SGA Updates: Student Emergency Fund, Faculty and Staff Awards, Mental Health Action Day, and more!
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Dear Students,
Happy last week of classes… the finish line is in sight!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA Feedback
As the year draws to a close, the SGA is seeking feedback from the student body on how we can improve our organization to better serve Middlebury. Take a moment and visit go/HeySGA/ to let us know your thoughts so that future members of the SGA can continue enhancing the organization.
Faculty Appreciation Award
Thank you to all those who submitted nominations for the Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award. This award is given annually to a Middlebury College faculty member who, following the example set by Professor Lamberti, demonstrates excellence in and dedication to teaching. The SGA, in conjunction with the office of the Dean of Faculty Development and Research, is proud to announce the following faculty honorees of the 2020-2021 academic year’s Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award:
Award Recipient: Jennifer Wang, Associate Professor of English & American Literature
Honorable Mentions: Spring Ulmer, Visiting Assistant Professor of English & American Literature; Sarah Stroup, Associate Professor of Political Science
Staff Appreciation Award
Another round of thanks to those who nominated staff members for the Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award. This award is given to dedicated staff who are evaluated on the principles of leadership, stewardship, attitude, and community service. The SGA is proud to announce the following staff honorees of the 2020-2021 academic year’s Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award:
Award Recipient: Michelle Nelson, Associate Director of Admissions
Honorable Mentions: Franklin Dean-Farrar, Associate Director of Athletics for Operations and Events; Maureen Deppman, Catering Team Member
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
S2021-SB11: Allocating $100,000 of the Student Activities Fee Reserves to the Seizing Opportunities Fund due to COVID-19
The SGA Executive Council and SGA Directors of Finance have allocated another $100,000 of the Student Activities Fund reserves in response to COVID-19 and the ongoing financial hardships exacerbated by the pandemic. Students can access the Student Emergency for financial assistance for this summer with expenses related to technology access, travel, housing, food, and more. Information on how to access the Seizing Opportunities was emailed by the Dean of Students, reaching students in the two highest tiers of financial need on campus. Please check your inbox with a message from the Dean of Students from approximately a week ago. If you have any questions, please contact Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernandez or Dean of Students Derek Doucet with any questions.
S2021-SB10: Establishing an Intersectional and Multi-Constituent Committee to Recommend a Social Honor Code Supporting Community Standards
In response to a recent incident of potential racial bias that occurred on Saturday, May 8, the SGA passed S2021-SB10 at our meeting on Sunday. The bill calls for the creation of an ad-hoc committee—composed primarily of members of the student body—to work collaboratively with campus partners to formulate a Social Honor Code recommendation that addresses our shared values and how we can ensure all members of our community are both included and protected. This will then be given to the Community Council next year as a recommendation for implementation. The resolution was written by SGA Junior Senator Myles Maxie ‘22. Next steps to get involved will be released in the coming weeks.
National Mental Health Action Day
May 20th is National Mental Health Action Day! The SGA Health and Wellness Committee is partnering with MTV’s coalition for Mental Health to take action for our collective wellbeing. Colleges and organizations across the country will activate on May 20th with the goal of empowering individuals and communities to prioritize mental health. The Health and Wellness Committee has coordinated a variety of events and ways to participate on Thursday. Visit go/MHAD/ to see the full list of events.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Campus Hunger Project Survey
The Campus Hunger Project (CHP) is a national movement working to eliminate food insecurity on college campuses across the country. The goal of this survey is to assess the extent of food insecurity among Middlebury students during semesters and breaks. There is little current data on the topic at Middlebury College, which has made it difficult for MiddCHP to properly evaluate and advocate for students’ food needs. The questionnaire has been designed so that results will be comparable to the official Department of Agriculture findings. With these results, we plan to work with faculty and students to organize and build food resources for students. Click here to access the survey.
Energy2028 Steering Committee
Two Student Reps are needed for the Energy2028 Steering Committee! Two student seats are available—a one-year term position (Sept 2021-May 2022) and a two-year term position (Sept 2021-May 2023). Apply or nominate a peer by creating a one-page letter stating why you, or the person you are nominating, would be a good choice for this role. The deadline to apply is May 20, 2021. Send applications and nominations to Jack Byrne, Dean of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, at jmbyrne@middlebury.edu.
Happy last week of classes… the finish line is in sight!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA Feedback
As the year draws to a close, the SGA is seeking feedback from the student body on how we can improve our organization to better serve Middlebury. Take a moment and visit go/HeySGA/ to let us know your thoughts so that future members of the SGA can continue enhancing the organization.
Faculty Appreciation Award
Thank you to all those who submitted nominations for the Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award. This award is given annually to a Middlebury College faculty member who, following the example set by Professor Lamberti, demonstrates excellence in and dedication to teaching. The SGA, in conjunction with the office of the Dean of Faculty Development and Research, is proud to announce the following faculty honorees of the 2020-2021 academic year’s Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award:
Award Recipient: Jennifer Wang, Associate Professor of English & American Literature
Honorable Mentions: Spring Ulmer, Visiting Assistant Professor of English & American Literature; Sarah Stroup, Associate Professor of Political Science
Staff Appreciation Award
Another round of thanks to those who nominated staff members for the Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award. This award is given to dedicated staff who are evaluated on the principles of leadership, stewardship, attitude, and community service. The SGA is proud to announce the following staff honorees of the 2020-2021 academic year’s Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award:
Award Recipient: Michelle Nelson, Associate Director of Admissions
Honorable Mentions: Franklin Dean-Farrar, Associate Director of Athletics for Operations and Events; Maureen Deppman, Catering Team Member
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
S2021-SB11: Allocating $100,000 of the Student Activities Fee Reserves to the Seizing Opportunities Fund due to COVID-19
The SGA Executive Council and SGA Directors of Finance have allocated another $100,000 of the Student Activities Fund reserves in response to COVID-19 and the ongoing financial hardships exacerbated by the pandemic. Students can access the Student Emergency for financial assistance for this summer with expenses related to technology access, travel, housing, food, and more. Information on how to access the Seizing Opportunities was emailed by the Dean of Students, reaching students in the two highest tiers of financial need on campus. Please check your inbox with a message from the Dean of Students from approximately a week ago. If you have any questions, please contact Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernandez or Dean of Students Derek Doucet with any questions.
