Weekly VP Update September 10

| by Jeff Dayton-Johnson

Campus Notes

Dear MIIS Community,

It has been wonderful to see and hear the buzz of teaching and learning in classrooms this past week. Despite a few bumps here and there, the campus reopening has been smooth. We’d like to thank you all for your contributions to making the reopening a success and to remind you of the important measures we ask you to take to keep our community safe.

The following are quick reminders of COVID-19 policies in place as we start the fall semester.  More detailed information can be found on the Return-to-Campus webpage.

  • All members of the MIIS community must comply with the Institute’s mandatory COVID vaccination policy by uploading their vaccine card and the Authorization of Release into the Sentry system or submitting a request for an exemption, for those with a genuine medical condition or religious belief that prohibits them from being vaccinated. If you have questions or need guidance, email VPMIIS@middlebury.edu.  THOSE WHO ARE NOT VACCINE-COMPLIANT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS. 
  • 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. 
  • Indoor Masking is Now in Effect: Masks must now be worn in all indoor spaces by both vaccinated individuals 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. 
  • What to do if diagnosed with COVID-19: If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, follow these steps to notify the proper individuals. 

Air Purifiers in Morse Classrooms: Those of you teaching and learning in the Morse classrooms will have noticed air purifiers in place and operating in those rooms. The heating system in most of the classrooms in the Morse building is primarily served by baseboard radiant heat, and while effective for heating each classroom, this system does not offer a means of air filtration. Facilities partnered with a certified industrial hygienist, who provided guidance on enhanced air cleaning through portable HEPA filters in these classrooms. The units selected are one of the quietest portable air purifiers in this size and with HEPA filtration, can remove 99.99% of participles down to 0.1 microns. If there are any specific questions about the air purifiers or concerns over the noise level, please contact Director of Facilities Andrew Hernandez at ahernandez@middlebury.edu.  

Coffee Vendor on Campus! NitroCycle Coffee, bicycle-powered nitro infused beverages, has modified the days that they will be on campus at the Samson Center Patio. They will provide their services on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8AM - 1PM when classes are in session. Check out their webpage and Instagram nitrocycle831.  

Observance of Jewish High Holidays: We wish Shanah Tovah to our Jewish community members who celebrated Rosh Hashanah this past week. Yom Kippur is September 15-16, and we ask that faculty members continue to support students who may miss class in observance of this holiday. 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 days.

Let me close by reiterating my warmest appreciation for your contributions to this stimulating and hopeful first week of the fall 2021 semester.  My best wishes for your work as members of this campus community all semester long.

Sincerely,

Jeff Dayton-Johnson

VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute

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