Staff Council Update: October 16, 2023

Announcements 

• Committee Announcements for 23-24: Visit our Committees page on our website to see the current committee assignments for this academic year. 
• Still Seeking a District E Representative: We are reaching out to individuals and district groups to fill the District E Representative position. If you are interested or have questions, contact Colleen Norden at cnorden@middlebury.edu.  
  
  
  District E Areas: Budget Office, College Bookstore, Controller’s Office, Finance and Treasurer’s Office, Human Resources, Public Safety, Ralph Myhre Golf Course, Rikert Outdoor Center, Snowbowl, Student Employment Office, Student Financial Services, Student Mail Center 
• Welcome to New Staff: Please join us in welcoming our newest employees in Vermont (the 9/29 new hires and the 10/4 new hires) and California. 

Upcoming Events 

• Wednesday, 10/18 (VT) - Faculty and Staff Fall Gathering. Drop by any time between 4:30-7:00 PM EDT in the Kirk ALumni Center. Enjoy appetizers, conversations & great company at the Faculty & Staff Fall Gathering.   
• Tuesday, 10/24 (VT) - Employee Flu Clinic. 7:30-10:30 AM EDT – Mitchell Green in McCullough. Please fill out the forms and bring them with you. 
• Wednesday, 10/25 (CA)- Employee Flu Clinic. 12:00 PM PST, Holland Student Center. Please fill out the forms and bring them with you. 
• Thursday, 10/26 (CA)- MIIS Fall Fiesta, 12:15 PST, Holland Student Center. Faculty, Staff and Students come together to celebrate and learn about cultural significance of the fall season! Refreshments, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, Ofrenda altar.  
• Friday, 10/27 (VT) - Staff Breakfast with the Middlebury Board of Trustees. Stop-in between 7:00-7:45 AM EDT in McCullough Crossroads Cafe for a coffee break and light breakfast.   
• Tuesday, 10/31 (VT) - Employee Flu Clinic. 11:00 AM-2:00 PM EDT– the Great Hall in Bi-Hall. Please fill out the forms and bring them with you. 
• Wednesday, November 1 (VT) - Employee Flu Clinic. 2:00-5:00 PM EDT – Abernathy room in Axinn. Please fill out the forms and bring them with you. 
• November 3-16 (VT and CA) - 2024 Benefits Open Enrollment. Watch the HR presentation. 

Meeting Updates 

• Tuesday, 9/26 - Leadership Alliance Update – see the 9/26 Tear Sheet  
• Wednesday, 10/18 - Open Staff Council Meeting with guests current Ombudspersons. 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. Agenda with the Zoom link. You will need to be logged into your Middlebury Zoom account. The meeting will be recorded. 
• Wednesday, 10/25 - Staff Council Meeting with Board Chair and Vice Chairs (Closed). 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. 
• Wednesday, 10/25 - Staff Council Working Meeting (Closed). 2:30-3:30 PM 
• Wednesday, 11/8 - Staff Council Working Meeting (Closed). 2:30-3:30 PM 

Representative Spotlight: TERRY SIMPKINS

Terry Simpkins, the Director of Discovery and Access Services at Middlebury’s Vermont Campus’ Davis Family Library, has been with the College for almost 24 years.  He oversees the circulation and reserves, interlibrary loan, systems, and collections management areas, and pitches in staffing the Research Desk and providing library instruction to classes when needed. 

Terry’s journey on Staff Council began in July 2022 when he recognized an opportunity to make a difference. With a vacancy in District L and no candidates stepping forward, Terry decided to fill the gap.  As the District L representative, he aims to represent the views of all Library and ITS staff in decisions having an impact on their work lives. This year, he serves as the new chair of the Compensation Committee, and as a new member of the HR6 Committee. 

Terry’s favorite Middlebury resource is, of course, the extensive library materials – including movies, ebooks, printed books, recorded and printed music, and more – available to all staff members.  He also greatly appreciates Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury, which offers thousands of ebooks for town residents to borrow. 

Outside of the office, Terry is a former pipe organist and plays rock and funk drums in The Good Parts, a local Addison County band.  He also studies classical piano with Diana Fanning.  On a more personal note, Terry is the human caretaker of three cats, EdieBird, Clyde, and Jabo. 

*District L represents: Library, Information Technology Services.