Students participate in a wellness workshop on campus.
Students participate in a wellness workshop on campus.

Life at college can be exciting, with great classes, lots of people, and a new community.

But it can also be stressful and demanding—physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Students’ abilities to cope, develop skills, and care for and understand themselves within the college environment develop over the course of their four years as they learn to manage more independently and to identify resources for support.

Culture Shock

Joining a new community can be full of ups and downs. It’s important to understand that no matter where students come from, it is everyone’s first time living and learning at Middlebury. Some may experience emotions that range from excitement and curiosity to a sense of overwhelming confusion and anxiety. These emotions are normal and are a part of transitions. If hard feelings linger or get in the way of daily activities like going to class, maintaining relationships, and eating, it might be time to reach out to one of the resources in this section to talk.

Families Matter

Families often underestimate the critical role that they play in helping their college student find well-being and connection in their new community. Some topics to consider discussing with your college student include the following:

  • Developing positive friendships.
  • Staying in touch with important people at home.
  • Choosing a healthy relationship with alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs.
  • Adapting to a new place.

Students continue to connect with important adults in their lives to support them in their choices throughout their time in college. While you might be far away from your student, know that your perspective is still valuable to them. Think of yourself as a guide; weigh in on important topics where you feel strongly, especially when there are safety concerns like alcohol or other drug use, mental health concerns, or harmful relationships, and help your student to access help from campus offices. Taking a “guide” approach promotes independence and self-advocacy in your student.

How Families Can Help

Take a minute to discuss the basics of your family (or college student’s) health insurance plan, including benefits and limitations. We also strongly recommend that you discuss personal health care with your student so they understand how to use the following:

  • Thermometer (bring one and know how to use it)
  • Anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen or naproxen sodium)
  • Pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen
  • Cough medicine
  • Nasal spray decongestant (Afrin)
  • Nasal irrigation (Sinus Rinse)

Sending the Right Message

We know that students make decisions on well-being based on past experiences, social norms in their new community at Middlebury, information they receive from you, and information they receive from campus offices. Families are partners in sending a consistent message to students about making choices that promote well-being. Make your perspective and expectations clear and be in the know about what your student is experiencing. Research shows that children raised in homes that permit alcohol and drug use are more likely to use alcohol and drugs more often, and more heavily, when outside of the home. The transition to college is an important time to reiterate family expectations and to open lines of communication about substance use.

Here are a few ways students receive messages about well-being from Middlebury: 

  • Online courses about alcohol, other drugs, violence prevention, and healthy relationships.
  • Presentations during orientation about well-being, positive relationship development, stress management, bystander intervention, and substance use.
  • Residence hall and community-based educational events and workshops. 

Health and Wellness Education

Health and Wellness Education enables student success by creating and maintaining a supportive campus environment through health promotion, focused on protective factors and campus strengths, and prevention, focused on reducing personal, campus, and institution-wide health risks. Health and wellness education programming supports students’ community engagement, participation in immersive learning, and development of skills as global problem solvers in support of Middlebury’s mission. Specialists in alcohol and other drugs, mental health promotion, violence prevention and advocacy, and general health promotion offer one-on-one support, group meetings, workshops, and online resources to support student health education during their time at Middlebury.

MiddSafe

MiddSafe advocates are Middlebury students committed to providing a safe and confidential resource for students in need of support and information around sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and other personal violations. The student-staffed hotline is available 24/7 when undergraduate classes are in session on campus at 802-377-0239.

The online advocate tool is available 24/7/365 and provides virtual access to campus and community resources.

Additionally, health and wellness education staff members are confidential advocates. 

Center for Health and Wellness 

The Center for Health and Wellness promotes student well-being in a confidential environment. Parton’s medical, counseling, and sports medicine staff are available free of charge to help students with physical, emotional, or interpersonal issues.

  • Health Services provides comprehensive acute health care for students, including caring for musculoskeletal injuries; assisting students in meeting their health needs; and facilitating a partnership with students to increase their knowledge of health and healthcare issues.
  • Counseling provides support for students’ well-being and developmental growth within a safe environment. All services are confidential and free of charge.
  • Sports Medicine provides athletic training and sports-medicine services for varsity, club crew, and club rugby athletes, including injury-prevention education and the management and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

Additionally, our Health Topics A–Z guide includes off-campus medical resources for a list of dentists, doctors, and pharmacies, as well as contact information for Porter Medical Center, which is less than a mile from campus.

Public Safety

The Department of Public Safety provides services to the campus community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department includes uniformed security officers and telecommunications staff. Officers conduct patrols of campus properties and buildings, respond to campus emergencies, and enforce College rules and policies, including those related to parking. Public Safety officers do not have power of arrest but work closely with local law enforcement agencies. For emergency services, students should call 443-5911 or 911.


ID Cards: The MiddCard is your official form of identification at Middlebury. Students are required to carry the cards at all times. It qualifies students for certain privileges and gives appropriate access to residence halls equipped with enhanced access.

Emergency Phones and Call Boxes: Emergency phones are located at the entrances of residence halls equipped with enhanced access, in parking lots, and along some walkways.

Safety Escorts: Public Safety officers will provide safety escorts to and from on-campus locations during the hours of darkness when personal safety is a concern.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

The Department of Public Safety publishes and distributes the College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which contains important information about reported crimes that occurred on campus (and at certain off-campus locations owned or controlled by Middlebury and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible to Middlebury’s campus). The report also contains security and safety-related information, such as crime prevention, fire safety, Public Safety and local law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other related information. The report is available online. Printed copies are also available upon request.

Transportation On and Off Campus

MiddRides: MiddRides is an evening transportation service on and around campus that is available during the academic year when classes are in session. Specific schedule information is available by calling 443-RIDE.

ACTR Bus: Middlebury College students, staff, and faculty ride in-town ACTR buses for free. ACTR buses provide regularly scheduled bus services in town and to the Middlebury College Snow Bowl with stops on the Middlebury College campus. ACTR also offers commuter buses to Burlington, Rutland, and neighboring towns. Staff and faculty ride commuter buses (both CCTA and ACTR) for free when they pick up a bus sticker from Human Resources. Students must pay for commuter buses. For more information call 802-388-1946 or 800-685-RIDE (7433).