To the Members of the Medieval Academy of America:
I am writing with a brief update about the plans for the Medieval Academy of America Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 10-13 at the University of Virginia. As we move towards 2022, we know that you are all concerned about the surge in COVID cases worldwide, especially the Omicron variant. We are, too. Currently, we are planning to go forward with the meeting as a hybrid event, but we are delaying opening registration until we learn more from the University of Virginia administration about their plans for the spring.
The Program Committee has identified two critical dates for re-assessing our plans. In mid-January, we expect the UVA provost to announce whether students are to return to UVA and whether Spring Break 2022 will occur. Should the provost cancel in-person teaching OR Spring Break, we will pivot to an exclusively online event. If the provost announces that UVA will move forward with in-person classes and Spring Break, we will reassess during the first week of February whether it is prudent and possible to welcome everyone to UVA. In short, exactly one month before the conference is to occur, we will make a final decision and open registration. If we go forward as planned, there will be a vaccine- and mask-mandate in place, including a booster mandate. All in-person participants will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to attend, and masks will be required indoors.
I know that this uncertainty is frustrating, but we want to ensure that we are doing everything possible to prioritize the health of our attendees over what would certainly be the joy of greeting one another in person. We will be back in touch with more information as it becomes available.
Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year –
Lisa
Lisa Fagin Davis
Executive Director, Medieval Academy of America
