| by AJ Place

Fall 2020, Students

Dear Students,

Happy Friday! I am writing with some updates about study spaces, residence hall and dining access, weekend activities, and transportation from campus for the winter break.  

Work Spaces for Students on Campus

We have heard from many students about the need for more study spaces on campus, and we have adjusted our building hours to expand student access to several areas on campus. Please note that seating capacity and physical distancing requirements continue to apply to all campus buildings. The following are some of the changes that will go into effect as soon as today:

  • Crossroads Cafe is now open for study on Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m. with no meal service.
  • Twilight Hall will have expanded hours: 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
  • Bi Hall will be open to all students starting Monday, October 19 as follows: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
  • Expanded Lounge Access: 
    • Ross Fireplace Lounge will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all students through card access (beginning Wednesday, October 21) and around the clock for building residents.
    • Proctor Lounge will be open from 7 a.m. to midnight daily. Students must use the front door to Proctor from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. At all other times they must use the entrance by the bookstore. 

The current list of building hours will be updated regularly and is available here. Information about private spaces and how to reserve them is available here. Please note that Event Management requires at least 24 hours notice to reserve space. If you need space during the weekend, please submit your request no later than noon Friday.  

Flexible Dining Hall Access and Increased Residence Hall Access

Students have also told us they would like to have more flexibility with access to dining halls and residence halls other than their own. Beginning Monday, October 19, students will be able to access the dining hall of their choice. Beginning Wednesday, October 21, students will have daily card access to residence halls from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the exception of the townhouses and other small campus houses. Students must continue to wear face coverings, maintain physical distancing, and comply with room size capacities and gathering restrictions. Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases around the United States, including in neighboring states and counties in Vermont, we need to remain vigilant with these critical health measures. We trust that this increased flexibility will be helpful for students and that it will not result in an increase in conduct-related issues. COVID-19 room capacity numbers have not changed

Looking for something to do this weekend? Find more events and information at go/presence and go/eventsHere are some examples:

Friday, October 16:

  • 5 p.m. – Quidditch Practice
  • 5:30 p.m. – Shabbat Services
  • 6 p.m. – MSA Friday Nights
  • 7 p.m. – Playlist Bingo – with Cash Prizes (play virtually or in McCullough Wilson Hall)

Saturday, October 17:

  • 2 p.m. – The Agitators: MAC Digital State
  • 3 p.m. – Alianza Presents Loteria, Club Tennis Practice, MiddRuns Saturday Group Run
  • 6 p.m. – Hirschfield International Film Series: Night Shot
  • 6:30 p.m. – Alianza Presents Muevete Jevi: Session 1 – Wilson Hall
  • 7:30 p.m. – Grooveyard: Battell Beach, Havdalah Bonfire at The Knoll
  • 8 p.m. – Alianza Presents Muevete Jevi: Session 2 – Wilson Hall

 Sunday, October 18:

  • 10 a.m. – Daily Spin Class,  Sunday Wake-Up Yoga with Isabella Mauceri
  • 11 a.m. – Midd Data Club Meeting, YouPower Daily Spin Class
  • 2 p.m. – Black Student Union Weekly Meeting, Tea Club Hours, The Agitators – MAC Digital Stage
  • 3 p.m. – Club Tennis Practice, SGA General Assembly Meeting
  • 4 p.m. – GlobeMed Meeting, Mixed Kids of Middlebury Weekly Meeting
  • 5 p.m. – Amnesty International Weekly Meetings
  • 8:30 p.m. – Sunday Night Environmental Group Weekly Meeting

Reminder About Petition to Stay on Campus - Due Sunday by 11:59 p.m. 

If you would like to be considered for campus housing over the winter break, please complete this form. We are also asking students to complete the form if they have a safe place to stay but need help accessing resources to complete their studies remotely, travel home, or have other related barriers to participating in a successful J-Term session.

Bus Information for Traveling Home

The Student Government Association is sponsoring subsidized bus transportation on November 21 that is open to all students. Buses will run from campus to Burlington International Airport, Penn Station, Ridgewood, New Jersey, and Boston. The buses will be ticketed for 50 percent capacity to allow for private rows and partial physical distancing. Students should not board buses if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are having any symptoms. Face coverings will be required while onboard, and passengers must remain in their assigned seats.  

Tickets may be purchased through the Box Office, at go/boxoffice. All reservations are for a specific bus, and transfers or late arrivals may not be permitted due to reserved seating and physical distancing requirements. While we will do our best to accommodate student needs, buses will be limited. Please direct questions to boxoffice@middlebury.edu.

More information about logistics related to leaving campus at the end of the term will be provided soon.

Reminder About Face Coverings 

We have received reports from Middlebury residents who are concerned about students not wearing face coverings while exercising alone. Please be aware that there are people in our community who may be fearful of exposure or have underlying medical conditions that make them more susceptible to COVID-19. As a courtesy, when you are exercising off campus, please remember to put a face covering on when you approach and pass other people. In general, you have been doing so well in wearing face coverings while in town, and we have received a lot of positive feedback from community members about this. This additional small gesture will go a long way. 

 

Have a good weekend!

AJ Place

Acting Dean of Students