On Thursday and Friday, 9 and 10 November, Sigma Xi sponsored a forum, "New Ethical Challenges in Science and Technology," with funding provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, National Science Foundation, Sandia Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through a series of plenary presentations and breakout group discussions, this two-day forum addressed a variety of ethical issues involving scientific and engineering research including university/industrialpartnerships, conflicts of interest, ownership of intellectual property, and mentoring of students.

During the 9-12 November forum and annual meeting, the following organizations had exhibits on display for the forum participants and chapter delegates: BountyQuest Corporation, MIT Press, Nature Publishing, SEATEC/LITEE. and Toyota.

The 2000 forum opened on Thursday morning, 9 November, with a plenary session that included two addresses: "An Engineering Perspective" by William Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering, and "A Natural Science Perspective" by Robert C. Dynes, Chancellor and Professor of Physics at the University of California at San Diego.

The opening plenary session was followed by four concurrent sessions that ran simultaneously and provided opportunities for small group discussions: "Teaching the Responsible Conduct of Research: The Why, The What, and The How," "Intellectual Freedom and the National Laboratories," "Oversight of Research Staff by a Principal Investigator," and "Responsibilities of Scientists to Society."

The Thursday afternoon session opened with a plenary address "The Overselling of Computers in Science" by author and astrophysicist Cliff Stoll followed by three concurrent sessions: "The New Federal Research Misconduct Policy," "Educational Resources to Increase Ethical Awareness for Scientists and Engineers," and "Bioethical Challenges on the Horizon."

The second day of the forum opened with a plenary session that included addresses on "Ethics in Medical Research" by David C. Clark, Director of Research Affairs at Rush-Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center and "On Being a Scientist: The Year 2000" by Francisco Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California at Irvine. This session was followed by three concurrent sessions on "Some New Wrinkles on Faculty Conflicts of Interest in Research," "Intergenerational Ethics," and "Beyond Adversarial Ethics: Web Resources for Solving Problems About Research Conduct."

The forum concluded with the presentation of the 2000 John P. McGovern Science and Society Medal to David L. Goodstein, Vice Provost and Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology. Dr. Goodstein then presented the 2000 John P. McGovern Science and Society Lecture, "In the Case of Robert Andrews Millikan."

During the 2000 forum, the forum plenary sessions, the concurrent session on "Intellectual Freedom and the National Laboratories," and the McGovern Lecture were Webcast by Sigma Xi and videos of these sessions are available on the Society's Web site (www.sigmaxi.org). During 2001, a proceedings volume of the forum will be published by Sigma Xi and distributed to forum participants, chapters, and other interested organizations and individuals.

On Saturday evening, 11 November, the annual banquet was held during which Dr. Francisco Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of California at Irvine, received the 2000 William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement and delivered the Procter Prize Address, "Copernicus and Darwin, and the World They Led us Into." Prior to the presentation of the Procter Prize, Mr. David Sington, British television science writer and producer, was initiated as the twenty-sixth Honorary Member of Sigma Xi.

On Saturday morning, Dr. Sherry Yennello, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, received the 2000 Young Investigator Award in the area of the physical sciences and engineering and presented the Young Investigator Award Lecture, "Science, Society and Scientists: Looking Toward the Future."

Three workshop sessions were held for delegates Saturday on issues involving the Society and on issues involving science and society. The topics for the first set of workshops on Saturday were "Expanding Your Membership Base," "Making Your Chapter Visible and Relevant," and "Chapter Resources and Special Programs." The topics for the second set of workshops on Saturday afternoon were "Sigma Xi Science Advocacy Programs," "Ethics and Honor in Science," "Chapter-Based Workshops on Undergraduate Education Reform," "Public Understanding of Science," and the "Packard Initiative to Increase International Science Networking." The final set of workshops on Saturday afternoon were a variety of chapter discussion groups in which delegates could participate; these were "Expanding Your Membership Base," "Making Your Chapter Visible," "Science Advocacy," "Packard Initiative to Increase International Science Networking," "Undergraduate Education Reform," "Public Understanding of Science," Revitalizing a Chapter," and "Unique Challenges Facing Industrial Chapters."

On Friday evening, 10 November, the University of New Mexico Chapter hosted a reception for delegates at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Throughout Saturday, delegates had the opportunity to view undergraduate research posters that were arranged by the New Mexico Highland University Chapter of Sigma Xi. Delegates also had the opportunity throughout Saturday to participate in poster sessions that included chapter posters and scientific posters that were presented by delegates.

 
Draft Proceedings of the Assembly of Delegates

• 1. The Assembly of Delegates to the November 2000 Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society was convened at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico in three sessions on 10, 11, and 12 November 2000. The Chair of the Assembly was Dr. Jack Gibbons, President of the Society.

