Dear members of the SCLA,

I am writing to inform you that the Executive Committee of the SCLA has decided to cancel the conference which was scheduled to be held late October in Austin, Texas. This decision was not arrived at lightly: it was only arrived at after a full discussion among the members of the Committee. A vote was taken, and the vote was unanimous in favor of canceling the conference. I think it important to state the reasons why, particularly in view of the quite reasonable objection that to take such a decision in April is rather premature. However, the best-informed sources on the Coronavirus situation are indicating that, whatever easing of restrictions there may be in the coming months, there is no prospect of a return to true normality until a vaccine is developed, and the estimates on that time-frame extend far beyond the fall. Thus, while some members might well have wished to attend the conference, the likelihood is that many members would still choose to avoid traveling, and moreover avoid large-scale gatherings like that of a conference. Given that likelihood, if the SCLA were still to commit to holding the conference, the prospect would be one of a much smaller attendance, and that would induce considerable financial losses for the organization. We are also mindful that some members of the SCLA will have suffered financially themselves because of the Coronavirus situation, and that would also prevent them from attending the conference. The Executive Committee and I furthermore want to avoid a situation where members begin to book their flights to Austin and pay their conference fees, and then are faced with the burden of canceled flights or the logistical hassles of conference fee reimbursement.

In short, given what we know of the Covid-19 situation as it is likely to develop over the summer and into the fall, it seemed to us that it is prudent to take a decision now, rather than defer the decision until later on. As I say, it is not a decision we took lightly, and it is a decision we all regret having to take. But the unanimous view of the Executive Committee is that it is the right decision. Our hope is that we will hold the same conference, on the same topic, and in the same great city of Austin Texas in 2021. I am also pleased to confirm that Jane Gallop will still be our keynote speaker. When we do meet in 2021, we will have an opportunity to strengthen the intellectual bonds that we all share as members of the SCLA community. It will, I hope, be a cheerful and revitalized occasion. Until that time, all of the current members of the Executive Committee will remain in post. If there are any developments, I will, of course, let you all know.

I do write this email with a heavy heart, but my more heartfelt message to you all, which I convey on behalf of the Executive Committee as a whole, is one of sincere hope that this email finds each of you safe and well.

Brian O’Keeffe
President

Welcome to the Society for Comparative Literature and the Arts!

The aim of the Society for Comparative Literature and the Arts (formerly Southern Comparative Literature Association) is to support and strengthen Comparative Literature and Arts studies. The society strives to foster an interest in literature as a form of artistic expression beyond national and linguistic boundaries, to help acquaint the community at large with the aims and values of comparative literature studies, and to help place young scholars in academic positions where they may be effective as teachers and scholar-critics. In order to achieve these goals, the society holds meetings for the purpose of presenting and discussing studies in comparative literature and arts and cooperates with other organizations interested in the attainment of these objectives.

SCLA Statement on Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion