2023 Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference | COVID-19 POLICIES
  1. Though we cannot require the Covid-19 vaccine, we strongly encourage each participant to be fully vaccinated and boosted by June 10, two weeks before the start of the conference.
  2. Participants who test positive for Covid-19 must follow CDC guidelines. They will be temporarily isolated in a space on campus, but they MUST be picked up within 24-48 hours.  We do not have the resources to care for a participant for a long period of time nor is it easy to weave someone back into workshop after a 5-day isolation period.
  3. All participants must identify below the person(s) (name, phone numbers, address) who will pick them up should they test positive for Covid-19.
  4. Any participant who is exposed to someone who tests positive for Covid-19 must follow CDC guidelinesthat are in place. At present, that means all unvaccinated persons must isolate for 5 days. Again, because we do not have the resources to care for quarantined individuals for that long, unvaccinated participants who are exposed must be picked up within 24-48 hours.
  5. We have decided it best for students to stay in double rooms or suites. The benefits of forming a tight-knit community of writers, in our opinion, outweigh the risks.
  6. Faculty members and staff have the right to require participants to wear masks. It may be the case that some faculty members may require masking and others may not. We expect participants to respect their instructor’s decision and not complain about the situation. Such complaining damages the community students come here to create.
  7. Participants may be required to mask in any crowded indoor meeting.
  8. Any participant who has Covid-19 symptoms must inform a staff member. At that point, we will get the participant tested.
  9. All students must bring 4 rapid antigen tests and enough disposable masks (preferably KN95s) for the duration of the conference. We aim to stay on top of the situation to avoid spread of the virus and to keep the conference running smoothly.
  10. Students will be tested upon arrival and 48 hours later on the Tuesday after the conference begins, using their own rapid antigen tests. Again, our goal is to prevent an outbreak and make everyone involved in the conference feel safe. Last year, this testing went smoothly, no participants became ill with Covid-19, which led to a calming of nerves and the ability to stay focused on what we come together to do: write.
  11. We cannot know now how the Covid-19 situation may evolve in the coming months. The University and the SYWC may, at any point, institute new Covid-19 policies. Compliance with such policies is mandatory. We appreciate your patience as we monitor the situation and continue to work on a plan that meets that reduces the risk of a Covid-19 outbreak and meets the needs of the program and participants.
  12. As with other matters, we will treat each other with respect and kindness, knowing that we all may have different views about Covid-19 and the protocols in place.
  13. In the unlikely event that a COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the conference, which requires isolation of individuals beyond the University’s capacity to provide isolation space, the University reserves the right to cancel programs without refund.