We are isolated now. The Vermont campus is emptier than it was. As I got out of my car on Tuesday to retrieve things from my office, I heard bells. Bells? The Carillon? I thought there must be something happening at Mead. But no, there couldn’t be. And then I realized: George Matthew is playing to inspire us, to orient us, to keep us together. Indeed, nothing was happening at Mead Chapel. And yet everything was.
We have received questions about access to campus buildings following Wednesday’s “workplace” memo requiring employees who are able to work remotely to do so. Faculty and staff should not come back to campus or to their office buildings unless they have a need to briefly return to gather materials or to prepare for remote learning activities. Staff who are considered “essential” employees with an on-campus role can and should be on campus.
Dear Faculty Colleagues, as promised, we are writing with specific information regarding the scheduling of classes once they resume on March 30. Before stating the resolution of our deliberations, we would like to explain the relevant context. We have decided on our way forward after significant consultation, with department chairs and program directors and with the academic continuity group. We recognize that there is no ideal solution to our upcoming schedule, but we have tried to come to the best available solution.
Today, Porter Medical Center announced that an individual in Addison County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. It is our understanding that the individual was tested by Porter’s drive-through service after being screened via telemedicine. The patient is receiving care, following CDC guidelines, and self-isolating at home. We ask all community members to respect the individual’s privacy and avoid speculation and rumor as to their identity.
As we step into this unprecedented territory of remote teaching, we wanted to share with you a number of decisions we have made regarding academic work for our students for the remainder of the semester.
I’m reaching out with some brief updates since we were last in touch, late yesterday. This Midd community of ours, here and away, has just been extraordinary. Because—of course you are. I needed you to hear that first. You have my deepest admiration and thanks as we all navigate this most difficult time. It is a time of sudden sadness and truncated hopes. And in the midst of that, the human connection has been deep and real.
A number of you have reached out to us to ask how you can help with our coronavirus response. We so appreciate it. We’ve been moved by your willingness to pitch in and care for the community.
Once again, we want to reiterate our appreciation for your willingness to pivot so quickly to new ways of teaching following spring break. We know that many faculty colleagues have been working overtime to reimagine their courses, and that this work will continue in the coming weeks. What we are dealing with is unprecedented for us, and we just wanted to acknowledge, again, the scale of the task in front of us all.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we all work through the challenge of limiting the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19. We recognize that we are asking you midway through the semester to completely rethink how you teach.