S2021-SB10: Establishing an Intersectional and Multi-Constituent Committee to Recommend a Social Honor Code Supporting Community Standards
In response to a recent incident of potential racial bias that occurred on Saturday, May 8, the SGA passed S2021-SB10 at our meeting on Sunday. The bill calls for the creation of an ad-hoc committee—composed primarily of members of the student body—to work collaboratively with campus partners to formulate a Social Honor Code recommendation that addresses our shared values and how we can ensure all members of our community are both included and protected. This will then be given to the Community Council next year as a recommendation for implementation. The resolution was written by SGA Junior Senator Myles Maxie ‘22. Next steps to get involved will be released in the coming weeks.
National Mental Health Action Day
May 20th is National Mental Health Action Day! The SGA Health and Wellness Committee is partnering with MTV’s coalition for Mental Health to take action for our collective wellbeing. Colleges and organizations across the country will activate on May 20th with the goal of empowering individuals and communities to prioritize mental health. The Health and Wellness Committee has coordinated a variety of events and ways to participate on Thursday. Visit go/MHAD/ to see the full list of events.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Campus Hunger Project Survey
The Campus Hunger Project (CHP) is a national movement working to eliminate food insecurity on college campuses across the country. The goal of this survey is to assess the extent of food insecurity among Middlebury students during semesters and breaks. There is little current data on the topic at Middlebury College, which has made it difficult for MiddCHP to properly evaluate and advocate for students’ food needs. The questionnaire has been designed so that results will be comparable to the official Department of Agriculture findings. With these results, we plan to work with faculty and students to organize and build food resources for students. Click here to access the survey.
Energy2028 Steering Committee
Two Student Reps are needed for the Energy2028 Steering Committee! Two student seats are available—a one-year term position (Sept 2021-May 2022) and a two-year term position (Sept 2021-May 2023). Apply or nominate a peer by creating a one-page letter stating why you, or the person you are nominating, would be a good choice for this role. The deadline to apply is May 20, 2021. Send applications and nominations to Jack Byrne, Dean of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, at jmbyrne@middlebury.edu.
SGA Updates: Celebrating Earth Week, Twilight Project Survey, Apply to the SGA Presidential Cabinet, and more!
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Dear Students,
We’re almost at the end of the semester! Here’s what some of your SGA leaders have been up to lately.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA Presidential Cabinet Applications
The SGA Presidential Cabinet Applications for the 2021-22 academic year close tomorrow, May 3, at 11:59 PM EST. We need leaders who are action-oriented, dedicated, creative, innovative, compassionate, and believe in working towards a better Middlebury. We aim to support the essential work that is already being done by students every day by facilitating the connections between them and existing institutional resources; we neither expect nor require applicants to have previous experience. We hope you apply! The application can be found at go/Cabinet/.
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for Sunday, May 16, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Board of Trustees Meetings
The Board of Trustees will be meeting on Friday, May 7 from 11:30AM-1:30PM. Updates and a recap from the College Board of Advisors (CBA) Meeting will be provided in coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to raise, please email Maya Gee ‘22 (one of the student constituent advisors to the CBA) at mgee@middlebury.edu.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee: Celebrating Earth Day
Join the SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee and artists around campus this Thursday, May 6 from 4:30-7:00 PM by the Axinn Waterfall for a (late) celebration of Earth week! There will be reflections, art on identity and the environment, and a raffle for some Middlebury Co-Op goodies.
SGA First-Year Committee: Dining Hall Staff Appreciation
The SGA First-Year Committee is planning to host a card-writing event to share our gratitude to the dining hall staff! If you’d like to give your thanks, feel free to stop by the front of Proctor, Atwater, Ross, or the McCullough patio on Wednesday, May 5 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Bring your own writing utensils, but materials will be provided and sanitized by the committee.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Twilight Project Paid Survey Opportunity
The Twilight Project is an ongoing initiative that seeks to bring some of Middlebury's problematic truths to light. One subgroup of the project is looking at how architecture and the design of spaces around us reinforces gender roles and white supremacy and impacts our wellbeing. The researchers for the initiative, Ella Houlihan '21 and Cheryl Engmann '22, are asking for students to share their experiences with different spaces around campus in order to advise the administration as they make renovations and begin plans for new buildings. The questionnaire at go/TwilightArchitecture/ should take 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and all participants will be paid $15 upon completion of the form. All questionnaires must be completed by Friday, May 7.
Innovation Hub: Introducing the Matatu Ride-Sharing Service
Ever want to get to downtown Middlebury, the Snow Bowl, or even just the Athletic Center and not have a ride? Or, are you looking to make side cash by helping other Midd kids get to where they need to be? Recent recipients of The Innovation Hub's entrepreneurship grant, Matatu is a ride-share service that pairs paid student drivers with student riders. Matatu brings convenient, on-demand ride-sharing to our small Vermont community. Win a $10 gift card! Fill out this quick, one-minute survey. Complete this quick, one-minute survey for a chance to receive a $10 gift card to one of five local shops: Midd Bagel, Noonie's Deli, Mad Taco, The Middlebury Shop, and American Flatbread.
We’re almost at the end of the semester! Here’s what some of your SGA leaders have been up to lately.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA Presidential Cabinet Applications
The SGA Presidential Cabinet Applications for the 2021-22 academic year close tomorrow, May 3, at 11:59 PM EST. We need leaders who are action-oriented, dedicated, creative, innovative, compassionate, and believe in working towards a better Middlebury. We aim to support the essential work that is already being done by students every day by facilitating the connections between them and existing institutional resources; we neither expect nor require applicants to have previous experience. We hope you apply! The application can be found at go/Cabinet/.
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for Sunday, May 16, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Board of Trustees Meetings
The Board of Trustees will be meeting on Friday, May 7 from 11:30AM-1:30PM. Updates and a recap from the College Board of Advisors (CBA) Meeting will be provided in coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to raise, please email Maya Gee ‘22 (one of the student constituent advisors to the CBA) at mgee@middlebury.edu.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee: Celebrating Earth Day
Join the SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee and artists around campus this Thursday, May 6 from 4:30-7:00 PM by the Axinn Waterfall for a (late) celebration of Earth week! There will be reflections, art on identity and the environment, and a raffle for some Middlebury Co-Op goodies.
