ders contempo- suggested Merton in 1994, that seem- quence of the fact that these documents phies of the current rary ingly deprived South Philadelphia slum endure an evolution over the years candidates for: rests, died provided “a youngster with every sort of through modifications by Council. As Sunday, Febru- capital—social capital, cultural capital, Council votes on and implements ary 23, 2003. He human capital, and, above all, what we changes to the Association’s governance President-Elect was 92. Robert K. Merton may call public capital—that is, with structure and activities, the resulting Richard Alba and Troy every sort of capital except the person- Merton was 1910-2003 changes must be reflected in these Duster born July 4, ally financial.” documents. In addition, the communica- 1910, and his extraordinary life story The name Robert King Merton tions technology revolution has changed Vice President-Elect evokes both a very American trajectory evolved out of a teenage career as an the way organizations operate, and there Caroline Hodges Persell appropriate to the holiday birthday and amateur magician. Merton took up are consequences for our governing and David Snow the universalism of science. Merton’s conjuring and other magic partly documents to catch up with this new parents were Jewish immigrants from through taking his sister’s boyfriend as a context. So, this past year, at the request Secretary-Elect Eastern Europe, and indeed the future “role model” (to borrow a phrase of the ASA Council and staff, the RKM was born Meyer R. Schkolnick. The literally his own). As his skill improved, Association’s Legal Counsel undertook a William Roy family lived above his father’s small he sought a stage name, initially “Mer- thorough review of the ASA Constitution and Franklin Wilson dairy products shop in South Philadel- lin.” Advised that this was hackneyed, and Bylaws. phia until it burned down, without he changed it to Merton. Already Counsel delivered a report with See Merton, page 8 See Bylaws, page 11 2003 Annual Meeting . . . The Question of Culture Multimedia Portrayals of a Communications Center: Race and Film in Atlanta Third in a series of articles highlighting the sociological context of ASA’s next Annual Meeting location . . . Atlanta by Dana White and Alex Hicks, acceptance of this “separate but equal” nation as “The City Too Busy to Hate.” Emory University doctrine in his address at the 1895 Cotton Unlike other Southern cities, its leader- States Exposition came to be called the ship preached and practiced controlled From its establishment in 1837 as a “Atlanta Compromise.” But slowly, with change. Atlanta could embrace regional railroad hub named “Terminus,” accelerating force from the early 20th relatively progressive racial policies Atlanta has functioned as a center of century, numerous Black Atlantans— because, as political scientist transportation, communications, and from Washington’s contemporary W.E.B. Clarence N. Stone has demonstrated distribution. The city re-emerged from its Du Bois to the Reverend Martin Luther in Regime Politics: Governing Atlanta, 1864 burning by the forces of General King, Jr.—would reject this politics of 1946-1988 (1989), a cohesive William T. Sherman, again as railhead accommodation, challenged it in the coalition of business leaders and Associates nexus for the Southeast, hosting interna- courts and in the streets, eventually governmental officials assumed tional expositions in 1881, 1887, and 1895. overturning racial segregation. civic leadership during the 1940s During this era, Atlanta promoted itself and 1950s. Late in the 20th century, ceaselessly, shamelessly, as the capital of No Time for Hate Atlanta would become the trans- a New—albeit segregated—South. As the civil rights movement un- photos courtesy of Kevin Rose and Booker T. Washington’s apparent folded, Atlanta presented itself to the See Atlanta, page 10

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

In This Issue . . . The Executive Officer’s Column Public Sociologies – An Agenda For Collaboration At the close of the ASA Council meeting on February 2, several of us bid ASA Supports Academic farewell saying, “See you next weekend in North Carolina.” We were eagerly anticipating the Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) winter meeting, held in Freedom Wrightville, NC, focusing on “how to be an effective feminist public .” Council supports sociologist Lynn ASA Council member Barbara J. Risman, North Carolina State University, is the SWS President. ASA Council member Jennifer Glass, Iowa State University, and Weber’s academic freedom in a ASA President-Elect would attend. I would be joined by ASA controversy about her classroom staff Carla Howery (a former SWS 3 guidelines. President), Jean Beaman, and Kerry Strand. That weekend is now a mere memory but a stimulating one of a very energized Recent Council Actions gathering that drew twice the attendees as From online journal subscriptions to usual. If the SWS meeting theme has a the centennial activity budget, recent familiar ring to it, that is because ASA ASA Council actions are President-Elect Michael Burawoy had 4 independently chosen “Public Sociolo- summarized. gies” as the theme for ASA’s 2004 Annual ASA Executive Officer Sally T. Hillsman (right) Meeting in San Francisco. Indeed, the leads a workshop on talking to policymakers. weekend following the SWS gathering, the 2004 Program Committee met to continue planning for that ASA meeting. As Doing Policy Work in DC Robert K. Merton, my teacher and long-time generous colleague to so many of us, ASA’s Congressional Fellow details would remind us, serendipity is powerful. The ASA Program Committee benefited the usefulness of a sociology PhD in from ideas and names of colleagues coming from the SWS event, as the SWS event 4 the search for a policy position. had benefited from our preliminary explorations of Burawoy’s chosen theme. The timing was obviously perfect. But when you add the convergence of groups on similar intellectual and professional issues and ideas, then you know good things are going to happen. Spotlight on Burawoy has done more than announce a theme and await session ideas. He has been personally writing and speaking about his ideas, and listening to the re- Departments sponses. Several exchanges have appeared in Footnotes’ Public Forum (e.g., see The University of -Green December 2002, p. 6, and January, 5 Bay’s Social Change and 2003, p. 8). He plans to participate in various state sociological society Development program emphasizes meetings (Pennsylvania and Georgia) social science and critical history. and the Society for Applied Sociology. Vantage Risman tapped Burawoy to speak at the SWS plenary session where he took issue Candidates for ASA with critics who lament the disappearance of , saying, “To be sure, the 1950s Point Offices was an era of heroic public sociologists, of C. Wright Mills, David Riesman, and , but they were few and far between. They were indeed heroic; it was Candidate biographies for President, after all the repressive era of McCarthyism!” Vice President and Secretary give an 6 In particular, Burawoy challenged the views of Orlando Patterson’s New York early look at the spring ballot. Times obituary-tribute to David Reisman, titled “The Last Sociologist.” Calling Patterson’s vision an “elitist conception of public sociology,” Burawoy argued that “today we have to expand our horizons, and expand the meaning of public sociol- ogy to include a wide range of publics—not just the readership of national media, New Task Forces Need which is an amorphous, invisible, passive, public made up of strangers, but also the much thicker publics that must begin with our students, extending to local Member Participation communities….” He reflected, “Indeed, With Council’s approval of new task the prototype of the public sociology of forces, ASA seeks nominations from today is the feminist movement that first 7 constituted its public, and then brought members. that public to self-awareness and mobili- zation. And in this view, SWS represents the archetypal mediator between profes- Sociologists Salute sional and public sociology.” This stirring call permeated two days of workshops on Robert K. Merton speaking to the media, sharing research with policymakers, and giving back to the Friends, colleagues, and former ASA President-Elect Michael Burawoy (right) and Jeff participants in ones’ studies. Leiter, North Carolina State University, participate in a students remember the late Merton, workshop on public sociology. 9 While SWS has long been a part of my former ASA President. professional life, this was my first SWS meeting as ASA Executive Officer. How satisfying it was for me to be able to report on the actions of the ASA Council, of only a week before, to file a Supreme Court amicus brief in the case, bringing solid social science research on discrimination, diversity, and affirmative action to bear on an important legal case that may well be this Our Regular Features generation’s equivalent of Brown v. Board of Education. How satisfying it was to see the ASA display table with a wide array of important scholarly and teaching Public Affairs...... 3 materials, including, especially important in this context, sample copies of Contexts, Departments ...... 12 our award-winning magazine that directly speaks to new publics. Obituaries ...... 13 SWS has been supportive of ASA’s initiatives. For years, SWS has made a donation to the ASA Minority Fellowship Program, and its members mentor a

See Vantage Point, page 5 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 3

Social Science Community Celebrates NIH Deputy Appointment PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE by Johanna Ebner, Public Affairs/ relative brevity and Information Office poor quality. “By placing ✔ National Academies may study process of appointing government science & these questions at technology advisors . . . . The National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) Committee on ational Institutes of Health (NIH) the top of NIH’s N Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP) met in February with other Director Elias A. Zerhouni announced scientific agenda, groups, including former White House science advisors and public health repre- the appointment of Raynard Kington as NIH is sending an Deputy Director of the NIH. His appoint- important message sentatives, to discuss a perceived need by some in the science community to collect ment was effective on February 9, 2003. to the research data on the process by which appointments are made to federal government sci- Kington’s appointment is a very encour- community,” said ence advisory panels. The suggestion that COSEPUP investigate this topic has aging sign to the behavioral and social Kington. He emerged in a Washington abuzz with allegations that the Bush administration is science communities, because of believes that the Raynard Kington unduly biasing advisory panels through a politically tainted selection process. (See Kington’s longstanding support for these welcoming of February 2003 Footnotes page 3, “Bush administration appoints human subjects re- sciences and promotion of social science behavioral and social sciences to solve search advisory panel members.”) Many in the scientific community have been research at the NIH. He was especially health problems is an important step concerned in recent months over the composition of a number of committees, in- effective and visible in his role as director toward improving the health of the cluding the Health and Human Services Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Hu- of NIH’s Office of Behavioral and Social public. man Research Protections (SACHRP). But systematic data on the process by which Sciences Research (OBSSR), where he has Kington’s research has focused on the scientists and others are selected to advise the executive branch will be a key ingre- served NIH’s director’s office since role of social factors, especially socioeco- dient to the Academies’ effective formulation of guidelines on how best to ensure November 2000. He also served as Acting nomic status, as determinants of health. qualified, balanced advice, according to some COSEPUP members. If COSEPUP Director of the National Institute of His current research includes studies of takes on the project, it could analyze the “federal government’s capacity to select Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) the health and socioeconomic status of highly qualified individuals for the top S&T-related advisory committees in the for nine months in 2002. black immigrants, differences in popula- executive branch,” according to a draft charge. A review of legislation governing “I am delighted to have Dr. Kington at tions in terms of willingness to participate the provision of advice to the government, the Federal Advisory Committee Act of my side as Deputy Director during this in genetic research, and racial and ethnic 1972 (FACA), might be included in its mission in order to examine whether FACA critical time for biomedical research,” differences in infectious disease rates. His and related policies are “adequate to safeguard the independence of, and maintain said Dr. Zerhouni. “He has shown great research has included studies of the an appropriate balance in, scientific and technical federal advisory committees.” It talent and has the right combination of relationship between wealth and health skills and experience to help the NIH status; the health status of U.S. Hispanic was suggested that the primary task of such a committee should be to address the move forward in these revolutionary populations; the determinants of health question, “What are the risks of poor advice or advice that is colored by ideology?” times for the biomedical sciences.” care services utilization; the economic COSEPUP mainly conducts studies on cross-cutting issues in S&T policy and was “This is the best news in a long time— impact of health care expenditures among chartered by the Academies to serve the President’s Science Advisor, the Director for Raynard, for ASA, and for science,” the elderly; and racial and ethnic differ- of the National Science Foundation, the Chair of the National Science Board, and said ASA Executive Officer Sally ences in the use of long-term care. heads of other federal research and development departments and agencies, as Hillsman upon hearing the news. “A well as chairs of relevant congressional committees. It also monitors developments person with a varied social and behav- Background in U.S. science and technology policy for the Academies. ioral sciences background in one of the ✔ highest-ranking positions within the Kington came to NIH from the Centers Human subjects legislation . . . . Last spring, U.S. House of Representatives National Institutes of Health is important for Disease Control and Prevention members Diana DeGette (D-CO) and James Greenwood (R-PA) introduced a bi- and significant news for sociologists.” (CDC). As Director of the Division of partisan bill (HR 4697) to address concerns about human subjects in medical ex- As recently as 2001, ASA formally Health Examination Statistics in the periments. Among other objectives, the bill, The Human Subjects Protection Act of recognized Kington’s contributions to CDC’s National Center for Health 2002, would have extended Common Rule protections beyond the domain of fed- social science when he was the honoree Statistics (NCHS), he led the National erally funded research, set guidelines for and authorize resources for IRBs, and at ASA’s Annual Meeting Science Policy Health and Nutrition Examination address informed consent. It also would provide new authority for the Department Survey, a comprehensive, ongoing survey Breakfast, a venue for celebrating the of Health and Human Services (HHS) and specifically to its Office of Human Re- of the health status, health behaviors, and accomplishments of key national science search Protections (OHRP). The idea was to give OHRP the means to help prevent diet of people in the United States. Before policymakers who have an impact on accidental deaths and injury such as occurred in medical experiments in recent sociological research and practice. joining CDC, Kington was a Senior Scientist at the RAND Corporation, where years. The bill did not progress beyond committee last year but DeGette announced Upon his appointment, Kington stated in February at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advance- that “NIH is the main engine behind he co-directed the Drew University/ RAND Center on Health and Aging. ment of Science that she would re-introduce the legislation. Of concern to some in medical discovery in this country and it the behavioral and social science communities is that the bill treats all human sub- is a great honor to be given this opportu- Kington holds a number of academic degrees. He earned his undergraduate BS jects similarly—regardless of level of risk—thus overburdening certain types of nity. I am looking forward to working research. In its draft, the bill requires written consent of all human subjects, a com- with Dr. Zerhouni and the NIH leader- and medical degrees from the University plication for studies involving children and others unable to legally consent to par- ship to help set the course for biomedical of Michigan and completed his residency ticipate in research. Social science organizations are monitoring this proposed leg- research in the 21st century.” training in internal medicine at Michael Reese Medical Center in Chicago. He was islation, ready to respond. Goals later appointed Robert Wood Johnson ✔ Clinical Scholar at the University of Medical/health researchers scramble to understand impact of federal govern- One of Kington’s goals, which he was Pennsylvania, earning his MBA and his ment standards for electronic health information under HIPAA . . . . Health and able to address within OBSSR, is to PhD in Health Policy and Economics from Human Services Department (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced in further support an NIH commitment to The Wharton School. February final security standards (i.e., the Privacy Rule) for protecting individually researching disparities in health. He The previous Associate Director of the identifiable health information that is maintained or transmitted electronically (see believes that it is important that research NIH, since 1993, was Ruth Kirschstein. www.hhs.gov/ocr/). He also announced modifications to a number of the elec- answers fundamental scientific questions She was also NIH Acting Director from tronic transactions and code sets adopted as national standards. Both final regula- about why some people enjoy long, January 2000 to May 2002. With a 46-year tions are required as part of the administrative simplification provisions included healthy lives while others appear locked history with NIH, she will now serve as a in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Ac- into life trajectories notable for their Senior Advisor to Zerhouni. ❑ cording to Thompson, the “national standards required under HIPAA will make it easier and less costly for the health care industry to process health claims and handle other transactions while assuring patients that their information will remain secure ASA Council Supports Sociologist Weber and confidential.” Health insurers and certain health care providers and clearing- ociologist Lynn Weber, director of those who teach courses centering on houses must establish procedures to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and avail- S race and gender. Faculty in women’s the women’s studies program at the ability of electronic health information by April 14. Researchers and IRBs now are studies, sociology, and beyond expressed scrambling to determine their roles relative to the Privacy Rule, and federal health University of South Carolina-Columbia, concern about the ferocity of the criticism has been embroiled in a controversy that research agencies are struggling to provide clear and timely guidance (e.g., see of Weber and her guidelines, fearing that information provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at emerged in the spring of 2002 regarding this development could have a chilling a set of guidelines she uses to create www1.od.nih.gov/osp/ospp/hipaa/), but there is much to resolve. Related to this, effect on faculty willingness to teach NIH issued a statement affirming support for data sharing and stating that data open and civil dialogue in her class- controversial subjects with open class- sharing is “essential for expedited translation of research…to improve human room. Some students had complained room discussion. that the guidelines as implemented in The guidelines, which were published health….” Starting with the October 1, 2003, receipt date, investigators submitting the classroom infringed on their speech in Women’s Studies Quarterly (vol. 18, an NIH grant application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year rights. The Foundation for Individual Spring/Summer 1990), ask students to must include a data sharing plan or state why sharing is not possible. NIH encour- Rights in Education, Inc. (FIRE) took up “acknowledge that racism, classism, ages applicants to discuss their plan with their NIH program contact (see the cause and launched an e-mail sexism, heterosexism, and other institu- grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-004.html). The HHS secu- writing campaign to protest Weber’s tionalized forms of oppression exist, and rity standards were published as a final rule in the February 20 Federal Register with approach. There is even a threat of a to agree to combat actively the myths an effective date of April 21, 2003. Most covered entities will have two years (until lawsuit being initiated by the South and stereotypes about our own groups April 21, 2005) to comply. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Carolina FIRE chapter. The Chronicle of and other groups….” The eight-point implements and enforces the security standards, transactions standards, and other Higher Education covered the contro- guidelines are designed to ensure civility HIPAA administrative simplification provisions, except for privacy standards, for versy in its September 27, 2002, issue, and free speech, not limit it, according to which the HHS Office for Civil Rights has enforcement responsibility. NIH is not with many letters to the editor following Weber. She hopes that they create an an enforcing agency. The complete text of both final rules is available at the CMS well into October. atmosphere in which “race, class, gender, Weber’s guidelines are well known to website (www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2). See a summarizing fact sheet on HIPAA at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/hipaa.html. many sociology faculty, particularly See Weber, page 11 4 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES ASA Council in Action . . . Doing Eye-opening Policy Work in Brief Summary of Recent ASA Council Actions Washington, DC The ASA Council met on February moving average calculation beginning by Susan Halebsky Dimock, ASA 2003 analyze. Through graduate academic 1-2, 2003, in Washington, DC, and one of with 2004 to determine ASA Sections’ Congressional Fellow training one develops the ability to its key decisions included giving the session and financial allocations, with discern the relevant questions to ask ASA Executive Office permission to post the provision that for the next three I’ve just about an issue or a situation and one Council minutes on ASA’s website in years no section will be disadvantaged finished my sixth knows how to take steps to solve the place of publishing the full text of the by the loss of sessions or budget alloca- week working for problem or address the issue. PhDs tions. minutes in Footnotes. This keeps the Senator Jack Reed working outside academia also stressed minutes highly accessible while allowing • Placed on the spring 2003 ballot (D-RI) on changes in the Bylaws (see article on that having substantive expertise in an interested members to read a briefer healthcare issues. area is not essential on the job market: summary of Council meetings in the page 1). Because of his • Authorized the Executive Office to if one has the necessary skills and printed newsletter, all while reserving membership on abilities, a PhD signals to employers Footnotes place a copy of the full, approved space in for other items of the Senate Health, that the applicant can quickly learn interest. Complete minutes of the Minutes of Council meetings on the ASA website, and to place a summary of Education, Labor Susan Halebsky new subject matter on the job. Council meeting will be posted on the and Pensions selected actions and discussions in Dimock A PhD does provide real-world skills ASA website at www.asanet.org/ Committee, I am Footnotes. and abilities; a person need only frame governance/minutes.html after they in a position to have been approved by Council. • Adopted a budget for 2003 as proposed them as such in their resume, cover closely observe healthcare So, the following is not an exhaustive by the Executive Office and Budget letters, and interviews. For example, in policymaking, an area in which both list of Council actions but simply a Committee. looking at DC job listings I’ve seen the the process and subject matter have summary of the highlights of the • Approved plans to disseminate the following skills, which all PhDs acquire broad sociological relevance. February Council meeting: report of the Task Force on Articulation. during their graduate work: the ability • Noted this task force’s commitment to • Reviewed the latest draft of the amicus Health issues are especially chal- to support a position with argumenta- quality instruction of the discipline. To brief in the case of Grutter v. Bollinger, et lenging because of their breadth and tion and logic, the ability to combine al. Understanding the timing constraints that end, Council recommended that any complexity. As a graduate student, faculty member teaching a college level and integrate diverse types of informa- of filing the brief with the Supreme working on my PhD dissertation, many tion, the ability to suspend judgment Court, Council authorized the amicus course in sociology have at least MA- advisors and readers were concerned level (or equivalent) preparation in and to work with ambiguity, and the subcommittee (i.e., President, President- that my research topic was too broad. ability to implement and manage all Elect, Immediate Past President, and sociology. But by Capitol Hill standards, it was phases of a complex research project. Secretary) to approve the final draft with • Created three new task forces (see rather narrowly focused. In fact, the While academia has provided PhDs the understanding that updated drafts article on page 7). • Added mentoring and marginality as a breadth of policy and legislative issues with tools that are perhaps more will be sent to Council members. I cover for Senator Reed has converted • Affirmed appointment of liaisons to regular part of the agenda for the theoretically and empirically advanced me into a bit of a generalist. This is not outside organizations: Cecelia Ridgeway Department Chairs conference at the than those used outside of academia, a bad thing, as I am learning a great to the American Association for the Annual Meeting. graduate training has also provided Advancement of Science (AAAS) • Endorsed the creation of a mentoring deal about a wide range of important critical thinking and problem-solving Economic/Political Section, Carl Meyer program to support sociologists who and timely issues. The growing list of skills that are essential in the nonaca- to the AAAS International Section, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or issues I am responsible for includes demic world. transgender (LGBT) or who want to antibiotic resistance, antibiotic short- Barbara Schneider to the AAAS Educa- Now, where to look for a job… focus on LGBT scholarship. ages, direct-to-consumer advertising of tion Section, Paul Roman to the Decade Nonacademic PhDs that I spoke with • Agreed to move ahead with the drugs, bioterrorism, chronic care, of Behavior, and Charles Hirschman to work in a variety of settings, including editorial project proposed by the quality care, geriatrics, cancer, the the Council of Professional Associations government, think tanks and nonprofit Centennial Publications Committee to National Institutes on Federal Statistics. organizations. At one produce a volume on the last 100 years of Health, and • Adopted on a one-year trial basis a end of the spectrum travel policy that asks members attend- of American sociology. substance abuse. A PhD does provide real-world are think tanks such ing ASA governance-related meetings to • Agreed to move ahead with planning And in recent skills and abilities; a person need as the Urban Insti- purchase their own tickets and seek for a possible centennial documentary to weeks I’ve been only frame them as such. . . tute that focus on reimbursement within prescribed cost present sociological accomplishments to familiarizing the American public. academic research. A sociologist at the guidelines. Maximum costs by region myself with Medicaid claiming by • Created a subcommittee of Council to Urban Institute enjoys the benefits of a will be reviewed and adjusted periodi- public schools. cally. work on international activities in research institution without the teach- • Considered but declined a proposal to conjunction with the ASA centennial. In future Footnotes columns I will ing responsibilities and is expected to provide a free section membership to all • Committed up to a total of $75,000 discuss the substance of the issues I publish in peer-reviewed journals. The new student members. from American Sociological Fund for deal with, but this month I will describe federal government may be the other • Selected sites for the 2006 and 2007 centennial activities ($20,000 seed money the unique nature of finding a nonaca- end of the spectrum. A person can Annual Meeting. (Announcements of for the proposed documentary, $25,000 demic job in Washington, DC. Com- pursue a research position with the cities and states will be in Footnotes when for the proposed volume on 100 years of pared to finding a “real” job (i.e., one government or can do administrative contracts are final.) American sociology, and $30,000 for not underwritten by a fellowship), work in the government. In between, • Directed the Executive Office to use other centennial events). finding a position on Capitol Hill for there are many large and small think geographic rotation as one factor when • Voted to affirm the academic freedom which my ASA fellowship was appli- tanks and nonprofits in DC that employ of Professor Lynn Weber and all faculty selecting future annual meeting loca- cable was relatively easy. If only every PhD research staff. tions. to develop strategies or guidelines to graduate student going on the aca- Additionally, there are many for- • Congratulated Claude Fischer for the encourage open and civil classroom demic or nonacademic job market profit consulting firms that hire PhDs to successful launch of Contexts magazine debate, to support the discussion and could have such a pleasant experience, dialogue of controversial issues that are work on government contracts. Gov- and for having received the Association at least as job searches go. I sent out inherent to the study of inequality and ernment jobs are easy to learn about of American Publishers’ Best Journal in roughly a dozen cover letters and other core subjects, and to direct the ASA (see www.usajobs.opm.gov), but the Social Sciences Award for 2002, and resumes and the majority of the President to write a letter containing this difficult to come by. If pursuing this for having won recognition from within congressional offices called to schedule motion to be sent to the Dean of the avenue, count on at least six months the discipline and without. Council an interview. I received multiple job College of Liberal Arts and the Chair of between submitting your application appreciates the extraordinary vision, offers and even turned down inter- leadership, dedication, sociological the Sociology Department of the Univer- and being hired. Also, it is important views! But keep in mind that from their insight, and effort shown by Fischer. sity of South Carolina as well as to the that applicants familiarize themselves perspective, my services were free, • Expressed its appreciation to former Chronicle of Higher Education (see article with the proper resume format and the because the ASA congressional fellow- Executive Officer Felice J. Levine for her on page 3). “knowledge, skills, and abilities” ship pays my salary. While getting this vision and leadership in the successful • Received and reviewed the report of section of the government job applica- job was not so difficult, there are many launch of Contexts as an important the Task Force on Journal Diversity. tion process. For non-government jobs • Reviewed costs associated with annual employers in DC seeking to hire PhDs. vehicle to convey the uses and contribu- there is not one ideal place to look. The meeting services, and asked that the It is challenging to find such a job, but tions of sociology within the discipline Washington Post website (www.washing Executive Office provide the member- it is possible. My own experience—and and beyond. tonjobs.com) is quite useful, and there ship with details on the high cost of that of other PhDs in nonacademic • Agreed to move forward with plans to are also job listings online that are selected audio visual and other services. jobs—suggests that the skills and make ASA journals available online as specific to Washington (such as • Reviewed the status of association abilities employers seek include being part of each print subscription, at no www.washingtonnetworkgroup.com). additional cost to members. finances and investments at the end of able to accomplish work on short Many nonprofits post job openings on • Increased non-member individual 2002. deadlines, multi-task, communicate their websites. Thus, it is useful to first subscription prices by $10 per subscrip- • Reviewed the costs associated with clearly in verbal and written form, and compile a list of groups whose mission tion, and increased institutional sub- providing journals to members. manage a committee and a large • Met in executive session to select or work suits your interest area, and scription rates by $20 per subscription research project. ❑ for 2004. editors for, American Sociological Review, then watch their postings. A number of PhDs in nonacademic • Adjusted JSTOR from a five-year Social Psychology Quarterly, and Teaching window to a two-year window. Sociology. jobs stressed that having a PhD was a This column is the first in a series by ASA • Allocated an additional 30 pages for • Considered but declined a suggestion significant credential in DC because it Congressional Fellow Susan Dimock, who Sociology of Education in 2003. for adopting interest groups as an meant to prospective employers that is serving on the staff of Senator Jack Reed alternative to small sections. ❑ the applicant could think, organize, and • Adopted the use of a three-year (D-RI) for six months. MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 5