SESSION I

Introductory Remarks by the President

• 2. Dr. Gibbons introduced himself to the Assembly, then welcomed delegates, spouses, and friends to the one hundred first Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi. He then introduced Dr. Peter Blair, the Society's Executive Director, Ms. Ann Gilton, Sigma Xi's Parliamentarian, and Dr. John Prados, the Society's Treasurer. Dr. Gibbons then asked the Assembly to recognize the following delegates from international chapters of Sigma Xi that were in attendance at the meeting: Colin Walker from the Australian Chapter; Kristof Fatsof from the Hungarian Chapter; and Peter Pechan from the Prague Institute of Advanced Studies Chapter. Continuing, the President added that he found the recently-concluded forum to be a very enlightening and stimulating event. As intended, the forum helped focus the collective consciousness of the Society on an ubiquitous issue and a set of challenges and opportunities that are available to Sigma Xi. It is therefore up to all of us not only to absorb the information conveyed at the forum but also to carry it back to our chapters and make it live within the chapters in other ways. It is the extension of these ideas at the chapter level where they will take full life and form.

• 3.The President then reminded delegates that this Annual Meeting is the second meeting at which the new constituency groups will meet in Sigma Xi. Therefore, delegates will meet, as they have traditionally done, in 3 Regional Assemblies of Delegates to exchange views and experiences from chapters at a variety of institutional settings. However, delegates will also meet in 3 meetings of their appropriate constituency group which will provide an opportunity for delegates from chapters at similar institutions to exchange views and experiences. Secondly, in order to streamline the business of the Assembly, the Reports of Officers and Standing Committees have been available for delegates, chapters, and members to review on the Society's Web site since early September and therefore will not be reviewed in the Assembly. Finally, throughout Saturday this annual meeting will feature chapter and scientific posters and undergraduate research posters. He then urged delegates to take the opportunity to attend these sessions and particularly to interact with the undergraduate students.

• 4. At the request of Dr. Gibbons, the Executive Director then explained the voting procedures to be used by delegates to select a President-elect and for any written ballots in the Assembly of Delegates. To cast their vote for President-elect, delegates were to affix a bar code label from the sheet of labels that they received in their registration packets to the top of the ballot; they were then to indicate their selection on the ballot in the spaces indicated. Ballots for election of the President-elect were to be placed in the ballot box in the registration area by 5:30 .m. Saturday in order to be counted and results of the election would be announced in the final Assembly on Sunday morning. The small, green ballot books were to be used for any elections in the Regional Assemblies and the small, white ballot books were to be used in the Constituency Groups. Information on all the nominees for elections at the meeting are contained in pages 37-71 of the program. For any ballots taken in the Assembly, the President will announce which number ballot was to be used and delegates were to affix their bar code label to the ballot and mark their ballot; ballots in the Assembly would be collected by the Tellers, scanned electronically, and the results reported to the Assembly. There were no questions concerning the balloting procedure.

• 5. Continuing, Dr. Gibbons reminded the Assembly that there was one recommendation from the Board of Directors which was the eight-point motion on annual dues for the year beginning 1 July 2001. In addition, there was a proposed Bylaw change from the Board that requires consideration and action by this Assembly because two chapters have objected to the proposed change. He added that there were only 45 minutes in this first Assembly but there would be additional Assemblies on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Therefore, during this first Assembly, agenda items #1-7B would be taken up, including the recommendation of the Board to the Assembly and the proposed Bylaw change, and any questions for clarification in regard to these issues would be answered. Thus, the business of the Society would be placed before the Assembly in this first session. Discussion of these issues would then take place in the three Regional Assemblies of Delegates and in the second and third Assemblies of Delegates, if needed. Voting on these issues would take place in the second or third Assemblies depending on how much discussion will be needed on these issues by the Assembly. This process should provide ample time for discussion of the issues before voting on them. Finally, the President advised delegates that agenda items #11B-D (Election of Directors for Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups, election of Associate Directors of Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups, and election of members of the Committee on Nominations) will take place in the Regional Assemblies of Delegates and in the Constituency Groups with the results of these elections reported in the final Assembly on Sunday morning.

Approval of the Agenda of the Assembly of Delegates of the 101st Annual Meeting

• 6. The President reminded delegates that the proposed agenda for the Assembly was contained on page 9 of the Annual Meeting Program that each delegate received at registration and this information also has been available on the Society's Web site for delegates, chapters, and members to review since early September. He then advised the Assembly that, unfortunately Dr. Marye Anne Fox, President-elect of the Society, had to change her plans at the last minute to attend the annual meeting and therefore will not be able to participate in the meeting. Dr. Gibbons then requested that agenda item #13 (Remarks by the President-elect) be dropped from the preliminary agenda on page 9 of the program. Without objection, the amended agenda for the Assembly of Delegates of the 101st Annual Meeting was adopted.

Approval of the Proceedings of the 100th Annual Meeting

• 7. The delegate from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology asked that the draft proceedings of the Assembly of Delegates, held during the November 1999 Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 4-7 November 1999, be amended to indicate that the chapter was in attendance at the meeting. Without further additions or corrections, the amended draft minutes were then approved.