SGA First-Year Committee: Dining Hall Staff Appreciation
The SGA First-Year Committee is planning to host a card-writing event to share our gratitude to the dining hall staff! If you’d like to give your thanks, feel free to stop by the front of Proctor, Atwater, Ross, or the McCullough patio on Wednesday, May 5 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Bring your own writing utensils, but materials will be provided and sanitized by the committee.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Twilight Project Paid Survey Opportunity
The Twilight Project is an ongoing initiative that seeks to bring some of Middlebury's problematic truths to light. One subgroup of the project is looking at how architecture and the design of spaces around us reinforces gender roles and white supremacy and impacts our wellbeing. The researchers for the initiative, Ella Houlihan '21 and Cheryl Engmann '22, are asking for students to share their experiences with different spaces around campus in order to advise the administration as they make renovations and begin plans for new buildings. The questionnaire at go/TwilightArchitecture/ should take 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and all participants will be paid $15 upon completion of the form. All questionnaires must be completed by Friday, May 7.
Innovation Hub: Introducing the Matatu Ride-Sharing Service
Ever want to get to downtown Middlebury, the Snow Bowl, or even just the Athletic Center and not have a ride? Or, are you looking to make side cash by helping other Midd kids get to where they need to be? Recent recipients of The Innovation Hub's entrepreneurship grant, Matatu is a ride-share service that pairs paid student drivers with student riders. Matatu brings convenient, on-demand ride-sharing to our small Vermont community. Win a $10 gift card! Fill out this quick, one-minute survey. Complete this quick, one-minute survey for a chance to receive a $10 gift card to one of five local shops: Midd Bagel, Noonie's Deli, Mad Taco, The Middlebury Shop, and American Flatbread.
SGA Updates: MiddHacks, Staff & Faculty Appreciation Awards, Decolonizing the Curriculum, and more!
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Dear Students,
Check out these awesome updates from all corners of the SGA!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for Sunday, May 2nd, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Formation of the SGA Feb Committee
The Feb Committee applications have been submitted and reviewed and the Feb Senators are excited to announce the members of the Feb Committee: Ethan Schmitt ‘24.5, Vlera Hasani ‘24.5, Faith Wood ‘24.5, Jeffrey McKee ‘23.5, Caitlin Barr ‘22.5, Arlo Fleischer ‘21.5, and Kaleb Patterson ‘21.5. Febs can reach out to Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5, Andrew Juarez ‘24.5, or any of the new committee members for any questions or comments.
Class of 2024.5 Haymaker Bun Event
The Orientation Team is hosting a Haymaker Bun event for First-Year Febs! The event is on April 24, 2-3:30 PM, where first-year febs will have the chance to pick up their mugs (with treats inside) along with a Haymaker Bun. There will also be lawn games and music for students to hangout with friends and classmates. Students who attend will also be entered into a raffle for a Middlebury Bookstore giftcard—but you must be present to win!
JusticeProjects Update!
Thank you to all the students that have submitted a JusticeProjects proposal. The SGA team will begin to read and approve project proposals this week so keep an eye out for an email from Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, Directors of Student Affairs Maggie Connolly ‘23 and Ellie Thompson ‘22, and Student Affairs Liaison Steve Chung ‘21. Any questions regarding JusticeProjects can be directed to any of the aforementioned leaders. We are excited to read what you all have in store and no worries if you did not submit a proposal this time around, we will read the next batch of applications in May.
Sophomore Class Photo Contest
The Sophomore Committee has launched a grade-wide photo contest for the Class of 2023 and 2023.5! Sophomore students studying on-campus, away/remotely, or taking a leave of absence from the college are invited to submit a photo that they feel best captures an experience or memory of theirs from this spring. There are no rules to this contest: we encourage students to submit any appropriate photo within their comfort level. Students can DM their submissions to the @Midd2023 Instagram account; with a student’s permission, the committee will intermittently repost their submitted shots as stories. In the end, we hope to put together a collage of all submitted photos that spells out 2023. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SGA Sophomore Committee.
First-Year Sober & Low-Use Community Late-Night Event
The SGA First-Year Committee is hosting an fun event for first-year sober and low-use students this Friday, April 23 from 9:00 PM-midnight at the Battell Tent. It will be glow-in-the-dark themed. Check your upcoming Wednesday Weekly Update for more information, and we hope to see you there!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Staff & Faculty Appreciation Awards
The SGA is seeking nominations for the 2021 Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award and the 2021 Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award. Every year, the SGA recognizes a staff member and a faculty member for their dedication to the College community. If you would like to honor the outstanding work of a particular staff member, please fill out this form. In addition, please submit nominations for the faculty award here. All nominations are due by 12:00 PM EST on April 29. Let's celebrate all the wonderful ways our staff and faculty contribute to a vibrant Middlebury community.
SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee: Decolonizing the Curriculum
The SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is currently working to expand the Decolonizing the Curriculum initiative begun several years ago by Wengel Kifle ‘20 and Middlebury alum Treasure Brooks ‘21. The Decolonizing the Curriculum initiative aims to diversify the scope of authorship in Middlebury College syllabi and create more inclusive learning environments for all students. As a committee, continuing this work is one of our main priorities and conversations are currently underway with both the Chinese and Italian departments. If you have specific thoughts on your own department’s curriculum, or if you’re interested in collaborating, we would love to talk to you. Please reach out to Madison Holland ‘21 (mholland@middlebury.edu) or Miguel Velasquez ‘23 (mvelasquez@middlebury.edu) for more info.
SGA Relationship and Sexual Respect Committee: Safer Sex Supplies Access
SGA Directors of Relationship & Sexual Respect Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 and Melanie Chow ‘22 are working with Dining Services, Parton, and the Health & Wellness Education Office to hopefully make safer sex supplies more accessible through vending machines. The RSR committee is also working on a collaboration with Verbal Onslaught to organize an upcoming event centered around celebrating pleasure and uplifting sexual exploration and intimacy. Finally, the Title IX and Sexual Violence panel is still postponed until further notice in order for key administrators to attend.
