Maryland-District of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Philip Merrill College of Journalism

2009 Fall Convention

The Maryland-District of Columbia Scholastic Press Association will be holding the 2009 Fall Convention Friday, Nov. 20 at the University of Maryland, College Park. The convention is an opportunity for advisers and students to share meaningful experiences, learn innovative practices and develop new relationships.

Sessions will cover a range of topics from writing and editing to staff organization and management while also addressing the varied needs of students and advisers. There is something for everyone, regardless of skill level, staff size or type of scholastic publication.

Registration
Students, advisers and administrators are strongly encouraged to register early. Advisers, school representatives and/or accompanying adults should submit the Registration Form and Attendee Roster to:

Early registration ends Nov. 6. All checks should be made payable to MSPA. Payment should accompany the Registration Form and Attendee Roster. No refunds will be issued after Oct. 30.

Registration Form and Attendee Roster should be mailed no later than Nov. 14. If registration has not been mailed by Nov. 14, please contact MSPA to check on session availability and on-site registration for the Convention.

Written confirmation will be sent to advisers and/or administrators within five business days after receipt of the Registration Form and Attendee Roster by MSPA. Schools not notified within seven business days of submitting the Registration Form should contact the MSPA office at (301) 405-8321 or (301) 405-2397.

Schools mailing registrations on Nov. 14 should contact the MSPA office, no later than Wednesday, Nov. 18 to confirm receipt of information and determine whether an alternate form of payment will be requested upon arrival Friday, Nov. 20.

Participant Roster
Convention participants will be issued a name badge indicating registration for the convention and participation in a University of Maryland sponsored event. Advisers and/or school representatives needing to change the names of participating students may do so at Registration Friday morning.

No refunds can be issued after Oct. 30. However, advisers and/or school representatives may submit the name of a different student to replace the student initially submitted. Advisers and/or school representatives aware of such student changes may contact the MSPA office prior to Wednesday, Nov. 18 if desired.

Convention Rates
Early Registration - Registration forms postmarked on or before Nov. 6

Late Registration - Registration forms postmarked after Nov. 6

On-site registration may be available the day of the convention. However, advisers and/or school representatives should contact MSPA in advance to ensure that space is still available.

Convention Sessions
The convention will feature a host of sessions covering a wide range of topics addressing the varied needs of students and advisers.

Many sessions will involve participation, so come prepared to ask hard questions and share innovative ideas.

Convention Schedule

Swap Shop
Students will have the opportunity to have their own swap shop at the convention to share publications and ideas with other student journalists. Schools interested in participating in the swap shop should identify the school’s interest to do so on the Attendee Roster form.

Meals
Students: Breakfast and lunch are not included in the registration fee. Students may purchase food from campus or area restaurants.

Advisers: The adviser’s registration fee includes attendance at the Adviser Luncheon. Attendance at the Adviser Luncheon for late registrants is subject to space availability since the caterer requires confirmation for the number of luncheon attendees in advance.

After Nov. 6, a limited number of additional lunches will be ordered. Advisers registering after Nov. 6 will be accommodated on a space-available basis. The registration fee for advisers cannot be reduced, if space is not available at the luncheon.

Advisers submitting late registration forms should contact MSPA at (301) 405-8321 to inquire about space availability.

Adviser Luncheon
The adviser luncheon is catered and includes a brief presentation with the opportunity for advisers to network and share ideas. Advisers should identify special dietary constraints on the registration form.

Note: No special dietary needs can be accommodated for late registrants. Advisers submitting registration forms postmarked after Nov. 6 are subject to the existing luncheon items selected.

Area Hotels
Conference attendees living outside of the local area may stay in one of several hotels located in close proximity to the University of Maryland, College Park. Convention attendees interested in securing hotel accommodations should inquire with MSPA to obtain additional information.

There are a limited number of rooms at area hotels so you are encouraged to inquire early to secure the best rate. The adviser(s) or accompanying adult(s) will be responsible for making the reservation and any damage occurring to the property during the stay.

Transportation
The campus is easily accessible by public transportation, private automobiles, charter buses and school buses.

Private Automobile and Charter Bus Parking . On-campus parking is available for private automobiles and charter buses for a fee. Private automobiles and/or charter buses parked on the University of Maryland, College Park's campus are subject to fees imposed by the University's Department of Transportation. However, a reduced fee for all-day parking can be obtained by including the appropriate parking fee when submitting registration paperwork. Failure to park in the designated area or park in an appropriate parking space will result in a ticket, which will be forwarded to the Motor Vehicle Administration.

School Bus Parking . Parking is available for school buses. However, no fee is applicable when the school bus is parked in the appropriate/designated area (Lot 4).

Anyone interested in securing parking through MSPA must do so by Nov. 15. Otherwise, it will be the sole responsibility of the attendee(s) and/or adviser(s) to ensure that vehicles (privates automobiles, charter buses and/or school buses) are parked in an appropriate space. The Association is not responsible for violations/tickets obtained as a result of attending the Convention.

Convention Guidelines
Guidelines have been established to ensure that all participants have an enjoyable experience at the convention.

The convention name badge must be worn by all attendees at all times during the convention.
Space constraints will limit the number of participants who may attend several of the sessions. Once the capacity for the session has been reached, students and/or advisers will be expected to join an alternate session.
Food and/or drinks may not be taken into sessions utilizing computer equipment.
Convention attendees are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Neither destruction of University property nor inappropriate behavior is acceptable. Convention attendees displaying such behavior are subject to expulsion from the remainder of the day’s events, without a refund.
Advisers, chaperones and school representatives, along with the respective schools, are liable for damage to University property by attendees.

Convention Questions
Questions about the 2009 Fall Convention should be directed to Marchelle Payne-Gassaway by telephone at (301) 405-8321 or Dana Miller by telephone at (301) 405-2397 or by email to mspa@jmail.umd.edu.

Registration Form and Attendee Roster are available online in pdf format.

NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat to open materials online for the fall convention pdf files.

Final Details
Additional information regarding parking, convention check-in, the Adviser Cafe' and awards available.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!

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