Report of the President

• 8. Dr. Gibbons reminded delegates that the Report of the President for the year ending 30 June 2000 is on pages 13 and 14 of the program booklet and has been available on the Society's Web site since early September. There were no additions made, nor questions asked, concerning the Report of the President.

Report of the Treasurer

• 9. The President reminded delegates that the Report of the Treasurer is on pages 30-34 of the program booklet and has been available of the Society's Web site since late September. In commenting on his report, the Treasurer advised the Assembly that the Society is in good financial shape as seen in the figures of his report. Sigma Xi's net worth continues to increase and last year the Society completed its second straight year with a balanced budget; a balanced budget also is forecast for the current year. Finally, Dr. Prados advised delegates that, as authorized by the Society's Board of Directors, Sigma Xi uses 5% of the average market value of its investments over the last twelve quarters as a contribution to operations, which is common practice in many universities and organizations. In response to a favorable stock market, Sigma Xi has been able to use this 5% and still sees significant growth in its net worth.

• 10. Questions in regard to the Report of the Treasurer were answered as follows:
  • The Society's downward membership trend has been a long-standing problem for Sigma Xi and the Executive Director will discuss this issue as part of his report;
  • The apparent leveling-off on the Society's investment returns for the year 2000, as seen on page 31 of the program booklet, reflects the volatility of the stock market and particularly because on 30 June 2000, when the evaluation was carried out, the stock market had declined. Actually, the stock market today is higher than it was on 30 June 2000 so the current situation is better that that seen on page 31 of the program booklet;
  • The 5% contribution from investment income to the Society's operating budget is a small but significant fraction of the total operating budget. About 50% of the operating budget comes from member dues;
  • Sigma Xi's forum is generally a break-even operation but the annual meeting is an expense to the Society because registration fees for the annual meeting do not cover the costs of the meeting, particularly since Sigma Xi pays delegate travel expenses to the meeting;
  • The term "Unrestricted Net Assets" refers to funds that may be used for any purpose by Sigma Xi; "Permanently Restricted Net Assets" are funds donated for a specific, designated purpose, such as the research endowment funds that contribute to the Society's grants-in-aid of research program; "Temporarily Restricted Net Assets" are funds that come to Sigma Xi as grants and contracts for specific purposes and as these funds are spent, they are removed from this category.

Report of the Executive Director

• 11. At the invitation of Dr. Gibbons, the Executive Director provided additional remarks to his report that was contained on pages 15-29 of the program booklet and had been available to delegates, chapters, and members on the Society's Web site since early September. In opening his remarks, Dr. Blair welcomed delegates to Sigma Xi's one hundred first Annual Meeting and indicated that many of them had participated in the forum that preceded the annual meeting, which he hoped that delegates found to be a compelling program. He indicated that Sigma Xi's forums are a fairly well established tradition at the Society's annual meetings and in recent years have provided a highly visible point of departure for new chapter-based activities that are described in his report. He then highlighted three examples of how Sigma Xi's forums connect to new chapter activities: First, the 1998 forum on international cooperation in science and technology laid the groundwork for Sigma Xi's International Science Networking Program supported by a three-year grant from the Packard Foundation. This project provides ample opportunities for chapters to participate in the establishment of new chapters outside North America and to provide communication and collaboration among scientists in developing countries and research colleagues around the world. Secondly, the 1999 forum on undergraduate education reform laid the groundwork for Sigma Xi's national dissemination program for effective practices in undergraduate science and engineering education that has been supported by a development grant from NSF. Thus far the program has sponsored two chapter-based pilot workshops, identified sites for chapter workshops and a core group of workshop presenters, solidified relationships with other organizations involved in undergraduate education reform, and solicited interest from 40 chapters to participate in the program. Finally, this year's forum on ethics will initiate a chapter-based series of workshops based on the results of the forum. NSF has awarded a grant to Sigma Xi to organize several chapter-based pilot workshops in this program.

• 12. Dr. Blair then indicated that these examples should give delegates a flavor of the new efforts that are underway within the Society and these new activities are being initiated despite a continuing decline in membership and an under-performing year in the Society's investments. These new activities are possible through outside sponsorship of these activities combined with fiscal austerity, improved efficiency in operations, and a dedicated headquarters staff. All of these efforts have allowed the Society to operate with a balanced operating budget, maintain some asset growth, but still initiate newactivities in support of the Society's mission.

• 13. Continuing, the Executive Director explained that recently the Society's Committee on Long-Range Planning conducted a survey of Sigma Xi's membership to determine if these new activities were consistent with the expressed wishes of chapters and members. Cautioning delegates not to over-interpret the results of an informal survey, Dr. Blair indicated that some results of the survey were very interesting. When asked to identify a top priority area in which Sigma Xi should devote its program efforts, 43% indicated the public understanding of science to be a top priority, 32% indicated ethics and honor in science, 30% indicated advocacy and science policy, and 20% indicated undergraduate education reform. Thus, many of the Society's new program activities that are underway, and being developed by various groups within the Society, are consistent with the survey results, which is good news for the Society.

