Bi-Weekly VP Update February 18
Dear MIIS Community:
This month marks two years since the Institute, along with much of the world, began sheltering in place due to COVID-19. I so appreciate the patience and mutual support that everyone has shown as we have weathered COVID together. We will be looking for ways to return to some sense of normalcy between now and the end of the academic year.
Indoor Masking: While there have been recent changes to the state indoor masking mandate, the Institute continues to require indoor masking for all members of the campus community. The only exception is when you are alone in your personal office, or, for Munras Housing residents, in your room. We are keeping a close eye on local COVID-19 trends and may re-evaluate this policy in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the Institute continues to practice and encourage mitigation strategies including improved air quality, frequent hand washing, and access to rapid testing and KN95 masks. As a reminder, free rapid tests and masks are still available in the Segal Building Monday - Friday between 10 am and 2 pm.
Students, Please Be Sure to Verify Your Vaccine & Booster Status in Sentry MD: If you have not already done so, please upload your booster verification (and vaccine verification for new students) into the Sentry system by logging in with your middlebury.edu email address. The deadline to provide booster verification has passed. Students not yet eligible for a booster, due to the later timing of their second vaccination, should complete and submit the Booster Information Form.
As always, you can view all return to campus policies and updates on our return to campus web page.
Like all of you, I have all been watching with increasing despair the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine over the past nine days. I have also been inspired and enlightened by actions of the members of the MIIS campus community – for example, the powerful and informative panel discussion today at lunchtime in the Irvine Auditorium. The panel highlighted the depth of our colleagues’ expertise, the richness of our longstanding connections with Ukraine and Russia, and the warmth of our community. If you find yourself overcome by the circumstances of this international crisis – and I’m speaking particularly but not exclusively to Ukrainian and Russian members of the MIIS community – I encourage you to seek out the support resources available to you here. If you are not sure how to access those resources, or if you just seek a sympathetic ear, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Jeff Dayton-Johnson
VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute