Staff Council Update November 13, 2026
| by Caroline Crawford
Open Meeting November 18, Trivia Night, and more!
Wednesday, November 18
Join Staff Council members for lunch at the Grille on Wednesday, November 18 at 12. Buy yourself a tasty lunch at the Grille and join us!
Open Meeting 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Fnance will offer an update on College finances; then we’ll open the meeting up for questions. Coffee and baked goods will be available.
Trivia Night at the Marquis Theatre
Doors at 6:30pm and trivia begins at 6:45pm. Bring yourself or come with a Middlebury Team! Sponsored by Middlebury Human Resources.
Holiday Party: Saturday, December 19
Mark your calendars for the annual Middlebury holiday party on December 19. More details and invitations to come from the President’s Office later this fall.
Staff Compensation RFP Review Committee update
Two members of Staff Council, Shelby Watts and Caroline Crawford, are part of the Staff Compensation RFP (Request for Proposals) Review Committee, together with Emily Chan, David Provost, Caitlin Goss, and Jenna Quenneville. The committee is meeting this week to review 10 proposals from firms that are interested in reviewing our staff compensation model performance and where changes may be needed in the areas of peer benchmarking, compensation structure, and performance management. The group intends to interview the top 3-4 finalists next week and have a final recommendation for a firm by November 20.
Leadership Alliance Updates Online
Leadership Alliance brings leaders from across Middlebury together to share timely information, create space for feedback and discussion, and learn from one another. The group is composed of leaders charged with team supervision, operational oversight and budget responsibility
Keep up with what Leadership Alliance is discussing by reading the meeting summaries on this page. Leadership Alliance members are expected to share updates directly with their teams, and can provide further context and clarification to build on these summaries.
We want to hear from you!
Please use our Show Up and Be Heard Form to highlight items you want us to address with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. You’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card to either Hannaford or Amazon. We will draw two names at each Open Meeting and two names each month.
Congratulations to Caitlin Harder and Anna Ste. Marie!
The November winners of a $25 Hannaford Gift card for their participation in the Show up and Be Heard drawing. Cards will be delivered within the week!
Staff Council / Senior Leadership Group Meeting - 11/10
Each month, Staff Council meets with the Senior Leadership Group: Ian Baucom, David Provost, Caitlin Goss, and Jessica Holmes. We discuss issues pertaining to staff. Below is a summary of the topics and resulting actions based on our conversation.
|
Agenda Item |
Action |
|
Progress on a living wage and wage compression |
No update, however this is included in the staff compensation RFP that is currently being reviewed. |
|
Proctor dining position hiring on hold |
Additional follow up needed with Caitlin Goss |
|
Ombudsperson nominations & process |
Update will be coming from HR soon |
|
Creating a policy for staff bonuses |
Additional research is taking place and this will become a part of the compensation review process. |
|
Professional development funds (making more funds available for non-college credit PD & assessing how past budget cuts have impacted access to department PD funds) |
Will be considered as a part of the next budget cycle and will also consider how this might fit into the staff compensation review. |
|
More interaction between President Ian Baucom and staff |
President’s Office plans to use community table at the Grille to coordinate small group lunches with Ian. |
|
Shared anonymized staff feedback |
Requested assistance answering inquiries about DLINQ. |
Get to know your Staff Council Rep- District J (84 members) Custodial Services
Meet Jared Rawson, the Custodial and Support Services Supervisor, currently making his mark at Athletics, HMKL, and The Health Center. Having been a vital part of Middlebury for 5 years, Jared brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to his role.
Jared represents District J and is a member of the Communications Committee. Despite his relatively short tenure, Jared has swiftly become an essential voice within the Council, ensuring that his district’s voice is heard and doesn’t miss out on crucial information.
Jared’s commitment to the Staff Council was fueled by a sense of responsibility. Recognizing an absence in the role, he stepped in to bridge the gap, ensuring that his district stays well-informed and connected with the broader Middlebury community.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jared’s fun fact – he is an active individual who finds joy in participating in the occasional race, fun run, or fitness competition.