Spotlight on Departments A Supreme Court Challenge to Legal Aid An occasional column showcasing accomplishments by Douglas Snyder, Prince George’s Soon thereafter IOLTA programs emerged Community College in several Canadian provinces. and innovations in sociology departments The first state to start using IOLTA was Florida in 1981. By the end of 1987, 45 A current case before the Supreme states and the District of Columbia had Not Just Sociology at U. of Wisconsin-Green Bay Court of the United States illustrates how adopted IOLTA programs; the remaining by Jean Beaman, Academic and Perspectives on Social Change (a a social movement is vulnerable to five states later followed. Both the challenges, mainly litigation, even when Professional Affairs required course); Power and Change in American Bar Association and the legal America; and Feminist Theory. the movement has a long-standing aid network played key roles in the positive history. For the past ten years, a niversity of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Although there are no admission spread and popularity of IOLTA. A major U requirements to the major and minor, the conservative Washington, DC, nonprofit stimulus leading to the current wide- Social Change and Development (SCD) organization, the Washington Legal spread use of IOLTA in the United States department prides itself on being an curriculum is very rigorous. Majors are required to take Portfolio in Social Foundation (WLF), has been trying, by was a 25-percent cut in federal funds for atypical sociology department. Its means of law suits, to dry up a principal legal services during the first year of the innovative and interdisciplinary program Change and Development, both at the beginning and end of their program. This source of funds currently used in state Reagan administration. A further incen- emphasizes social science and critical legal aid programs. These programs tive for the development of strong state history and immerses students in histori- requirement allows them to assess their progress and accomplishments in the deliver professional services to the poor programs was prohibitions on the use of cal, comparative and critical perspectives, and indigent involved in civil legal federal funds for class-action suits, critical thinking, problem solving, major as preparation for life outside college. Courses in writing are also matters. lobbying, and union organizing. In a citizenship, and democracy. WLF is seeking injunctions to stop number of states today, IOLTA comprise The department consists of 11 faculty, required. Students can also minor in Social Change and Development and these state administered programs from over half of total funds allocated to legal including sociologists, anthropologists, using any Interest on Lawyer Trust services. Nationally, IOLTA are the second historians, economists, and political often combine this with a major in a related discipline. In addition, the Accounts (IOLTA) as a source of funds. largest funding source after the federal scientists. Students are encouraged to IOLTA provide interest from a variety of Legal Services Corporation. Total IOLTA develop critical perspectives in order to department funds the Center for History and Social Change, which promotes funds that if held in separate client funds are estimated at $150 million of the understand the world in which we live. accounts would be too small an amount total expenditures of $850 million. IOLTA Throughout its many courses, SCD historical study through lectures and seminars. and/or too short-term to draw interest in programs cost taxpayers nothing. focuses on “the problem of why and how excess of service charges. However, societies and cultures around the world SCD also emphasizes internships and research projects as a way for students to aggressive lobbying and filings by legal Decision Impact change and the question of whether those aid advocates have led to legislation or apply knowledge and get “hands-on” The Supreme Court must decide changes promote justice, equity, democ- court rulings in all 50 states and the learning. “SCD’s internship program is whether to support WLF’s claims that racy and development of human poten- District of Columbia, allowing these trust rooted in the idea that the modern IOLTA constitute a “taking” of private tial,” explains Professor Andrew Austin. accounts to be pooled. As a result, a university in a democratic society should property. If the case is decided in WLF’s According to Austin, the underlying considerable amount of money to fund play a role in preparing students to favor, legal aid funds in at least the 26 logic of SCD is C. Wright Mills’ sociologi- legal services is generated. participate actively in shaping their states with mandatory programs will be cal imagination, allowing students to WLF has provided legal representation communities,” says Austin, who serves jeopardized. During the December place their life in the context of the society in three U.S. District Court suits to as internship director. Austin has hearing, several justices, notably “swing and world in which we live. “SCD stresses declare IOLTA unconstitutional as a recently worked on a large-scale truancy voter” Sandra Day O’Connor, seemed the central elements of ‘good sociology’: prohibited taking of property under the assessment project in the city, which skeptical that IOLTA, which would result historical thinking, critical theoretical Fifth Amendment. WLF attorneys first involved students at every stage. in little or no return to individual clients, approaches, and democratic participation filed in Massachusetts in 1993 and filed SCD is one of many interdisciplinary could be considered a taking. But two and community engagement.” The more recently in the states of and departments at the University of Wiscon- possible rulings besides a total stoppage department aims to produce graduates Washington. In prior state and federal sin-Green Bay, a mid-size university with of IOLTA income are of concern to legal with “superior preparation in the social suits and in the Massachusetts case, 5,000 students. The University’s “Green service advocates: (1) Individual clients sciences,” says Austin. SCD complements IOLTA had consistently been declared Bay Idea” stresses interdisciplinary could opt out of having their IOLTA used advanced study in sociology as it trains constitutional, based upon a ruling that programs, critical thinking, problem for legal aid to the poor; (2) IOLTA students in sociological analysis. Because nothing of value had been taken. Re- solving skills, and citizenship. While all programs could be made voluntary in the the university offers only a minor in cently, however, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court students complete a general education 26 states now with mandatory programs. sociology, many students major in SCD. of Appeals ruled that the Texas IOLTA program, they synthesize knowledge With either outcome, income from There are currently more than 50 students program was unconstitutional. At the from several subjects in their interdisci- IOLTA to fund state legal service pro- in the department. same time, the 9th Circuit Court found plinary programs. The Social Change and grams would decrease sharply, dealing a SCD offers four emphases: American that the Washington state program was Development department is an example severe setback to the drive for equal Social Issues, which covers social change constitutional. WLF successfully appealed of such a program in that it firmly justice in this country. It is estimated that and problems in American society; Global to the U.S. Supreme Court for a ruling on stresses that to understand the past, our current funding of legal aid programs Studies, which focuses on the Third World the Washington suit. The court heard oral own lives, and our own society, one must allows them to serve just 15 to 20 percent and international development; Law and arguments in December in the suit understand the world. of those living in poverty who need legal Justice Studies, for students interested in against the Washington program. The suit For more information on SCD, contact advice and representation. The Supreme law school; and Women’s Studies. seeks an injunction to stop use of IOLTA Students can also design a more specific Andrew Austin, Social Change and Court decision is expected in June. Development, University of Wisconsin- explicitly in Washington and implicitly in emphasis. The department offers a range all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Doug Snyder was appointed recently by of courses including Freedom and Social Green Bay, Green Bay, WI 54311, (920) 465-2359, [email protected]. ❑ the outgoing Maryland governor to the Board Control; Women and the Law; Historical Historical Impetus of Directors for the Maryland Legal Services The history of IOLTA programs Corporation (MLSC). MLSC distributes ASK ASA . . . provides an interesting example of the grants to agencies serving the poor in civil diffusion of an innovation. The first use cases. He is presenting a roundtable paper, Our sociology program is due for its once-a-decade review. We have a joint program of IOLTA for legal aid took place in “Legal Aid in the United States: Past and with anthropology and social work. What are the standards ASA sets for a sociology Current Challenges,” at the Sociology of Law major and how can our department be accredited by those standards? Australia in the early 1970s. There, like elsewhere, legal aid supporters were Section’s August 16 session at the ASA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. He can be The ASA offers a consulting service called the Department Resources Group (DRG) to searching for creative ways to fund these ❑ assist departments with program reviews. The reviewers who serve on the DRG are programs, rather than relying on pro bono reached at [email protected]. nominated on the basis of their expertise in teaching, curriculum design, and expertise with efforts or direct government funding. specific teaching challenges (e.g., the introductory courses, teaching research methods). They attend special training sessions at the Annual Meeting. When you call the Executive Office (202-383-9005 ext. 323), staff will make recommendations for colleagues to serve on the reviewing panel who come from similar Vantage Point, from page 2 types of institutions as yours, and who have particular expertise in areas on which you want to focus. There is no charge for ASA’s service; the department pays the expenses of scholar who is selected for an award. as Durkheim noted, times of conflict the visitor and a reasonable honorarium. In terms of standards, the most useful resource is the booklet, titled Liberal Learning SWS not only voted to join ASA’s bring us together. But there is more and the Sociology Major, which suggests sample goals and a process for departments to amicus brief as a signatory but also going on within sociology than a examine their curriculum. An ASA task force is in the process of updating this 1990 made a contribution to defray the costs reactive stance. Sociologists are not document. of its filing. Granted that by that North waiting to be asked, not passively The ASA does not accredit programs. There is a Commission on Applied and Clinical adopting a Rodney Dangerfield “no Programs that does accredit programs with applied and clinical emphases (See Carolina weekend in February I was a www.sociologycommission.org/. Contact Commission Chair: Harry Perlstadt at Michigan bit dazed, having just attended a long respect” attitude and merely sighing State at [email protected] for more information). Most liberal arts disciplines do not string of intense weekend meetings. about it. In many of our overlapping accredit programs, although psychology and chemistry are two exceptions. But when I periodically became circles we find that our ideas, evi- When you have a combined department with a field like social work that has an confused as to whether I was working dence, and perspectives speak to other accrediting mechanism, it is important to have some national norms information on audiences about important ways of sociology that can serve as a proxy for formal accreditation. The ASA homepage contains at a particular moment on an ASA task research reports on many aspects of department life, and a recent survey of departments force issue, with ASA Council mem- understanding the world. While we will soon produce additional data on issues such as enrollments and course offerings. Feel bers, with a regional association, or on are not always in agreement as free to call ASA for other information and advice on making the strongest possible case for an SWS project, the fuzziness evapo- sociologists, we are going public about your program. rated as I realized the strong overlap in what we have to offer, and we are - Carla B. Howery, Academic and Professional Affairs our people and our interests. Perhaps, doing it together as sociologists. ❑ 6 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES Candidates for ASA Offices in 2003 In accordance with election policies 1994); Elected to the Sociological Rogin, eds., Race and Representation: Publications: “Thinking Sociologically established by the ASA Council, bio- Research Association (1993); book Affirmative Action, New York: Zone, 1998 about Digital Technology, Teaching, and graphical sketches for top office candi- award, Gustavus Myers Center for the (originally published in Representations, Learning: What We Know and What We dates are published in Footnotes. The Study of Human Rights in the United 55, 41-58, Summer, 1996); “The Stratifica- Need to Know” (with Denzel E. Benson, biographical sketches appear below in States, 1992; finalist, American Sociologi- tion of Cultures as the Barrier to Demo- Wava Haney, Tracy E. Ore, Aileen alphabetical order by office. Biographical cal Association’s Distinguished Scholarly cratic Pluralism,” in Robert Orrill, ed., Schulte, James Steele, and Idee Winfield). sketches for all candidates will be Publication Award, 1992. Education and Democracy: Re-imagining 2002. Teaching Sociology 30 (2): 140-157. available when ballots are mailed to all Personal Statement: I am honored to be Liberal Learning in America, New York: “Civil Society, Economic Distress, and current voting members in early April. a candidate for the President who will The College Board, 1997, 263-286. Social Tolerance” (with Adam Green and organize the centennial ASA meeting, Personal Statement: For the full century Liena Gurevich). 2001. Sociological Forum President-Elect where we will surely celebrate the of its existence, Sociology in the United 16 (2): 203-230. “Values, Control, and Present position: contributions of American sociology. But States has always had to vigorously Outcomes in Public and Private Distinguished we can and should do much more: engage competing explanations of Schools,” Pp. 387-407 in Handbook of Professor of Sociol- Looking backwards can help us to reflect human social behavior. As I see it, three Sociology of Education, edited by Maureen ogy and Public on the present situation of our discipline dominant current competing frames are T. Hallinan. New York: Kluwer Aca- Policy, University at by illuminating the ways that sociology The Market, The DNA, and Individual demic/Plenum, 2000. “Gender and Albany, SUNY (2000- has had its greatest impacts but may Willpower. In the attempt to better Education in Global Perspective” (with present). Former have also missed great chances. Looking explain, for example, poverty, violence, Carrie James, Trivina Kang, and Karrie professional forwards will bring us face to face with and intelligence—on the one hand, and Snyder), Pp. 407-440 in Janet S. Chafetz positions: challenges, such as the limits of a alcoholism, corporate power and (ed.), Handbook on Gender Sociology, New Associate to Full distinctly American sociology in an personal greed on the other—the appeal York: Plenum, 1999. Preparing for Power: Richard Alba Professor, SUNY- increasingly globalized world, but also of these competing frames is powerfully America’s Elite Boarding Schools (with Albany (1980-2000); with opportunities: one is the value of seductive. Popular print and electronic Peter W. Cookson, Jr.), New York: Basic Founding Director, Center for Social and our deep store of theory and research media are best attuned to these three Books, 1985. Paperback edition, 1987. Demographic Analysis, SUNY-Albany about diversities of various kinds, along major competitors—and the gatekeepers Personal Statement: If elected, I would (1981-1990); Assistant Professor, Cornell with our own robust diversity in social are impatient with complex social work to support and enhance what the University (1977-1980); Assistant backgrounds and identities, for under- analyses. Sociologists can wince at the ASA does to strengthen research, the Professor, Lehman College, CUNY (1974- standing the dynamics of multicultural challenge, retreat from the public public presence of sociology, the teach- 77). Education: PhD (1974), AB (1963), societies. Calling upon our sociological encounter, and become increasingly self- ing and learning of sociology, and a Columbia University. Offices held in imaginations, we can devise new referential. Or, we can roll up our sleeves commitment to social justice. Through its other organizations: President, Eastern strategies for meeting the challenges in and be better prepared for engaging publications program, annual meetings, Sociological Society (1997-1998); Mem- teaching, advancing knowledge, and those debates—starting with our own special workshops, and relations with ber, Advisory Committee for Program on promoting a hopeful vision of social shifting priorities in self-consciously the media, ASA works to improve International Migration, Social Science change to a fractured planet. determining who and what we should research and its dissemination. Our field Research Council (2001-2002); Member, better reward in the discipline. leads in advancing teaching and learn- General Social Survey Board of Over- Present position: ing, for example, through the ASA Vice President-Elect seers (1996-2000); Editorial Board, Social Professor of Sociol- Teaching Resources Center and the Forces (1997-2000); Deputy Editor, ogy, New York Present position: Departmental Resources Group. ASA Sociological Forum (1990-1995). Offices, University. Former Professor of works to advance social justice through committee memberships, and editorial professional posi- Sociology, Depart- the minority scholars and MOST appointments held in ASA: Vice tions: Professor of ment of Sociology, programs. President (2000-2001); Chair-elect, Sociology, University New York Univer- In these and more ways, ASA sup- section on Community and Urban of California- sity, 1971-present ports and enhances society, sociology, Sociology (2002-2003); Member, Task Berkeley, 1979-1999 (assistant profes- and the continuing development of its Force for the Re-Examination of ASA (Chair, 1985-1988); sor to professor; at members. It must continue to serve the Restructuring (1999-2000); Chair, Task Director, Institute for various times: public good, and serve as a bulwark Force on ASA Policy Statements (1999- the Study of Social Change, University of Chair, Director of Caroline Hodges against both corporate and political 2000); Editorial Board, American Sociologi- California-Berkeley, 1979-1998. Educa- Graduate Studies, Persell values seeking to diminish the free cal Review (1998-2001); Chair, Section on tion: PhD, Northwestern University, Director of exchange of ideas. If elected, I will International Migration (1995-1996). 1962; MA, University of California-Los Undergraduate Studies). Former advance these professional ideals, as Publications: co-author with Victor Nee, Angeles, 1959; BS Northwestern Univer- professional positions: Project Director, well as service and intellectual openness Remaking the American Mainstream, sity, 1957. Offices held in other organi- Bureau of Applied Social Research, within ASA. Press (2003); Ethnic zations: Chair, Board of Directors, Columbia University, 1968-1971. Na- Identity: The Transformation of White Association of American Colleges and tional Coordinator, College Assistance Present position: America, Yale University Press (1990); co- Universities, 2002-present; Social Science Program, National Scholarship Service Professor of Sociol- author with Roxane Silberman, Research Council, National Advisory and Fund for Negro Students, 1962-1966. ogy, University of “Decolonization immigrations and the Board, 2002-present; American Associa- Education: Columbia University, MA, California-Irvine social origins of the second generation: tion for the Advancement of Science, PhD, 1967, 1971. Swarthmore College, (2001–present). The case of North Africans in France,” Advisory Committee on Germline BA, 1962. Offices held in other organi- Former positions: International Migration Review (2002); co- Intervention, 1998-2000; National zations: President, Eastern Sociological Professor of Sociol- author with John Logan and Brian Stults, Advisory Council, National Human Society, 1995-96. Editorial Board Mem- ogy, University of “How segregated are middle-class Genome Research Institute, 1996-1999; ber, American Sociologist, 1990-1998, Arizona (1987-2001); African Americans?” Social Problems Science Advisory Panel, National Gender & Society, 1993-1996. Chair of the Assistant to Associate David Snow (2000); co-author with John Logan, Brian Institutes of Health, Research on Violence, Book Award Committee of the American Professor, University Stults, Gilbert Marzan, and Wenquan 1993. Offices held, committee or task Educational Research Association, to of Texas (1976-1987); Instructor, Southern Zhang, “Immigrant groups in the force memberships in ASA: Chair, ASA select the best research based book on Methodist University (1975-1976). suburbs: A reexamination of Task Force for Statement on Race, 2001- education published in the last two Education: PhD, University of Califor- suburbanization and spatial assimila- 2002; Executive Office of the Budget, years, 1985-1986. Sociologists for Women nia-Los Angeles (1976); MA, University tion,” American Sociological Review (1999). ASA Council, 1991-1993; ASA Council, in Society: Chair, Anti-Discrimination of California-Los Angeles (1972); MA in Professional contributions: Chercheur 1988-91; Corresponding Editor, Theory Committee; member, Publications Urban Studies, University of Akron associé, Centre National de la Recherche and Society, 1989-1991. Publications: Committee, 1980s. Chair, Educational (1971); BA, Ohio University (1966). Scientifique (2000); co-chair, MEUS “Social Side Effects of the New Human Problems Division of the Society for the Offices held in other organizations: (Multi-ethnic United States) module Molecular Genetic Diagnostics,” in Study of Social Problems, 1978-1980. Board of Directors, Society for the Study design committee, General Social Survey, Michael Yudell and Robert DeSalle, eds., ASA offices held: Chair, American of Social Problems (1997-2000); Presi- 1998-2000; participant, ASA Congres- The Genomic Revolution: Unveiling the Sociological Association Task Force on dent, Pacific Sociological Association sional seminar on immigration, 1998; Unity of Life, Washington, DC: John the Creation of an Advanced Placement (1997-98); Chair, C. Wright Mills Award consultant, Allgemeine Bevölkerungs Henry Press, 2002; “The Sociology of Exam in Sociology, 2001-present. Committee, Society for the Study of umfrage der Sozialwissenschaften Science and the Revolution in Molecular Member of the Distinguished Career Social Problems (1995-96); Vice Presi- (ALLBUS) 1996 survey, Zentrum für Biology,” in J. R. Blau, ed., The Blackwell Award Committee of the American dent, Pacific Sociological Association Umfragen, Methoden und Analysen Companion to Sociology, London and New Sociological Association, 1991-1993. (1993-1994); President, Society for the (1993-1996). Honors and awards: York: Blackwell, 2001; “The Morphing Chair, Publications Committee of the Study of Symbolic Interaction (1992-93). German Marshall Fund Fellowship Properties of Whiteness,” in B. American Sociological Association, 1987- Offices, committee memberships, and (2002); Guggenheim Fellowship (2000- Rasmussen, E. Klinenberg, I. Nexica and 1989. Editorial Board Member, Sociology editorial appointments held in ASA: 2001); Russell Sage Foundation Visiting M. Wray, eds., The Making and Unmaking of Education, 1993-1995; Teaching Sociology, Publications Committee (2001-2003); Scholar Fellowship, (1999); Excellence in of Whiteness, Durham, NC: Duke Univer- 1982-1985. Chair, Section on Under- Council (1995-98); Chair, Collective Academic Service Award, University at sity Press, 2001; “Individual Fairness, graduate Education, 1988-1989; Sociol- Behavior and Social Movements Section Albany (1998); Fulbright Research Group Preferences, and the California ogy of Education Section, 1983-1984, (1992-1993); Committee on Professional Award, Mannheim University (1993- Strategy,” in Robert Post and Michael American Sociological Association. Ethics (1990-1993); Editorial Boards: MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 7