SGA Innovation and Technology Committee: MiddHacks
MiddHacks will be Middlebury College’s very first annual hackathon hosted by the SGA Innovation & Technology Committee virtually on April 24-25, 2021. Registration has been extended to Thursday April 22, 2021! A hackathon is an invention marathon where programmers, designers and builders all come together to learn, build and share their creations. The 24-hour event is for anyone with an interest in technology and who is eager to develop some technical, design-thinking, and cross-collaboration skills either by attending workshops, building a project, or both. Students can choose to work in teams of 3-5 to create a technical project related to one of the three following themes: Supporting Vermont Innovation & Non-Profits, Technology to Overcome a Global Pandemic, and Envisioning Equity and Community. We’ll also have workshops, networking opportunities, prizes, games and more available for anyone. Don’t have a team, or even an idea? Don’t worry you can still sign up! We’ll give you the tools to build something incredible and help you find a team. Have any other questions or want to sign up? Visit go/middhacks/!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vaccination Transportation Mutual Aid Spreadsheet
Vaccination appointments are becoming more and more available for students. If you need a ride to an appointment or have extra space in your car and are willing to drive your peers, please head to go/VaccineRides/ and fill out your information! Please keep in mind:
Consent Fest hosted by the Health & Wellness Education Office
This annual event is back and will be held the week of April 26th. Be on the
lookout for the exact date announcement soon! Different groups will host activities,
giveaways, and raffles to help facilitate discussions around consent, boundaries, relationships, and more! Follow @middhwe @middsafe @greendotmidd @specsmiddlebury for ongoing information about the prevention of interpersonal violence, supporting healthy relationships, and accessing support if you have been impacted by violence.
Check out these awesome updates from all corners of the SGA!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for Sunday, May 2nd, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Formation of the SGA Feb Committee
The Feb Committee applications have been submitted and reviewed and the Feb Senators are excited to announce the members of the Feb Committee: Ethan Schmitt ‘24.5, Vlera Hasani ‘24.5, Faith Wood ‘24.5, Jeffrey McKee ‘23.5, Caitlin Barr ‘22.5, Arlo Fleischer ‘21.5, and Kaleb Patterson ‘21.5. Febs can reach out to Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5, Andrew Juarez ‘24.5, or any of the new committee members for any questions or comments.
Class of 2024.5 Haymaker Bun Event
The Orientation Team is hosting a Haymaker Bun event for First-Year Febs! The event is on April 24, 2-3:30 PM, where first-year febs will have the chance to pick up their mugs (with treats inside) along with a Haymaker Bun. There will also be lawn games and music for students to hangout with friends and classmates. Students who attend will also be entered into a raffle for a Middlebury Bookstore giftcard—but you must be present to win!
JusticeProjects Update!
Thank you to all the students that have submitted a JusticeProjects proposal. The SGA team will begin to read and approve project proposals this week so keep an eye out for an email from Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, Directors of Student Affairs Maggie Connolly ‘23 and Ellie Thompson ‘22, and Student Affairs Liaison Steve Chung ‘21. Any questions regarding JusticeProjects can be directed to any of the aforementioned leaders. We are excited to read what you all have in store and no worries if you did not submit a proposal this time around, we will read the next batch of applications in May.
Sophomore Class Photo Contest
The Sophomore Committee has launched a grade-wide photo contest for the Class of 2023 and 2023.5! Sophomore students studying on-campus, away/remotely, or taking a leave of absence from the college are invited to submit a photo that they feel best captures an experience or memory of theirs from this spring. There are no rules to this contest: we encourage students to submit any appropriate photo within their comfort level. Students can DM their submissions to the @Midd2023 Instagram account; with a student’s permission, the committee will intermittently repost their submitted shots as stories. In the end, we hope to put together a collage of all submitted photos that spells out 2023. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SGA Sophomore Committee.
First-Year Sober & Low-Use Community Late-Night Event
The SGA First-Year Committee is hosting an fun event for first-year sober and low-use students this Friday, April 23 from 9:00 PM-midnight at the Battell Tent. It will be glow-in-the-dark themed. Check your upcoming Wednesday Weekly Update for more information, and we hope to see you there!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Staff & Faculty Appreciation Awards
The SGA is seeking nominations for the 2021 Rodney and Beverly DeGray Staff Appreciation Award and the 2021 Marjorie Lamberti Faculty Appreciation Award. Every year, the SGA recognizes a staff member and a faculty member for their dedication to the College community. If you would like to honor the outstanding work of a particular staff member, please fill out this form. In addition, please submit nominations for the faculty award here. All nominations are due by 12:00 PM EST on April 29. Let's celebrate all the wonderful ways our staff and faculty contribute to a vibrant Middlebury community.
SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee: Decolonizing the Curriculum
The SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee is currently working to expand the Decolonizing the Curriculum initiative begun several years ago by Wengel Kifle ‘20 and Middlebury alum Treasure Brooks ‘21. The Decolonizing the Curriculum initiative aims to diversify the scope of authorship in Middlebury College syllabi and create more inclusive learning environments for all students. As a committee, continuing this work is one of our main priorities and conversations are currently underway with both the Chinese and Italian departments. If you have specific thoughts on your own department’s curriculum, or if you’re interested in collaborating, we would love to talk to you. Please reach out to Madison Holland ‘21 (mholland@middlebury.edu) or Miguel Velasquez ‘23 (mvelasquez@middlebury.edu) for more info.
SGA Relationship and Sexual Respect Committee: Safer Sex Supplies Access
SGA Directors of Relationship & Sexual Respect Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 and Melanie Chow ‘22 are working with Dining Services, Parton, and the Health & Wellness Education Office to hopefully make safer sex supplies more accessible through vending machines. The RSR committee is also working on a collaboration with Verbal Onslaught to organize an upcoming event centered around celebrating pleasure and uplifting sexual exploration and intimacy. Finally, the Title IX and Sexual Violence panel is still postponed until further notice in order for key administrators to attend.
