We, the undersigned, are all active members of SCMS.

We want to draw your attention to the conflicts many SCMS members experience in relation to conference travel and ongoing demands of childcare.  Many scholars cut short their conference stay because of childcare concerns, others may not be able to attend at all.  Those who bring children with them often cannot attend as many conference sessions as they would like.  These constraints affect both junior scholars, very much in need of the exposure and networking opportunities afforded by the annual conference, and more senior scholars whose participation is essential for the organization.  This is an issue that disproportionately affects women and is especially difficult for graduate students and contingent faculty.

We therefore request that SCMS begin accommodating the needs of parents who attend the annual conference by instituting the following measures:

*   Establish a fund to provide small grants to graduate students and contingent faculty with young children.  Need-based grants would provide a stipend up to $500 to off-set the costs of extra childcare at home or at the conference site, or the costs of bringing along a childcare provider to the conference.  This would be similar to the existing Travel Grant program.

*   Work with the conference hotel to coordinate onsite, drop-in childcare for children of conference-goers.  Members would pay for this service, but individual costs could be significantly reduced with a coordinated group effort.

*  Let parents know that they can bring their children. Describe the SCMS conference as "parent-child friendly" in the call for papers, promotional materials, and/or program.