American Sociological Review (1990-1992) Secretary-Elect excellence. In scholarship, I have PhD, Washington State University, 1971, Social Psychology Quarterly published two books in the last five 1973. Offices held in other organiza- and (1993- Present position: years, along with papers in leading tions: Member, Bureau of the Census 2000). Publications: Co-editor with S. Assistant to Full journals. I have won both the UCLA Advisory Committee of Professional Soule and H. Kriesi, The Blackwell Professor, University Distinguished Teaching Award and the Associations, 1993-99; Deputy Editor, Companion to Social Movements (forth- of California-Los ASA’s Distinguished Contribution to Demography, 1995-1998; Member, Panel coming 2003); “On the Presumed Crisis Angeles, (1976- Teaching Award. And I have served the on Poverty and Family Assistance, in Ethnographic Representation: Obser- present). Education: ASA as officer in two sections, various Committee on National Statistics, vations From A Sociological & PhD, University of standing committees, and teaching National Research Council, 1992-1995; Interactionist Standpoint,” Journal of Michigan (1977); BA, related activities. My vision of the ASA is Member, ICPSR Council, 1992-1996; Contemporary 31 (2002); Co- Emory University that it first and foremost serve all the Member, American Statistical author with D. Cress, “The Outcomes of (1968). Offices held William Roy members—small college, research Association’s Census Advisory; Panel on Homeless Mobilization: The Influence of in other organiza- university, and non-academic sociolo- the 1980 Census Undercount, 1983-1984. Organization, Disruption, Political tions: Executive Board, Social Science gists; those whose professional lives Offices held, committee or task force Mediation, and Framing,” American History Association; Editorial Board, accentuate teaching and those who focus memberships, and editorial appoint- Journal of Sociology 105 (2000); Co-author American Journal of Sociology; Editorial on research; those solidly in the main- ments held in ASA: Co-Editor, American with R. Benford, “Framing Processes and Board, Research in Political Sociology; stream and those challenging comfort- Sociological Review, 1999-2003; Member, Social Movements: An Overview and Publications Committee, Pacific Socio- able assumptions; those in secure Council, American Sociological Associa- Assessment,” Annual Review of Sociology logical Association. Offices held, professional appointments and those tion, 1989-1992; Member, Task Force on 26 (2000); Co-author with D. Cress, committee or task force memberships, struggling for their professional lives. In Graduate Education, 1992; Member, “Resources, Benefactors, and the and editorial appointments in ASA: an era of shrinking material resources Program Committee, American Socio- Viability of Homeless SMOs,” American Rose Book Series Editorial Board (2002); and a political context that subdues open logical Association, 1984. Publications: Sociological Review 61 (1996). Dissertation Award Committee (2000- inquiry, it is important that the ASA step “Ethnic Concentrations and Labor Professional contributions: Keynote present); Council, Comparative-Histori- up its efforts, both internally and Market Opportunities,” pp. 106-140, in Speaker, Annual Alpha Kappa Delta cal Sociology Section (1999-2002); externally. Frank D. Bean and Stephanie Bell-Rose Initiation Ceremony, University of Committee on Teaching (1998-2001); (eds.), Immigration and Opportunity: Race, Arkansas-Fayetteville (2002); Jensen Advisory Committee, Preparing Future Present position: Ethnicity, and Employment in the United Lecture, Duke University (1999); Princi- Faculty (1999-2002); Chair, Ad Hoc William H. Sewell- States. New York: Russell Sage (1999). pal organizer, Center for Applied Committee on Graduate Education Bascom Professor of Franklin D. Wilson and Gerald Jaynes. Sociology, University of Arizona (1998); (1994-1997). Publications: Making Sociology, University 2000 “Migration and the Employment Taft Memorial Lecture, University of Society: The Historical Construction of the of Wisconsin- and Wages of Native and Immigrant Cincinnati (1997); Board of Directors World We Live In. 2001, Pine Forge Press. Madison, 2001- Non-College Educated Workers” in Work (1999-2001) and Vice President (1995- Socializing Capital: The Rise of the Large present. Former and Occupations, vol. 27, No. 2 (May), pp. 2001), Primavera Foundation, Tucson, Industrial Corporation in America. 1997, professional posi- 135-167. Franklin D. Wilson and Roger AZ. Honors and awards: Fellow, Center Princeton University Press. “Aesthetic tions held: Assistant Hammer. 2001. “Ethnic Residential for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Identity, Race, and American Folk Professor to Profes- Segregation and Its Consequences” pp. Sciences, Stanford, California (1999- Music.” Qualitative Sociology. 25 (2002): Franklin Wilson sor, University of 272-303, in Lawrence Bobo, Alice 2000); Visiting Professor, École des 459-469. “How Many Logics of Collec- Wisconsin-Madison, 1973-2000; Professor O’Connor and Chris Tilly (eds.), Urban Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris tive Action?” with Rachel R. Parker- and Chair, Department of Afro-Ameri- Inequality: Evidence from Four Cities. New (1999); Down on Their Luck: A Study of Gwin. Theory and Society. 28 (1999): 203- can Studies, 1984-1987; Chair, Depart- York: Russell Sage. Homeless Street People (with L. Anderson) 237. ment of Sociology, 1988-1991; Center for Personal Statement: Not available. received the Charles Horton Cooley Personal Statement: What I offer is a Demography and Ecology, 1994-1999. Award, Society for the Study of Symbolic deep commitment to and past achieve- Education: BA, Miles College, 1964; MA, Interaction (1993), the Distinguished ment in all three pillars of academic Scholarship Award, Pacific Sociological Association (1994), and the Scholarly Achievement Award, North Central Sociological Association (1994); Morris Council Approves New Task Forces, Seeks Member Involvement K. Udall Fellow, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona On February 2, the ASA Council voted to establish three new task forces to undertake work of priority importance to the Association and its (1994); Elected, Sociological Research membership. The new task forces are (1) the Task Force on the Assessment of the Undergraduate Major, (2) Task Force to Revise the ASA Association (1992). Areas of Specialty, and (3) the Task Force on Bridges to the Real World. Personal Statement: Among the chal- These task forces will be seated in June, commence their work immediately, and meet for the first time at the Annual Meeting in August. lenges confronting the discipline in The task force structure was adopted by Council to allow the organization to be flexible and respond in a focused manner to important needs of general and the ASA in particular, three the discipline. By Council action, task forces have up to two years in which to complete their assigned task. strike me as especially critical at this Nominations, including self-nominations, are sought for these task forces. Nominations should include a statement of interest and a brief juncture: to continue to embrace and biographical sketch on relevant background and expertise. Send nominations and supporting materials to American Sociological Association, nurture the virtues of diversity and Attn: Governance, 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005. The deadline for submission of nominations is May 1. inclusivity in terms of membership, A subcommittee of the ASA Council will review the nominations and select the members. Appointments will be made in early June. In theoretical perspectives, methodological establishing these task forces, Council underscored its commitment to the broad participation of the ASA membership in the Association’s approaches, and substantive interests work. Council urges members with relevant interests to volunteer to serve on these task forces. without simultaneously and unwittingly generating a mix of disconnected New ASA Task Forces & Charges interests and voices that ultimately renders what we do indecipherable not Task Force on the Assessment of the Undergraduate Major … will undertake research, deliberation, and writing to only to others but to ourselves as well; to produce a report to: rediscover and vitalize a set of theoreti- • Describe the “landscape” of undergraduate assessment as it pertains to sociology, cal and methodological principles that • Identify promising practices in sociology departments, including exams, portfolios, assessment imbedded in courses, under gird and connect our substantive • Explore the possibility of and pluses and minuses of a standardized exam and any role ASA might play in its preparation and in pursuits, and that distinguish us from keeping norming information, our sister disciplines in the social • Suggest means to help departments consider these options and learn more about them, including events at the Annual Meeting, and sciences, without simultaneously and • Create model materials that departments could use to undertake useful assessments. unwittingly undermining the diversity The report will be presented to Council by January 2005. and openness generative of innovation and creativity; and to understand more Task Force to Revise the ASA Areas of Specialty … will examine and update the categories of areas of interest in use throughout the Association. These areas appear on the membership application form and on the biographical profile for each member. Each fully that the viability of our discipline and practice mandates that we talk not member is asked to select up to four areas of specialty, or interest. These data are used for many purposes, including production of customized only to each other but that we engage mailing lists, and monitoring of trends in the discipline. While new categories have been added periodically to coincide with the addition of new sections, there has not been a complete re-examination of the list for more than a decade. The Task Force will be asked to prepare a pressing domestic and global issues publicly by conversing with the various revised list of specialties for submission to Council by January 2004. polities and publics relevant to those Task Force on Bridges to the Real World … will build upon the work of the “Blue Ribbon Task Force” from the early 1990s. issues. These are broad and complicated Many persons are drawn to sociology in the hope that they can use their skills to advance social justice at home or abroad. However, neither challenges, to be sure, but they are the training nor the jobs of many sociologists provide the tools or paths to use their sociological expertise to further community-service goals. fundamental to our enterprise and will This task force will seek ways to provide opportunities for more sociologists to develop the relevant skills and create mechanisms to bring thus receive my attention and commit- those skills to arenas in which they can make a difference. It will consider the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, but will not be ment as an officer of the ASA. limited to those possibilities. The task force will try to develop proposals to institutionalize ties between academic sociologists and the public, especially community- and social-change organizations and the media. 8 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