SGA Innovation and Technology Committee: MiddHacks
MiddHacks will be Middlebury College’s very first annual hackathon hosted by the SGA Innovation & Technology Committee virtually on April 24-25, 2021. Registration has been extended to Thursday April 22, 2021! A hackathon is an invention marathon where programmers, designers and builders all come together to learn, build and share their creations. The 24-hour event is for anyone with an interest in technology and who is eager to develop some technical, design-thinking, and cross-collaboration skills either by attending workshops, building a project, or both. Students can choose to work in teams of 3-5 to create a technical project related to one of the three following themes: Supporting Vermont Innovation & Non-Profits, Technology to Overcome a Global Pandemic, and Envisioning Equity and Community. We’ll also have workshops, networking opportunities, prizes, games and more available for anyone. Don’t have a team, or even an idea? Don’t worry you can still sign up! We’ll give you the tools to build something incredible and help you find a team. Have any other questions or want to sign up? Visit go/middhacks/!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vaccination Transportation Mutual Aid Spreadsheet
Vaccination appointments are becoming more and more available for students. If you need a ride to an appointment or have extra space in your car and are willing to drive your peers, please head to go/VaccineRides/ and fill out your information! Please keep in mind:
- Students providing or receiving rides should all be current on their COVID-19 testing. If either person has missed either of their last two tests, the ride should not occur. Ask one another!
- Observe all recommended COVID-19 travel protocols.
- This ride sharing plan is acceptable given the apparent low prevalence of the virus in the student community at the moment. This could change at any time however, so watch for follow-up announcements from college officials.
Consent Fest hosted by the Health & Wellness Education Office
This annual event is back and will be held the week of April 26th. Be on the
lookout for the exact date announcement soon! Different groups will host activities,
giveaways, and raffles to help facilitate discussions around consent, boundaries, relationships, and more! Follow @middhwe @middsafe @greendotmidd @specsmiddlebury for ongoing information about the prevention of interpersonal violence, supporting healthy relationships, and accessing support if you have been impacted by violence.
SGA Updates: College Board of Advisors, JusticeProjects, SGA Feb Committee, and more!
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Dear Students,
We hope midterms are going well for you! Check out these updates from the SGA.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ next meeting, April 11! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
College Board of Advisors Focuses on Student Success and Experiential Learning
The College Board of Advisors (CBA) met on March 5, 2021 with Student Constituent Advisor to the College Board of Advisors, Maya Gee ‘22, present. Topics discussed during the meeting were central to student, faculty, and staff success and experiential learning.
The CBA received presentations and updates from:
JusticeProjects and Upcoming Deadlines
The SGA will begin reviewing YOUR JusticeProject initiatives very soon! The projected timeline for approving budgets will be for the second week of April. We are asking that all interested in having their budget reviewed for April get their application in by April 5. The next time applications will be reviewed is in May. Visit go/JusticeProjects/ for more information! If you have any questions please reach out to SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Food Options at the Dining Hall
The SGA Health & Wellness Committee is working with the Dining Hall Staff to provide more vegetarian and vegan food options for students. Please reach out to SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Natalie Meyer ‘21.5 or Eloise Baldwin ‘21.5 at nmeyer@middlebury.edu or ebaldwin@middlebury.edu if you have any questions or suggestions.
Formation of the SGA Feb Committee
SGA Feb Senators Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 and Andrew Juarez ‘24.5 are working with SGA Directors of Operations Jackson Evans ‘22 and Bobbi Finkelstein ‘21.5 to create the SGA Feb Committee. This committee will consist of students who will promote their class, be a platform for Febs to voice their opinions, engage students in campus resources, and organize social and cultural events on campus. More information along with the application will be out soon! Feel free to email Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 or Andrew Juarez ‘24.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu or ajuarez@middlebury.edu if you have any questions.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply to MiddSafe
MiddSafe advocates are dedicated, caring Middlebury students who are trained to be confidential resources for those affected by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and other personal violations. After receiving 40+ hours of training required to become confidential crisis workers under Vermont state law, MiddSafe advocates attend weekly meetings, staff 2-3 week long shifts per semester on our 24/7 hotline, and collaborate with Student Life staff and student organizations around issues relevant to MiddSafe. Applications are due on March 31st at 11:59 PM. Apply online at go/ApplyMiddSafe/. Questions? Check out go/MiddSafe/, email co-chairs Lila Sternberg-Sher ‘21.5 and Georgia Vasilopoulos ‘21 or reach out to any advocate around campus.
Gardening at the Knoll
Gardening volunteer hours are back at the Knoll! If you would like to volunteer, visit go/KnollHours/ for more information and the sign-up link. New this year: Friday mornings and Sundays at the Knoll will be reserved for student volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC)! The SignUp Genius link to select a volunteer slot(s) will be posted every other Monday at 10:00 AM, in two-week blocks. We ask that folks limit their sign-ups to no more than 6 slots this semester. Also, if you attend a total of 8 hours in the garden this semester (equivalent of 4 volunteer shifts), you can get a P.E. credit! Please forward any questions to Food and Garden Educator Megan Brakeley, at mbrakeley@middlebury.edu.
Anti-Racist & Decolonial Initiatives at The Knoll
The Knoll—Middlebury’s organic farm—wants to hear your thoughts and feedback! Student interns have been dream-scheming about possible expansion and further centering of anti-racist and decolonial work out at the Knoll. Whether you were on campus this fall or not; whether you’ve ever been out to the Knoll or not, they would love to hear your thoughts and dreams for the Knoll! Please help us make the Knoll a more accessible space that nourishes the needs of the whole Middlebury community and the earth by filling out this form.
We hope midterms are going well for you! Check out these updates from the SGA.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ next meeting, April 11! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
College Board of Advisors Focuses on Student Success and Experiential Learning
The College Board of Advisors (CBA) met on March 5, 2021 with Student Constituent Advisor to the College Board of Advisors, Maya Gee ‘22, present. Topics discussed during the meeting were central to student, faculty, and staff success and experiential learning.
The CBA received presentations and updates from:
- Staff Council, discussion of staff changes during COVID-19
- Faculty Council, the success of faculty transitioning classes from in-person to virtual
- Education Affairs Committee, responsible for curriculum decisions
- Center for Careers and Internships, presentation about career results from the Class of 2020 and updates on programs such as Midd2Midd, MiddGigs, etc.
JusticeProjects and Upcoming Deadlines
The SGA will begin reviewing YOUR JusticeProject initiatives very soon! The projected timeline for approving budgets will be for the second week of April. We are asking that all interested in having their budget reviewed for April get their application in by April 5. The next time applications will be reviewed is in May. Visit go/JusticeProjects/ for more information! If you have any questions please reach out to SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Food Options at the Dining Hall
The SGA Health & Wellness Committee is working with the Dining Hall Staff to provide more vegetarian and vegan food options for students. Please reach out to SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Natalie Meyer ‘21.5 or Eloise Baldwin ‘21.5 at nmeyer@middlebury.edu or ebaldwin@middlebury.edu if you have any questions or suggestions.
