A Note from the ALPhA Webmaster

Dear Reader,

The Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA) is a newly formed association of college and university faculty and staff dedicated to advanced experimental physics instruction. Initial elections for board members were completed in November 2007, and the results will appear elsewhere on this website. ALPhA is independent and separate from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Physics Society (APS), and the Optical Society of America (OSA). However we intend to seek affiliate status with some of these organizations so as to further the goals of advanced experimental physics instruction.

I have three recommendations for those seeking more information or who wish to support advanced experimental physics laboratories. First, join the advanced labs listserv, advlabs-l, which is run by the AAPT, over which communications related to the advanced lab take place. Upcoming meetings are announced on this listserv and much lively discussion related to various Advanced Lab topics occurs. To join, point your browser to http://lists.aapt.org/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=advlabs-l and fill out the information therein.

Second, join ALPhA. Membership costs only $10 per year, which is a real bargain compared to the cost of membership in other organizations. Your membership helps to provide evidence of the need for more support, at all levels, for instruction in advanced experimental physics. Your financial contribution helps support our satellite meetings at the meetings of other scientific organizations.

Third, participate in Advanced Laboratory related activities at meetings of the AAPT, APS, OSA, and elsewhere. We seek to have more workshops and sessions devoted to the Advanced laboratory, and your participation either as presenter or participant is crucial to the success of these activities.

	Sincerely,
	Your ALPhA Webmaster