| by Barbara McCall and Derek Doucet

Students, Fall 2021

Dear Early Arrival Students,

We are excited to welcome you to campus next week. We are writing to you today with some additional critical information about arrival requirements based on recent public health concerns and guidance. A more detailed email will be sent to the entire student body soon, but we wanted you to have this information now to help you prepare for your arrival on campus. We realize these additional requirements might cause some inconvenience, but our priority is to ensure the health and safety of all of our students and of the entire Middlebury community.

Required Prearrival PCR Testing 

As shared in Tuesday’s Dean of Students message, all students, including those presently in Vermont and residing on campus, and those coming to campus this fall are required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result on arrival. Students arriving early must submit a paper copy of their test results to their group leader or coach. Students presently living on campus and staying through to the start of the term, and who do not have another group leader or coach, should submit their documentation to the office of residential life in Ross. Please note that you will not be allowed on campus without proof of your negative PCR test result. 

Finding Testing Resources 

Below is information to assist you in finding COVID-19 testing resources and centers across the United States. Most testing sites provide these tests free of charge. If you are unable to secure free PCR testing, and the cost of paying for testing presents a significant financial hardship, you may be eligible for assistance. Contact the Dean of Students Office at dos@middlebury.edu. Please remember to attach a copy of your receipt so that it may be considered for reimbursement.

You must contact your early arrival group leader or coach if you are experiencing serious challenges in accessing testing. They are prepared to assist you with meeting this requirement. We urge you not to wait until arrival to address this testing requirement.

Students traveling from an international point of origin who obtain a PCR test within 72 hours of their flight per CDC guidelines will be in compliance with the pre-arrival testing requirement.

Testing Resources

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services maintains a list of testing sites by state, pharmacy/drugstore chain, and county health centers. Some testing sites require documentation for asymptomatic testing for travel or other reasons. Students may use the email from the College outlining the requirement for pre-arrival testing for this documentation purpose. Students traveling by air, rail, or bus may be able to find additional transit-based testing centers.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus next week! Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Derek Doucet

Dean of Students

Barbara McCall

Executive Director, Center for Health and Wellness