Weekly VP Update September 3

Dear MIIS Community,

It’s showtime! After months of preparation, we open our doors for the fall semester this Tuesday, September 7. There has been a lot of new guidance, procedures and policies announced over the summer and I thought it would be useful to refresh your memory as we start a new academic year.

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. 
• Mandatory 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. 

Coffee Vendor and Food Truck on Campus!  Missing your Samson Center coffee and lunch? We’ve lined up some options for you!  NitroCycle Coffee, bicycle-powered nitro infused beverages, will be on the Samson Center Patio Monday - Friday from 8AM - 1PM when classes are in session, starting on Tuesday, September 7.  Check out their webpage and Instagram @nitrocycle831. And beginning on Friday, September 10, Kukisbowls food truck will be parked on the Pierce Street Promenade. They’ve created a special menu for MIIS! Come support these local vendors, so that they will continue to provide options to our campus.

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 holidays. 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.

As we enter a new phase in the Institute’s history, we ask all community members to abide by the above guidelines to keep our community safe. We also ask for your flexibility and patience as we enter into the “new normal” of hybrid instruction: this fall, we will all be learning. I’d like to extend particular thanks to our faculty and colleagues on the Return to Campus committee for readying us for this moment. 

Sincerely,

Jeff Dayton-Johnson

VP of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute