Some universities have stopped renting to conventions and some never did. However, there are still many that have a reduced enrollment during summer and use conventions to make the summer school more cost-effective. I've been to many scientific meetings at universities, as recently as 2003 (didn't get to go last year). The accomodations were a whole lot less expensive than when the same organization met at a hotel. However, it was a case of getting what you paid for.
When the meetings were too big for a university (they may have lecture halls, but not necessarily banquet rooms and rooms for sales), they met in good (but not 5-star) hotels. The convention was contained in one building, so walking to class was easy and cool, the room was cleaned daily, and there was a restaurant on-site. At universities, the dorm rooms were smaller, less comfortable (a student desk, hard chair, and twin bed instead of a table and upholstered chairs), one bathroom shared with the whole wing of rooms, and often a long ways from the meeting rooms. One meeting had shuttles because the dorms and meetings were almost a mile apart, but at least that one was flat--I've also attended meetings where the dorms were atop one mountain and the meetings were atop another. And 25 or more people sharing one bathroom, even though there are multiple sinks/showers/toilets, can mean serious delay in getting through one's morning routine. Some dorms had cafeterias, a nice thing for a quick-but-filling breakfast, but crowded, noisy, and mediocre food. All of these incoveniences are fine for college-aged kids, but as they get older, many people become less willing to put up with that sort of living condition. Some local committees may be worried they'd lose a lot of patrons if they held their convention at a uni. A lot of older scientists didn't go to those meetings that didn't have a nearby hotel (and shuttle) in addition to dorms. As for elevators, most universities have had to install some for ADA compliance (Americans with Disabilities Act). And, in my experience, the university dorm administration handled room assignments. Granted, not all lace groups willing to organize an IOLI convention will have a uni nearby that meets all their needs, but that doesn't mean we couldn't have some of the conventions at a uni. Not that I'm volunteering to put one on, mind you! <G> Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA (formerly Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeff and Lee Daly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I agree with Vasna about using schools for classes. Either school > is in session (most of the year) or it is not (potentially the summer) > but at that time, the staff is gone. They do not have food, or many services. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
