PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2003 MIDYEAR COUNCIL MEETING

Abstract

The Midyear Council Meeting of The Paleontological Society (PS) was called to order by President William I. Ausich on 15 March 2003 at 8:05 hrs in Room 308 of the Fogelman Center on the campus of The University of Memphis. Attending were Council members Patricia H. “Tricia” Kelley, David J. Bottjer, Mark E. Patzkowsky, Carl W. Stock, Robert A. Gastaldo, Steven M. Holland, Alycia L. Rode, Ann F. “Nancy” Budd, John M. Pandolfi, Mark A. Wilson, Russell H. “Tim” White, Ralph Hitz, Lance L. Lambert, and Reese Barrick. Minutes of the 2002 Annual Council Meeting were approved by acclamation. Bill Ausich presented his President's Report, first thanking Lance Lambert for making meeting arrangements. President Ausich then reported on the meeting of the presidents of Geological Society of America (GSA) Associated and Affiliated Societies, which took place February 2003 in Boulder, CO. GSA's financial situation has improved. They have a new, part-time person in their education and outreach position, Gary Lewis. Ausich also attended the American Geological Institute (AGI) meeting in Washington, DC in December 2002. One topic of discussion was “Paleontology in the National Park System.” Paleontology appears to be a high priority for the Parks. There is a Parks' Paleontologist, who is preparing a report on known paleontological resources in the National Parks. The Parks are going to hire a Visiting Chief Scientist to come to Washington for a couple of years, and they would not mind that being a paleontologist. Returning to the meeting with GSA, President Ausich noted that they were very responsive to our concerns—he noted what a good job Lisa Park and Rowan Lockwood are doing for the PS on the Joint Technical Program Committee (JTPC). It is not unusual for paleontological sessions at GSA meetings to be held in rooms that are too small …