Save the Villa Spelman

The administration of Johns Hopkins University has decided to sell the Villa Spelman, a decision that has dismayed faculty, staff and students. The Villa Spelman has played a pivotal role in the intellectual life of Florence for over twenty five years, hosting weekly Italian Studies seminars led by the finest Renaissance scholars from around the world and frequent conferences whose published proceedings represent cutting-edge research on medieval, Renaissance and Baroque studies. The sale puts at risk this celebrated program and the many other projects associated with the Villa Spelman. Upon receiving the announcement that the Villa Spelman was to be sold, Walter Stephens, Director since 2001, resigned in protest.

In an attempt to prevent the sale an online petition has been set up supported by Johns Hopkins graduate students: Laura Blom, Helga Giampiccolo, Ryan Gregg, Richard Leson, Jesse Locker, Chelsey Moore, Christina Neilson, Christopher Nygren, Jill Pederson, Shilpa Prasad, Hyla Robicsek, Kära Schenk, Jennifer Sliwka, Jannette Vusich, and Ittai Weinryb.

Please sign the petition to save the Villa Spelman. The petition can be found at: http://www.petitiononline.com/spelman/petition.html

Thank you very much for your support.