Merton, from page 1 devoted to tracing origins, he chose a Along with Parsons, he helped make to give each a precise organization, often Advanced Study in the Behavioral first name after Robert Houdin, the Emile Durkheim’s notion of functional offering a classificatory scheme to assist Sciences, and the Russell Sage Founda- French magician whose name Harry analysis central to the field—though readers in applying his tion. Merton was a mentor to such Houdini (himself originally Erich Weiss) Merton preferred to speak of “structural- conceptualizations to different empirical disparate but important sociologists as had adapted. And when he won a functional analysis” and tried to avoid phenomena. , James Coleman, Lewis Coser, scholarship to Temple University he was reduction of an approach to an ortho- Merton not only coined but loved Rose Coser, , Seymour content to let the new name become doxy or “ism.” Merton eschewed the memorable phrases and the patterns of Martin Lipset, Alice Rossi, and Arthur permanent. building of grand theoretical systems in association and evocation in which they Stinchcombe. He was equally influential At Temple College—a school founded favor of what he called “middle-range were passed on. One of his most famous in social studies of science, which for “the poor boys and girls of Philadel- theories” designed to guide empirical books traces the phrase, “if I have seen became increasingly interdisciplinary, phia” and not yet fully accredited—he inquiry. He made famous the distinction farther it is by standing on the shoulders with students including Steven and chanced on a wonderful undergraduate of “manifest” from “latent” functions, of giants,” through centuries of use. The Jonathan Cole, Harriet Zuckerman, and teacher. It was serendipity, the mature denied that social cohesion could be phrase is most commonly associated Thomas Gieryn. In the work of all, one Merton insisted. The sociologist George assumed as ‘normal,’ and gave analysis with Sir Isaac Newton, though with the can see not only Merton’s specific ideas E. Simpson took him on as a research of social conflict more attention than did widespread success of On the Shoulders of but the distinctive style of combining assistant in a project on race and the Parsons, though not enough to escape Giants (1965), Merton must be a very theory and research characteristic of media and introduced him not only to the widespread criticism of functional- close second. What Merton showed with Columbia sociology during his time sociology but to Ralph Bunche and ism that started in the 1960s. dazzling erudition and more than a few there. Franklin Frazier. Simpson also took A crucial argument of Merton’s early entertaining digressions was that the Robert Merton is survived by his wife Merton to the ASA annual meeting work was that science is misunderstood aphorism originated with Bernard of and collaborator Harriet Zuckerman, by where he met , founding as the product of individual geniuses Chartres in the 12th century. This cor- three children, nine grandchildren, and chair of the Harvard sociology depart- able to break free from conventions and rected not only those who cited merely nine great-grandchildren—and by ment. He applied to Harvard, even norms. Instead, he stressed the “ethos of Newton but those who credited the thousands of sociologists whose work is though his teachers told him this was science,” the normative structure specific phrase to ancient authors, including shaped every day by his. usually beyond the reach of those to the field that encouraged productivity, apparently nonexistent ancient authors, graduating from Temple. And when he critical thinking, and pursuit of continu- perhaps thinking thereby to accord it Calhoun is President of the Social Science arrived, Sorokin took him on as a ally improved understanding. He was greater dignity and impress readers with Research Council and Professor of Sociol- research assistant. By Merton’s second not always happy when students left the their Latin references (that South ogy and History at New York University year they were publishing together. Mertonian fold in their efforts to push Philadelphia high school taught Merton and can be reached at [email protected]. In addition to Sorokin, Merton sociology forward, but he did always four years of Latin). apprenticed himself to the historian of recognize that this was how science Merton’s book became famous science George Sarton—not just for his worked. enough to be known (at least among ❆ ❆ ❆ stay at Harvard but for years of the Sociology of science remained the initiates) by the acronym “OTSOG.” This epistolary exchanges Merton loved. field closest to Merton’s heart. But his was partly because it was so engagingly A few weeks after I arrived at And—serendipity again (perhaps)— contributions also deeply shaped the written, a scholarly detective story in the Columbia, I encountered a tall man Merton decided to sit in on the first later development of such disparate form of an epistolary novel (remember outside my office. He was busy moving theory course offered by the young fields of study as bureaucracy, deviance, Merton’s early reading of Tristram boxes. I ignored him and went into my , just back from Europe communications, social psychology, Shandy). But it is also a serious inquiry office. Hours later, I went out. He was and working through the ideas that , and indeed social into the phenomena of scholarly refer- still there. He looked suspicious to me, would become The Structure of Social structure itself. Indeed, his work was ence and citation, the development of so I stopped and introduced myself. He Action. The encounter with Parsons did pivotal to the emergence of some of reputations, and the place of science said, “I know who you are.” I said not just inform his knowledge of these as subfields. In the course of his amid humane knowledge. something like “Well, I don’t know who European theory, but deepened his idea simultaneously theoretical and empirical Merton continued to address the you are,” and of course, he said, “I am of sociology itself. Still, as he wrote later, analyses, Merton coined such now- relationship between the first appear- Robert Merton.” I turned white, but “although much impressed by Parsons common phrases as “self-fulfilling ances of ideas and the occasions when recovered enough to ask “would you as a master-builder of sociological prophecy,” and “role model.” they begin to have more serious influ- like to have lunch sometime?” Bob said, theory, I found myself departing from Somewhat surprisingly for a theorist, ence, noting how many basic scientific “No.” While I was thinking “he got me his mode of theorizing (as well as his Merton was also one of the pioneers of advances were anticipated by there, for not recognizing him,” he said, mode of exposition).” Indeed, Merton modern policy research. He studied an “prediscoveries” that failed to change “but you can come over to my apartment was among the clearest and most careful integrated housing project, did a case the way scientists thought. That in turn and have a scotch.” And so, sometime prose stylists in sociology. He edited study of the use of social research by the raised the question of why this should later, I did. each essay over and again, and left AT&T Corporation, and analyzed be, whether in any specific case it was Then, and in subsequent conversa- behind added footnotes and revisions medical education. Most famously, because the “prediscoverer” lacked tions, I learned a little more about Bob both large and small to a host of his working with his Columbia colleague stature, or because the context wasn’t Merton. First, he was enormously gifted. writings. It was easy to imagine that he and a range of students ready, because a crucial connection Every conversation was serious and might have been a professional editor and colleagues, he carried out studies of wasn’t made, or because an empirical or demanding. I had to think when I talked had he not been an academic. propaganda and mass communications practical test wasn’t identified. The role with him, and think hard. Second, Indeed it is easy to imagine the young during World War II and wrote the of chance connections—serendipity—in talking with Bob Merton improved one’s Merton turning in any of several classic, Mass Persuasion (1946). scientific breakthroughs became another own mind. He demanded intensity and directions. His first articles, written as a Merton and Lazarsfeld formed an enduring focus for Merton’s boundless clarity, and was always willing to correct graduate student and published in 1934- enormously productive partnership, curiosity and careful scholarship. sloppy thinking. He was thus a brilliant 35, addressed “Recent French Sociology,” training generations of students and Though he recently allowed a manu- builder of people. And third, Merton “The Course of Arabian Intellectual developing a program of theoretically script on the topic to go to press, he did was a brilliant builder of institutions. Development, 700-1300 A.D.,” “Fluctua- informed but empirically rigorous not regard it as finished and one sus- Working with him in the Institute for tions in the Rate of Industrial Invention,” research. Though Lazarsfeld was pects that on this, as was true of so many Social and Economic Research and Policy and “Science and Military Technique.” generally considered the methodologist of his themes, he had countless more (the new Bureau for Applied Social Ultimately, he wrote his first major study of the pair, Merton also innovated in index cards squirreled away, footnotes Research), Bob always reminded me with on Science, Technology, and Society in research methods, developing (with waiting to be added. pleasure that he “never directed the Seventeenth Century England (1938), and Marjorie Fiske and Patricia Kendall) the Of course, as Merton showed, bureau.” With me, and perhaps others, in the process helped to invent the “focused group interview” that gave rise discoveries once well known could be that was true, technically, but not sociology of science. to the now-ubiquitous focus groups of forgotten, leading to rediscoveries, substantively. He was always in control, By the time he was 40, Merton was political and market research. As Merton especially by the young. Some of and that is fitting, for Merton was one of one of America’s most influential social later remarked, focus groups are no Merton’s own work has itself been the true giants of the discipline. And so it scientists and had embarked on a replacement for surveys based on subject to partial eclipse and rediscovery, seemed that he would live forever, lengthy career at Columbia University. representative samples. Still, he said, he as for example the recent vogue for carefully influencing and helping us He was a member of the National wished he could be paid a royalty fee identifying causal ‘mechanisms’ that can shape the direction of the department, Academy of Sciences and honored in a whenever the technique was used. function in explanations of disparate the Institute, and the discipline. host of other ways. Since he had chosen Merton’s writings were not only phenomena reproduces important His death is a profound loss to social sociology, he could not win a Nobel broad ranging but extraordinarily aspects of his notion of middle-range science, and to Columbia social science prize, of course, but his son did. And at influential. Their influence can be theories. in particular, whose distinguished 90, Merton the father would call on his attributed to the fact that, in addition to Near the end of his life, Merton history owes much to the remarkable son for help learning enough new having the virtues of clarity and sheer remarked on the oddity of living long work that he did, on social structure, mathematics to read exciting work by intellectual creativity, his writings were enough to write contributions to the science, the fundamentals of sociological younger colleagues like Duncan Watts. addressed to working sociologists, festschriften of so many of his students. thinking, and empirical research, for so He remained intellectually active until providing an interpretation of the craft The explanation was not mere longevity, many years. This work will continue at the end of his life, a witty and engaged and tools for its improvement. They of course, but the fact that he was Columbia though certainly with less presence at conferences, energetic in were the ideal teaching tools for gradu- extraordinarily influential as a teacher. brilliance and grace than if Bob were still using email to stay in touch with an ate students. While Merton wrote several As important as each was as an indi- with us. We were lucky to have so much extraordinary range of contacts, and still important books, the extended essay was vidual intellectual, both Merton and time, and we will miss Robert Merton writing. his chosen form and his classic book, Lazarsfeld may have been even more with the same intensity that he lived his Merton was perhaps the last of an and Social Structure (origi- important as mentors and animators of life. extraordinary generation of sociologists nally published in 1949 and revised and an intellectual community at Colum- Peter Bearman, Institute for Social and whose work shaped the basic definition expanded in 1957 and 1968) is a collec- bia—and indeed beyond, at the Social Economic Research and Policy, of the discipline in the mid-20th century. tion of some of his best. He worked hard Science Research Council, the Center for Columbia University MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 9 Sociologists Remember Robert K. Merton

❆ ❆ ❆ that influence will not diminish quickly in bureaucratic firms and organizations in effect until the end of my days, in the now that he has gone. had more self-directed values and fervent hope that until then I shall have On my last visit to Robert Merton, Many of us will mourn him person- orientations than did men employed in nothing but joy (along with the inevi- just before he died, I found the same ally. It is indeed a loss. As one of his less bureaucratized enterprises—even table patches of suffering) in my work.” man, keen to talk of ideas, as I first distinguished students, Cynthia Epstein, taking into account their educational May we all be so lucky. encountered when I was his student in wrote to me: “I am devastated. I thought attainments and all sorts of other social Elizabeth C. Needham, Columbia the 1960s and the decades to follow. His he would live forever.” But he will of characteristics. How could that be, when University book on serendipity just published, he course. Merton had shown, in his justly famous ❆ ❆ ❆ was eager to pursue my question about We mourn, and shall mourn. But essay, “Bureaucratic Structure and the correspondence between serendipity what a glorious ride he enjoyed! Not Personality,” that bureaucracy embodies I first saw Bob Merton in April 1947 and paradigm shifts, and spoke at length merely that his intellectual work was “structural sources of overconformity”? at the meetings of the Eastern Sociologi- about it. Scholarship and ideas—a love admired, and early on. In addition, True enough, my data supported the cal Society, held that far-off year at the of language—and their transmission to scholars in our own and in many other belief that some of the conditions Columbia Faculty Club. I was then a students, colleagues and the public were fields actually used the tools and ideas attendant on bureaucratization—in first-year sociology graduate student at the forces that motivated Merton. he created. particular, close supervision—are Yale, fresh from four years in the I wrote my dissertation in the 1960s As most creators of analytic tools conducive to a certain literalistic con- infantry, and had come down from New on the question of why there were so learn, the demand for them is not high. formism. But, my analyses also showed Haven with a friend, anxious to learn few women in the professions and in Sociology, most academics agree, has that other conditions associated with more about sociology. My friend pointed public life. Using his conceptual frame- hardly been granted any royal standing, bureaucracy—in particular, the job out the celebrities at a plenary session. work of the dynamics of status sets I while sociologists themselves typically protections it affords, and the more There was Robert Lynd, wearing his noted the patterned undermining of denigrate their field and its tools more substantively complex work that midwestern black minister’s suit, and C. women’s access. I mention this because than anyone else does. By contrast, bureaucrats do—have countervailing Wright Mills in Madison Avenue double- unlike many women students elsewhere Merton and I agreed that sociology made effects. The key to my anomalous breasted gabardine. And Merton, boyish discouraged from writing on gender an enormous contribution to 20th century finding lay not in repudiating the at age 36, wearing a Harvard tweed issues, Merton encouraged me and he intellectual life even if few recognize that validity of Merton’s analysis, but in jacket and smoking a pipe. He looked later asked me to write a chapter on sex historic fact, while he himself has been extending that analysis to encompass a young, precocious, and wise—and by roles for his book on social problems. He greatly honored within and outside the greater range of structural conditions. 2003 he had not changed much. He was was important in the careers of scores of field. I must admit, though, that I was a remarkable then and remarkable until women scholars, among them noted Merton’s work was greatly respected, little concerned that Merton might not his death. One defining characteristic of feminist scholars Alice Rossi and Rose but he was also charismatic; some would see it that way: not many scholars take Bob was his enduring precocity. Coser. say that he was even glamorous. I kindly to questioning one of their most I did not see him again until 1951, Sometimes unjustly viewed as witnessed his tricks when he performed renowned works. I needn’t have been when I enrolled at Columbia after conservative, RKM’s sociological vision as a magician, but he was even more concerned. Merton’s reaction to my spending four years doing research in inspired the work of students who were magical when he carried out some paper was to treat me (then at an early Japan. He was Mr. Theory at Columbia, to create new (and often oppositional) sociological analysis before an audience stage of career) as colleague, increasingly while Lazarsfeld was Mr. Method. The paradigms and new social programs. or on paper. as friend, and in a decades-long ex- irony of this is that most of us learned at Among them were Alvin Gouldner and He was a self-aware performer, but change of reprints and letters, and in Columbia that there is a very fine line Lewis Coser, who was to found the the product was not tricks or trivia. He occasional meetings, to warmly encour- between theory and method—some say socialist journal Dissent. It is an example earned the widespread admiration he age my work, even (with Harriet they are the same. Hanan Selvin, a of Merton’s own analysis of “obliteration received, for he empowered his listeners Zuckerman) to resurrect my little-known student of Bob’s and a friend and by incorporation” that his and readers. Many had an Aha! experi- PhD thesis in their series, Dissertations in contemporary of mine, memorably conceptualizations of “unanticipated ence when they saw what he was Sociology. I choose my giants well. (So wrote in a Lazarsfeld Festschriftt, “we consequences” and the “self fulfilling demonstrating. He convinced them that did Merton, his giant in my anecdote were satellites not of one sun, but of two, prophecy” are not credited to him today, with these new sociological tools they being, of course, Weber.) for Robert K. Merton and Paul F. as is his profound influence on the could perceive, explore, analyze, and Melvin Kohn, Johns Hopkins Lazarsfeld so dominated sociology analysis and identification of institution- reveal the social forces that would turn University during these three decades that no lesser alized discrimination and structural out to be as real. They would not be ❆ ❆ ❆ figure of speech will suffice.” constraints on those who do not have the ephemeral cocktail gossip, opinions A second defining characteristic of means to achieve success. dashed off as witicisms, but the dynam- When Professor Merton’s assistant, Bob Merton was his 35-year collegial RKM was a magnificent editor and he ics that actually shape our lives. Now, he called me at home in May 1998, I was relationship with Paul Lazarsfeld. There gave his time and language skills exhorted, you can do these things too. studying for my final exam in Contem- are few examples in the history of unstintingly to students, friends, and Believing deeply in both sociology porary Sociological Theory. Annoyed by science of two such brilliant and accom- new scholars. He marked up their and in his responsibility for getting it the interruption (as any first-year plished colleagues maintaining such a manuscripts with a myriad of editorial just right, he worked hard and long on graduate student would be), I mistook strong personal and scientific relation- corrections enhanced by his collection of his manuscripts. He intended his her for a telemarketer and almost missed ship for an extended period of time. rubber stamps to highlight a good idea contributions to be worthy of being read the chance to interview for the post she They co-authored or co-edited relatively with a light bulb or to underscore as literature, and mostly he succeeded. then held. With the fates on my side, that few publications, but their influence on something for special attention with a His dedication made us more willing to call began a five-year relationship with each other’s work is immeasurable; as pointed finger. In his editing of my book aim just a bit higher, for we should be RKM: my teacher, my mentor, my one privileged to have written a number Deceptive Distinctions, RKM even went to creating seriously. employer, my friend, and ultimately my of biographical articles on Lazarsfeld, I the trouble to prepare me psychologi- We pass this place just once, and surrogate grandfather. We spent count- can attest that Bob was never far in my cally, so that I would not feel crushed by mostly we do not control the shape and less hours in his study reviewing mind from the text I was writing. his red ink and the many suggestions details of our destinies. Sometimes, we research for his latest projects, editing A third characteristic—and if space that sharpened my work. are just lucky. Merton was. But so are we proofs for publication, preparing permitted I could describe many more— Further, I found he knew how to who now can say, “I knew Bob Merton correspondence, solving computer was his cultural erudition. He always respond intimately, but always respectful up close; he was a great figure.” And crises, or sometimes just talking about seemed to have read everything and to of privacy, when people were experienc- even if your knowing was somewhat days gone by. have known everything. His famous ing hard personal times. less, you can still feel lucky. Of course he was hard to please, and 1965 book On the Shoulders of Giants I was privileged to study with him William J. Goode, George of course he was demanding and traces in the manner of classical human- and from time to time to be in his Mason University sometimes downright cranky. But what ism the origins of the aphorism com- company as a friend. I carry, as a ❆ ❆ ❆ he asked of others never approached monly ascribed to Newton: “If I have heritage, from exposure to his ideas, a what he asked of himself and what he seen farther, it is by standing on the passion for the sociological vision. As In a characteristically gracious contributed on a daily basis. In addition shoulder of giants.” And in a 1984 paper with others, it was his ultimate gift. inscription to a copy of the 1985 edition to laboring over his own work-in- he traced the origins of what has become , City University of of his delightful book, On the Shoulders of progress, I watched him edit an endless known as the Kelvin Dictum: “When New York-Graduate Center Giants, Robert Merton addressed me as a succession of manuscripts by students you cannot measure it, when you cannot ❆ ❆ ❆ “colleague-at-a-distance.” I would have and scholars from around the world. express it in numbers, your knowledge is welcomed this appellation no matter And even in his final months, he opened of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.” I first met Bob Merton over 60 years where or when he employed it, but I his study and his famous files to re- Precocious and erudite. Very ago, when he sought me out at my thought Merton’s sending me this book searchers from across disciplines. And Mertonian. And like most of us at Mexico City apartment. From that time thus inscribed was wonderfully apposite, somehow he always found time to read Columbia, something of a Lazarsfeldian on our lives have been intertwined, first for I had once briefly stood on the and criticize my work. His perceptive as well. Not a bad way to be remem- through his close friend , shoulder of a giant, who was himself (and sometimes unsolicited) suggestions bered. and afterwards because of our long standing on the shoulder of another guided me along an academic path that I David L. Sills, Executive Associate period together as members of the giant. The giant on whose shoulder I never could have predicted. Emeritus, Social Science Research Council Columbia University Sociology Depart- stood was Merton himself. And so when I re-discovered RKM’s ❆ ❆ ❆ ment. I hadn’t meant to consort with giants, little-known “Self-Emancipation Procla- Together we strove in many shared but the main driving force in my life— mation,” I deeply understood his pledge: With the passing of Robert K. enterprises, we fought, and we loved trying to understand anomalies in my “TO REMOVE AT LONG LAST the Merton, we have lost the premier one another. Bob enriched the lives of data—pushed me there. In the course of albatross hung around my neck in the sociologist of the 20th century. almost all sociologists now alive (and assessing the relationships between form of ever-urgent deadlines.... BE IT His work, always seminal, brilliant, many of the dead as well) even when conditions of work and personality, I had FINALLY UNDERSTOOD that this Self- they are ignorant of that impact. And unexpectedly found that men employed Emancipation Proclamation shall remain See Merton, page 10 10 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

