"To the dismay of faculty, staff and students, the administration of the Johns Hopkins University has announced its plans to sell the Villa Spelman. 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 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 is to be sold, Walter Stephens, Director since 2001, resigned in protest. Please sign the online petition:

to save the Villa a Spelman.

Many thanks, Ittai Weinryb

268 Mergenthaler Hall

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD 21218