Formation of the SGA Feb Committee
SGA Feb Senators Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 and Andrew Juarez ‘24.5 are working with SGA Directors of Operations Jackson Evans ‘22 and Bobbi Finkelstein ‘21.5 to create the SGA Feb Committee. This committee will consist of students who will promote their class, be a platform for Febs to voice their opinions, engage students in campus resources, and organize social and cultural events on campus. More information along with the application will be out soon! Feel free to email Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 or Andrew Juarez ‘24.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu or ajuarez@middlebury.edu if you have any questions.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply to MiddSafe
MiddSafe advocates are dedicated, caring Middlebury students who are trained to be confidential resources for those affected by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and other personal violations. After receiving 40+ hours of training required to become confidential crisis workers under Vermont state law, MiddSafe advocates attend weekly meetings, staff 2-3 week long shifts per semester on our 24/7 hotline, and collaborate with Student Life staff and student organizations around issues relevant to MiddSafe. Applications are due on March 31st at 11:59 PM. Apply online at go/ApplyMiddSafe/. Questions? Check out go/MiddSafe/, email co-chairs Lila Sternberg-Sher ‘21.5 and Georgia Vasilopoulos ‘21 or reach out to any advocate around campus.
Gardening at the Knoll
Gardening volunteer hours are back at the Knoll! If you would like to volunteer, visit go/KnollHours/ for more information and the sign-up link. New this year: Friday mornings and Sundays at the Knoll will be reserved for student volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC)! The SignUp Genius link to select a volunteer slot(s) will be posted every other Monday at 10:00 AM, in two-week blocks. We ask that folks limit their sign-ups to no more than 6 slots this semester. Also, if you attend a total of 8 hours in the garden this semester (equivalent of 4 volunteer shifts), you can get a P.E. credit! Please forward any questions to Food and Garden Educator Megan Brakeley, at mbrakeley@middlebury.edu.
Anti-Racist & Decolonial Initiatives at The Knoll
The Knoll—Middlebury’s organic farm—wants to hear your thoughts and feedback! Student interns have been dream-scheming about possible expansion and further centering of anti-racist and decolonial work out at the Knoll. Whether you were on campus this fall or not; whether you’ve ever been out to the Knoll or not, they would love to hear your thoughts and dreams for the Knoll! Please help us make the Knoll a more accessible space that nourishes the needs of the whole Middlebury community and the earth by filling out this form.
SGA Updates: Academic Policies, Student Organization Funding, SGA Elections, and more
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Dear Students,
We hope that you are settling into the new semester well. Here are some SGA updates that we would like to share with you.
We want to acknowledge the actions taken against Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and their work. SGA executives have been in close contact with key stakeholders, and we hope to provide a follow-up soon.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ on March 28 for the next General Assembly meeting! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Student Organization Funding
Due to prolonged restrictions on student organizations’ programming brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased demand for redistributions of funds within student orgs’ approved budgets. As a result, the SGAFC has developed a Reallocation of Funds Request Form (RFR) linked on our website (go/SGAFC/). If your organization has previously allocated line items for events that are no longer happening this spring, your organization can fill out a RFR form to reallocate funds. Send a completed RFR form with a brief description and rationale for each line item to sgafc@middlebury.edu for approval. The spring annual budgeting process for the 2021-2022 academic school year (FY22) will take place on Sunday April 11 and Sunday April 18. Student organization leaders can sign their organization up for a meeting here. Annual budgeting meetings will occur via Zoom. Reach to sgafc@middlebury.edu with any questions. NOTE: if your organization is within the Middlebury Intercultural Leaders Coalition (MILC), the Religious Life Cluster (RLC), or the Service Cluster Board (SCB), please do NOT sign up for a meeting. Instead, please coordinate with your cluster leaders.
Spring 2021 Feb Senator Election and Junior Senator Special Election
This week the SGA will hold elections for two new Feb Senators and a Junior Senator to join the SGA Student Senate to meet with the General Assembly. Polling will open at go/vote/ on Thursday, March 18 at 12:00 PM for Juniors (Class of 2022) and all Febs. Look out for more information about the candidates via email and the SGA website later this week.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Replacing the Pass/D/Fail Grading Option with the Current Credit/No-Credit Grading Option
SGA Vice-President Roni Lezama ‘22 and Directors of Academic Affairs Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 and Priya Kaur ‘22 have been in close conversation with the Educational Affairs Committee to try and adopt more equitable academic policies. The SGA this weekend passed a resolution in support of replacing the P/D/F grading policy with a more equitable Credit/No Credit system. Roni, Kenzo, and Priya will continue to push the EAC to present faculty with new academic policies that benefit students. Ultimately, this academic policy change would be decided by the faculty through a vote. You can read the history and rationale for pursuing Credit/No Credit as the permanent academic policy in this resolution.
Polling for Academic Policies
The SGA Academic Affairs Committee was approached by Middlebury’s Educational Affairs Committee about a tentative and hypothetical proposal to change Middlebury’s credit policy. If enacted in its present form, the policy would make it possible for professors to create classes that would count for a half-credit and meet for half of the time. This could be either as a class that meets half the semester or a class that meets fewer times during the semester. These may include language refresher courses, music lessons, etc. Another independent aspect of the proposal would be the ability for the Curriculum Committee to approve certain 100 level courses that meet for 5 hours a week to merit an awarded credit of greater than one. The proposal suggests that this would reward students for the hard work they do in intro classes including developing extra skills they may not have had going into the class. It would also lessen their course load in later semesters. These two policies can be independently implemented, and we are polling the SGA and hoping to get student feedback on one or both of these issues.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
AFC Director Candidate Presentations
Starting Tuesday, March 23 from 10:00 to 10:50 AM Candidates for the Director position at the Anderson Freeman Center will be hosting public presentations starting Tuesday, March 23 on Wednesday, March 24, and Thursday, March 25, from 10:00 to 10:50 AM as well. Sign up at go/afcdirector/ for any or multiple time slots! Open to all students!