Merton, from page 9 and sound, initiated research traditions compromised. We have not known, and Merton’s intellectual life. His mentorship magician practicing in South Philadel- in mass communication and mass will not soon know a greater master of took two forms: individual and collec- phia. Like Merlin, he always kept an persuasion, deviance, medical sociology, language in our ranks. His prizes and tive. Individually, scholars at the Russell insistence on perfection, on endless bureaucracy and organization, reference honors were uncountable and all Sage Foundation, where Merton long polishing, polishing which yet is kept group theory, the sociology of knowl- deserved. As a critic he was always served as senior savant, often heard the private. At Harvard, Merton turned to edge, sociological theory, applied selective, never wholesale, and ever rapid staccato of his manual typewriter examining magic’s leading modern sociology, and above all the sociology of gracious and generous in his sharpness. in the knowledge that one of them competitor, science. He probed beneath science. Through his students and We who were his friends know how would soon receive an impeccably surface detail for a deeper understand- through those whom he influenced, all steadfast and devoted he was to us. He typed, elegantly phrased, and often ing of how it worked as an institution. these traditions persist in good health to respected and wanted to know what we uncomfortably acute point by point Then, along came Social Studies of the present. Many of his words inform knew, but it always happened that we review of a recent paper, presentation, or Science to scan the backstages of science. our ordinary language—”unanticipated learned more from him than he from us. conversation. They also knew that if he This generated some wonderful case consequences,” “self-fulfilling proph- His presence was charismatic but in no attended their session of a seminar, studies and much airing of peccadilloes, ecy,” “focus group,” to name only the way intimidating. It was a joy to be with Merton would remain silent through but only the Mertonian view offered any most evident. him. We will greatly miss but not forget most of the discussion, then deliver a coherent explanation of the magic of Bob Merton possessed the rarest this man of stature, grace, intelligence, telling review of argument and evidence science itself. Merton could explain deep talent of integrating theoretical concerns wit, and humanity. coupled with concrete suggestions for (a topics in apparently common-sense with rigorous empirical research. His , University of great deal of) further work, as well as an ideas and prose, as if by magic, and this work displayed both imaginative flair California-Berkeley invitation to a private parley. skill aided him to inculcate and diffuse and impeccable rigor, both generality ❆ ❆ ❆ Collectively, Merton complemented variants and adaptations as apt more and focus, both abstractness and clarity. his own investigations of science, widely, as to the study of professions. His scientific standards were never Mentorship supplied one vivid bureaucracy, reference groups, and South Philadelphia was run by a strand in the varicolored fabric of Robert community attachments with didactic strong political machine, and political from page 1 essays that identified extremely general savvy is another key to Merton coming Atlanta, social phenomena—unanticipated from his early background. Merton portation and communications center for two months. Significantly, during the consequences, self-fulfilling prophecies, developed into a major boss during the anomie, and many more—and told other growth of American sociology. He kept the Southeast, broadly defined as an area hiatus, the film played for a full week at people how to think clearly about those up with and helped hundreds of stretching from Savannah to New Bailey’s Royal Theater, the premiere Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico to the phenomena. In those essays, he sociologists and used his connections to Black theater on Auburn Avenue. mentored the world. Individual and build up our institutions. So did his Mason-Dixon line. collective mentorship converged, teacher, Talcott Parsons, and both were By century’s end, Atlanta would Censorship furthermore, when Merton reminded characterized by a ruthless albeit house regional offices for most major Bernstein and White, in the third and many a younger scholar, gently but sophisticated drive for power. Merton American corporations, as well as many fourth legs of their work, will focus on firmly, that an ostensibly new idea bore was able to call the shots in much of international ones, and serve as corpo- film reception, both audience response resemblances to one that Merton himself sociology, and more broadly in allied rate headquarters for Coca-Cola, Delta and censorship. Concerning the latter, an had laid out with characteristic clarity disciplines, pure and applied. Airlines, and the Turner Communica- years before or (worse yet) that the Merton was a master of the brief official City Censor operated in Atlanta tions division of Time-Warner Corpora- youngster had misrepresented a essay, which he used to unearth causal from 1914 to 1962, paying close attention tion. It would become the site, along side Mertonian argument. We miss our mechanisms with claims to some to matters of race, as well as general Emory University, Georgia State Univer- mentor. universality and often labeled by phrases propriety, in films shown throughout the sity, and the Georgia Institute of Technol- Charles Tilly, Columbia University as memorable as jingles. Yet he also was city. (Bernstein and White have acquired ogy, of the six-member Atlanta Univer- ❆ ❆ ❆ partner in large-scale and long-term a copy of all the extant records of that sity Center, the world’s largest concen- studies. The accomplishments we office’s operations.) Atlanta censors, for tration of historically Black institutions I only met Robert Merton twice, but memorialize derived from 70 years of example, ensured that White Atlantans unremitting work and writing, with of higher learning. A cosmopolitan that was enough to leave a lasting would never see Warner Bros.’ 1937 film attention to detail as well as to person center for the South, it would become a impact. The first time was near the start about the notorious Leo Frank case, and to exact nuance of thought. center of Afro-American prosperity and of my second year at Columbia, and I Mervyn LeRoy’s They Won’t Forget, much was still nervous about even belonging Harrison C. White, Giddings Professor of political empowerment. However, as they had assured that no Atlantans to a sociology department (my PhD is in Sociology, Columbia University “relatively progressive” and “cosmopoli- ever saw Universal’s big-budget version engineering), let alone being left face to ❆ ❆ ❆ tan” hardly precluded an era of social of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s face with the great man. Instead of conflict and tumultuous change stretch- Cabin (1927). Such bannings reflected the exposing me for a fraud, however, he In 1965, Robert Merton advised us to ing across much of the 20th century. views of the local cultural custodians told me that he was quite aware of my stand On the Shoulders of Giants. He was background as well as my work, and already one of the giants many of us had Film Chronicle about what types of topics were appro- priate for film viewing in the city. that as far as he was concerned I had found of great value. By that time, his been a sociologist all along—no matter several books and a score of articles had The history of changing race relations, However, they have been just one part of prominent in chronicles of the national what my CV said. I felt redeemed, enriched—in content and in style—the the history of film going in Atlanta, honored, and overwhelmed all at once. sociological literature. And that was only civil rights movement, is receiving a new along side demand and supply and More than anything, however, I felt the beginning. Many more important and telling analysis in the work-in- popular cultures, White and Black, local obligated not to disappoint him. The books and articles appeared through the progress of Emory film scholar Matthew and national. next time I saw him—at a workshop in next several decades, enriching the Bernstein and Emory urban historian At the 2003 ASA Annual Meeting, honor of Paul Lazarsfeld, and implicitly literature in social theory, the sociology Dana F. White. This work investigates Bernstein and White will participate in a him—we exchanged only a few brief of science, social psychology, and a wide cinema across the color line in Atlanta, special session, titled “Black Movie words, but the effect was the same: he range of other topics. from 1895 through1996. Fandom in Atlanta, c. 1935.” This will had expectations of me and I wanted to He had taken his first course in Their study has four foci. One is center on the presentation by White of meet them. In part, I’m sure my reaction sociology, about 1930, with George directed toward the construction of “Reception by the Numbers: A was just that of a young man being Simpson, then a professor at Temple “theater biographies” of Atlanta’s major Headcount of Movie Fans in Black flattered by the attention of an elder University. Years ago, George described movie palaces, its segregated White Atlanta” and by Bernstein of “‘And the statesman, but there was something else to me, with great delight, the sparkle theaters and its so-called “Colored” envelope please’: Analyzing the Atlanta as well. In one brief perusal he had that Merton brought to his class by his understood not only the specifics of my questions and his comments. The clarity theaters as well—their locations, their Daily World’s 1935 Movie Contest,” plus work, but the larger picture as well; in and enthusiasm of his young scholar’s ownership and management policies, commentary on these papers by socio- and their popularity among Atlanta’s fact, he seemed to understand my participation in the class convinced the logical discussants. In addition Bernstein intentions pretty much the way I professor that, once Merton settled on a Black and White moviegoers. and White will, with the cooperation of understood them. To Merton, these career he would be a star. That predic- A second focus considers the movie Turner Classic Movies, assist the ASA in events probably passed without much tion was fulfilled not only by his writing business in Atlanta, which has been a the presentation of a two-evening film notice, but to me they spoke volumes but by his excellent teaching, his profitable business. Atlanta has been a festival/symposium, titled “Warner about a man who not only could reach numerous public lectures, at home and major distribution center for Hollywood Bros. versus Atlanta.” This will combine out across 60 years and engage so abroad, and by the richness and generos- films across the Southeast and Atlanta’s showings of that studio’s I Was a Fugitive completely a new set of ideas, but who, ity he showed to his wide circle of “Film Row” is the site where national from a Chain Gang, Oscar winner of the with more immediate matters to deal friends. companies maintained regional offices National Board of Reviews award for with, would take the time to do so. We I happened to be in Philadelphia in with complex distributional policies. In best picture of 1932, and its 1937 lynch- can all thank him for his work, for which 1994 when Merton was being honored Atlanta itself, movies were sent to ing drama They Won’t Forget. Each he more than deserves to be remem- by the American Council of Learned individual theaters only at particular showing will be introduced by Bernstein, bered. But I want to thank him simply Societies. His autobiographical response times; and within this system, Black followed by discussions, facilitated by for his empathy, for which I will remem- to the award was a modest appraisal of ber him and which is not as common as the “social and cultural capital” he had theaters were considered to operate Bernstein and White, on the sometimes- it sounds. shared, even as a boy in a deteriorating quite on their own. Thus, the popular tumultuous interactions among the Imitation of Life (1934), one of the first Duncan Watts, Columbia University area of Philadelphia. From whatever national film producers and disparate ❆ ❆ ❆ backgrounds, we have all shared richly Hollywood films to deal seriously with groups within the city of Atlanta and the ❑ in the social and cultural capital created racial themes, which premiered at the state of Georgia. agic is a first key to understand- by Robert K. Merton. Fox movie palace for three weeks in M ing the great sociologist whom we J. Milton Yinger, Oberlin College December 1934, was pulled from memorialize. Robert K. Merton emerged distribution in White-only theaters after from the chrysalis of Merlin the teen-age MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 11

Amicus, from page 1 Bylaws, from page 1 citations. By the meeting’s end, substan- academic performance.” Addressing an nearly two-dozen recommended Members’ Resolutions may be submitted tial portions of the brief had been drafted important legal issue in the Michigan amendments to the current Bylaws, and more than once each year, voting in rough form, but at that point two cases, the brief explains why individual- after reviewing the recommendations members will be asked to approve ten things were clear: on the one hand, we ized consideration of race in the context ASA Council approved submitting those technical amendments to the Constitu- were covering much more scholarship of an entire applicant file is appropri- changes to the voting membership. tion and Bylaws. than could be included in the brief, and ately narrowly tailored, in contrast to Members will vote on these proposed • The current Bylaws indicate that the on the other, significant gaps remained plans such as those that guarantee changes in the spring election. The incoming President (and other officers) in our coverage of relevant research. admission to the top 10 percent of high precise word changes will be presented assume office “one day prior to the date Facing a hard deadline of mid- school graduates, which treat all appli- in the ballot mailing. announced for the close of the Annual February, Reskin took the drafts from the cants above the threshold identically and This article provides a brief overview Meeting.” Under the old five-day task force and worked day and night have proven ineffective in recent of the proposed changes, but feel free to meeting schedule, this allowed the (literally) to identify and incorporate research by Marta Tienda and her visit the ASA website (at outgoing President to preside at the additional research and to refine the colleagues in promoting genuine racial www.asanet.org/governance/ Annual Business meeting and pass the argument to address as effectively as and ethnic diversity. amendments.html) to see more details as gavel to the incoming President at that possible the issues before the court. The Council approved the ASA amicus well as a copy of the Bylaws with the time. However, with the move to a four- brief itself had to be submitted not brief at its February 2003 meeting. Other proposed changes incorporated into the day Annual Meeting, the Business directly by the ASA, but by attorneys signatories to the ASA brief are the Law existing text. Meeting now occurs on the last day of with legal standing to practice before the and Society Association, the Society for the meeting. Therefore, an amendment is Supreme Court, and Reskin was able to the Study of Social Problems, the Proposed Changes proposed to change the term of office to rely upon the guidance of two highly Association of Black Sociologists, and • The proposed changes include a begin on the last date of the Annual accomplished attorneys—Deborah Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS). modification to the ASA Constitution to Meeting. Merritt and Bill Lann Lee—who pro- The American Psychological Association address a conflict with Bylaws regarding • In 1999, when Council and the mem- vided their services pro bono. Merritt, a submitted a separate brief, as did the how Council can take formal actions (i.e., bership voted to re-instate the Emeritus membership category, it is not clear that distinguished law professor at Ohio American Educational Research Associa- with regard to a quorum) between the language added to the Bylaws fully State University, who has collaborated tion. It is anticipated that more amicus physical/in-person meetings. In addi- reflected the intention of Council at that with Reskin on research on gender briefs will be submitted in the Michigan tion, the change eliminates a conflict time, which was that members could stratification in law, clerked for both cases than in any other matter to come with the District of Columbia laws, to move to Emeritus status following ten Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (in the before the Supreme Court. Some 200 which ASA is bound as a corporation. years as full voting members of the Court of Appeals) and Justice Sandra amicus briefs were filed in support of the • When the Committee on Committees was re-established, effective 2002, a association. Council proposed amending Day O’Connor (in the Supreme Court). university and many of them, as well as the current language to indicate that Bill Lann Lee, who served as Assistant other legal documents, can be found at number of Bylaws clauses were changed to reflect this change. However, there Emeritus status is open only to full Attorney General for Civil Rights in the the University of Michigan website voting members of the Association. Clinton administration, is now a Partner (www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/ remained inconsistencies that required correction. Responsibility for recom- • As regards the publication of ASA’s with Leiff Cabraser Heimann & legal/). Annual Audit, each year an extensive Bernstein, specializing in civil and Reskin described her experience in mending members to serve on the ASA Awards Selection Committees and the summary of the Association’s financial human rights practice. Merritt and Lee putting together the final draft as similar audit is printed in Footnotes. With crafted the legal argument, which to “running a marathon.” Assisting her Awards Committee shifted to the Committee on Committees. Members increasing options to distribute informa- provides the framework for the social in the effort were graduate students at tion to members by means other than science evidence presented in the brief. the University of Washington (Alesha will be asked to approve amendments to correct these inconsistencies. printed form, Council recommends that In addition, Merritt worked closely with Durfee, Beth Hirsh, Nika Kabiri, Amon the Bylaws permit distribution of this Reskin in writing and rewriting final Emeka, Nadia Morgan, and Jen Hook), • At the August 20, 2002, meeting, Council voted to offer members the information by any means deemed drafts, which needed to conform both in as well as numerous sociologists from appropriate or necessary by Council. For physical form and legal phrasing to a across the country who responded to option of voting by electronic means as well as by paper ballot in the 2003 example, with this change, the Executive highly formal format prescribed by the last-minute appeals for suggestions for election. Legal Counsel thus proposed Office could request Council’s agreement court. additional research to incorporate into Bylaws amendments to make the to placing the full audit report on the The ASA brief (accessible at the brief. Reskin and the Amicus Task method of voting more flexible. Related ASA website, while having a briefer www.asanet.org/media/AmicusBrief Force also received extraordinary to this, amendments are proposed to summary in Footnotes referencing the _ASA.pdf) summarizes social science support from Executive Officer Sally remove references to “mail ballot” and website. In addition to freeing up space research, arguing that race is a defining Hillsman and her staff, especially Torrey “by mail” for membership votes, and to in the more costly print medium, this life experience of persons of color in the Androski. SWS also provided financial give Council the authority to determine change would allow members access to United States. It explains how race resources in support of the brief’s the procedures to be followed in con- audit financial information on an influences the neighborhood contexts development. All of the sociologists and ducting elections and other ballot ongoing basis. where African Americans, Latinos, the attorneys participating in producing measures, provided that such procedures • Like the immediately preceding item, Native Americans, and other persons of the brief volunteered their time. ASA’s protect the privacy of members and Council recommends that voting color are raised as children and live as Sydney S. Spivack Program in Applied ensure an accurate and fair count. To members approve an amendment that adults, and how it profoundly affects Social Research and Social Policy permit voting for the annual election addresses how member resolutions are their experiences in schools. Effective supported some of the expenses associ- (and other ballot measures) by means publicized. Specifically, this amendment legal arguments must frame the issue in ated with publishing the brief. other than a mailing, and to clarify that would allow communication of member constitutional terms recognizable to the Although Reskin said the work on the resolutions by publication or other justices. Thus, the ASA brief states that brief was among the hardest things she means. ❑ the centrality of race in people’s lives has ever done, she said she would do it Weber, from page 3 warrants universities’ compelling interest again in a minute. “We have an enor- and other power dynamics do not inhibit in considering race among other life mous amount of first-rate scholarship encouraged Council to support Weber’s learning,” she explained in the Septem- academic freedom and take a public experiences. The brief concludes that that is highly relevant to major public ber 27, 2002, Chronicle of Higher Education. prohibiting the consideration of race policy decisions.” She hopes that the stand for faculty rights to create guide- Among her critics is FIRE Executive lines for classroom discussion. “would deny admissions officers crucial ASA will continue to find ways to bring Director Thor Halvorseen, who coun- information to contextualize other life its scholarship to the fore in the pursuit Specifically, among the elements of tered in the Chronicle article that Weber’s the Council resolution was a vote to: (1) experiences and accurately measure of social justice. ❑ guidelines “are a threat to freedom of affirm the academic freedom of all both speech and conscience” and that it faculty to develop strategies or guide- is not appropriate to “require students to lines to encourage open and civil Supreme Court Matter Is Focus of 2003 ASA Annual hold certain arguments as unquestion- classroom debate, and (2) support the Meeting Presidential Plenary Session in Atlanta able truth in order to participate in a discussion and dialogue of controversial class without penalty.” issues that are inherent to the study of Oral arguments are to be presented on April 1 to the U.S. Supreme Court in Weber has used these guidelines for inequality and other core subjects. Gratz and Grutter v. Bollinger, et al., and the court is expected to announce its almost two decades and often leads ASA President William T. Bielby has decision in June. The implications of that decision for sociology (and vice versa) workshops on teaching controversial conveyed the Council resolution to the will be discussed at a Presidential Plenary Panel being planned for the 2003 subjects. She and colleagues Bonnie University of South Carolina’s Dean of Annual Meeting in August, titled Taking Measure of Race. We are fortunate that Thornton Dill and Elizabeth Higgin- the College of Liberal Arts, the Univer- botham, when they were a part of the attorney Deborah Merritt, Director of the John Glenn Institute of Social Policy, has sity President, and to the Chair of the University of Memphis’s Center for Sociology Department as well as to the agreed to participate on the panel and to provide her insights on the relationship Research on Women, received the ASA’s of social science and law to social policy, based on her experience working with Chronicle of Higher Education (see article Distinguished Contributions to Teaching on page 4). ASA on the amicus brief. Award in 1993. Weber’s syllabi, and Also participating will be Stanford Law Professor Michelle Alexander, who these guidelines, appear in the ASA’s ASA Council motion: headed the American Civil Liberties Union’s Racial Justice Project and has been teaching resource collection on Teaching involved in the public debate over the “Racial Privacy Initiative” (RPI) that will be Sociological Concepts and the Sociology of The ASA Council wishes to affirm the going before California voters in March 2004. If approved by the voters, the RPI Gender. academic freedom of all faculty to would ban public institutions (including colleges and universities) from classify- In response to this situation, the ASA develop strategies or guidelines to ing any individual by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin. Much of the Council at its February 2003 meeting encourage open and civil classroom debate. We support the discussion and scholarship summarized in the ASA’s amicus brief in the Michigan cases and in approved a resolution in support of Weber’s academic freedom. Arguing in dialogue of controversial issues that are the ASA’s Statement on Race (see www.asanet.org/media/ favor of the resolution, Council member inherent to the study of inequality and asa_race_statement.pdf) applies to the debate over the RPI. Barbara Risman noted that Weber’s other core subjects. The motion carried guidelines are used quite widely. She unanimously. ❑ 12 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

