| by Jeff Dayton-Johnson

Campus Notes

Dear MIIS Campus Community,

We are happy that recent changes appear to indicate that COVID conditions in Monterey are improving. This week, we are trying a new format for this weekly update in hopes that it makes it easier to identify pertinent topics. You can access previous messages about our return-to-campus plans on our COVID-19 site.

Fall Student Intention Survey: A fall student intention survey is currently open. We’d like to remind continuing students to complete this short survey to indicate your enrollment intentions for fall semester. Each student has received a unique link in their middlebury.edu email. Please be sure to submit your response no later than April 15.

We’ve Reached Orange Tier: As of Tuesday, April 6, Monterey County moved to the Orange or Moderate Tier, in accordance with California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Reaching this tier is an important step toward our campus reopening for fall. This tier allows for 50% capacity in classrooms combined with 6-foot distancing. The mask mandate and distancing guidelines remain in place. 

Reopening California: In addition, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans for moving beyond the current COVID blueprint to a full reopening, effective June 15. Additional details note that all industries across the state will be able to return to usual operations with common-sense risk reduction measures, such as masking and vaccinations. Institutions of higher education will be allowed to conduct full-time, in person instruction, in compliance with Cal/OSHA emergency temporary standards and public health guidelines. 

Expanded Vaccine Eligibility: Effective April 15, everyone in Monterey County 16 years of age and above is eligible for the COVID vaccine. The Monterey County Department of Health and the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula are both good resources for finding sites and appointments for the vaccine. We expect that by the start of the fall semester, all faculty, staff, and students returning to campus will be vaccinated, except those who have a religious or medical exemption. This is to provide the best possible protection for our entire community.

Updated Travel Advisory: A new California travel advisory indicates that if you are fully vaccinated, you no longer have to quarantine or test when travelling within California or the United States, unless you are experiencing symptoms. Travelers should also follow CDC travel guidance

While the above indicators signal positive movement toward a reopening of our campus and community, we continue to monitor conditions and are mindful that outbreaks due to new variants may slow our forward progress. We urge you to remain cautious and hope you can get out and enjoy some of our beautiful spring weather this weekend.

Sincerely,

Jeff Dayton-Johnson

VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute

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