Due to the ongoing health crisis, the 56th International Congress on Medieval Studies (2021), hosted by Western Michigan University's Medieval Institute, will be held virtually.
The 56th Congress will be live on the internet Monday through Saturday, May 10 to 15, 2021, with sessions and other activities scheduled at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. EDT each of the six days. Sessions in which all participants have agreed to be live recorded will be recorded, and the recordings will be made available to Congress registrants for the two following weeks, Monday through Saturday, May 17 to 29. There also will be some pre-recorded special features that will be available for viewing for the entire three-week period (May 10 to 29).
For future in-person congresses
A variety of food options is available at the International Congress on Medieval Studies on the campus of Western Michigan University and beyond. Congress meals are served in the Valley Dining Center. Other on-campus options include Café 1903, the Gatehouse Café, the Bernhard Café, the Schneider Café, Flossie's Café and the vendors in the Bronco Mall on the ground floor of the Bernhard Center (Biggby Coffee, Burger Bros. and Subway).
Valley dining center Meals
Valley Dining Center
The Valley Dining Center offers all you care to eat meals with a variety of fresh food options in a restaurant-style environment. Hosts and hostesses are available to help those needing help; please ask a cashier.
At past congresses, the first on-campus meal was Wednesday evening dinner, and the last meal was Sunday at noon. We do not yet know what meals will be offered for the 57th Congress (2022). Meal times are:
- Breakfast: 7 to 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Sunday: noon to 1 p.m.)
- Dinner: 6 to 7:30 p.m. (cash bar on Thursday and Friday)
Meal tickets (all you care to eat) purchased through congress pre-registration were $14.25 in 2020 and would have been valid for any meal served in the Valley Dining Center during the Congress.
Had the congress occurred in 2020, meal tickets (all you care to eat) would have been: breakfast: $13; lunch: $16;dinner: $18 (cash bar available on Thursday and Friday).
The Valley Dining Center is located in the University’s Valley neighborhood, also home to the Goldsworth Valley residence hall complexes. It is 0.6 mile (965 meters) from Western Heights, about a ten-minute walk. Shuttles are available at meal times as a part of the network of Congress shuttles.
Other on-campus food options
Café 1903
Café 1903 is a retail café located within the Valley Dining Center that serves beverages, specialty coffee drinks, grab-n-go and light meal options. Miscellaneous items such as toilet paper, shampoo and cleaning supplies are also sold (cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover). For the 2020 congress, the café would have been open:
- Wednesday: 3 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Gatehouse Café
The Gatehouse Café in the exhibits hall in the Goldsworth Valley 3 residence halls provides sandwiches, soup, salad, fruit, bagels, muffins, chips, beverages and assorted snacks (cash only). For the 2020 congress, the café would have been open:
- Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Sunday, 8 to 11 a.m.
Bernhard Café
The Bernhard Café serves an array of deli sandwiches, bagels, fresh fruits, salads, nachos, soft pretzels, snack foods and candy. Health and beauty items and sundries are also available (cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover). For the 2020 congress, the café would have been open:
- Thursday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During the congress, a complete breakfast and lunch menu is served:
- Thursday through Saturday, 7:30 to 10 a.m. (breakfast)
- Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch)
Schneider Café
Flossie's Café
The Schneider Café serves grab-n-go sandwiches, soft pretzels and a wide selection of chips, candy and snacks. Salads and fresh fruits are also available (cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover). For the 2020 congress, the café would have been open:
- Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Flossie's Café
Located on the second floor of Sangren Hall, Flossie's Café serves an array of grab-n-go sandwiches, bagels, fresh fruits, salads, nachos, soft pretzels, frozen meals and other various snack foods (cash, MasterCard, Visa or Discover). For the 2020 congress, the café would have been open:
- Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bronco Mall
The Bronco Mall on the ground floor of the Bernhard Center is home to Biggby Coffee, Burger Bros. and Subway. Hours during the congress will be published when they are known.
Cash bars
There are shared cash bars in the lobbies of the Fetzer Center on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and of the Bernhard Center (2nd floor) on Thursday and Friday evenings.
There is a cash bar at dinner in the Valley Dining Center on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Coffee and tea service
Complimentary coffee and tea service is available in the lobbies of the Fetzer Center and the Berhard Center (2nd floor) at selected times during the Congress. Consult the Congress schedule for exact times.
Area restaurants
Lists of Kalamazoo area restaurants, some within walking distance of congress locations, are available at registration. Congress weekend tends to be high school prom weekend, so do make reservations in advance, especially for large groups.
Discover Kalamazoo's Dining Guide
Discover Kalamazoo's guide to restaurants taking large groups
Shabbat/Kosher meals
Contact Chabad: (269) 903-2770
Catering
Reservations for catered events need to be made before Oct. 1. The Meeting Reservation Form for the 57th Congress (2022) will be available in July.