28 March

Two of the graduate teams (University of Washington and Concordia Montreal) have run into last minute problems and will not be able to come. This leaves a field of 23 teams (6 graduate and 17 undergraduate). This raises the question of how we handle the fact that I've been able to recruit enough judges for 25 presentations (7 on Thursday and 18 on Friday). Because this is first and foremost an educational event (for the judges as well as the students), I would prefer not to cancel the sessions but to add teams. I can easily do that from the preliminary competition we're holding here which finishes tomorrow, but I'm sensitive to the concern that, from a competitive perspective, this could be seen as "stacking the deck." So, my question is whether any other schools would be in a position to send another team (we aren't in a position, however, to offer any travel assistance), and, if not, whether anyone would object to my adding teams from LMU. I'd appreciate hearing back as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Tom