Nocturne: Arts Festival
Nocturne is an immersive, night-long celebration of student art. On May 8, when night falls, art will take over. Dance, film, painting, music, comedy, food, fashion, pottery, poetry and that out-there project you've always wanted to make happen will come together on Middlebury's campus. The deadline to submit a proposal is Thursday, March 18; click here to access the Google Form. Things to Note: 1. Nocturne is able to provide funding of up to $100 per project. 2. All projects will be outside! 3. There will be a mandatory artist meeting on March 23 at 8:00 PM (on Zoom). Please direct any questions to nocturne@middlebury.edu!
We hope that you are settling into the new semester well. Here are some SGA updates that we would like to share with you.
We want to acknowledge the actions taken against Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and their work. SGA executives have been in close contact with key stakeholders, and we hope to provide a follow-up soon.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ on March 28 for the next General Assembly meeting! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Student Organization Funding
Due to prolonged restrictions on student organizations’ programming brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased demand for redistributions of funds within student orgs’ approved budgets. As a result, the SGAFC has developed a Reallocation of Funds Request Form (RFR) linked on our website (go/SGAFC/). If your organization has previously allocated line items for events that are no longer happening this spring, your organization can fill out a RFR form to reallocate funds. Send a completed RFR form with a brief description and rationale for each line item to sgafc@middlebury.edu for approval. The spring annual budgeting process for the 2021-2022 academic school year (FY22) will take place on Sunday April 11 and Sunday April 18. Student organization leaders can sign their organization up for a meeting here. Annual budgeting meetings will occur via Zoom. Reach to sgafc@middlebury.edu with any questions. NOTE: if your organization is within the Middlebury Intercultural Leaders Coalition (MILC), the Religious Life Cluster (RLC), or the Service Cluster Board (SCB), please do NOT sign up for a meeting. Instead, please coordinate with your cluster leaders.
Spring 2021 Feb Senator Election and Junior Senator Special Election
This week the SGA will hold elections for two new Feb Senators and a Junior Senator to join the SGA Student Senate to meet with the General Assembly. Polling will open at go/vote/ on Thursday, March 18 at 12:00 PM for Juniors (Class of 2022) and all Febs. Look out for more information about the candidates via email and the SGA website later this week.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Replacing the Pass/D/Fail Grading Option with the Current Credit/No-Credit Grading Option
SGA Vice-President Roni Lezama ‘22 and Directors of Academic Affairs Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 and Priya Kaur ‘22 have been in close conversation with the Educational Affairs Committee to try and adopt more equitable academic policies. The SGA this weekend passed a resolution in support of replacing the P/D/F grading policy with a more equitable Credit/No Credit system. Roni, Kenzo, and Priya will continue to push the EAC to present faculty with new academic policies that benefit students. Ultimately, this academic policy change would be decided by the faculty through a vote. You can read the history and rationale for pursuing Credit/No Credit as the permanent academic policy in this resolution.
Polling for Academic Policies
The SGA Academic Affairs Committee was approached by Middlebury’s Educational Affairs Committee about a tentative and hypothetical proposal to change Middlebury’s credit policy. If enacted in its present form, the policy would make it possible for professors to create classes that would count for a half-credit and meet for half of the time. This could be either as a class that meets half the semester or a class that meets fewer times during the semester. These may include language refresher courses, music lessons, etc. Another independent aspect of the proposal would be the ability for the Curriculum Committee to approve certain 100 level courses that meet for 5 hours a week to merit an awarded credit of greater than one. The proposal suggests that this would reward students for the hard work they do in intro classes including developing extra skills they may not have had going into the class. It would also lessen their course load in later semesters. These two policies can be independently implemented, and we are polling the SGA and hoping to get student feedback on one or both of these issues.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
AFC Director Candidate Presentations
Starting Tuesday, March 23 from 10:00 to 10:50 AM Candidates for the Director position at the Anderson Freeman Center will be hosting public presentations starting Tuesday, March 23 on Wednesday, March 24, and Thursday, March 25, from 10:00 to 10:50 AM as well. Sign up at go/afcdirector/ for any or multiple time slots! Open to all students!
Nocturne: Arts Festival
Nocturne is an immersive, night-long celebration of student art. On May 8, when night falls, art will take over. Dance, film, painting, music, comedy, food, fashion, pottery, poetry and that out-there project you've always wanted to make happen will come together on Middlebury's campus. The deadline to submit a proposal is Thursday, March 18; click here to access the Google Form. Things to Note: 1. Nocturne is able to provide funding of up to $100 per project. 2. All projects will be outside! 3. There will be a mandatory artist meeting on March 23 at 8:00 PM (on Zoom). Please direct any questions to nocturne@middlebury.edu!
SGA Updates: JusticeProjects, Winter Clothing, ResLife Training, and more!
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Dear Students,
Welcome to spring semester—and welcome to the Class of 2024.5! We hope you all have been settling into our snowy campus. Spring is shaping up to be a great time; keep on the lookout for events happening daily.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ on March 14 for the next General Assembly meeting! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Collaborating with the SGA
If you have passions or ideas for us, or want to collaborate with a committee, check out our website to find committees and members to partner with.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
JusticeProjects
After a week of fundraising, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 in conjunction with SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23 worked with the Office of Advancement to raise almost $140,000 for JusticeProjects. We are extremely grateful to have exceeded our fundraising goal and look forward to giving back to the affinity spaces on campus and funding your justice and DEI initiatives and ideas. We are expecting to roll-out the applications to fund your JusticeProjects the second week of March! Start thinking about what you want to see happen on our campus! We encourage you to think big and work with your peers to make our campus more inclusive and welcoming to all students. Be on the lookout for a separate SGA email with details about the application and allocation of funds towards existing affinity spaces on campus!
Reslife Training
Back in December, the SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley and Karina Martir worked with fellow first-year students Lu Mila ‘24 and Marlow Saucier ‘24, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, the Associate Dean of Students for Residential Life AJ Place, and Assistant Director of Residential Life Kady Shea to address the lack of support for transgender and gender non-conforming first-year students. They were able to make essential edits to the housing application to clarify Middlebury’s goal of inclusivity for all students, and these changes will positively impact current and future Middlebury students. They later passed their first bill which aims to implement ResLife training in support of transgender and gender nonconforming students in collaboration with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Renee Wells.
