Community

Guidelines

In association with the MFA Program for Poets & Writers at UMass Amherst, Juniper offers writers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the writer’s life, to get inspired, and to become a part of a community of acclaimed and emerging writers from all walks of life.

All of us—Juniper staff, instructors, and participants—bring our varied identities to the Institute. We are a diverse group in terms of our personal, cultural, and social identities, as well as our experiences and background with creative writing. Juniper strives to provide the accountable and accessible digital spaces necessary for everyone to be able to participate fully in the week’s events. This means we are committed to supporting the following community guidelines:

• Treat one another with dignity, respect, and fairness
• Share, act, and communicate honestly, truthfully, and with integrity
• Be responsible, transparent, and accountable for our actions
• Expect to learn something new about yourself and others
• Recognize your communication style
• Challenge your thinking, engagement, and comfort
• Explore your emotional reactions, perceptions, and assumptions
• Take care of yourself and support others in caring for themselves.

We ask that all members of the Juniper community follow these guidelines, and practice every opportunity to establish a more inclusive space.

If you become concerned about a violation of community norms or you feel uncomfortable with a community member’s actions, please reach out to us using the contact information below. We are all invested in making sure that everyone feels respected and welcome at all times. You are what makes Juniper meaningful and memorable. We hope you’ll take every opportunity to write and to delight in wild invention.

Contact information

Betsy Wheeler, Director
413-545-8988
juninst@umass.edu

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COVID-19

The Juniper Summer Writing Institute follows UMass Amherst policy and guidance with regard to COVID-19 prevention and safety. While UMass Amherst no longer maintains a COVID-19 website, UMass Amherst follows Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) guidance for its COVID-19-related protocols. In the case someone tests positive for COVID-19 or is exposed to someone who tested positive, we will follow MA DPH isolation and exposure guidance during the week of the institute.

In July 2023, UMass Amherst lifted its COVID-19 vaccination requirement. From a public health perspective, we know vaccines are the most important tool we have against COVID-19
and perhaps the best way to prioritize the safety of our community. We encourage you to learn more about the newest booster designed to protect against Omicron variant XBB.1.5, available since September 2023. We will not be collecting vaccination information.

At Juniper, we aim to cultivate a community of care, including centering the health and safety of our most vulnerable community members to the greatest extent possible. As such, we encourage all guest writers and participants to take a rapid test sometime on Sunday, June 9, prior to attending Registration/Orientation. However, we understand that rapid tests, especially free ones, are no longer as accessible in the United States. We will not be collecting test results, and we understand if you are unable to test yourself. If you are able to bring rapid tests to the institute, we strongly encourage guest writers and participants to also test themselves whenever they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

In March 2022, UMass Amherst lifted its indoor mask mandate. Guest writers and participants are welcome, of course, when asymptomatic, to mask at their own level of comfort while participating in our programming (during scheduled workshops, sessions, readings, etc.). If you are feeling unwell in any way or believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask, in accordance with MA DPH guidelines. The locations for our community meals, while inside, are in large spaces with good ventilation.

With the change in mandates, the onus of responsibility now rests with the individual to practice care for the health and safety of the community.

The above policies are subject to change in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and UMass Amherst guidelines.

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Why We Ended Application Fees

For its first 17 years, the Juniper Summer Writing Institute required a non-refundable application fee of $25–$40 (U.S.). Those fees were used, in part, to cover the administrative costs of reviewing and assessing the applications. In 2021, we changed this policy and removed the application fee.  

Our mission is to serve writers in their creative endeavors and search for community. Whether our participants receive a scholarship or pay their own tuition, they are investing in their creative practice and their careers.

Application fees are not a guaranteed investment for writers. Reading applications is not an extra job for the program staff, it IS the job. We are here to engage with the writing in the applications we receive and determine who will be dedicated, inspirational, and supportive members of our community. Our application process requires the submission of both creative work and writer’s statements in order to help us create this community. We’ve made the decision that it should not also require a financial gamble from our applicants. 

We hope you will apply to Juniper. We are so grateful for your time, consideration, and extraordinary work.