Policies
- The Congress is sponsored by the WMU Medieval Institute
Congress Policies
Paper Presenter Eligibility- Presider Eligibility
- Respondent Eligibility
- Agreement to Deliver Papers in Person
- One Paper per Participant
- Three Appearances per Participant
- Eight Participants per Session
- Multiple Submissions
- Rejected Paper Proposals
- Audio-Visual Equipment Requests
- Food and Beverages
- Congress Badges
Paper Presenter Eligibility
All those working in the field of medieval studies, including graduate students and independent scholars and artists, are eligible to give a paper, if accepted, in any session. Enrolled undergraduate students, however, may give a paper, if accepted, only in the "Papers by Undergraduates" Special Session(s), listed in the Call for Papers for the 48th Congress under "In Honor of Marcia Marzec: Papers by Undergraduates."
Presider Eligibility
No participant may preside and give a paper in the same session.
Respondent Eligibility
No participant may give a paper and serve as a respondent in the same session.
Agreement to Deliver Papers in Person
Submission of a paper proposal is considered agreement by the author to attend the Congress and to deliver the paper in person if it is accepted. It is a matter of Congress policy that papers are not read in absentia.
One Paper per Participant
The Congress Committee will schedule only one paper per participant, with the exception of plenary lecturers and those giving papers in the Saturday evening Pseudo Society session, who may give two papers.
Three Appearances per Participant
The Congress Committee will schedule each participant as paper presenter, panelist, discussant, workshop leader, demonstration participant, poster presenter, presider, or respondent for a maximum of three sessions. Organizers may organize as many sessions as the committee approves.
Eight Participants per Session
With the exception of readers' theater and other performances, the Congress Committee will schedule a maximum of eight participants in a session, a presider (or presiders) and seven others (with allowance made for co-authored contributions).
Multiple Submissions
The Congress Committee strongly discourages multiple submissions and obliges participants to inform organizers when they submit paper proposals to more than one session. The committee reserves the right to disallow all participation to those who breach professional courtesy by multiple submissions.
Rejected Paper Proposals
Organizers of Sponsored and Special Sessions are obliged to forward unused abstracts, together with their Participant Information Forms, to the Medieval Institute by October 1 so that the papers can be considered for General Sessions.
Audio-Visual Equipment Requests
Requests for audio-visual equipment are made on the Participant Information Form at the time a paper abstract is submitted for consideration or one agrees to participate in a panel discussion, roundtable, workshop, or performance (on or before September 15). Late equipment requests can rarely be accommodated.
Food and Beverages
Food and beverages (including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverages) consumed at Congress events on the WMU campus must be provided by WMU Catering, Fetzer Center Catering, or the Medieval Institute. Food and beverages purchased from outside vendors may not be brought into Congress meeting rooms in the Goldsworth Valley dormitories, the Bernhard Center, or the Fetzer Center at any time. Should food or drink purchased outside of the Fetzer Center be brought into the Fetzer Center, it will be confiscated and left at the front desk for pick up upon departure from the building.
Catered events on the WMU campus during the Congress can be arranged by completing the Meeting/Reception Reservation Form, which is available on the Congress website beginning in July. The deadline is October 1.
Congress Badges
Each registrant receives a Congress badge; it should be worn throughout the Congress. You must wear your badge to attend sessions, visit the Exhibits Hall, attend the Saturday Night Dance, use the Student Recreation Center (for a fee), and use campus computer labs. The facilities and services of the Congress are available only to registered attendees.
Photographs:
- John Dunn, President of WMU, welcomes Congress attendees (photo: Neil Rankin)
- Congress attendees socializing in the Fetzer Center lobby (photo: Neil Rankin)