• 14. Dr. Blair then indicated that the bad news from the survey, and one of the issues that troubles him most about the Society's future, relates to the continuing decline in the Society's membership. The survey showed that nearly one third of active members rarely participate in chapter activities and over a quarter never participate; thus, nearly 60% of the Society's active members are not very involved in chapter activities at all. So, while the unique character of the Society's grassroots chapter-based infrastructure is at the heart of Sigma Xi's activities, many, indeed a majority, of members choose not to participate in these activities. Therefore, one of the goals of this year's workshops at the annual meeting will be to assist already busy people to develop and manage chapter programs. Also, the Society's committees and staff can continue to try to fashion programs that resonate with member interests but success in this area will depend on the chapter's commitment to involving members in these programs. The Executive Director then indicated that the survey suggests this indeed will be a challenge and he urged delegates to discuss this challenge in their regional assemblies and constituency group meetings during the annual meeting.

• 15. The Executive Director then assured delegates that the Society's headquarters staff is committed to working with chapters to meet this challenge. Indeed, in his view, many of the Society's recent successes in the past year can be attributed to a talented and committed staff; in fact, one of strongest staffs that he can recall. He also reminded delegates that Sigma Xi has the smallest staff relative to membership size of any scientific society and this staff, along with the Committee on Qualifications and Membership, are committed to focusing on chapter program development, revitalization and service. Dr. Blair added that the challenge is there but staff and chapters must work together to meet that challenge.

• 16. In closing his remarks, the Executive Director indicated that, despite the challenges ahead, Sigma Xi is in excellent shape and continues to build on its core mission and expand its portfolio of activities in support of its mission. He added that the Society's ability to build upon, and draw from, the local chapters' perspectives and energy is crucial to the Society's future. There were no questions concerning the Report of the Executive Director.

Appointment of the Credentials Committee, Tellers, and the Committee on Resolutions

• 17. The President announced that the following individuals had been appointed to the Committee on Resolutions for the 2000 Assembly of Delegates:
  • Melissa A. Warden, Chair, Ball State University Chapter
  • Patrick J. Hogan, Gulf Coast Chapter
  • Alice C. Gibb, Northern Arizona Chapter

• 18. Dr. Gibbons then announced the appointments of the following individuals to constitute the Credentials Committee for the November 2000 Assembly of Delegates:
  • Kurt S. Anderson, Chair, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Chapter
  • Joanne M. Follweiler, Lafayette College Chapter
  • T. A. Marsland, University of Alberta Chapter

• 19. The following delegates, two from each region, were then announced by Dr. Gibbons to serve as Tellers in both the Assembly of Delegates and the respective Regional Assemblies of Delegates:
  • MID-ATLANTIC REGION:
    Sharon L. Haynie (Head Teller), Dupont Chapter
    William T. Withers, Lynchburg Chapter

  • NORTH CENTRAL REGION:
    James A. McGaughey, Eastern Illinois University Chapter
    Catherine B. Saelinger, University of Cincinnati Chapter

  • NORTHEAST REGION:
    Linda A. Hufnagel, University of Rhode Island Chapter
    Arthur Yelon, McGill University Chapter

  • NORTHWEST REGION:
    James R. (Robb) Grover, Southern Oregon Chapter
    Karen W. Porter, Montana Tech of the University of Montana Chapter

  • SOUTHEAST REGION:
    Benjamin M. Gimarc, University of South Carolina Chapter
    Regina S. McClinton, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Chapter

  • SOUTHWEST REGION:
    Susan M. Kauzlarich, University of California at Davis Chapter
    Robert E. Mishler, New Mexico Highlands University Chapter

Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors

• 20. The President reminded the Assembly that motions from the Board of Directors would be presented this afternoon and questions answered for clarification of the motions. Discussion on the motions would take place in the remaining two Assemblies of Delegates, if needed, and the Regional Assemblies of Delegates. The motions would be voted upon during the final Assembly on Sunday morning or possibly during the second session on Saturday morning, depending on the amount of discussion needed for the motions.

• 21. Annual Dues for 2001-2002 (FY 2002). Dr. Gibbons reminded the Assembly that this motion was contained on page 11 of the program booklet that delegates received at registration and this information also has been available on the Society's Web site for delegates, chapters, and members to review since early September. An explanation of the motion was contained on page 10 of the program booklet and also has been available on the Society's Web site since early September. The President then invited the Society's Treasurer to introduce the eight-point motion on annual dues and fees for the year ending 30 June 2002 (FY2002) on behalf of the Board of Directors.

