| by Jeff Dayton-Johnson

Dear MIIS Community,

Next week we welcome new and continuing students, both remotely and in-person. As we approach the start of the fall 2021 semester, it is imperative that all members of the campus community are in compliance with our mandatory vaccination policy. This policy is a critical component of our plans to keep the campus safe. As such, the bulk of my weekly update has to do with getting compliance to 100%.

The deadline for students to comply with the Institute’s mandatory COVID vaccination policy has been extended to Wednesday, September 1.  By next Wednesday, every student must have done one of the following to meet our vaccine requirement

  • Upload their vaccine card and the Authorization of Release into the Sentry system
  • Request an exemption, for those with a genuine medical condition or religious belief that prohibits them from being vaccinated. Students should submit a request for an exemption to the Office of Student Services by downloading this form and then submitting to aarrocha@middlebury.edu for review and consideration.
  • Email a notification to VPMIIS@middlebury.edu if arriving in Monterey unvaccinated, but planning to get their first vaccine as soon as possible after arrival.
  • Email a notification to VPMIIS@middlebury.edu if exclusively learning remotely during the fall semester and will not be on campus.  

STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT VACCINE-COMPLIANT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS. 

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.  Additional information on COVID vaccines and testing available at locations close to campus can be found here.

Indoor Masking Now in Effect.  In our continued effort to maintain the safety of the MIIS community, masks must now be worn in all indoor spaces by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals who have an approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement applies to students, faculty, staff, contractors, and any approved visitors in all areas, including classrooms, offices, and common and public spaces inside campus buildings and Munras Housing. Masks are not required in single-occupancy private offices or Munras Housing rooms (for the occupants of those rooms).  Graduate assistants and other employees working in common areas or at reception desks should also be masked.  

Don’t Forget: Lanyards, MIIS ID card, and COVID compliance stickers are required on campus. Lanyards are available for pick-up from Security for all faculty, staff, and students and must be worn at all times on campus unless in your personal office.  COVID compliance stickers are available for those that have uploaded their vaccine verification or have an approved exemption.  Stickers are available in Security for students and in HR for faculty and staff.  Only faculty, staff, and students who are fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption are allowed on campus. 

If you need a new MIIS ID card: 

  • Upload a headshot photo to the MIIS directory. Be sure to log in with your Middlebury.edu email address and then click “Upload Photo” at the top of the web page.  A square photo is preferred.
  • E-mail miissecurity@middlebury.edu your name, Institute ID number, and best email address.
  • Security will make your ID card and notify you when it’s ready for pick-up in person.
  • Security is able to mail ID cards to online-only faculty, staff, and students. Follow this process and include your mailing address in your email to Security.

Observance of Jewish High Holidays: Our Jewish community members will be observing the High Holidays in September. Rosh Hashanah is September 6-8 and Yom Kippur is September 15-16. We realize that the holidays coincide with the start of our fall semester and ask that faculty members support students who may miss class in observance of these holy days. Absences from class because of observance of a religious holiday will be treated as excused absences. In addition, no student will be required to participate in or attend Institute events on these holidays.

Hybrid Learning Open House: Want to learn more about what hybrid teaching and learning will look like this fall? Join us at the hybrid learning open house sessions taking place August 30 through September 3 every afternoon from 2 to 4 pm Pacific Time. Join us in person at the Design Space in the Digital Learning Commons or online via Zoom at this link. Students, staff, and faculty will have the chance to observe, interact, and engage with new academic technology that supports the presence of in-person and virtual participation. These informal hands-on sessions will introduce participants to the new Poly Studio video conferencing system along with inclusive approaches to assist our remote learning community in hybrid courses and spaces this fall.

Enjoy the weekend — I look forward to seeing many of you on-screen or in-person next week for Welcome Week!

Sincerely,

Jeff Dayton-Johnson

VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute

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