AAA full value at half-price for students; postdoc dues also reduced

Abstract

Being an AAA student member has just gotten twice as easy because AAA has cut student dues to half the price! In a move designed to bring more students into the society and retain them as members through their postdoctoral and early faculty years, AAA's Board of Directors has approved a plan to reduce student dues by 50% beginning in 2007, lower dues for postdocs, and extend “early career” eligibility from 1 to 7 years. The dues changes were proposed by a task force headed by AAA Secretary-Treasurer Rick Drake; other task force members included David Burr, Matt Velkey, and Judy Venuti. Drake believes that the low $30 rate for students might encourage department chairs or senior faculty to provide a gift of AAA membership for their graduate students. In fact, AAA is now offering gift cards, enabling advisors, mentors, and department chairs to give their students a great birthday gift, stocking stuffing, or reward that truly keeps on giving. For less than the cost of 10 grande lattes, students can enjoy all that AAA has to offer, including student travel awards of $250 or $350. Any smart department chair would call that a “no brainer”! Reduction in student dues by 50% to $30 with membership including online, not print, access to the selected AAA journal. Eligibility for this category could be maintained until the individual receives his/her degree or for 7 years, whichever is less. Establishment of a new dues category for postdoctoral/nonfaculty positions with membership including online, not print, access to the selected AAA journal. Eligibility for this category could be maintained until the individual obtains a faculty position or for 5 years, whichever is less. Dues for 2007 will be $45; postdocs now pay $60. Extension of “early career” eligibility from 1 to 7 years. Individuals could qualify for this category until promoted to an associate professor or for 7 years, whichever comes first. “Early career” dues for 2007 will be $90. Elimination of the “international member” category so foreign members pay the same dues and receive the same benefits as regular members. AAA pays dues to FASEB for each regular, international, and postdoctoral member and pays its publisher, John Wiley & Sons, varying fees for each member who subscribes to the print or online editions of The Anatomical Record or Developmental Dynamics. While the new student and postdoc rates will not cover these costs, the AAA Board views these dues reductions as an investment in AAA and in anatomy as a discipline.