2020 Convention Rescheduled

Dear Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association members,

Our office gets questions almost every day asking whether we are cancelling the 2020 convention due to the coronavirus pandemic. We have tried to put off the decision for as long as possible, in hopes that the health situation would improve. However, these five things have compelled us to renegotiate the contract and reschedule the Convention for next year, October 14-16, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado:

  1. Colorado policy currently does not allow gatherings of large groups. Since we expect from 550-600 members to attend the Boulder convention, with multiple large group food events including opening night reception, banquet, and wine and cheese parties, it would be impossible for the hotel (or likely any other hotel in our region) to host us. Today Colorado’s governor re-closed all bars after being open only one week and a half since the virus numbers are on the rise again.
  2. Many US members have written to say that their institutions have initiated travel bans for the remainder of 2020 and will not allow or pay for their faculty and graduate students to travel. Those who are able to travel have been hesitant to make airline and hotel accommodations, but can’t put off decisions much longer.  
  3. Many of our international presenters will not be allowed to travel. In particular, this affects several of our largest contingents: Asian/Chinese/South Asian Studies and Women in French.
  4. Many of our members, including Sterling, Emeritus, and Retired members, are in high risk groups due to age and health conditions. Forecasts predict an increase in cases in the fall, right about the time we had planned our events. No vaccines are expected to be ready by then.
  5. Fortunately, we have been able to re-negotiate the contract for next year, October 14-16, 2021 at the same hotel in Boulder, Colorado. All monies that we have already paid on deposit will be credited to next year’s convention.

    The Convention dates will be Thurs, Fri, Sat, Oct 14-16, 2021. We will just move everything to next year. Papers that have been accepted for 2020 will be accepted and re-scheduled for next year, 2021 and all conference registration fees will apply to next year. Here is the policy regarding the Membership Dues and Convention Registration. Please remember that all presenters must pay Membership Dues and Convention Registration in order to appear on the program and present at the convention. 
Fortunately, over the past seven years the leaders of our organization have been working to build up a financial cushion that would allow us to cover financial downturns. It is due to our good planning and good fortune in these troubled times that we have adequate reserves to enable the following accommodations:

  1. Current members who have paid 2020 Membership Dues will receive free membership for 2021. Rates for Membership Dues in 2020 and 2021 will remain at the same low rates of $ 35 for Faculty and $25 for students. Three year memberships will be extended an additional year. There will be no refunds of 2020 or 2021 Membership Dues. We do not refund membership dues since our administrative office and service costs continue and members get the benefits of the online journal, opt-in mailed journals, opportunity to submit articles and book reviews for publication in Rocky Mountain Review, and eligibility for various awards. These privileges continue and are not dependent upon whether there is a convention or not. We continue to publish the journal on our regular schedule and encourage members to submit articles and reviews throughout this time. Issue # 74.1 has been readied for publication and will be posted to the website and mailed later this month. 
  2. All monies that have been paid for Convention Registration for 2020 will be applied to Convention Registration for 2021. Members who have already paid Convention Registration for 2020 will not have to pay additional amounts for 2021. If you have made hotel reservations already, please make sure that they are cancelled and make new reservations for 2021.
  3.  All papers that were accepted for Convention in 2020 will automatically be accepted for 2021. Those with Accepted papers who have not paid Membership Dues for 2020 have until December 31, 2020 to pay their Membership Dues. Membership Dues will remain at current rates. On December 31, 2020, the privilege to have papers that were accepted in 2020 rolled over to the 2021 program will expire for any presenter who has not paid Membership Dues.
  4. On January 1, 2021, a Call for Papers for the 2021 Convention will be activated for any panels that seek additional presenters and for additional panels, subject to space and time availability on the schedule. ALL presenters must pay Membership Dues and Convention Registration in order to appear on the program and to present at the Convention.

    Convention Registration after January 1, 2021 through September 1, 2021 will be a flat fee as follows:
         Faculty, Emeriti Faculty, Independent Scholars = $ 135
         Students = $ 100
    Convention Registration includes Program, Opening Night Reception, and Friday Luncheon.

    Convention Registration after September 1, 2021 will be the same fee listed above, but will not include Friday Luncheon. Tickets for Friday luncheon may be purchased for $ 35.00.

  5. For those wishing a refund of Convention Registration for 2020 or 2021, we will follow RMMLA’s current generous cancellation policy. Prior to September 1, 2021, Members may request a refund in writing of Convention Registration, no matter what the reason. We refund the Convention Registration that they have paid minus a $25 service fee. Please be aware that if a refund of the 2020 Convention Registration is requested instead of applying it to the 2021 Convention Registration, and a member later decides to attend the 2021 Convention, the 2021 Convention Registration rate will apply. There will be no refunds of Convention Registration after Sept 1, 2021.
  6. Celebrating our 75th year! We intend to make our 2021 Convention in Boulder a special celebration of a return to our traditions of fellowship and scholarship. It will be the start of our 75th year as an Association. Please stay healthy during 2020 and plan to join us on October 14-16, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado to celebrate together our good health and the health of our Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association.

Thank you for your service to RMMLA,

Joy Landeira

RMMLA Executive Director

[email protected]