[STDS-802-16] visa policy (was Re: [802SEC] Plenary Meeting locations)
I would like to propose a policy of full refunds for registrants who
promptly submit evidence that they applied for a visa at least 60
days before the session and were subsequently denied it.
This would serve several purposes. It would:
(1) encourage people to apply early enough for their visa, increasing
the chance they will get it. [I recommend that people apply 90 days
in advance, but I think that the refund policy should use a smaller
number than that.]
(2) give people a fair chance to preregister, without risk, even if
they are still awaiting their visa.
(3) give 802 a source of statistics on visa denial. While we perceive
a problem of people not getting visas, it's very hard to understand
the problem unless we understand how early they applied.
Roger
At 11:31 -0800 2004-12-13, Rigsbee, Everett O wrote:
>Jesse, It has never been more than one or two per Plenary Session
>that I am aware of, and those were mostly due to insufficient lead
>time to get the Visa approved prior to the meeting dates, not that
>the Visa would not be granted. With our improved process for
>registration and facilities for providing advance session
>invitations we expect the numbers to drop to virtual zero. It just
>took us a while to understand exactly what impact the new homeland
>security policies were having and the requirements to compensate for
>them effectively.
>
>I think we are over the hump on this one now. :-) We did have
>18 attendees from the Peoples Republic of China at our San Antonio
>session and I don't believe anyone had to cancel for Visa reasons.
>
>Thanx, Buzz
>Dr. Everett O. (Buzz) Rigsbee
>Boeing - SSG
>PO Box 3707, M/S: 7M-FM
>Seattle, WA 98124-2207
>(425) 865-2443 Fx: (425) 865-6721
>Cell: (425) 417-1022
>everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Walker, Jesse [mailto:jesse.walker@intel.com]
>Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 11:05 AM
>To: Rigsbee, Everett O; Bruce Kraemer ; p.nikolich@ieee.org
>Cc: stuart.kerry@PHILIPS.COM; 802 @F2F Dawn S; Darcel Moro @F2F; 802
>@F2F Jennifer Hull; 802 Exec
>Subject: RE: Plenary Meeting locations
>
>Does anyone have statistics on the number of people who signed up
>for the meetings but then canceled due to visa problems? If not, how
>are we going to determine how much of a problem U.S. plenaries are
>causing? If so, can you share the statistics with us? This would be
>useful information to apply to lobbying efforts to reform the U.S.
>visa rules.
>
>
>From: Rigsbee, Everett O [mailto:everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com]
>Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 10:00 AM
>To: Bruce Kraemer ; p.nikolich@ieee.org
>Cc: stuart.kerry@PHILIPS.COM; Walker, Jesse; 802 @F2F Dawn S; Darcel
>Moro @F2F; 802 @F2F Jennifer Hull; 802 Exec
>Subject: RE: Plenary Meeting locations
>
>Bruce, This issue has been discussed at length by the 802 ExecComm
>and the following observations were noted:
>
>1. It is extremely difficult and expensive to hold 802 Plenary
>sessions for 1600+ individuals in non-North American locations
>because of the lack of large facilities, and the difficulty in
>coordinating with multiple foreign venues. The cost problems have
>been severely aggravated by the recent decline of the US dollar, and
>many of our attendees already claim that the cost of attending 802
>Plenaries is too high for their company. The US is currently a
>relative bargain for foreign travelers and we do have some excellent
>facilities scheduled.
>
>2. However IEEE 802 has a strong desire to show itself to be a
>truly international organization by holding sessions abroard.
>
>3. WG's have been doing that successfully with their smaller
>interim sessions, but it would still be important to have an all-802
>session abroad.
>
>4. Therefore IEEE 802 will make a best effort attempt to hold an
>802-Hosted Interim meeting for all 802 WGs in a non-North American
>venue (now currently targeted for January 2007). Choices with
>estimated costs for venues for this meeting will be presented at our
>March 2005 Plenary in Atlanta, GA. We are still expecting our new
>China Liaison, Roger Marx, to provide some sponsor contacts for
>possible venues inside China itself.
>
>I hope this helps to address your concerns.
>
>Thanx, Buzz
>Dr. Everett O. (Buzz) Rigsbee
>Boeing - SSG
>PO Box 3707, M/S: 7M-FM
>Seattle, WA 98124-2207
>(425) 865-2443 Fx: (425) 865-6721
>Cell: (425) 417-1022
>everett.o.rigsbee@boeing.com