The Handbook of Sustainable Development May 29-31, 2003, Seventh Annual Conference Scholars, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Suite 5L, Judith Cook, University of Illinois-Chicago, Correction Policy and Administration aims to explain on Holidays, Ritual, Festival, Celebration and Washington, DC 20008-3009; (202) 686-7877; was quoted in the Chicago Tribune on De- the diverse and controversial issues regard- Public Display, Bowling Green University, e-mail [email protected]. More infor- cember 12 in an article about innovative The February issue (“Call for Papers”) in- ing the multidimensional sustainable devel- Ohio. Contact: Jack Santino, Department mation at: . programs for employing people with men- opment phenomenon. The volume will in- of Popular Culture, Bowling Green State tal illness. correctly referred to a forthcoming volume IREX is pleased to introduce the new Starr clude chapters on related themes, and will University, Bowling Green, OH 43403- on Medicalized Masculinities ( edited by Collaborative Research Grants Program, Mathieu Deflem, University of South be published by Marcel Dekker Inc. (New 0226; fax (419) 372-2577; e-mail Dana Rosenfeld and Chrostopher Faircloth) as created to highlight contemporary issues Carolina, discussed his work on the history York) by the end of 2003. The editors invite [email protected]. a journal. We apologize for the error. facing the communities of Eurasia, the Near of international policing on the local PBS contributions, including theoretical papers, May 30-June 2, 2003, International Conference, East, and Asia. Maximum Award: $20,000. station on November 2002. comparative studies, and country case stud- Maharashtra, India. Hosted by the SNDT Application deadline: May 1, 2003. Contact: ies. Deadlines: March 15, 2003, for submis- Peter Drier, Occidental College, wrote an Women’s University (Mumbai) and Centre IREX, Attn: Starr Collaborative Research sion of paper proposal (200-250 words); July article in the January 27 The American Pros- Call for Papers for Women’s Development Studies (New Grants, 2121 K Street NW, Suite 700, Wash- 15, 2003, for submission of completed paper; pect contrasting George W. Bush’s opposi- Delhi). Theme: “Empowering Women ington, DC 20037; e-mail collabgrants@irex. September 15, 2003, for submission of the fi- tion to affirmative action with his own privi- CONFERENCES through Information and Knowledge: From org. More information at . Association of Black Sociologists (ABS) Mudacumura, School of Public Affairs, Penn- tial entry into elite universities. nication Technologies.” Contact: Conference invites papers to its 33rd Annual Confer- sylvania State University, 777 W Harrisburg The National Institute on Drug Abuse is Secretariat, SHPT School of Library Science, Troy Duster, New York University, was fea- ence on August 13-16, 2003, in Atlanta, GA, Pike, Middletown, PA 17057. For details e- accepting applications for grants to sup- SNDT Women’s University, 1 Nathibai tured in the February issue of Scientific at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Theme: mail gmudacumura@ tre.state.pa.us. port research on the epidemiology, etiol- Thackersey Road, New Marine Lines, American for his research and work on ge- “Front-Loading Social Reality: Critical De- ogy, prevention, and treatment of drug Political Power and Social Theory is an an- Mumbai 400 020, India; +91-22-2208-5439; e- netics and race. mography and Black Superiority in abuse. The institute is particularly inter- nual review committed to advancing inter- mail [email protected]. For more Wealth, Status, and Power.” Deadline: ested in the relationship between chronic disciplinary, critical understanding of the details visit . Kathryn Edin, Northwestern University, April 30, 2003. Contact: Frank Harold Wil- stress or post-traumatic stress disorder and linkages between class relations, political was mentioned in the January 5 Monterey son, ABS Program Chairperson, Depart- May 31-June 5, 2003, Institute for Research drug use, abuse, and dependence. Dead- power, and historical development. The County Herald for her research on marriage ment of Sociology, University of Wiscon- on Unlimited Love and the Metanexus Insti- line for letters of intent is May 19. Dead- journal welcomes both empirical and theo- in an article on marriage and American so- sin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, tute Conference, Villanova University, line for applications is June 18. For full an- retical work and is willing to consider pa- ciety. WI 53201; fax (414) 229-4266; e-mail Villanova, PA. Theme: “Works of Love: Sci- nouncement see: . , George Washington Uni- Davis, Editor, Political Power and Social ism.” See for more details. more Sun in an article about people and their 2003, Copenhagen, Denmark. Organized ogy, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, #9-521, Cam- invites applications for grants in support New Year’s resolutions. by the Network for European Social Policy bridge, MA 02139; e-mail [email protected]; June 6-7, 2003, Polish Institute of Arts and of research on mind-body interactions Analysis. Theme: “Changing European So- . Sciences of America (PIASA) 61st Annual Meet- and health. Applicant institutions may re- Reynolds Farley, University of Michigan, cieties: What Is the Role for Social Policy?” ing, a multi-disciplinary conference on Pol- quest funds to support infrastructure and was quoted extensively in the January 5 The Women’s Issues in Criminal Justice Series Deadline for paper proposals: June 1, 2003. ish, Polish-American, and Polish-Canadian research designed to (1) enhance the qual- Detroit News in an article on the social and is seeking papers to be included in a vol- For more information visit: or contact Jon Kvist at [email protected]. Canada. Theme: “Democracy, Social Cohe- research and (2) develop new research ca- current challenging and worrisome times. pers should focus on the treatment of sion and Ethnic Pluralism.” Contact: pabilities to advance mind-body and Global Awareness Society International women victims in the media and/or in the Mark Fishman, Brooklyn College, was Thaddeus V. Gromada, Chair 61st Annual health research through innovative ap- 12th Annual Conference, May 22-25, 2003, criminal justice system. Of particular inter- quoted in the January 3 The Tampa Tribune Meeting, PIASA 208 E. 30th Street, New proaches. Deadline for letters of intent is Washington, DC. Theme: “Challenges of est are papers dealing with female victims in an article on reality television shows. York, NY 10016; fax (843) 768-8387; e-mail June 16, 2003. More information can be Globalization in a Changing World Order.” and the police, courts, and/or correctional [email protected]. . found at: Mind-Body Interactions and Michael Flaherty, Eckerd College, was in- Interested persons are invited to submit ab- systems, the presentation of female victims Health: Research Infrastructure Program terviewed on the January 1 Talk of the Na- stracts for individual presentations and in the media, global female victimization, June 26-28, 2003, University of Tampere Re- ; and Mind-Body about how people experience time. Pomfret, Bloomsburg University, traditional occupations as victims, and vi- ment of Sociology and Social Psychology, De- Interactions and Health: Exploratory/ De- Bloomsburg, PA 17815; (570) 389-4504; fax carious victims. Contact: Cynthia L. Line, partment of Women Studies. The Second Doug Hartmann, University of Minnesota, velopmental Research Program. (570) 389-3599; e-mail pomfret@bloomu. Department of Law and Justice Studies, Tampere Conference on Narrative, was quoted in the January 5 Minneapolis Star . Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd., Tampere, Finland. Theme: “Narrative, Ide- Tribune on perceived underrepresentation of RFA-OB-03-005.html>. Glassboro, NJ 08028; (856) 256-4500; e-mail ology, and Myth.” Conference website Midwesterners on television. Gypsy Lore Society Annual Meeting, [email protected]. . Pathways Linking Education to Health, May 30-31, 2003, Ann Arbor, MI. Papers Carol Joffe, University of California-Davis, (RFA-OB-03-001) from the Office of Behav- are invited on any aspect of Romani or July 8-10, 2003, International Visual Sociol- wrote an op-ed column in the January 22 ioral and Social Sciences Research, National th traveller society and culture. Send short ogy Association Conference, University of San Francisco Chronicle on the 30 anniver- Institute on Aging, National Cancer Insti- abstracts by May 1, 2003, to: William G. Southampton, United Kingdom. Theme: sary of Roe vs. Wade. Meetings tute, National Institute of Child Health and Lockwood, Department of Anthropology, “Images of Social Life.” E-mail Human Development. Link to: Ellis Jones, Sacramento City College, Ross University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI [email protected] or mail Department Haenfler, University of Colorado, and March 27-29, 2003, North Central Sociologi- . e-mail [email protected]. Further details are of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton were profiled in the February 2003 issue Netherland Plaza Hotel, Cincinnati, OH. available at . SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom. Social and Demographic Studies of Race of the Coloradan in an article, titled “Grad Contact: Dean A. Purdy, Executive Officer, and Ethnicity. The National Institute of International Colloquium, September 24- September 13-15, 2003, Open Minds Confer- Students Write Handbook to Better the North Central Sociological Association, De- Child Health and Human Development 26, 2003, Queen’s University, Belfast, ence, Warsaw, Poland. Theme: “Europe in World,” highlighting their book, The Bet- partment of Sociology, Bowling Green State (NICHD), the National Heart, Lung and Northern Ireland. Theme: “International Global World: Blending Differences.” De- ter World Handbook (New Society Publish- University, Bowling Green, OH 43403; (419) Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Hu- Governance after September 11: Interde- tails at: . ers, 2001). 372-2217; fax (419) 372-8306l; e-mail man Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), pendence, Security, Democracy.” Propos- [email protected]; . September 18-22, 2003, ECPR 2003 General the National Institute of Diabetes and Di- Donald Kraybill, Elizabethtown College, als are invited for panels. Deadline: April Conference, Marburg, Germany. Theme: gestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the was quoted in the January 5 Pittsburgh Post- 30, 2003. Contact: Alex Warleigh, Institute April 11-13, 2003, ASIANetwork, a consor- “Organised Crime, Politics and Civil Soci- National Institute of Mental Health Gazette in an article about a local contro- of Governance, Public Policy and Social tium of 125 North American colleges ety.” Contact: Felia Allum, Co-Chair, Euro- (NIMH), the National Institute on Aging versy in Nittany, PA, where a ban on horse Research, Queen’s University Belfast, which promotes the study of Asia, 11th pean Studies and Modern Languages, Uni- (NIA), and the National Institute on Drug ownership is considered discriminatory by Belfast BT7 1NN, Ireland; fax +44 2890 272 annual spring conference, Furman Univer- versity of Bath, Bath, UK; e-mail Abuse (NIDA) invite qualified researchers local Amish residents. 551; e-mail [email protected]; sity, Greenville, SC. See . asianetwork.org>. John Logan, University at Albany, was the demography and social science of race October 3-5, 2003 Ford Foundation “Emerging quoted in a front-page article in the Janu- Midwest Popular Culture Association April 12, 2003, 30th Annual Western Anthro- , and ethnicity in the United States. The goal Leaders, New Directions” Initiative with the ary 13 Washington Post about the Washing- Conference, October 17-19, 2003, Minne- pology/Sociology Undergraduate Research Con- of this program is to encourage research Women’s and Gender Studies Program at ton, DC, mayor’s goal of increasing the apolis, MN. Deadline for submissions: ference, Santa Clara University. Contact: that will improve understanding of race Macalester College, St. Paul, MN. Theme: “Sus- number of residents in the city. April 30, 2003. Contact: Gary Burns at Charles Powers, Anthropology/Sociology and ethnicity in social science and demo- tainable Feminisms: Enacting Theories, Envision- [email protected]. Department, Santa Clara University, Santa graphic research. See . Greensboro, was interviewed on the CBS Society for Phenomenology and the Hu- . tact: Sonita Sarker or Scott Morgensen, Women’s Evening News on New Year’s Day and again man Sciences Annual Conference, No- and Gender Studies, Macalester College, 1600 the following day on the CBS Early Morn- April 23-26, 2003, Polish Asia and Pacific vember 6-8, 2003, , MA. Submission Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105; e-mail ing Show, discussing Sen. John Edwards’ Council Association World Conference, The deadline: March 24, 2003. Contact: Mary [email protected] or morgensen chances of capturing the Democratic presi- Gromada Hotel and Congress Centre, War- In the News Rogers, SPHS Program Chair, Diversity @macalester.edu; . dential nomination in 2004. On January 3, Studies, University of West Florida, 11000 saw, ul. 17 Stycznia 32, Poland. Theme: October 24-26, 2003, Inter-University Semi- KMOX News Radio in St. Louis inter- University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514- “Dialogue Among Civilisations: The Key to Several sociologists were quoted in a Janu- nar on Armed Forces and Society Biennial Con- viewed and asked him to compare the rela- 5750; (850) 474-2031; e-mail a Safe Future.” Contact the conference or- ary 18 New York Times article about social ference, Chicago, IL. Contact: IUS 2003 Con- tive strengths of Edwards and Missouri [email protected]. More information at: ganization office: “Dialogue among Civili- class in U.S. society: David B. Grusky, ference, IUS Secretariat, Inter-University Congressman Dick Gephardt as presiden- . 00-491 Warsaw, 6 M. Konopnickiej Street; University, Paul W. Kingston, University (48 22) 339 06 21, fax (48 22) 339 06 29; and partment of Sociology, Art-Sociology Build- of Virginia, Robert Perucci, Purdue Univer- Robert Manning, Rochester Institute of Poland, 05-230 Koby³ka n. Warsaw, 4a ing, University of Maryland, College Park, sity, Earl Wysong, - Technology, was interviewed on January 30 PUBLICATIONS Zaciszna St.; (48 22) 799 91 80; e-mail MD 20742-1315; e-mail [email protected]. Kokomo, David W. Wright, Wichita State on National Public Radio’s All Things Con- Distance learning and cross-campus [email protected]. University, and , Univer- sidered about the history of consumer debt shared research exercises at the under- sity of Wisconsin-Madison. in the United States. April 25, 2003, Thomas Jefferson School of Law graduate level. A new syllabi set volume is Third Annual Women and Law Conference, Leo Bogart was quoted in the January 5 Stephen J. Morewitz, Morewitz & Associ- currently being prepared and both intro- Funding San Diego, CA. Theme: “Beyond the Glass Dallas Morning News on corporate co- ates, published an opinion article in the ductory and advanced level course materi- Ceiling: The Maternal Wall as a Barrier to optation of youth counterculture. National Law Journal on January 20. His ar- als are requested. Distance learning syllabi The American Institute of Indian Studies Gender Equality.” Contact: Cindy Marciel, ticle was based on his new book, Stalking and curriculum may include: Site-to-site announces its 2003 fellowship competition Camille Z. Charles and Douglas S. Massey, (619) 297-9700, ext. 1410; e-mail and Violence: New Patterns of Obsession and cable transmission; local access cable trans- and invites applications from scholars who both from the University of Pennsylvania, [email protected]. Trauma (Kluwer, 2003). mission; WebCT or other Internet course of- wish to conduct their research in India. wrote an article in the January 10 Chronicle ferings. Cross-campus exercises may in- May 27-29, 2003, Justice Studies Association Deadline: July 1, 2003. Contact: American of Higher Education on minority students Steven H. Murdock, Texas A&M Univer- clude any form of shared communication 5th Annual Conference, Albany, NY. Theme: Institute for Indian Studies, 1130 E. 59th and racial stereotypes. sity, was quoted in the January 17 Chronicle and cooperative learning between equiva- “Through the Prism of Gender and Culture: Street, Chicago, IL 60637; (773) 702-8638; e- Stephen Cole, SUNY-Stony Brook, was fea- of Higher Education in an article on the de- lent classes at two different universities. Social Inequalities and Restorative Justice mail [email protected]. tured in the January 31 Chronicle of Higher clining Hispanic and other minority stu- Please send all submissions electronically in the 21st Century.” Contact: Dan Okada, dent enrollment in Texas universities. The Fulbright Scholar Program is accept- Education in an article that discusses his con- to: Meredith M. Redlin; e-mail 2003 JSA Conference Chair, Division of ing applications for its 2004-2005 awards. troversial new book that says affirmative [email protected]. Syllabi and Criminal Justice, California State Univer- J. Timmons Roberts, College of William Application deadline: May 1, 2003. Contact: action has many unintended negative con- exercises should be either in Word or sity-Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, and Mary, wrote an article in the January Council for International Exchange of sequences for minority students. WordPerfect format. CA 95819-6085. . Continued on next page MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 13

continued Rogelio Saenz, Texas A&M University Joseph A. Kotarba, University of , Ruth C. Schaffer died on January 28. In the News, Sociology Department Chair, has been se- and John M. Johnson, Arizona State Uni- Summer Programs Marcello Truzzi, Eastern Michigan Uni- 5 Daily Press on overdevelopment in lected to receive the 2003 Outstanding versity, editors, Postmodern Existential So- versity, died on February 9 after a long bout Williamsburg, Virginia. Latino/a Faculty Award in Research and ciology (Alta Mira, 2002). The Impact of the Internet on Society, June Teaching in Higher Education by the 2-13, 2003, University of Maryland College with cancer. Richard Sennett, New York University, J. Scott Long, Indiana University- American Association of Higher Education Park. The Department of Sociology at the Charles Warriner, University of , was featured in an article in the January Bloomington, From Scarcity to Visibility: Hispanic Caucus. University of Maryland is hosting the third died of a massive stroke on February 8. 10 Chronicle of Higher Education, regarding Gender Differences in the Careers of Doctoral Carla Shirley and Kathryn Henderson, Scientists and Engineers (National Academy annual Graduate Student Workshop at the his career writing about and studying so- University of Maryland. 30 to 50 leading cial class issues. both from Indiana University- Press, 2002). Bloomington, each received the Lieber scholars and experts who study the behav- Douglas S. Massey, Camille Z. Charles, Gregory D. Squires, George Washington Associate Instructor Award, an IU system- ioral aspects of information technology will Obituaries Garvey F. Lundy, and Mary J. Fischer, all University and John F. Zipp, University of wide award for outstanding teaching. discuss current issues and research. Student from University of Pennsylvania, The Source Akron, wrote an article with University of participants will receive up to $750 as a sup- Fenggang Yang, Purdue University, and of the River: The Social Origins of Freshmen at Ivan J. Fahs Wisconsin-Milwaukee historian, Marc V. port grant as well as room and board. Stu- Helen Rose Ebaug, University of Hous- America’s Selective Colleges and Universities (1932-2003) Levine, on the persistence of inequality dents will develop original research ton, won the 2002 Distinguished Article (Princeton University Press, 2002). and segregation in Milwaukee that ap- projects as the basis for their thesis, disser- Ivan J. Fahs, professor emeritus of soci- Award by Society for the Scientific Study peared in the January 19 issue of the Mil- Sarah H. Matthews, Cleveland State Uni- tation, or other publication. Application ology at Wheaton College (IL), died on of Religion for their “Transformations in waukee Journal Sentinel. versity, Sisters and Brothers/Daughters and deadline: April 1, 2003. Contact: Graduate January 5, 2003, in his home from end- New Immigrant Religions and Their Glo- Sons: Meeting the Needs of Old Parents (Un- WebShop, Department of Sociology, Uni- stage renal failure, a complication of a heart bal Implications.” Rodney Stark, University of Washington, limited Publishing, 2002). versity of Maryland, College Park, MD transplant eight years earlier. Survivors was quoted in the January 5 Perth Sunday Robert Zehner, University of New South 20742- 1315; (301) 405-6421; fax (301) 314- include his wife Joyce, his mother Elsie, his John Torpey, University of British Colum- Times (Australia) on the link between gen- Wales Planning and Urban Development 6892; e-mail [email protected]. children Daniel, Stephen, and Aimee, and bia, editor, Politics and the Past: On Repair- der and religiosity. Program (Sydney, Australia), has been se- . 12 grandchildren. Ivan was born in ing Historical Injustices (Rowman and lected to receive a Vice-Chancellor’s Award Binghamton, NY, on June 12, 1932. He Arlene Stein, Rutgers University, wrote an Littlefield, 2003.) Prague Summer Seminar. Based on her editorial in the January 5 Pittsburgh Post- for Teaching Excellence. research and experiences in the Czech Re- earned a BA from Wheaton and MEd and Gazette on the politics of George W. Bush’s Yvonne Vissing, Salem State College, public, Phyllis Raabe will be offering a PhD degrees from Cornell University. Af- support for religious organizations to pro- Women Without Children: Nurturing Lives seminar on “Women, Work, and Family— ter teaching at Greenville and Bethel (MN) vide services traditionally provided by the (Rutgers University Press, 2002). Is the Czech Republic Different?” in Prague Colleges and doing medical research in People from June 28 to July 27, 2003. This seminar Minnesota and at Harvard Medical School, government. Rose Weitz, Arizona State University, The will examine the interesting sources of gen- he joined Wheaton’s Department of Soci- Politics of Women’s Bodies: Sexuality, Ap- ology and Anthropology in 1981 for the Jim Stockinger, University of California- Tim Bartley, Tim Hallett, Ethan Michelson, der equality and inequality in the Czech Re- pearance and Behavior (Oxford University final 20 years of his professional life. Berkeley, was interviewed on the Public and Fabio Rojas will be joining the faculty public (including the important role of so- Press, 2002). After earlier heart by-pass surgery, in Broadcasting Service’s The NewsHour with of Indiana University-Bloomington as assis- cial policies) and will feature talks by sev- 1995 Ivan received a heart transplant that Jim Lehrer, on January 8 about faculty em- tant professors in the fall. Barry Wellman, University of Toronto, and eral Czech faculty. The Seminar, a part of ployment status (i.e., part-time, full-time, Caroline Haythornthwaite, eds., The the University of New Orleans Prague provided a sense of urgency and thankful- tenured) and the quality of college/univer- Glen Elder, University of North Carolina- Internet in Everyday Life (Blackwell, 2002). Summer Seminars, is available to both stu- ness to his exemplary teaching. In 1996 he sity teaching. Chapel Hill, received an honorary degree dents and faculty and can be taken for credit chaired the City of Wheaton’s Task Force from the Board of Trustees of the Pennsyl- or on a non-credit basis. Further informa- on Homelessness. On November 4, 2002— Marta Tienda, Princeton University, was vania State University in January. tion about the course and registration is ”Ivan J. Fahs Day” in Wheaton—he re- featured in the January 24 Chronicle of ceived Illinois’ Studs Terkel Humanitarian , , was Other available at or by email: [email protected] or sociologists who reported on the state of on behalf of the homeless. the Office of Minorities in Higher Educa- Organizations [email protected]. minority enrollment in Texas universities During his 20 years of teaching at tion, American Council of Education, after affirmative action was repealed in Wheaton College, Ivan Fahs worked which was just published as The Continu- that state. The Political Sociology section of the closely with undergraduate students. He ing Significance of Racism: U.S. Colleges and ASA honored The Journal of Political and was the subject of a feature story in The Christopher Uggen, University of Minne- Universities. Military Sociology for its 30th year of unin- Deaths sota, was quoted in the January 1 Saint Paul Chronicle of Higher Education for his un- Gene Rosa, Washington State University, terrupted scholarly publication. Pioneer Press in an article on crime in the Robert Alford, CUNY-Graduate Center, usual pedagogical simulations, including was appointed to the National Academy Twin Cities. Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems, a died on February 14. having students incarcerated or living as of Sciences/National Research Council research and public education project of the homeless. Students also developed pa- Allen Williams, University of Nebraska- Committee to Review the U.S. Climate George Washington University Medical Cen- Helena Lopata, Loyola University Chi- pers from the research methods course Lincoln, was quoted in the January 27 Daily Change Science Program Strategic Plan. ter, seeks to increase access to treatment for cago, died on February 12. Ivan taught for further purposes, winning Nebraskan in an article on the effect on di- Christine Williams, University of Texas- individuals with alcohol problems by pro- Joseph B. Maier of Maplewood, NJ, and a more than 50 awards in student paper versity of ASA’s MOST program in his Austin, is the new editor of Gender & Society. viding research-based information and tools Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University, competitions. About 15 of his Wheaton university’s sociology department. to help curb the health care and other costs died on November 22, 2002. College students went on to earn PhDs in associated with alcohol use. More details at: Richard Wunderlich, College of St. Rose, sociology and related fields. . E-mail was featured in the January 1 The Record [email protected]. on his work and research on the Pinocchio Members’ New Continued on next page fairy tale. Seeking a new editor. International Sociol- Books ogy is a quarterly journal published by Sage Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University, (London). The journal has been established wrote an article in the January 24 Chronicle Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Indiana Univer- by the International Sociological Associa- of Higher Education on the scientific study tion to publish papers that deserve world- of religion. sity-Bloomington, Forging Gay Identities: Organizing Sexuality in San Francisco, 1950- wide circulation and reflect the research and Lewis Yablonsky, California State Univer- 1994 ( Press, 2002). interests of the international community of sity-Northridge, had two articles pub- sociologists. The editor should have a vi- Lonnie Athens, Seton Hall University, and sion for the direction of sociological research lished in the op-ed Commentary pages of Jeffrey Ulmer, Pennsylvania State Univer- the Los Angeles Times (September 19, 2002 in the global age and the most promising sity, Violent Acts and Violentization: Assess- Qualitative Research Consultation Services and January 14) on American death rows trends and developments. Expressions of ing, Applying, and Developing Lonnie Ath- and the death penalty. interest should be submitted by the end of ens’ Theories (JAI Press, 2003). July 2003 to: Susan McDaniel, ISA Vice- Fenggang Yang, Purdue University, was Thomas C. Calhoun, Southern Illinois President, Department of Sociology, Univer- Qualitative Research quoted as a leading scholar on Chinese University, and Constance Chapple, Uni- sity of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G Christianity in the article “A Chinese Ameri- versity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Readings in 2H4, Canada; (780) 492-0488; fax (780) 492- can Awakening: Immigrants Help to Reen- Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice 7196; e-mail [email protected]. Summer Intensive ergize U.S. Christianity” in the January 11 (Prentice-Hall, Inc., 2003). . Washington Post. Dates: June 16 – 30, 2003, Long Island, NY Mary Jo Deegan, University of Nebraska- Sharon Zukin, Brooklyn College, was Lincoln, The New Woman of Color: The Col- quoted in the January 5 Chicago Tribune in lected Writings of Fannie Barrier Williams Contact an article on an ethnic enclave neighbor- Learn from expert Qualitative Scholars in the field of: 1893-1918 (Northern Illinois University Qualitative Research Traditions hood in Brooklyn, New York, and in the Press, 2002). ¶ January 5 New York Times on the future of My students and I are interested in speak- ¶Focus Groups Brooklyn as a cultural center. Joe Feagin, University of Florida, and ing to people who are interested in the in- ¶Qualitative Interviewing Karyn McKinney, Pennsylvania State Uni- tegration of sociological theories and issues versity, The Many Costs of Racism (Rowman into regular K-12 subjects. This is because ¶Ethnography and Littlefield, 2003). most public and private schools do not ¶Auto-Ethnography permit the study of sociology in the regu- ¶Mixed Qualitative-Quantitative Methods Awards Steven J. Gold, Michigan State University, lar curricula and my hope is to speak to The Israeli Diaspora (University of Washing- ¶Heuristic Qualitative Methods those interested integrating sociological ton Press, 2002). • Codes: Friend or Foe? Paul Gellert, Cornell University, and theorist tests and subjects of interest for the James Raymo, University of Wisconsin- ¶Feminist Research Methods Michael Hechter, University of Washing- benefit of children in schools where it is Madison, are two of 15 recipients of this ton, and Christine Horne, editors, Theo- not offered as an elective subject. We also ¶Qualitative Methods Meet Technology: year’s Abe Fellowship to encourage inter- ries of Social Order: A Reader (Stanford Uni- seek people who can help analyze self-es- • ATLAS.ti national multidisciplinary research on top- versity Press, 2003). teem surveys. Contact: I.T. Motkin, or • Ethnograph ics of pressing global concern. Korin, or Michael at [email protected] • Robin Humphry, University of Newcastle HyperResearch Bernice Pescosolido, Indiana University- or [email protected]. (UK), Robert Miller, Queen’s University Bloomington, received the Wilbert Hites (Northern Ireland), and Elena Mentoring Award, an IU system-wide Contact us for more information about our Qualitative Zdravomyslova, European University and award to the outstanding mentor. Research Summer Intensive and other services we Centre for Independent Research (), Caught in the Web offer. Francisco O. Ramirez and John W. Meyer, Biographical Research in Eastern Europe: Al- tered Lives and Broken Biographies (Ashgate, Stanford University, received major grants RESEARCHTALK, INC. from the National Science Foundation and 2002). The State of Preservation Programs in (631) 218 - 8875 Fax (631) 218 – 8873 from the Bechtel Initiative on Global American College and Research Libraries Denise B. Kandel, Columbia University, Growth and Change to study the expan- is now available at . Email: [email protected] ment: Examining the Gateway Hypothesis regime throughout the twentieth century. Web: www.researchtalk.com (Cambridge University Press, 2002). 14 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

