Mt. Pleasant. There are a bunch of motels at the foot of the Cooper River Bridge that are considerably cheaper than hotels downtown. All rates are plus tax. Directions from there to the place where the reception will be and meetings held are given above.

Hampton Inn (843) 881-3300 or 1-800-HAMPTON quoted a single rate of $69 and double of $74 which is very reasonable.

Comfort Inn (East) (843) 884-5853 quoted a rate of $89.95 per room.

The Holiday Inn Express quoted a rate of $119.

There are number of other options in that location including Microtel, Masters Inn and several others.

Downtown. The Hampton Inn across from the visitor’s center quoted a rate of $219, so there you are. The Francis Marion Hotel, with which the College has a relationship since it is the most convenient hotel to the campus located at the corner of King and Calhoun, offers a rate of $169 (regular is $199) and, if you are interested, the toll free number is 1 877 756 2121. They will be holding some rooms at that rate for a couple of weeks. Ask for the "African Studies" rate if they cannot find "SERSAS."

Other options downtown could include the King Charles Inn. There are also bed and breakfasts around.

If none of these options are satisfactory, I would suggest going on the web to one of the virtual travel agencies or something like hotels.com where you might find a better rate or option. There are a lot of motels in and around Charleston and I hope you can find something suitable. Out of the high rent downtown district, the Mt. Pleasant option is best in my opinion.

We look forward to seeing you at some point on Friday for an informal pre-SERSAS get together at our house. Directions to our house follow and it isn't hard; but, when all else fails call for further directions.

From downtown Charleston: Proceed north from Calhoun on either Meeting Street or Coming Street. On meeting you will pass the Charleston Museum on your right and the Visitor's Center on the left. Stay in the right lane and follow the sign for Mt. Pleasant, a right turn onto the Cooper River Bridge.

Or, proceed north on Coming Street from Calhoun and you will come to the Crosstown and a right turn onto the Cooper River Bridge.

On the bridge you will see our new monumental bridge under construction and you will eventually get in the left lane so that you can exit left at the foot of the bridge on the Mt. Pleasant side and following this route you will then be on Coleman Blvd. also known as Highway 703. You will cross Shem Creek where there are restaurants and shrimp boats and then after about a mile the road widens to four lanes, two turning left. You will turn left. On your right is an Ace Hardware and straight ahead is a bank and small shopping center. After turning left you will go about half a mile and turn left at the first light on Lazy Lane. Follow Lazy Lane around to the right and then left and pass a tree in the middle of the road and you are on Seagull Drive in Shemwood II. Go straight three short blocks and you will be in our front yard at 988 Seagull Drive. It is a two story, wood frame house and my electric blue Nissan pick-up truck will be in the driveway.

If you should miss the left turn at the foot of the bridge, all is not lost. Proceed about 4 miles or so on Highway 17 north. You will come to an intersection with a light and on the right you will see a Blockbuster and at the intersection a McDonalds. Turn right and follow that road to the next light turning right then on I526 Spur. Turn right at the first light and you will be on Lazy Lane following the directions above to our house.

In Mt. Pleasant. If you are staying in Mt. Pleasant, show this to someone at the front desk to point you in the direction of Coleman Blvd or Highway 17. It is likely that you will already be at the foot of the bridge and can use the above directions.

From I526. Follow 526 to its end where it becomes the 526 Spur and then turn right at the second light onto Lazy Lane following directions above to our house.

And as I said, when all else fails, call. Looking forward to seeing you.

From Mt. Pleasant: Cross the Cooper River on the "old" bridge, Highway 17 South and be in the left lane when you come off of the bridge. Follow the sign for King Street exiting on the left. Turn right on King Street eventually crossing Calhoun. On the left will be the Marion Square Park and on the right the Francis Marion Hotel. After Calhoun, turn right on George Street at the next light and then left on St. Philip and the parking garage will be on your left.

From Highway 17 South: Cross the Ashley River and then you are in the precinct of the Medical University. You quickly come to a sharpish left turn and the sign says "College of Charleston" going straight. So you should be in the right lane and go straight instead of following what we call the "Crosstown." Follow that street up to St. Philip Street and then turn right. There is another sign to the College just before that intersection. Once you cross Calhoun you will be on campus and the parking garage will be on your left after a block.

8:30 - 8:55: Coffee and donuts

8:55 - 9:00: Welcome by Coordinators

9:00 - 10:35: Panel 1: Societies at (Un)Rest: State, Civil, and Community Actions for Justice in African Societies

1. [Did not Present] "Identifying the Intangibles to Make a Tangible Difference Through Conflict Resolution," by Richard Akum, American University, Washington, DC
2. [Did not Present] "Indigenous Knowledge and Local Governance in Nigeria", by Geoffrey Nwaka, Abia State University, Nigeria
3. [Did not Present] "Civil Society’s Governance and Human Rights Liability of MNCs in Africa: An Assessment of the Public-Private Partnership Paradigm for the African Civil Society", by Cyril Fegue, Free University of Berlin, Germany
4. [Did not Present] "Sharia Penal Code and the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: Concerns and Implications", by Ogechi Anyanwu, Bowling Green State University, OH; Fabian Ohaegbu, Imo State University, Nigeria; and Chidimma Anyanwu, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria
5. "Land Redistribution: The Unfinished Business of South Africa’s Transition", by Courtney Cole, Savannah College of Art and Design, GA