• 22. The Treasurer explained that this motion on annual dues and fees is identical in form to those presented to the Assembly of Delegates in recent years. That is, the dues are maintained at the previous year's level adjusted only by the cost-of-living, expressed as the Consumer Price Index or CPI, for the end of the current calendar year. Items 1 (standard dues rate) and 6 (life membership) of the motion would be affected by the CPI and rounded to the nearest dollar; Item 2 (rebate to chapters) would be rounded to the nearest cent. Dr. Prados indicated that, at this time, it is believed the CPI for the end of the current calendar year would be 2-3%, which would mean that the increase would be between US$1.00 - $2.00 for the standard dues rate. The delegate from the University of New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Chapter then asked why Sigma Xi doesn't apply the CPI from a few months earlier than the annual meeting, rather than the rate at the end of the calendar year, to the previous year's annual dues rate. This would enable delegates to consider a proposed annual dues rate in a fixed amount rather than an unknown amount. In response, the Treasurer indicated that the end of the year rate has been applied for the last 4-5 years without objection thus far.

• 23. Proposed Bylaw Change for Submission of Chapter Resolutions to the Assembly. Dr. Gibbons reminded the Assembly that this motion was contained on page 12 of the program booklet that delegates received at registration and this information also has been available on the Society's Web site for delegates, chapters, and members to review since early September. An explanation of the motion was contained on page 10 of the program booklet and also has been available on the Society's Web site since early September. In regard to background concerning the motion, the President explained that the proposed Bylaw change was adopted by the Board on 8 June 2000 and, in accordance with the Society's Constitution, was sent to chapters on 13 June 2000. Chapters had 90 days from adoption by the Board in which to object to the proposed change and the Ottawa and McGill University Chapters did file formal objections to the proposed change. Thus, the proposed change has been deferred to this Assembly for consideration and action. Dr. Gibbons then advised the Assembly that he would like to consider this motion in the following manner: First, the motion and the Board's rationale for adopting the motion will be presented by a member of the Board and then representatives from the two chapters will be offered the opportunity to present their chapters' objections to the proposed change. During this first session, only questions for clarification of the motion, or the chapters views, will be undertaken. Discussion of the motion will take place in the Regional Assemblies and in the subsequent Assemblies of Delegates. Voting on the motion will take place either in the second or third sessions of the Assembly, depending on how much time is needed for discussion of the motion. He then invited Dr. Cathy Manduca, North Central Regional Director, to present and explain the Board's rationale for adopting the proposed Bylaw change.

• 24. In opening her remarks, Dr. Manduca reminded delegates that the Society's Constitution and Bylaws provide a mechanism for chapters to submit a resolution directly to the floor of the Assembly, provided that the resolution is submitted at least 90 days in advance of the Annual Meeting. Any submitted resolutions must be forwarded to chapters at least 60 days in advance of the meeting. In the last several years, the Board has received many suggestions from delegates and Regional Directors that resolutions should come to the floor of the Assembly with additional background information in order that delegates could make better informed decisions about these resolutions. In response, the Board has used the thirty day period between submission of resolutions and their forwarding to chapters to work with the chapter proposing the resolution to clarify the wording of the resolution and for the chapter to supply additional information regarding the chapter's intent in submitting the resolution and the circumstances that lead to the resolution being submitted. Also, during this 30 day period, the Board has obtained a second statement from a committee, or the Board itself, regarding the proposed resolution and any possible implications the proposed resolution might have for the Society.

• 25. Continuing, Dr. Manduca explained that this mechanism worked very well for a resolution submitted to the 1999 Assembly but only because the resolution was submitted so far in advance of the 90 day deadline that ample time was available to obtain the additional background information for delegates. Normally, however, when most resolutions are submitted at the deadline, it is difficult during a 30 day period in August, when people are difficult to reach, to obtain the additional information. Thus the Board felt that, to have this successful process for providing additional information to delegates move forward, the deadline for submitting resolutions be moved to 150 days in advance of the Assembly, yet retain the 60 day deadline for forwarding any submitted resolutions to chapters. This would enable chapters to submit resolutions at any time prior to 150 days in advance of the Assembly, yet provide a period of 90 days during the summer months to obtain the additional information requested by delegates.

• 26. At the request of the President, Dr. Robert Frederking, President of the Ottawa Chapter explained that the primary reason the Chapter objected to the proposed Bylaw change was that in the Chapter's normal operating cycle having to prepare resolutions for submission in April or May would not give the Chapter enough time to prepare resolutions, if it wished to do so. Therefore, the Ottawa Chapter would prefer to keep the 90 day deadline for submission of chapter resolutions to the Assembly.

