Committees

In turn, the council acts on committee recommendations and reports the results of the council’s actions. Staff from all districts are invited to serve on standing committees each year. Our goal is to have balanced committees with representation from diverse areas of Middlebury. Listed below are the committees and their specific areas of responsibility.

Standing Committees

Each standing committee operates under the authority of the council and makes recommendations for action to the council. In turn, the council acts on committee recommendations and reports to each committee the results of council actions. When possible and appropriate, the standing and ad-hoc committees align with the Board of Trustees governance structure. Listed below are the standing committees and their specific areas of responsibility.

Compensation and Benefits Committee

The compensation and benefits committee studies and reviews salary issues, benefits, leaves and vacations, job categories, and related subjects. Regular meetings are 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

The following Staff Council members are committee members:

• TBA

Election Committee

The election committee, under the direction of the council, develops election procedures, establishes election deadlines, conducts nominations and elections for district representatives, validates the results, and resolves any problems that arise from the election process. Meetings as needed to review processes and organize elections. Elections are in May.

The following Staff Council members are assigned to the election committee:

• TBA

Events Committee

The events committee plans and coordinates council activities and community-building events in collaboration with Human Resources. Regular meetings are 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

• TBA
   

Ad Hoc Committees

As the need arises, the council may create ad hoc committees to deal with particular issues, and may make assignments for those committees from interested volunteers who want to serve on such committees. Once a council ad hoc committee has addressed the issue in question as directed by the council, or, if the council determines that the ad hoc committee is no longer needed, it is dissolved by the council. If however, the council feels that an ad hoc committee should continue as a standing committee, an amendment petition and vote will be held to make it a standing committee.

The chair of each ad hoc committee is appointed by the council. The chair may be, but is not required to be, a member of the council. During the period that the ad hoc committee is active, its chair reports to the council as directed.

These are examples of ad hoc committees:

Conflict Transformation

The conflict transformation committee is being organized this fall. The initial focus will be the employee divide that exists between the staff and faculty groups. The anticipated regular meeting schedule is 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

• TBA

Communications Committee

The communications committee explores ways to increase communication and dialogue between Staff Council and Senior Leadership Group, Middlebury and MIIS, Staff Council and the Board of Trustees, and Staff Council and our constituents. This committee keeps the Middlebury staff informed and aware of news, events, and items that concern employment at Middlebury. Regular meetings are 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

• TBA

Continuous Improvement 

The Continuous Improvement committee works with the Associate Provost for Planning and Faculty Council to identify and move forward projects to address systemic operations, structural, and management issues at Middlebury. Regular meetings are 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

• TBA

HR-6 Committee

HR-6 is an ad hoc committee detailed in the council’s constitution comprised of three council members and three Human Resource staff, whose purpose is to keep the lines of communication open between HR and Staff Council. The committee’s charge is to identify and develop recommendations for HR-related issues.

The following Staff Council members are assigned to HR-6:

Staff Council members

• TBA

Staff Resources Committee

The staff resources committee works with the administration to review finance and budget related issues impacting Middlebury resources. It will meet jointly with the faculty resources committee as needed. Regular meetings are 1 hour twice a month on Zoom.

• TBA

Middlebury Community and Problem Resolution Committees 

Community Council

Community Council serves as a forum in which all the segments of the Middlebury community—administration, faculty, staff, and students—have a voice on nonacademic issues. Members are appointed by the president based on recommendations from constituent groups. With this representative membership, Community Council deliberations and decisions take into consideration the interests and concerns of the whole community. The diverse membership assures that each member of the council hears and understands the views of the other sections of the community, thus linking the four groups that compose the Middlebury College community. Regular meetings are monthly at 5 pm.

Community Judicial Board

The Community Judicial Board presides over nonacademic conduct infractions of the Honor Code.

Ombudspersons

Ombudspersons help employees with problems related to employment at Middlebury College and the Institute. Ombudspersons are appointed by the president and serve for three-year terms.

Join a Committee

Joining committees is a great way to meet people in the College and Institute community, understand the workings of different committees, and explore Middlebury outside your regular role. You do not need to be an elected representative to be a committee member! All you need is an interest in helping to make Middlebury a better place to work. If you would like to participate on a committee, please fill out this form and let us know of your interest. Once we hear from you, we will work with you to identify how to get involved. In most cases, we are able to place new committee members with the primary committee of their choice. In some cases, if a particular committee is too full, we may ask you to choose another committee, or we may place you on a list for the following year.