24. FORMAT FOR FUTURE BUREAU MEETINGS
Dr. Hayes introduced the subject by noting the difficulty of
keeping the Bureau meeting on schedule. He suggested that the
agenda be structured to separate items for information from
those for discussion and decision.
Prof. Sydnes suggested that information should be noted as being
for discussion unless otherwise noted. Dr. Buxtorf suggested
that all items should be preceded by a summary of the action
required. Prof. Steyn suggested that individual Bureau members
be given assignments. Prof. Jortner noted that this had already
been done in the case of the Project Committee and the Evaluation
Committee. He suggested that Bureau members be given responsibility
for items on the Actions Items list. Dr. Becker noted that in
past there had been repetition of discussion of many items on
the Bureau Agenda at the Division Presidents meeting. This duplication
has now been eliminated. Dr. Przybylowicz suggested that each
session of the Bureau should start with a strategic presentation
by a Division President or Standing Committee Chairman. Dr.
Buxtorf suggested that breakout sessions might occasionally
be useful. Dr. Becker and Prof. Steyn suggested that it might
be useful for Dr. Buxtorf to attend the Friday meeting of the
Division Presidents.
25. IUPAC BODIES
25.1 RATIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIPS APPROVED BY CORRESPONDENCE
There were no memberships of IUPAC bodies approved by correspondence.
25.2 NOMINATIONS OF NEW MEMBERS
There were no new memberships of IUPAC bodies to be approved.
26. ASSIGNMENT OF VOTES IN FUTURE COUNCIL
MEETINGS
Dr. Becker reviewed the history of the assignment of votes at
Council meetings. The recurring problem is one of compression
of the number of votes as the absolute values of national subscriptions
increase. A system based on percentage contributions would eliminate
this problem. The Committee decided not to take any action on
this item this biennium.
27. IUPAC PRIZE FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS
27.1 SELECTION COMMITTEE
Dr. Hayes will appoint the selection committee for this Committee
after consultation with the Chairman, Prof. Jortner. The selection
process for this year's awards will be completed by the end
of June.
28. NAMES AND SYMBOLS OF TRANSFERMIUM ELEMENTS
110-112
Dr. Jost circulated a message from Prof. Corish describing the
current situation. The Joint IUPAC/IUPAP Task Group has completed
its investigation of the claims of discovery for elements 110-112
and written its report. The portions of the report pertaining
to the claims of each laboratory were sent to those laboratories
for their comment before the final draft was prepared. This
report will be circulated to the President of IUPAP and to various
experts in the field for comment. It will then be published
in PAC and an appropriate Physics journal as a report (not as
a Recommendation). The Commission on Nomenclature of Inorganic
Chemistry will then consider proposed names for elements 110-112.
The report from the joint Task Group will provide information
for the use of the Commission.
29. DATES AND PLACE OF NEXT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING
The next Executive Committee meeting will be held in Stellenbosch,
South Africa in March 2000. The exact date will be determined
later. Prof. Steyn proposed that on the Friday afternoon after
the morning meeting of the Executive Committee a mini-symposium
be held at the University of Stellenbosch featuring scientific
presentations by the members of the Executive Committee.
30. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Prof. Steyn reported on his recent meetings in Washington, DC
with the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Chemical
Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
and the US National Science Foundation. Of special interest
was a proposal of the NAS to make major scientific journals
available on-line at no cost to scientists in developing and
economically disadvantaged countries at some delay, such as
12 months after publication. This proposal will be presented
by the NAS initially to the ACS as a major society publisher.
Dr. Becker noted that Dr. Larry R. Kohler has been appointed
Executive Director of ICSU. Dr. Becker also distributed an article
from Science International describing proposed changes in IUBMB
governance.
Dr. Hayes reported that there were ongoing discussions among
a number of ICSU Unions on how to proceed on an evaluation of
Genetically Modified organisms as Food. This effort has superseded
the proposal for a Special Issue of PAC devoted to this issue
sponsored by IUPAC, IUTOX, and IUPHAR.
Dr. Hayes asked the members of the group to provide him with
suggestions as to what subjects the President's Address at the
General Assembly should include. The Committee voted its deep
and heartfelt thanks to the ACS for its hospitality in making
the arrangements for the meeting.
