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Started by Larry Little
Tue, 05 Jan 1993 19:30
Discrimination at SUG Conference
Author: Larry Little
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1993 19:30
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1993 19:30
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I attended the December national Sun User Group conference in San Jose,
along with my son. We *both* registered appropriately at the registration
desk. We both wore our badges in easily visible places.
As we walked through the doors to enter the equipment exhibit area, we
were stopped by one of the security guards, a rather large and aggressive
man. He said that it was "policy" that no one under the age of 18
have admittance to the show. "It has to do with insurance," he said.
I was shocked and astounded. I argued with him, saying that the
proper place to enforce such an (unreasonable) policy was at the
registration desk -- and they had not! And since they had not, that,
having travelled nearly 50 miles to get there, and having taken him
out of school, that *we* were going to enter. (My son, incidentally,
is *clearly* under 18, so there could be no doubt in the registrar's
mind, if there were such a policy, which side of 18 he is on.)
This guy goes on to say that he is an off-duty San Francisco policeman
who regularly works security at computer conferences. He claimed that
this is policy at *all* computer conferences. (!!) I responded that
I attend several computer conferences each year, and have seen individuals
under 18 at *all* of them that I have attended (I'm talking about the
equipment exhibit area, not the technical sessions), even including infants
in those little carriers on their parent's back! Let alone, those who
obviously walk on their own, such as my son.
This guy would not back down. He went on to say that the *Teamsters*
don't like to see under 18s at the conference either, for liability
reasons. Is that bizarre, or what? After some more jawing, he finally
allowed us to enter.
1) I want to know *why* this guy took this position? He said that it
was "policy".
2) Is it SUG's policy?
3) If not, is it the SJ Convention Center's policy?
4) Do I recall that a company is hired to run/coordinate the
conference? Is it *their* policy?
5) If it is not *anyone's* policy, I want to know what to do in the
future if it should occur again.
Larry Little
SLUG Chairman
University of California, LLNL
Re: Discrimination at SUG Conference
Author: Doug Shaker
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1993 20:38
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1993 20:38
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In article 145109@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV, llittle@tis.llnl.gov (Larry Little) writes: >I attended the December national Sun User Group conference in San Jose, [Description of guard attempting to refuse entry to son under 18, though accompanied by father, both registered. > >1) I want to know *why* this guy took this position? He said that it > was "policy". Sounds like BS to me. >2) Is it SUG's policy? >3) If not, is it the SJ Convention Center's policy? >4) Do I recall that a company is hired to run/coordinate the > conference? Is it *their* policy? >5) If it is not *anyone's* policy, I want to know what to do in the > future if it should occur again. Well, what I would do is go down the hall to another door where the guard is (probabilities being what they are) likely to be either untrained in such a "policy", asleep, or doing something else. Always works for me. > >Larry Little >SLUG Chairman >University of California, LLNL - Doug Shaker voice: 415/572-0200 fax: 415/572-1300 email: dshaker@qualix.com mail: Qualix Group 1900 S. Norfolk St., #224 San Mateo, CA 94403
Re: Discrimination at SUG Conference
Author: Stan Hanks
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 04:14
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 04:14
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In article <145109@lll-winken.LLNL.GOV> llittle@tis.llnl.gov (Larry Little) writes:
>He said that it was "policy" that no one under the age of 18
>have admittance to the show. "It has to do with insurance," he said.
Huh? This is the first I've heard of this...
>1) I want to know *why* this guy took this position? He said that it
> was "policy".
>2) Is it SUG's policy?
Absolutely NOT. We don't have a policy on kids. Well, some of the board
have a policy that says they should have kids, but other than that... 8{)
>3) If not, is it the SJ Convention Center's policy?
>4) Do I recall that a company is hired to run/coordinate the
> conference? Is it *their* policy?
It may really be an insurance policy that I don't know about.
This year, we had the conference and exhibits produced by PCI, and as a
result, used whatever their insurance was. It never occurred to anyone to
ask about such things, as frankly, it probably never occurred to any of the
board or staff to bring their offspring to the show.
>5) If it is not *anyone's* policy, I want to know what to do in the
> future if it should occur again.
My first line of attack anytime someone says I can't do something that
otherwise seems sensible to do is have the obstuctionist produce their
manager, or take their name and employee ID number and find the manager
myself. Shit *DOES* run downhill, you know....
If I got no satisfaction that way, I'd escalate to the show management
then SUG management then SUG officers. I assure you, if such a thing
happens (let's clarify that: if something happens that seems *WRONG*
that has a "just because" explaination -- not "if someone won't let
you bring your kid in") next year, I want to know about it.
Sincerely,
Stan Hanks,
President, Sun Users Group, Inc.
>Larry Little
>SLUG Chairman
>University of California, LLNL
--
Stanley P. Hanks Principal Scientist, Technology Transfer Associates
U.S. Snail: P.O. Box 2087, Bellaire TX 77402-2087
FedEx/Shipping: 5303-F Glenmont, Houston TX 77081
e-mail: stan@tta.com voice: (713) 661-2084 fax: (713) 661-0633
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