Fee Hike Criticized

The decision by APA’s Board of Trustees to increase the registration fees for international members attending APA’s annual meeting may have unfortunate consequences in that overseas members will now see yet another discouraging factor, compounding the already high expense and recent additional inconveniences of international members.

The November 2 issue, which reported the vote of the Trustees, also carried a Community News report with the headline “APA Receives Support, Empathy From Psychiatrists Across the Globe.” To maintain this sense of solidarity; to express in a tangible way our appreciation for these many gestures of support; and to enable as many voices and viewpoints to be heard on issues of terrorism, survival, and rehabilitation, every effort should be made to ensure that APA’s 2002 annual meeting is as inclusive as it can possibly be.

To that end, may I suggest that the Trustees reconsider, or at least defer for one or two years, the proposed very substantial increases for advance and on-site registration for international members.