Friends of International Students: ISSS Update April 17, 2020

Dear Friends of International Students,

We hope all of you are staying healthy. We write with three updates.

1. It is hard to believe that a month has passed since our transition from campus to home. ISSS team members have settled into our own remote working routines but we are in frequent touch with one another as well as our international students. Many students have scheduled Zoom appointments and have emailed to let us know how they are doing, and have asked how we are doing. They are truly wonderful, caring individuals. You can find the latest message from Kathy Foley, Associate Dean and Director of ISSS, to international students at: https://www.middlebury.edu/office/announcements/previous-announcements/isss-april-5-update.
2. Remote learning continues and students are virtually engaging on a daily basis with their professors and classmates. On campus, students are able to spend time with friends as long as they follow social distancing guidelines. Recently, one of our international students from the Class of 2020, spoke with President Laurie Patton about his current experience on campus. We highly recommend viewing this fabulous conversation: https://vimeo.com/403821650.
3. A few of you inquired after our last message whether you could take a walk with your host student or bring them food, if they are still on campus. In answer to those questions, we remind you that any actions on behalf of students must respect all of the guidelines listed on our website, which includes the no-visitors on campus guidance, as well as the Governor’s recommendations and policies (i.e. for outdoor activity—remain 6-ft apart if not from the same household). In addition, Mark Peluso, Middlebury College physician, and Jennifer Kazmierczak, Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator at Middlebury College, indicated in a recent message (https://www.middlebury.edu/office/announcements/previous-announcements/important-health-and-safety-guidance) that masks are recommended when in public spaces.

As far as food is concerned, nothing homemade can be exchanged. You could consider buying food locally for pick up by your student at the store or for safe hand-off at an off-campus location. Another suggestion is to send your student a store gift card so they can do their own shopping. You can also contribute to the Middlebury Student Emergency Fund which supports all Middlebury students in need of assistance during the COVID-19 campus closure (https://www.givecampus.com/schools/MiddleburyCollege/middlebury-student-emergency-fund#updates).

Lastly, so that you can remain “on the same page” as your host student, please continue to review the latest COVID-19 related announcements at:

• https://www.middlebury.edu/office/announcements, and
• http://www.middlebury.edu/international/isss/isss-covid-19-faq.

Please note that emails sent to ISSS hosts will be tagged under the ISSS heading, along with announcements sent by ISSS that have other tags.

Reach out to us anytime via phone at 802-443-5858 or by email at isss@middlebury.edu. Stay well and savor this lovely spring weather!

Best wishes,

Carolyn Dahm (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Administrative Coordinator

Kathy M. Foley (pronouns: she/her/hers)
Associate Dean and Director of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)