Policies
Appropriate Conduct at the MLA Annual Convention
The MLA is committed to providing an inclusive and harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, or other group identity.
MLA policies on discrimination and harassment and on professional ethics are included in the Convention Guide. We also encourage those participating in interviews at the convention to review Dos and Don’ts for MLA Convention Interviews. Continue reading the MLA’s guidelines for appropriate conduct at the MLA Annual Convention.
Audio- and Videotaping at Sessions
Neither audiotaping nor videotaping of sessions is normally permitted. Occasional exceptions may be made for members of the media taping short segments designed to convey the convention atmosphere. Such arrangements must be made through the press office and require the consent of all speakers at a session. When taping is approved, a representative of the media staff will accompany the reporter and crew. The session organizer will announce to the audience that audio- or videotaping will take place during a part of the session. Only background taping is allowed, not the taping of an entire session. Requests to film the convention as part of a creative or documentary project must be submitted by e-mail to the Executive Council (press@mla.org) no later than 11 October.
Badges
Badges are required for admission to convention sessions, the exhibit hall, and the MLA Career Center. Badge holders are available at the MLA registration and welcome center, where attendees can also replace lost badges for $20.
Fragrance
The Committee on Disability Issues in the Profession reminds attendees that refraining from using scented products will help ensure the comfort of everyone at the convention.
Guest Passes
All MLA members and members of the profession that the MLA serves must register in order to participate in or attend sessions.
A convention speaker may obtain a pass for a guest who has no professional interest in language or literature; the pass is valid only to hear a presentation given by that speaker at a single session. The speaker must request the pass at the MLA registration and welcome center on the day of the session, before the center closes. The speaker must provide his or her name, session details (session number, room, date, and time), and the guest’s name. Passes may not be requested by guests of speakers or by MLA members who have not registered for the convention.
MLA convention registrants may obtain free passes to the exhibit hall for guests they accompany in the hall. Persons who are not registered for the convention and who are not accompanied by registrants may purchase a one-day pass to the exhibit hall for $10. These passes are available at the exhibit registration booth, Washington State Convention Center (Atrium, level 4).
Photography
In order to share the work of members and the atmosphere of the convention with a broader public, the convention will be photographed and recorded. Attendees may be photographed or recorded as part of this event.
Reading in Absentia
To encourage discussion and dialogue among panelists and attendees at convention sessions, reading in absentia (whether by Skype, videoconferencing, audio delivery, or presentation by surrogates) is not normally permitted. Presenters who are unable to attend the convention because of unforeseen emergencies may circulate their papers in advance through private or public groups on MLA Commons or upload them to the MLA’s open-access repository, CORE.
Registration Refunds
All requests must be submitted online by 17 December. For requests made after 15 November, your badge and a printout of the form must be mailed to the address below and postmarked by 17 December.
Michael Reilly
Modern Language Association
85 Broad St, suite 500
New York NY 10004-2434
A $25 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in most public places in Seattle.