• 27. Dr. Arthur Yelon, President of the McGill University Chapter, then explained that the McGill University Chapter also objected to the proposed Bylaw change because it felt that the 150 day deadline for submission of resolutions would mean that a chapter would have to submit their resolution in late June as opposed to August under the current system. The Chapter felt this would be a considerable obstacle for those in university chapters where there is considerable difficulty in preparing resolutions. Also, the Chapter noted that the Society has not been inundated with resolutions in the last several years, and none were submitted this year, so the issue does not seem to be a major problem for Sigma Xi. In the Chapter's view, a successful resolution to this issue might be to require chapters to file an intent to submit a resolution at 150 days but not require the chapters to file the resolution itself until 90 days in advance of the Assembly.

• 28. There were no questions concerning the proposed Bylaw change. Dr. Gibbons therefore adjourned the Assembly until the second session on Saturday morning.

SESSION II

• 29. Dr. Gibbons opened the second session of the Assembly by reminding delegates that today was Veterans Day, a day set aside to commemorate those who have served their country in time of war and particularly for those who lost their lives in that effort. He also advised the Assembly that Dr. William Nierenberg, a Past President of Sigma Xi, had died recently and that Dr. Nierenberg was a fine scientist, a devoted father, and a person who was seldom uncertain about a great variety of issues, which was part of the wonderful charm of Dr. Nierenberg.

Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors (Resumed)

• 30. Annual Dues for 2001-2002 (FY2002). At the request of the President, Dr. Prados indicated that it had been reported to him that in the Regional Assemblies, and perhaps in the constituency group meetings, there was some concern expressed about the uncertainty of the dues increase for the next fiscal year based on the CPI. He then advised the Assembly that as of 30 September 2000 the ratio of the CPI for 30 September 2000 compared to the CPI for 30 September 1999 was 1.0345; i.e., a 3.45% increase for the year ending 30 September 2000. If this rate was applied to the three items in the 8-point motion on annual dues before the Assembly, the regular dues rate would increase from US$50 to US$51.73 or US$52 when rounded to the nearest dollar. Likewise, the Local Support allocation would increase from US$7.89 to US$8.16 and the Life Member fee would increase from US$1,075 to US$1,112.14 or US$1,112 when rounded to the nearest dollar. Dr. Prados also indicated that next year he will recommend to the Committee on Finances that the CPI for 30 September be used for the 8-point motion, rather than the end of the calendar year CPI, and this way Sigma Xi would have the actual figures for any dues increases available for the Assembly. In response to a question from the delegate from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Chapter, the Treasurer explained that the figures he quoted were as of 30 September 2000, but the Assembly could amend the 8-point motion to include these figures in the motion to be voted upon by the Assembly.

Recognition for Outstanding Membership Elections

• 31. The President advised the Assembly that they would now proceed with agenda items number 9 (Presentation of Certificates of Excellence and Chapter Program Awards) and 10 (Recognition for Outstanding Membership Elections), then devote the remainder of the Assembly, if necessary, on discussion of the recommendations from the Board of Directors. He then invited Dr. Penny Padgett, Chair of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership, to come forward and present the awards on behalf of Sigma Xi. In opening her remarks to the Assembly, Dr. Padgett reminded delegates that, with 519 local chapters, Sigma Xi has a tremendous infrastructure of activity around the world and the Committee on Qualifications and Membership recognizes chapter excellence each year with a variety of awards. Each year, Sigma Xi recognizes 15 chapters who elected the most new members by awarding them Certificates of Recognition for their efforts. She reminded delegates that this recognition is very important because 90% of the Society's members are inducted through Sigma Xi's chapters. Dr. Padgett then announced the 15 chapters to be recognized while the President presented Certificates of Recognition to delegates from those chapters in attendance at the 2000 Annual Meeting. The following chapters were recognized: Brown University Chapter, Carnegie Mellon University Chapter, Claremont Colleges Chapter, Colorado State University Chapter, Georgetown University Chapter, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chapter, Mount Holyoke Chapter, Princeton Chapter, Smith College Chapter, Southern Maine Chapter, Swarthmore College Chapter, Texas A&M University Chapter, University of Texas Medical Branch Chapter, Washington University (St. Louis) Chapter, and the Williams College Chapter.

Presentation of Chapter Program Awards

• 32. Continuing, Dr. Padgett advised the Assembly that this year the Committee on Qualifications and Membership initiated a new award for chapters to be presented at each Annual Meeting. Titled the Chapter Program Award, these awards go to those chapters that have organized or hosted a single outstanding program during the year. Winners of these awards were selected by the Committee on Qualifications and Membership on nomination by the Regional Directors in each region. With Dr. Gibbons presenting certificates to delegates from those chapters in attendance at the meeting, Dr. Padgett then recognized the following chapters, indicating for each chapter why they were selected to receive an award: Louisiana State University Chapter, Middle Tennessee State University Chapter, Pace College Chapter, San Diego Chapter, University of Calgary Chapter, University of New Mexico Chapter, and the Whitman College-Walla Walla College Chapter.

Presentation of Certificates of Excellence

• 33. Dr. Padgett advised the Assembly that Certificates of Excellence are awarded each year by the Committee on Qualifications and Membership to chapters for their outstanding program and membership activities. In selecting these chapters, the Regional Directors reviewed the annual reports from chapters in their regions and made recommendations to the Committee who made the final selections. The Committee selected these chapters based on the following criteria: impact of the chapter's program on the community; level of innovation or initiative; breadth and variety of programs; and overall quality of the chapter's program. This year 13 chapters will receive Certificates of Excellence for their exemplary activities. Dr. Padgett then recognized the 13 chapters, indicating for each why they were selected to receive the award, while Dr. Gibbons presented Certificates of Excellence to delegates from the chapters who were in attendance at the meeting. The following chapters were recognized: Alaska Chapter, Clemson University Chapter, Ford Motor Company Chapter, National Institute of Standards and Technology Chapter, Northern Michigan University Chapter, Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Pace University Chapter, Research Triangle Park Chapter, San Diego Chapter, Texas A&M University Chapter, University of Calgary Chapter, University of Hawaii - Hilo Chapter, and the University of Minnesota at Duluth Chapter.

Recognition of Centennial Chapters

• 34. Finally, Dr. Padgett announced that the Committee on Qualifications and Membership would like to recognize the Brown University and the University of Iowa Chapters on their Centennial anniversaries as chapters of Sigma Xi. In recognition of this accomplishment, each chapter received a Certificate of Recognition commemorating their one hundred years as a Sigma Xi chapter.

Recognition of the University of New Mexico Chapter

• 35. Dr. Gibbons then asked the Assembly to join him in congratulating Dr. Harjit Ahluwalia, President of the University of New Mexico Chapter, and the Chapter members for hosting the reception last evening for delegates at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and for their efforts in hosting this Annual Meeting of Sigma Xi.

Reports and Recommendations from the Board of Directors (Resumed)

• 36. Annual Dues for 2001-2002 (FY2002). Dr. Gibbons advised delegates that the remainder of the second session may be used for discussion of the recommendations from the Board of Directors to the Assembly, beginning with the 8-point motion on annual dues. Depending on the time needed for discussion of these items, a vote on these items may take place during this Assembly or be deferred until the final Assembly on Sunday morning. He then asked if there were any questions or comments in regard to the 8-point motion on annual dues. In response, the delegate from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology Chapter asked whether, in view of the Treasurer's comments earlier in the Assembly, the amounts indicated by Dr. Prados were now part of the motion before the Assembly, or whether a formal amendment needed to be made to make them part of the motion.

• 37. The delegate from the Quinnipiac Chapter then moved that in items #1 and 6 of the 8-point motion the phrase "the cost of living (CPI) for 2000" be replaced by the phrase "the cost of living (CPI) for the 12 months ending 30 September 2000"; that in item #2 of the motion the phrase "CPI for 2000" be replaced by the phrase "CPI for the 12 months ending 30 September"; and that future 8-point motions before the Assembly reflect increases based on the CPI for 30 September immediately preceding the Annual Meeting. The amendment was unanimously approved by the Assembly. The Assembly then unanimously approved the amended 8-point motion on annual dues for FY2002.

• 38. Proposed Bylaw Change for Submission of Chapter Resolutions to the Assembly. The President asked if there were any questions or comments in regard to the proposed Bylaw change for submission of chapter resolutions to the Assembly. Without question or comment, and with delegates standing either in favor or opposed to the motion, the Assembly approved the proposed changes to the Bylaws concerning the submission of chapter resolutions to the Assembly.

• 39. Dr. Gibbons then adjourned the Assembly until the third and final session on Sunday morning.

SESSION III

Report of the Committee on Resolutions

• 40. The Chair of the Committee on Resolutions, Dr. Melissa Warden, moved the adoption of the following commemorative resolutions on behalf of the Committee:

  BE IT RESOLVED that the 101st Annual Assembly of Delegates of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society commends Dr. Jack Gibbons for a very successful meeting. Be it further resolved that this Assembly commends the Officers of the Society and the Sigma Xi staff for their assistance in organizing and running the meeting.

  BE IT RESOLVED that the 101st Annual Assembly of Delegates of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society commends the following chapters in recognition of their anniversary celebrations as chapters of the Society:

  100 Years
  Brown University Chapter
  University of Iowa Chapter

  50 Years
  Amherst College Chapter
  University of Tennessee at Knoxville Chapter
  University of Denver Chapter
  Auburn University Chapter
  Brigham Young University Chapter
  Montana State University Chapter
  Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Chapter
  China Lake Chapter
  Naval Research Laboratory - Edison Chapter
  Butler-Indianapolis Chapter
  California State University - Fresno Chapter

  25 Years
  University of Dayton Chapter
  Oakland University Chapter
  Lehman College Chapter
  Bowling Green State University Chapter
  Central Savannah River Area Chapter
  University of Texas at El Paso Chapter
  Towson Chapter
  University of British Columbia Chapter
  University of Hawaii - Hilo Chapter
  University of South Alabama Chapter
  Boise State University Chapter
  Ramapo College of New Jersey Chapter
  Omaha Chapter
  University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chapter
  

  The resolutions were adopted by acclamation by the Assembly.

