The following message was sent in an all-campus email from Jeff Cason, dean of international programs, and Katy Smith Abbott, vice president for student affairs and dean of the college.


Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

We are writing to let you know that all 50 undergraduate and graduate students at Middlebury’s School in France—as well as 10 other students studying in France at our other sites—are safe following the devastating terrorist attacks that occurred there yesterday. Our staff at the School in France worked through the night to reach out to each of the students and confirm their well being. Approximately half of the undergraduates studying with us in Paris are Middlebury undergraduates, while the rest are from other colleges and universities. We have notified all of their families.

Yesterday’s heartbreaking events have understandably created considerable anxiety, both for our students in Paris and for many here on the Middlebury campus. For any students who need extra support during this difficult time, we encourage you to seek out help from your residential life staff, CRAs, and Commons Deans.

We are making counseling services available to our students in Paris through our study abroad health insurance provider, HTH, and we have arranged for a counselor to come to our Center in Paris on Monday afternoon, assuming we are able to open the Center then.

We are grateful that all of our students in Paris are safe, and we will continue to monitor the situation to be sure that students are receiving the support they need. As always, please look out for your fellow community members and keep those most affected by this tragedy in your thoughts.

Katy Smith Abbott
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of the College

Jeff Cason
Dean of International Programs​