Obituaries, continued ture of Atlanta, one of the world’s most vibrant erally encouraged for ASA meetings, but As part of this proposal, all biographical ma- Update on Sections-in-Formation multicultural urban centers. especially for the 2005 Centennial annual terials and statements by all candidates for Smith-Lovin reported that there are cur- meeting. To the extent that ASA might de- ASA-wide and section offices will be online. Ivan Fahs was my department chair Barbara Risman asked the Executive Office rently two sections-in-formation: (1) Animals to explore the possibility of hiring a vendor to cide in the future to seek external funds to In addition to giving members access to more and Society, and (2) Ethnomethodology and during the mid- to late-1980s. He provide an Internet café at the meeting. She re- subsidize international participation, information more easily than ever before, no Conversational Analysis. Sections-in-forma- mentored me as a newcomer to Wheaton, ported that she, and probably many others, Council favors participants from less de- longer printing this information will save tion are given two years in which to recruit at traveled with me to conferences and then found it difficult and frustrating to not have veloped regions of the world with a diver- thousands of dollars in printing, collating, and least 300 members before they can become full- to Moscow to do collaborative research, access to e-mail while at the meeting. sity of international participation. postage expenses. The proposal for 2003 was fledged sections. Animals and Society has studied the Hmong church in Wisconsin outlined in an extensive written report. until September 30, 2002 to reach this num- with me, and provided wise counsel in Centennial Planning 3. Report of the President-Elect Hillsman noted that while cost was not a ber, and Ethnomethodology has until Septem- countless chats and bull sessions. Ten Council engaged in a substantial discussion President-Elect Michael Burawoy reported driving factor in the development of this pro- ber 30, 2003 to reach this number. As of Au- minutes into my haircut on January 9, my of the 2005 centennial of the American Socio- that he had selected “Public Sociologies” as posal, cost is nonetheless something that can- gust 1, 2002, Animals and Society had re- logical Association, considering various alter- not be ignored. Overall election expenses have cruited 239 members and Ethnomethodology barber Don paused to blurt out, “Well, I the theme for the 2004 Annual Meeting, natives for celebrating and recognizing this increased over the last four years by more than had recruited 142 members. Members of saw that Dr. Fahs died.” To which I re- which also builds upon the 1988 Presidential milestone event. address by Herbert Gans. Sessions at the 25% from $43,285 to $54,089. The addition of Council agreed to follow existing guidelines plied, “Yup, my buddy.” “Everybody’s A sub-committee on ASA History and the meeting will focus on the multiple publics an online balloting system will cost approxi- regarding these sections, noting that if Ani- buddy,” Don corrected me before continu- Centennial chaired by Craig Calhoun had been (i.e., the inclusive notion of public sociology); mately $8,250 for development in the first year, mals and Society had not recruited at least 300 ing. “About once a month, Dr. Fahs would created previously by President Reskin to con- how public sociology is dependent upon pro- but will also reduce other expenses by nearly members by the deadline their status as a sec- come in, and for 20 minutes, I would have sider publications related to the centennial. This fessional and academic sociology; and how twice that amount. It is projected that election tion-in-formation would cease and they him all to myself. What a privilege it was group felt that there were basically three op- public sociology varies in different countries. expenses could drop from $54,089 for the 2002 would have to begin the process anew. tions: (1) compile a commissioned book on the To prepare the program, Burawoy proposed election to roughly $40,000 annually. to know him.” Interest Groups Ivan Fahs was everybody’s buddy to all history of the ASA; (2) edit a diverse collection the following for appointment to the Program Hillsman reported that the participation of historical perspectives on American sociol- Smith-Loving indicated that for some time, who knew him. In the end, he will be re- Committee for the 2004 Annual Meeting: rate in the annual election hovers at around ogy; and (3) create a website with someone spe- , Joyce Iutcovich, Verna 30%. This move to electronic ballots is not ex- the Committee on Sections has been consid- membered as a humble but energetic man cifically designated as editor. M. Keith, John Lie, Cecilia Menjivar, Bernice pected to give a huge boost to the participa- ering options for handling sections that fall who loved his God, his family, his students, Members of the sub-committee had spoken Pescosolido, Walter W. Powell, Barbara tion rate, except possibly for international below the required minimum of 300 members. and the downtrodden. We will miss him. with some of the publishers present at the meet- Risman, and Rhonda Zingraff. In addition, members, but will likely be viewed positively Recognizing the desire of relatively small groups of ASA members (i.e., fewer than 300) Jim Mathisen, Professor of Sociology, ing. Several of them expressed interest in an Burawoy will serve as Chair, Sally T. by the ASA membership that is increasingly Hillsman will participate in her role as Ex- using web-based methods of participating in to meet regularly at annual meetings to dis- Wheaton College (IL) edited volume. When questioned about the audience for and goals of such a volume, mem- ecutive Officer, and Arne L. Kalleberg will association activities. cuss substantive issues of common interest, the committee asked Council to consider the bers of the sub-committee reported that the participate in his role as Secretary. Burawoy Hillsman indicated that ASA Bylaws cur- formation of “interest groups”. Interest groups book would be intended to inform the mem- also indicated that Emmanuel Wallerstein rently require that ballots be distributed by may not have enough people to constitute an bership about the rich history of the associa- would be an advisor to the committee. mail; however they are silent on how mem- official section, or necessarily want the orga- tion. Since the primary audience would be bers may cast their vote. ASA’s legal counsel Official Reports Council voted to approve the recommenda- nizational costs and benefits of full section sta- members of the association, the volume would has reviewed the Bylaws and offered the opin- tions of President-Elect Burawoy for ap- tus, but would like to have a session on the be limited unless it could be woven into the ion that Council has the authority to interpret and Proceedings pointments to the 2004 Program Committee. program at annual meetings, and perhaps a overall history of sociology, which would pro- the present Bylaws as consistent with the pro- vide a larger audience. room to hold a business meeting. 4. Report of the Secretary posed action. Hillsman noted that a number Currently, the only way for such groups to Minutes of the First Meeting A number of alternatives were explored, in- of other issues in the Bylaws required atten- cluding reissuing some older sociological clas- Secretary Arne Kalleberg presented several tion and that Executive Office staff would un- have an official session is to become a section. of the 2002-2003 Council sics with expired copyrights, a series of articles items for Council information, discussion, and dertake a thorough review with Legal Coun- Therefore, COS has seen a proliferation of re- August 20, 2002, Chicago, IL representing difference perspectives on the de- approval. sel. It is likely that a series of Bylaws amend- quests to form sections, raising concerns about velopment of the association, and republishing ments will be proposed for addition to the the possibility of “too many” in the Association COLA Adjustment for 2003 Membership Dues Officers Present: William T. Bielby (Presi- key historical articles. It was proposed that the 2003 ballot, including an amendment regard- that would be unlikely to achieve sustaining dent), Michael Burawoy (President-Elect), Bar- History of Sociology section be invited to par- EOB recommended a 2.5% COLA adjust- ing the voting procedure. membership numbers. Some sections (especially ment for 2003 membership dues as permitted some formed recently) have found it difficult to bara F. Reskin (Immediate Past President), Ivan ticipate, along with the previous ASA Presi- One member suggested including a ques- by the ASA Bylaws. Rounding, and holding meet or maintain the membership of 300 people Szelenyi (Vice President), Bernice Pescosolido dents. However, there is very limited time so it tion on the upcoming dues renewal to ask low-income and student dues steady, pro- needed for continuing section status. (Vice President-Elect), Elijah Anderson (Imme- was agreed that for something to be ready by members if they preferred voting electroni- duced the following rates. diate Past Vice President), Arne L. Kalleberg 2005, work to finalize ideas would have to be cally, giving us a sense of member preferences. The Committee on Sections therefore asked (Secretary) completed in time for the February 2003 Coun- Council voted to approve a COLA adjust- There was no opposition to the proposal. Fol- Council to consider an alternative means for Council Members-at-Large Present: Linda cil meeting. ment of 2.5% in the membership dues rates lowing discussion, the following was pro- such groups to have opportunities for intellec- tual exchange at annual meetings operating as Burton, Craig Calhoun, Esther Ngan-Ling Council voted to create a sub-committee of for 2003. posed and accepted: a full section. The committee asked Council to Chow, Robert D. Crutchfield, Jennifer Glass, Council members, Publications Committee Noting that current ASA Bylaws require dis- consider allowing the formation of “interest David Grusky, Deborah K. King, Rhonda F. members, and others as needed, to review Re-examination of Membership Dues Categories tribution of election ballots by postal means, groups” with the following stipulations: Levine, Victor Nee, Barbara Risman, Lynn publications options for celebration of the Several years ago, EOB adopted a guideline but do not specify a particular method for their Smith-Lovin, Pamela Walters ASA Centennial and to recommend to that the Executive Office and the Council return, Council voted unanimously that a. ASA members who wish to form an in- ASA Staff Present: Sally T. Hillsman, Janet Council specific proposals that should hap- should periodically review membership in- implementing electronic voting for ASA elec- terest group must present to the Committee Astner, Karen Gray Edwards, Lee Herring, pen with guidance on how those ideas come categories. To examine this issue, data tions is consistent with the Bylaws. Under this on Sections a petition with at least 100 signa- Michael Murphy, Jean Shin should be put into place. are needed on a number of issues, including system, in 2003 members will receive paper tures of bona fide ASA members. As part of overall economic factors, professional salaries the petition, organizers must draft a brief ra- President Bielby selected President-Elect ballots by mail but will then have the option within the field, how other comparable orga- tionale for the interest group, and describe its 1. Call to Order Burawoy to chair this sub-committee. of casting their vote on the paper ballot or nizations handle dues, and the history of ASA online at a secure site. Council also voted to anticipated activities. President William Bielby called the meeting A second sub-committee on Centennial Out- dues structure changes. Executive Office staff to order at 8:42 am on Tuesday, August 20th, reach, appointed by President Reskin, was submit to the membership the necessary b. Organizers must select a “convener” who will compile for review by EOB at its January changes to ASA Bylaws to permit Council to will represent the interest group and serve as 2002 in the Lake Erie Room of the Hilton Chi- chaired by Pam Walters; members are Pam 2003 meeting. cago Hotel. New members of Council were in- Walters, Robert Crutchfield and Victor Nee. determine the best methods for future elec- its sole contact for all ASA business. troduced and welcomed to the meeting: Esther This sub-committee presented a series of issues Development Campaign tions consistent with the principles of fair and c. Once the signatures have been certified, Ngan-Ling Chow of American University, Jen- for Council feedback: What audiences do we secret balloting. The idea of launching a development cam- COS will consider the petition in a timely man- nifer Glass and the University of Iowa, Deborah want to reach? What messages do we want to paign was raised by President Portes during ner. Two criteria will govern the decision to King of Dartmouth College, and Rhonda convey? How do we convey these ideas? 8. Annual Meeting Issues his Presidential year. Recently, the suggestion grant “interest group” status: (i) The proposed Levine of Colgate University. The agenda for This group’s mission was to focus on meth- had been made to consider conducting this Janet Astner, Director of Meetings Services, substantive focus must be a legitimate and the meeting had been distributed in advance ods of communicating with an audience that campaign in conjunction with the 2005 cen- reported that the 2002 Annual Meeting had proper area of sociological inquiry; (ii) The pro- of the meeting; the agenda was approved as goes beyond sociology itself. This group saw tennial celebration. Kalleberg reported that been a very positive meeting in terms of mem- posed substantive focus must not overlap sig- presented. its focus as less on ASA as an organization and tying a development campaign to the centen- ber feedback, attendance overall and at ses- nificantly with any existing section or interest more on American sociology. The sub-commit- nial might not be the best approach. The idea sions, and hotel feedback. This year marked the group. COS may at some time also decide to 2. Report of the President tee suggested focusing on key sociological facts, is to raise money, which requires that we cam- first time that ASA has made a distinct effort to limit the total number of interest groups. Bielby reported that planning for the 2003 understandings, and debates that had been paign with a specific goals; a development promote its extensive roster of educational d. If the petition is approved by COS, the Annual Meeting was well underway. The Pro- sparked by sociological research, all of which campaign tied to the centennial would not be seminars, workshops, and courses to ASA interest group becomes an official ASA entity gram Committee held its last face-to-face meet- could lend the material to looking forward, not tied to specific projects or purposes. In addi- members. A special brochure was created and for subsequent annual meetings (the exact ing in Chicago at the 2002 meeting. Plans for just backwards. The group asked Council for tion the weak state of the economy makes this mailed to all members at the end of May. One number of meetings is to be determined). To the plenaries and other events in and around some direction on how to proceed with their an inopportune time. Therefore, EOB recom- goal of this promotional effort was to encour- continue its existence for a longer duration, the the hotel related to the theme of culture are work. Options were considered along with pros mended to Council that the idea be tabled. age members not to base attendance decisions interest group must provide a new petition nearing completion. The only problem was a and cons of each idea. Council generally agreed with this conclusion. solely on whether they are presenting a paper with 100 bona fide signatures and an updated slight decrease in the number of sessions. While on the program, but also to consider attending Council voted to commend the committee rationale. There is no limit to the number of this is a problem in the eyes of some, for others the meeting to take advantage of the educa- for its work and to ask it to specify propos- 5. Report of the Executive Officer times an interest group may renew itself. it means they are pulled in fewer directions si- tional component. Registration for these semi- als and to establish the feasibility of the Executive Officer Hillsman provided an ex- e. An interest group will be entitled to one multaneously. nars was very strong this year, with several proposals. Council also asked the commit- tensive update on the transition and Execu- regular session at each annual meeting. The seminars selling out completely. Initial feedback There is some concern among Program Com- tee to start the process of soliciting mem- tive Office functions yesterday during the fi- convener of an interest group will provide the was very positive. The 2003 Program Commit- mittee members about how Atlanta will affect bership input on these proposals. nal 2001-2002 Council meeting. In the interest ASA program committee with a title for its ses- attendance. The Chicago meeting just com- tee will look at these workshops later this fall Finally, Council turned to the international of time, she referred everyone to that report. sion, as well as the name of its organizer, and pleted was an overwhelming success with ex- and will consider continuing this pattern. component of the Centennial. Council consid- must conform to the schedule of deadlines for cellent turnout. The last time ASA met in At- ered the possibility of collaborating with the 6. Information Technology Update sessions organized by sections. lanta in 1987, however, attendance was down Annual Meeting Fees International Sociological Association (ISA) for f. Apart from the conditions just discussed, from some other cities. ASA Director of Information Technology and Secretary Kalleberg reported that EOB re- the 2005 Centennial. It was suggested that ASA the ASA will not provide any other services to Services, Kevin Brown, provided an extensive viewed registration fees for the 2003 Annual The theme of the 2003 Annual Meeting, “The collaborate with ISA by helping the ISA Coun- interest groups (e.g., run elections, prepare and written report on technology, including over- Meeting and recommends to Council a $10 in- Question of Culture,” is an invitation to criti- cil of National Associations, a group that meets send newsletters, collect dues, prepare annual all analysis of ASA systems and system secu- crease for general member and non-member cally assess how the concept of culture is used every other year and is hosted by national as- rity and firewall. Members now have access to budgets, maintain website space and so forth). across the full range of areas of social inquiry registration fees. In addition, EOB recom- sociations, hold its planning meeting for the numerous services via the ASA website, includ- g. Existing sections or sections-in-formation and to take stock of alternative approaches to mends to Council small increases in fees for 2006 ISA meetings in the United States. In con- ing online access to ASA journals, online mem- may choose instead to become an interest theory, method, and explanation developed several categories of events and services. junction with the 2005 ASA Centennial year, bership renewals and changes, online registra- group, by following the above stipulations. In- outside of our discipline. What is the empirical ASA could offer to host a combined meeting of tion for the Annual Meeting. Future plans in- Council voted unanimously to approve the terest groups may become sections by satisfy- and theoretical status of the concept of culture, the ISA Executive Committee, Program Com- clude development of a disaster recovery plan, following changes in 2003 Annual Meeting ing established criteria. not just in fields that deal centrally with sym- mittee, and Council of National Associations. a document management system upgrade, in- registration categories and fees: (1) increase Members of Council supported this concept bolic realms such as arts, media, and religion, President Bielby asked Secretary Kalleberg to vestigation of new remote desktop access meth- by $10 the pre-registration fees for full mem- in principle, noting that it creatively addressed but also in traditionally more materialist and ask Douglas Kincaid, ASA’s representative to ods, and continued enhancements to online ber and non-member categories, (2) modest long- standing problems with the current sec- structuralist subfields such as demography, or- ISA, to explore the idea more fully (including services for members. increases for events and services (as out- tion structure, but raised several questions ganizations, and stratification? How has “the costs, what “hosting” would mean specifically, lined in Table 4 of the written report and as about its operations and consequences. First, cultural turn” changed our understanding of can ASA afford to undertake this effort, and outlined above), and (3) modification of the 7. Electronic Enhancement of the Election is there some way to avoid the recurring peti- social categories such as gender, race, class and would this tie the hands of the 2005 ASA Presi- registration structure to include the new Executive Officer Hillsman presented a pro- tion mechanism outlined in item (d) of the pro- the way we study social processes ranging from dent too severely) and to bring more details to Secondary School Teacher category. posal to offer ASA voting members an addi- posal? Second, is it possible to place interest identity formation to globalization? How do Council at the next meeting. we address issues of meaning, representation, tional option for casting their ballot in future groups on the dues statement and assess a 9. Committee on Sections and interpretation, and what are their implica- Council voted to endorse the idea of hav- elections beginning in 2003. In addition to the nominal charge for interest group membership? tions for sociology as an explanatory science? ing the ASA host at some site (e.g., Miami, current paper ballot system, she and EOB pro- Lynn Smith-Lovin provided a report on the Third, by the terms of this concept, there is a The 2003 Annual Meeting will be an occasion Philadelphia) the ISA leadership for the posed adding an electronic aspect to the elec- meetings of the Committee on Sections dur- potential for a large number of interest group for lively debate on these and related issues, planning meeting in conjunction with the tion so that members may access candidate ing the course of the Annual Meeting. sessions, which would come out of the program for sharing new ideas for theorizing and re- 2005 meeting, if the costs are deemed rea- materials online and cast their ballots online. sonable. International participation is gen- search, and for experiencing first hand the cul- Continued on next page MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES 15

