| by Mark Peluso, Jeff Cason, and Karen Miller
It is important for all of us to make a plan should we or a member of our family become sick from COVID-19. This message is especially relevant for those staff in Vermont deemed essential since they have continued to work on campus. We ask that supervisors of essential staff make sure to share this information with their employees.
| by Karen Miller and David Provost
We want to follow up on David Provost’s recent email regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Middlebury’s finances. As David described, the impact is significant, and it will affect every department throughout our operations. Working through so many big questions, our top priorities continue to be wage and academic continuity.
| by Mark Peluso and Baishakhi Taylor
We’re writing today with two important resources for you: The new Student Life Remote Resources Guide, which we revised after receiving your good feedback. And a reminder that social distancing is essential.
Faculty, Middlebury Institute, Staff, Students
| by Laurie Patton
These past weeks, seniors have been on my mind. Many have written to me with news of their alternative plans on the April occasions where they usually gather—Earth Day, Passover, Easter, or the celebration of spring. (Thank you for writing and keep doing so!) I also spoke with one senior, Kenshin Cho, about his experience of “alternative” life on Middlebury’s campus in this extraordinary time. Kenshin is the Student Government Association treasurer, and we discussed the SGA’s inspired decision to donate the remainder of its funds this year to help with our efforts towards wage continuity. You can see and hear our conversation here.
| by Mark Peluso and Jennifer Kazmierczak
Like most of us, you’re probably feeling pent up and tired of not getting out to socialize with friends and family, especially as the weather gets nicer. We’re all missing many things we love these days. But we also hope you’re aware that the social distancing so many of us have been practicing is starting to produce glimmers of hope that we may be flattening the curve.
| by Jeff Cason and Sujata Moorti
We write at what we know is a moment of significant uncertainty to update you on a number of issues related to faculty governance, our academic policies, and teaching. We also want to acknowledge that our situation is incredibly fluid, and to let you know how much we appreciate the rapid transition to remote learning that you have executed and are executing. We know that we could not have made this transition without our staff colleagues in DLINQ and ITS, and we thank them for all the work they have done.
Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences
We hope this finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. As Middlebury and the entire country take measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that our participants, prospective participants, and wider community have questions about the Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference for summer 2020.
| by David Provost
As we begin our second week of remote learning at the undergraduate College, and our third week at the Institute, I write with a financial overview. Many of you have asked me about the impact of COVID-19 on Middlebury’s financial position and our ability to weather the pandemic. In this letter I set out to answer those questions and communicate two additional things: that the road we are on is a most difficult one and could be for weeks and possibly months ahead, and to ask for your understanding as we make decisions in an incredibly fluid environment.
| by David Provost and Mark Peluso
We write to let you know that a Middlebury staff member in Vermont has notified the College that they have tested positive for COVID-19. Our colleague, who has been off campus, is recuperating in isolation at home and is reported to be doing well. This is the first positive employee test result in the Middlebury College community.
