The Popular Culture Association of the South / American Culture Association of the South (PCAS/ACAS) welcomes you and appreciates your participation at our conferences and on our online forums. Founded in 1971, PCAS/ACAS is committed to fostering an inclusive, multidisciplinary community dedicated to the study of everyday life. We invite diverse approaches, both traditional and innovative, to a wide array of topics in the arts, humanities and social sciences and strive to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for inquiry, expression, and learning. We are committed to mentoring new and young academic professionals, offering guidance and networking opportunities, and we strive for the highest standards of scholarship and professional integrity. At our conferences, you will encounter a safe, supportive, respectful, and enjoyable environment where you can express diverse views and encounter new ways of thinking about culture. The PCAS/ACAS is committed to providing an inclusive and harassment-free environment for all, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, geographic location, age, or other group identity. In order to ensure a supportive space for all, we ascribe to the following code of conduct.
These behaviors are unacceptable and will not be tolerated by our members or guests at our conferences:
- Harassing, demeaning, humiliating, bullying, or intimidating others.
- Discriminating against others based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, geographic location, age, or other group identity
- Harassing or intimidating others based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion, geographic location, age, or other group identity
- Engaging in sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact
- Shouting down, threatening, or defaming others
- Acting in a way that is harmful, physically or emotionally, to others
- Acting in a way that is disrespectful to others, including loud and disruptive behavior during conference presentations or events
- Not respecting others’ views
- Plagiarizing, or presenting material that is not your own without proper attribution
- Misrepresenting your rank or identity during the registration or presentation process
- Sharing others’ personal information or intellectual property without consent
- Failing to appear for scheduled presentations without notifying PCAS/ACAS leadership in the case of non-emergency
Speakers should frame discussions as openly and inclusively as possible and be aware of how language or images may be perceived by others. Attendees may exercise their option to leave a session or a conversation, and if asked to leave during an altercation should do so.
Exhibitors must follow all PCAS/ACAS exhibit rules, regulations, and policies.
All attendees are expected to follow these guidelines in all convention venues, including online and at convention social events. Attendees asked to stop a hostile or harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Please report any physical assault or threats to the hotel staff, PCAS/ACAS Executive Board member, or local police department.
Failure to comply with these guidelines could result in involving hotel security as a means of addressing the violation. The PCAS/ACAS reserves the right to bar participation in organizational activities for violation of the above policies.
Adapted from the PCA National Code of Conduct which is adapted from the guidelines of the Modern Language Association and American Library Association. PCA version revised 9-30-2022. PCAS/ACAS version revised 10-7-2022.