Election of Officers

• 41. The President announced that the following individual had been elected by the Assembly of Delegates to serve as President-elect of the Society from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002:

  W. Franklin Gilmore, Montana Tech of the University of Montana Chapter

Election of Directors of Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups.

• 42. Dr. Gibbons then announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective geographic region or constituency group to serve as Directors of the region or group, and as members of the Board of Directors, for three years form 1 July 2001:
  • NORTH CENTRAL GEOGRAPHIC REGION:
    Charles Clifton Chancey, Northwest Indiana Chapter

  • SOUTHWEST GEOGRAPHIC REGION:
    James F. Baur, San Diego Chapter

  • AREA GROUPS, INDUSTRIES, STATE & FEDERAL LABORATORIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP:
    Ron Weinberg, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Chapter

  • COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP:
    David B. Campbell, Rider University Chapter

• 43. The President also announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective geographic region or constituency group to serve as Associate Director of the region or group for the term indicated:
  • MID-ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHIC REGION (three years from 1 July 2001):
    Andrew Meyer, New Jersey Institute of Technology Chapter

  • NORTHEAST GEOGRAPHIC REGION (three years from 1 July 2001):
    Albert David Notation, Quinnipiac Chapter

  • SOUTHEAST GEOGRAPHIC REGION (two years from 1 July 2001):
    Ann H. Williams, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapter

  • SOUTHWEST GEOGRAPHIC REGION (to serve from 12 November 2000 to 30 June 2003):
    Donald McGraw, San Diego Chapter

  • BACCALAUREATE COLLEGES CONSTITUENCY GROUP (three years from 1 July 2001):
    Paul DeYoung, Hope College Chapter

  • CANADIAN/INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUENCY GROUP (three years from 1 July 2001):
    Peter Pechan, Prague Institute of Advanced Studies Chapter

  • RESEARCH & DOCTORAL UNIVERSITIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP (to serve from 12 November 2000 to 30 June 2003):
    W. R. (Bill) Klemm, Texas A & M University Chapter

Election of Members of the Committee on Nominations by Geographic Regions and Constituency Groups.

• 44. Finally, Dr. Gibbons announced that the following individuals had been elected by their respective geographic region or constituency group to serve three years on the Committee on Nominations from 12 November 2000:
  • NORTHWEST GEOGRAPHIC REGION:
    John Kelley, Alaska Chapter

  • SOUTHEAST GEOGRAPHIC REGION:
    Meredith Mason Garcia, Tulane University Chapter

    RESEARCH & DOCTORAL UNIVERSITIES CONSTITUENCY GROUP:
    Lee A. Meserve, Bowling Green State University Chapter

Report of the Credentials Committee

• 45. The Chair of the Credentials Committee, Dr. Kurt Anderson, reported that 214 chapters were represented by 223 delegates and additional delegates at the November 2000 Annual Meeting. The membership-at-large was represented by 3 delegates. The Committee noted that delegates representing the Australian, the Prague Institute of Advanced Studies and the Hungarian Chapters also were in attendance at the November 2000 Annual Meeting. Therefore, there were a total of 214 chapters represented at the November 2000 Annual Meeting and 223 delegates and additional delegates in attendance at the meeting.*

Remarks by the President

• 46. In opening his brief remarks to the Assembly, Dr. Gibbons indicated that he was honored and more than pleased about the sense of excitement concerning the things that need to done in Sigma Xi and the talent of the people assembled at this meeting to undertake these tasks. He indicated that, during this meeting, Sigma Xi had an exciting forum that contained a lot of ideas and a great deal of interaction among the participants. The forum has therefore elevated the Society's collective wisdom about new ethical issues in science, technology, and research. Sigma Xi can carry this elevated wisdom in a variety of ways - as a Society as a whole and within the local chapters. Thus, these ideas can take form in a variety of contexts representing the great variety of experiences that reside within Sigma Xi's chapters.

• 47. Continuing, the President indicated that he was very excited about this dual process of gathering collective wisdom, identifying key issues, and in aiding not only the Society as a whole, but also the individual chapters of Sigma Xi. In his view, the idea of coming together is terribly important for Sigma Xi. Also, the balance that Sigma Xi needs to work on is how can we build our own capability as a community of researchers, therefore the Society as a whole, yet at the same time hold on to the vitality and semi-independence of the parts of the Society that are the local chapters of Sigma Xi. Dr. Gibbons closed his remarks by indicating that perhaps the Society's ultimate goal may be to make thewhole greater than the sum of the parts.

Adjournment

• 48. The President then thanked the delegates for their kindness, their patience, and their active participation in the meeting and declared the 101st Assembly of Delegates adjourned.