As you are well aware, COVID-19 has disrupted life around the world, including here at Middlebury. While we cannot predict if and how study abroad will be impacted in the fall, we wanted to reach out to you with information and recommendations given the current situation:
We hope this finds you well and adjusting as much as possible to the campus atmosphere in this unsettling time. We’ve asked a lot of you already in the last week, and sincerely appreciate all your cooperation so far. We understand this is hard. Nonetheless, we’re writing today to ask for your help again.
Since every day in this environment of rapid change now feels like a week, it seems like ages that we held our board of trustees meeting with you all, and learned of your inspired ongoing work in so many areas. And yet our meeting was only in late January—a month and a half ago.
Dear Institute Faculty: Effective at 5PM today, Tuesday, March 17, the Institute will be closed indefinitely, due to the likelihood of a “shelter in place” order by Monterey County. All but a few “essential” employees will be required to work remotely.
Dear Middlebury Institute Students, we have decided we need to move quickly to a mandatory remote work model on the MIIS campus—beginning today, Tuesday, March 17. Staff and faculty have been asked, if able, to come to the office today to collect necessary equipment for remote work and make arrangements with supervisors. All graduate assistants and graduate research assistants who will be working remotely during this period of closure should make necessary arrangements and plans with their supervisors today, if they have not done so already.
Last night Middlebury undergraduates received a message from the Office of the Provost titled “Middlebury’s Academic Program.” Among other things, the message indicated that considering current circumstances, Middlebury students will have the option to take their courses Pass/D/Fail this spring semester.
I’m following up on my message from Sunday night about working remotely and providing links to documents that will clarify our policy and provide you with additional information. We’re encouraging all employees in Vermont who can do their jobs remotely to discuss this option with their supervisors.
Dear Institute Faculty: Effective at 5PM today, Tuesday, March 17, the Institute will be closed indefinitely, due to the likelihood of a “shelter in place” order by Monterey County. All but a few “essential” employees will be required to work remotely.
I realize this is a time of dramatic change on campus and it may feel overwhelming. As we all adjust to this rapidly evolving situation, our goal is to keep you informed and provide you with as much support as possible. We ask that you remain in communication with us as well.