continued Research Program on the Discipline and the for appointments to ASA components. enues and a slight increase in transition year Council supported the general concept of Minutes, Profession [1 opposed] expenses over what was originally budgeted. an amicus brief but expressed concern about the lack of detailed information on the case committee’s allotment. Council expressed con- The Research Program on the Discipline and Kalleberg reminded Council that projec- and the specific scientific data to be assembled. cern that this could crowd out the remainder the Profession is actively engaged in numer- 12. Report from the Committee on the Status tions are always tricky, especially when ma- There was also agreement that amicus briefs of the program. ous efforts, including a departmental survey, a of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered jor activities such as the annual meeting, oc- PhD cohort survey, and an analysis of the 2002 Persons in Sociology curred in the latter half of the year. EOB will can be expensive to prepare and that any brief Finally, it was noted that sections have a de- membership. Plans for the remainder of 2002 closely monitor the financial picture as it de- must have a solid scientific foundation. tailed Sections Manual that defines what they Roberta Spalter-Roth reported that over the were reviewed. velops during the remainder of the year and are allowed to do and not do. Before interest course of the last three years, this Committee Council voted to affirm the value of socio- has been developing a review of major aspects will construct a 2003 budget for presentation logical knowledge for court decisions re- groups can be recognized, a detailed set of poli- Spivack Program on Applied Social Research and of the professional experience of LGBT people at the next meeting of Council. garding matters such as this. In accordance cies and procedures will need to be developed. Social Policy in the discipline. The results of that review with existing Council policy on making de- Following an extensive discussion, Council The Spivack Program in Applied Social Re- have been compiled into an 85-page report 15. Follow-up Business cisions, such as this, Council established a voted to support the general idea of the Com- search and Social Policy is directed to advanc- which was distributed to members of Coun- subcommittee to explore whether other sci- mittee on Sections’ concept with several ing the uses and contributions of sociology to cil. The report’s Executive Summary provided Business Meeting Resolutions entific societies are taking action in the amendments. Council noted that many details social policy. Activities during 2002 were re- an overview of the report, an overview of the The Annual Business Meeting of the Ameri- case, to consult with the University of will need to be addressed and analyzed by the viewed, including the Congressional Fellow- research findings, directions for future re- can Sociological Association was held on Mon- Michigan, to explore funding sources and Executive Office staff prior to implementation, ship, Congressional Seminars, professional search, and 6 specific recommendations. day morning, August 19, 2002 during the An- to report back to Council via electronic including issues of charging a nominal fee, workshops, and the community action re- Spalter-Roth reported that the committee nual Meeting. Reports were presented by the communication for a final vote. Council tracking members, and mechanisms for man- search program. would like to work on the structures needed ASA President, President-Elect, and Executive sub-committee members include: Reskin, aging such information. Council agreed that the to implement the report’s recommendations. Officer. In addition, members were invited to Bielby, Burawoy, Kalleberg, Hillsman, Committee on Sections needs to prepare a set Public Information Program Members of Council expressed their appre- present issues of concern for discussion and with consultation from Craig Calhoun re- of detailed rules and regulations for consider- Council was briefed on media inquiries that ciation to the committee for this effort. Not- forwarding to Council. Members in atten- garding foundation activity. ation at a future Council meeting. the ASA Public Information Office has handled ing that this item came up late on the agenda dances voted to send three resolutions to Following the Council meeting, the Coun- over the last six months, as well as other activi- Council voted to endorse the idea of the after several members had already left the Council: (1) a “bill of rights” for researchers cil sub-committee quickly organized to learn ties of the office including press releases, Foot- Committee on Sections for the establish- meeting, it was proposed that Council accept in relation to Institutional Review Boards more about the case of Grutter v. Bollinger. The notes, promotion of ASA publications and ac- ment of interest groups with the following this report with thanks and that the recom- (IRBs); (2) an amicus brief in the University of sub-committee learned that the attorneys for tivities, promotion of the new journal Contexts, amendments: (1) in line 3 to delete the mendations be reviewed more thoroughly at Michigan Law School affirmative action case, the student intervenors had not approached and development of tools and strategies for bracketed optional wording “or working the next Council meeting. Grutter v. Bollinger; and (3) support for Hilton any other scholarly association, although they public information. groups”, (2) to change item (d) to read “If Chicago hotel workers in their negotiations for are considering approaching the AERA. The Council voted to accept the report of the the petition is approved by the Committee a new contract. attorneys reported that what they needed was Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline committee with thanks to the members for on Sections, the interest group will be rec- a substantive review; legal professionals will The Fund for the Advancement of the Disci- their hard work. Council indicated a com- IRBs ognized for the subsequent 3 annual meet- be available to integrate that review into a le- pline is designed to nurture the development mitment to carefully review the recommen- ings. To continue its existence, the interest ASA member Harry Perlstadt of Michigan gal document. The sub-committee found that of scientific knowledge by funding small, dations contained in the committee’s report group must meet standards to be deter- State University and Jack Katz of UCLA re- the ASA should not incur legal expenses as- groundbreaking research initiatives and other at the next Council meeting. mined by the Committee on Sections.” (3) quested Council’s endorsement of a sociated with drafting the document. to insert at the end of item (d): “Whether important scientific research efforts. Nine It was agreed that recommendation 5 could “Researcher’s Bill of Rights” including: Therefore, the sub-committee recom- there will be a dues charge will be deter- grants were awarded in the winter round of move forward now, rather than wait six The right to be told of the waiver to docu- mended that Council authorize an ASA am- mined by a subsequent action of Council, reviews. A FAD funding workshop was orga- months for the next Council meeting. mented informed consent provisions con- icus brief that summarized sound sociologi- (4) to delete in item e use of the word “regu- nized for this annual meeting. Council agreed that the chair of the LGBT tained in 45 CFR46 and have the waivers con- cal research that addresses the need for affir- lar” and substitute the appropriate ASA committee should communicate their recom- sidered precedental; mative action in legal education. This action, meetings language (e.g., “session”), (5) to 11. Committee Appointments mendation to the Contemporary Sociology edi- The right to use data collected by state agen- they felt, was consistent with other ASA ini- add to item (g): “Existing sections that fall A key activity of the August meeting of the tors immediately rather than wait 6 months cies under human subjects provisions govern- tiatives, including the project synthesizing below the approved minimum number of new Council is to review recommendations for for the next Council meeting. ing those agencies under IRB standards no sociological research on race, and the 300 members for 3 consecutive years would appointment to committees. These recommen- higher than state law; Association’s recent policy statement on race. be automatically restructured as interest dations come from several sources. 13. Proposal for a Task Force on Assessment The right to apply federal regulatory crite- The sub-committee proposed a drafting groups unless the Committee on Sections of the Major recommends that there are overwhelming ria that exempt research from IRB review with- structure modeled after National Research Nominations from the President ASA member Jon Lorence proposed the for- reasons that the group remain a section. out IRB review of the exemption; Council committees, in which experts agree on President Bielby presented recommenda- mation of a new task force to address student Council also voted that there will be a one The same rights to associate with and ob- the terrain the amicus brief should cover and tions for the appointment of ASA members to learning. Specifically, Lorence was concerned year delay after implementation of inter- serve people, ask questions, and publish the then draft sections within their expertise. The be representatives to outside, non-ASA groups about the issue of standardized testing. Many est groups before there will be any man- information they acquire as does any person sub-committee reported that Barbara Reskin (e.g., representatives to AAAS). states are requiring state universities to con- datory movement of sections to interest whose rights of assembly, inquiry, and publi- was willing to chair that group and to orches- duct outcome assessments for every major. st groups, and that the Committee on Sections Council approved recommendations from cation are protected by the 1 Amendment of trate and write drafts of the entire document. Private institutions are also moving increas- will be charged with determining what President Bielby for appointments of ASA the U.S. Constitution unless the receipt of The preceding information was provided to ingly in the direction of requiring such stan- rules and regulations must be assembled members to serve as representatives to out- funding for research specifically requires prior members of Council in a memo from Presi- dardized testing. and provided. [12 in favor, 1 opposed] side organizations. review and approval of research procedures; dent Bielby, along with the recommendation Lorence argued that an ASA nationally and of the sub-committee. Council members voted Nominations from the Secretary Three-Year Moving Average normed test could be administered to gradu- The right to fair and uniform procedures overwhelmingly in favor (16 in favor, 1 absten- A suggestion was made during the annual Secretary Kalleberg reported that the Execu- ating seniors as part of a sociology and to due process. tion) of proceeding with preparation of an am- session of the Committee on Sections with Sec- tive Office and Budget Committee is composed department’s effectiveness evaluation. ASA Members of Council reviewed the resolu- icus brief in the case of Grutter v. Bollinger tion chairs that ASA to consider changing to a of the secretary (who functions as chair), the members have previously been involved with tion and discussed possible next steps. There 3-year moving average system for determin- current president, the immediate past presi- development of tests such as the Graduate Hilton Hotel Employees was general agreement that IRB reviews can ing section session and budget allocations. Ex- dent, and the incoming president, and 3 at-large Record Examination in sociology (which is no be challenging to field workers, but there was Several ASA members brought to the atten- ecutive Office staff will examine this proposal members who each serve a 3 year at-large term. longer offered). also agreement that steps were already being tion of the membership that workers at the and run models to determine the financial and Each year the secretary presents a ranked list Carla Howery, ASA Deputy Executive Di- taken to address many of the issues raised by Palmer House Hilton and the Hilton Chicago, programmatic impact of this proposal and will of candidates for one of the three at-large posi- rector, offered a modification to this proposal the resolution. There was also agreement that a majority of whom are women and people of report back to Council at its next meeting. tions. Important skills for service on this com- suggesing that a task force entitled “Task Force color, were in negotiations with the Hilton mittee include administrative experience, and posing researchers’ rights against the rights on the Assessment of the Undergraduate So- of human participants in research would be Corporation for a wage and benefits increase. Free Section Membership for New Student knowledge of budgeting. Kalleberg presented ciology Major” be created with a somewhat counter-productive. The workers, through their union, Hotel Em- Members five names in ranked order for service on EOB. broader mission to: ployees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Following discussion, Council agreed that The Population Section has asked if it Members of Council reviewed and accepted the Local 1, had voted 98% in favor of a strike Describe the “landscape” of undergraduate there is widespread concern about problems would be possible to give all new student list as presented. starting August 31st. It was reported that more assessment as it pertains to sociology; with IRB’s review of social science research, members one section membership automati- than 500 ASA meeting attendees had signed a Council voted unanimously to approve the Identify promising practices in sociology but that the way to address those issues was cally in their first year of membership free of statement in support of the workers. The Busi- ranked recommendations of the Secretary departments, including exams, portfolios, as- to improve existing processes rather than seek charge. Again, it was noted that there are fi- ness Meeting passed a resolution to urge for appointment to the opening on the Ex- sessment imbedded in courses, and so forth; emancipation from it as outlined in the pro- nancial and procedural implications of this Council to formally support the hotel work- ecutive Office and Budget committee. posal. proposal. In addition to the implication of Explore the possibility of and pluses and ers in their quest for increased compensation. sections and ASA losing the student section minuses of a standardized exam and what Nominations from the Executive Officer Council voted unanimously to reaffirm its Council voted unanimously to direct the membership fees, there would be difficulty role, if any, ASA might play in its preparation In addition to the committees established by commitment to the association’s strong Executive Officer to send a letter to the in the office determining the status of stu- and update over time; and, the Bylaws and the award selection commit- leadership role and efforts to improve the Hilton leadership and the leaders of HERE dents. As with the item above, Council asked Suggest means to help departments con- tees and task forces, there are several commit- human research protection system and its Local 1 indicating ASA’s support for im- the Executive Office staff to examine this pro- sider these options and learn more about tees that serve in an advisory capacity to the operation. Council appreciates the need for proving the compensation of the hotel em- posal and assess the implications of imple- them, including proposals for relevant events Executive Office. Executive Officer Hillsman federal rules for the protection of human ployees in the current labor dispute. menting the proposal as presented. presented ranked lists of candidates for ap- at the annual meeting. subjects. Council urged the Executive Of- pointment to these advisory committees. Council carefully reviewed the background fice, along with the Committee on Profes- Selection of Dates for Mid-Year Council Meeting 10. Executive Office Reports Members of Council reviewed the candidates and details of such a task force and a national sional Ethics, to consider specific issues The winter EOB meeting will be January 11- that may need to be addressed at the na- Extensive written reports were provided to for the various advisory committees and ac- standardized test. Caution was urged by many 12, 2003. Based on this, Council members con- tional and local levels to ensure the ad- Council with updates on recent activities for each cepted the lists as presented. members, including a concern about the sidered options for the next Council meeting vancement of research in accordance with major programmatic area of the organization. It was noted that while several different amount of time, work, and sophistication re- for early 2003. Members agreed to meete on committees or individuals are preparing lists quired to develop and administer such a test. best ethical practices. Council further com- February 1st and 2nd, with some members ar- Academic and Professional Affairs Program of people for possible service on committees, Following an extensive discussion, it was mends the Executive Officer to work with riving on Friday, January 31st for other meet- agreed that a decision on this proposal was HHS’ National Human Research Protection The Academic and Professional Affairs Pro- it is important to monitor the lists to ensure ings (e.g., FAD). The Executive Officer was premature. Advisory Committee as well as other sci- gram is focused on advancing the discipline that specific members do not receive multiple asked to investigate the possibility of holding appointments. Because there are far more entific societies and related organizations the meeting on the west coast. through a number of ongoing efforts: the Pre- Council voted to table this proposal until to further this goal. paring Future Faculty effort, collaboration with members than committee openings, it is de- the final report of the Task Force on the It was suggested that Council meetings be the MOST program, a series of annual meeting sirable to have as many members as possible Implications of Assessment of Faculty Pro- scheduled farther in advance to avoid con- participate. While Council did not want to Amicus Curiae Brief education efforts, and the NSF-funded project ductivity and Teaching Effectiveness is re- Grutter v. Bollinger is an affirmative action flicts for individual Council members. Pos- on undergraduate education. make this a binding rule, they did suggest that, ceived so that Council can determine if that sibly as soon as the election results are known as much as possible, each member should hold case involving the University of Michigan Law task force adequately covered the issues School. This case is likely to be heard by the one of the first acts of the new President-Elect Minority Affairs Program only one appointment. Council seeks nomi- proposed for this new task force. would be to set meeting dates for mid-year nation of good, qualified people without sig- U.S. Supreme Court in the 2003 term. It was A total of 39 MFP graduates were present at Council meetings. nificant overlap. suggested that this case could have consider- this annual meeting. A number of activities 14. 2002 Budget Review and Analysis able ramifications for the future of race and Council voted unanimously to approve the 16. Adjournment were planned for those graduates, including an Members of Council received financial state- gender in admissions procedures for profes- ranked recommendations of the Executive all-day orientation for the new MFP Fellows at ments for January through May 2002 as well sional education. A resolution passed by a With no further business for consideration Officer for appointments to the ASA Ad- the start of the meeting. Plans for the upcom- as projections of revenue and expenses business meeting requesting that the Ameri- at this meeting, President Bielby adjourned the ing academic year were reviewed. visory Committees. can Sociological Association apply the weight through the end of fiscal year 2002. Data from meeting at 4:03 pm. A member of Council suggested that the actual 2001 performance was also provided for of sociological research to the legal argument Nominations from the Committee on Committees name of the Minority Fellowship Program be comparison purposes. by writing an amicus curiae brief for the Su- Following a hiatus, the Committee on Com- changed to the Minority Scholars Program. preme Court in this case. Specifically, it was mittees has been reinstated by action of the Secretary Kalleberg reported that the ap- There was agreement, however, that we must proposed that ASA: membership. The newly reconstituted com- proved 2002 operating budget included a defi- Classified Ad review the details of the NIMH grant that sup- Contribute to Grutter v. Bollinger with an mittee met for a full day to develop a slate of cit of $1,159 (excluding losses on the ports the program, which may dictate the name amicus curiae brief that provides relevant so- candidates for appointment to ASA compo- Association’s long-term investments). How- of the program. In addition, it was suggested ciological data and research that supports the Academic editing for social scientists nents. Council carefully reviewed the ranked ever, based on financial data through the end that we solicit input from MFP graduates about student intervenors’ case for affirmative action. by Donna Maurer, PhD (Sociology). slates of candidates for each committee. of May, EOB was currently projecting a deficit Please see my website at or e-mail port back at its next meeting. voted to approve the ranked recommen- cit is attributable to lower than projected rev- ing in Grutter v. Bollinger. me at [email protected]. dations of the Committee on Committees Free sample edit and estimate. 16 MARCH 2003 FOOTNOTES

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