| by Laurie Patton
Even though we are in more of a steady rhythm now, we didn’t want to let a week go by without updating you on the progress we are making in determining how Middlebury will operate in the months ahead. Like every institution around the country, this week we have been scenario planning. Scenario planning is its own form of storytelling.
| by Karen Miller
I want to invite you to visit a new Middlebury website we’ve created to support those of you who have transitioned to temporary remote work. The site includes a variety of links and articles as well as free online training classes and workshops you might find helpful. We’ve also consolidated much of our Covid-related policy information into one area so you can easily find answers to your questions.
| by Carlos Vélez
Last Friday, Middlebury faculty voted to implement a Credit/No-Credit grading system at the undergraduate College for the current spring semester. This was done in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on our students and faculty. In consultation with the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Registrar, we have decided that the optional Credit/No-Credit grading will also apply to all students attending the Middlebury Schools Abroad as well as to Middlebury students participating in externally-sponsored programs. The Pass/D/Fail option in place will no longer be available.
| by Jeff Cason, Karen Miller, and Mark Peluso
It is understandable that you may be eager to get back to work on campus. All of us would like this to happen but for the sake of everyone’s health and safety, if you have been working from home, please continue to do so until you have permission to return. Human Resources will coordinate with supervisors to plan a transition back to campus, and supervisors will continue to communicate directly with staff.
| by Laurie Patton and David Provost
We write now with a small view into our financial future. Before we do, we thought it worth reminding you of our current fiscal state. In an earlier note we described how we are projecting a $13.0 million deficit for this year ending June 30, 2020, having been hit hard by the stock market downturn and a number of other factors. These include our obligation to refund unused room and board for undergraduates as well as fees from Study Abroad students, expected shortfalls in philanthropy, and lost revenue from auxiliary sources like the ski areas and bookstore as they needed to close early.
| by Suzanne Gurland
I hope this finds you staying home and staying safe. As the end of this extraordinary semester approaches, I write to share information regarding grading policy and practices, the calendar for the final Monday, and exam period.
| by Jeff Cason
With academic continuity underway through remote instruction for the remainder of the spring semester for both our Vermont and California campuses, as well as the Schools Abroad, we have now turned our attention to plans for Middlebury’s summer academic programs. Our summer schools and programs provide our undergraduate and graduate students with expansive opportunities, and we want to continue as many of them as we can for the 2,000-plus who typically take advantage of them.
| by Guy Perry and Carlos Vélez
We know that you’re all following the news about coronavirus and public health around the world. Most of you are likely away from your campus communities for the remainder of the semester, and all of us are wondering when life will return to normal.
| by Damascus Kafumbe and Catherine Pierattini
We know that you’re all following the news about Covid-19 around the world. The semester at Middlebury has been disrupted, to say the least, and all of us are wondering when life will return to normal.
