Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the conference registration fee higher if I do not stay in a conference hotel?
When the MPSA negotiates a contract with a conference hotel, the association receives free meeting space in exchange for a guarantee that it will use a specific number of sleeping rooms. If attendees do not use the required number of sleeping rooms, the MPSA must pay the cost for these unused rooms, which could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition, the more sleeping rooms that conference attendees use, the more attractive the MPSA conference becomes to a hotel, and the MPSA can negotiate even lower room rates. In essence, the attendees who stay outside the conference hotels are "free riders."
Why are hotel rooms more expensive at the MPSA conference than they are at the APSA conference?
Hotel room rates are determined by the law of supply and demand. The APSA conference is held over a holiday weekend (Labor Day). As a result, the APSA can negotiate lower room rates with hotels, because hotels have low occupancy and few, if any, business travelers at that time. The MPSA seeks national bids for its conferences and considers other locations throughout North America. The association returns to the Palmer House based upon the right mix of quality and price.
Does the MPSA check to see if a person has registered in a non-conference hotel?
The MPSA counts on you to be honest when you select a registration rate and pay to attend the conference. We have restructured our registration system this year so we can confirm that people who register at the lower in-hotel rate are really staying in the Palmer House or an official conference overflow hotel. If a person registers for the conference at the lower in-hotel rate but is not a registered guest in an official conference hotel, he or she will be billed for the difference between the in-hotel and out-of-hotel rates. Be aware that if you are not officially registered as a guest in the hotel, you are not staying in that hotel. If you are sharing a room with another person, be sure that you register at the hotel check-in desk when you arrive at the hotel.
What happens if the Palmer House sells out of rooms?
As the MPSA conference has grown over the past several years, rooms at the Palmer House have sold out. When this has happened, the MPSA has negotiated additional blocks of rooms at other hotels. In 2008, we maintained a list of people who needed rooms, and we were able to find rooms for everyone on the list at official overflow hotels. We will continue to try to negotiate additional room blocks once the Palmer House sells out: however, ultimately it is your responsibility to make your reservations in a timely manner.
If I have already registered for the conference but decide not to attend, can I get a refund?
Like APSA and many other associations, we have a "no refund" policy.
Why do you charge extra for LCD projectors at the conference?
MPSA has to pay for union engineers to set up the projectors and be present for a minimum of eight hours at an hourly rate of more than $50, in addition to the cost of renting the equipment. Union engineers are required for presenters who use TV/VCRs and all other AV equipment, including overhead projectors.
Do I have to be a member to submit a proposal or present at the MPSA conference?
Answer: No, the conference is open to everyone, though registration fees are lower for members.
How do I get my MPSA password?
Request your password by clicking on Register/Log In at the top of this page and following the directions. Your password will be sent to the e-mail account that you provided to MPSA. Some spam filters block the e-mail reply. If you do not receive an e-mail with your password within two or three minutes, check your junk e-mail folder. Otherwise, request your password by sending an e-mail to info@mpsanet.org (be sure to include your full name).
Where are my copies of AJPS?
The most likely reason you are not receiving your journal is that your mailing address has changed since you joined MPSA, but it has not been changed in the member database. Remember to update your record any time there is a change to your contact information. Simply log in using your user name (last name) and MPSA password. If your address is correct, contact us at info@mpsanet.org or (812) 558-0588, extension 1.
Where are my back issues of AJPS?
If you joined after January 1, you should receive back issues of the journal for the calendar year. (AJPS is published in January, April, July, and October.) For problems with back issues, contact us at info@mpsanet.org or (812) 558-0588, extension 1.
Why can’t I participate in more than two sessions at the conference?
Participation is limited to two panels/poster sessions (e.g., one poster session and one panel discussant or one panel chair and one single-author paper) to insure that junior scholars have a chance to present at the conference. However, participation in a roundtable does not count against the two panels/poster sessions limit.
How do I submit an entire panel if it is not an option in the proposal submission system?
For directions on how to submit an entire panel, click here.
Can I register for the conference by phone?
No, but you can register on our web site using our secure server, or print the registration form from our web site and fax it with your credit card number and expiration date, or mail the completed form with a check to the MPSA office. The fax number and mailing address are on the form.
When I tried to register online, I couldn't remember my MPSA password, so I clicked on the button to "Send me my password," but I never got it. Why not?
Some spam filters block the e-mail that is sent to you when you request your password. Just contact us directly at 812-558-0588 or e-mail us at info@mpsanet.or. Be sure to provide us with your full name.
I have been invited to speak on a panel, and I am not a member of MPSA. Do I have to register for the conference?
Everyone who attends the conference must register. There are no exceptions. The Conference Fee Waiver Scholarship is available on a first-come, first-served basis for international scholars from developing countries and individuals who are not political scientists, if they have not attended the conference before. For more information, click here.
Why was I charged twice for conference registration?
When you registered online, you clicked on the "Pay Now" button twice while you were waiting for your payment to be processed. This caused your credit card to be charged twice. Contact us at info@mpsanet.org or (812) 558-0588, extension 1 or 3, for a refund.
Why do I need to create a new account to submit a proposal for the 2009 conference?
You need to create a new account so you can re-enter the system anytime to make changes to your proposal or to submit another proposal or to offer to serve as a chair or discussant. Click the "Create a New Account" button and then follow the directions. Enter a password of your choice that is easy to remember, and write it down if you think you might forget it. Remember that the deadline for making changes to your proposal is February 6, 2009.