Winter Clothing Giveaway @ the AFC
We’re going to be spending a lot of time outside this semester... Outdoor Programs has some great advice on how to get ready for snowy Vermont! For those who might need to add a little extra warmth to their winter-ready wardrobe, SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Director of Operations Jackson Evans ‘22 have partnered with the Student Activities Office (SAO), the Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC), and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to give out clean, secondhand items in good condition. Find winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and other insulating layers at our Winter Clothing Giveaway, hosted at the AFC in Carr Hall, on Thursday, March 4 from 4:30-8:00 PM and Friday, March 5 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, by appointment only. Staff will be present to assist you. To maintain COVID guidelines, we’re offering 20-minute time slots for 2 students at a time; please sign up for a time slot here or at go/wintercloset/. Sign-ups will open at 12:00 PM EST on Monday, March 1. For when off-campus travel is permitted, you can also check out these resources for local resale shops and thrift stores. Stay warm!
Title IX and Sexual Violence Open Meeting
The Title IX and Sexual Violence Open Meeting will be the evening of Thursday, March 11, co-hosted by the SGA Relationship & Sexual Respect Directors Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 and Melanie Chow ‘22 and the Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb and Violence Prevention Specialist Emily Wagner. This event will focus on Title IX changes and sexual violence prevention/response, especially in this remote environment. The purpose is to create a space for students to communicate with administrators, get their questions answered, and inform students of the resources and support available. Please submit questions here.
Thank you, Middlebury Staff Members!
Staff members are constantly working hard to keep this College running, and their efforts take on an even greater weight in a pandemic. Add your own signatures and notes of appreciation to this thank you e-card that is going to be sent to Staff Council, staff offices and services before in-person classes begin. Let’s keep the gratitude going!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open Office Hours with Mark, Jen, and Derek
Chief Health Officer Dr. Mark Peluso, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Jen Kazmierczak and Dean of Students Derek Doucet will hold weekly open office hours each Friday from 12:00 PM-1:30 PM. You can submit your questions in advance or simply come and listen in on the conversation. They will start each week with a focus on a specific aspect of the COVID-19 response. Next week, March 5, they will begin with discussion of the concept of close contacts. Join the conversation!
Apply to the Cross Cultural Community Service (CCCS) Grants
CCCS grants support international community service, advocacy, and activism. The fund supports international service-learning and community-building internships and/or related volunteer service experiences for undergraduate students. These internships and service initiatives may be student designed; preference is given to those opportunities in a culture distinctly different from the applicant’s background. You can utilize this fund for short-term opportunities such as a school break or longer-term projects (J-Term or semester-long). For more information visit go/CCCS/. Access the application here. Contact Ashley Laux, alaux@middlebury.edu, for questions or to brainstorm project ideas and resources.
Welcome to spring semester—and welcome to the Class of 2024.5! We hope you all have been settling into our snowy campus. Spring is shaping up to be a great time; keep on the lookout for events happening daily.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Join us at go/GeneralAssembly/ on March 14 for the next General Assembly meeting! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
Collaborating with the SGA
If you have passions or ideas for us, or want to collaborate with a committee, check out our website to find committees and members to partner with.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
JusticeProjects
After a week of fundraising, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 in conjunction with SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23 worked with the Office of Advancement to raise almost $140,000 for JusticeProjects. We are extremely grateful to have exceeded our fundraising goal and look forward to giving back to the affinity spaces on campus and funding your justice and DEI initiatives and ideas. We are expecting to roll-out the applications to fund your JusticeProjects the second week of March! Start thinking about what you want to see happen on our campus! We encourage you to think big and work with your peers to make our campus more inclusive and welcoming to all students. Be on the lookout for a separate SGA email with details about the application and allocation of funds towards existing affinity spaces on campus!
Reslife Training
Back in December, the SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley and Karina Martir worked with fellow first-year students Lu Mila ‘24 and Marlow Saucier ‘24, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, the Associate Dean of Students for Residential Life AJ Place, and Assistant Director of Residential Life Kady Shea to address the lack of support for transgender and gender non-conforming first-year students. They were able to make essential edits to the housing application to clarify Middlebury’s goal of inclusivity for all students, and these changes will positively impact current and future Middlebury students. They later passed their first bill which aims to implement ResLife training in support of transgender and gender nonconforming students in collaboration with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director Renee Wells.
Winter Clothing Giveaway @ the AFC
We’re going to be spending a lot of time outside this semester... Outdoor Programs has some great advice on how to get ready for snowy Vermont! For those who might need to add a little extra warmth to their winter-ready wardrobe, SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Director of Operations Jackson Evans ‘22 have partnered with the Student Activities Office (SAO), the Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC), and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to give out clean, secondhand items in good condition. Find winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and other insulating layers at our Winter Clothing Giveaway, hosted at the AFC in Carr Hall, on Thursday, March 4 from 4:30-8:00 PM and Friday, March 5 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, by appointment only. Staff will be present to assist you. To maintain COVID guidelines, we’re offering 20-minute time slots for 2 students at a time; please sign up for a time slot here or at go/wintercloset/. Sign-ups will open at 12:00 PM EST on Monday, March 1. For when off-campus travel is permitted, you can also check out these resources for local resale shops and thrift stores. Stay warm!
Title IX and Sexual Violence Open Meeting
The Title IX and Sexual Violence Open Meeting will be the evening of Thursday, March 11, co-hosted by the SGA Relationship & Sexual Respect Directors Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 and Melanie Chow ‘22 and the Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb and Violence Prevention Specialist Emily Wagner. This event will focus on Title IX changes and sexual violence prevention/response, especially in this remote environment. The purpose is to create a space for students to communicate with administrators, get their questions answered, and inform students of the resources and support available. Please submit questions here.
Thank you, Middlebury Staff Members!
Staff members are constantly working hard to keep this College running, and their efforts take on an even greater weight in a pandemic. Add your own signatures and notes of appreciation to this thank you e-card that is going to be sent to Staff Council, staff offices and services before in-person classes begin. Let’s keep the gratitude going!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open Office Hours with Mark, Jen, and Derek
Chief Health Officer Dr. Mark Peluso, Director of Environmental Health and Safety Jen Kazmierczak and Dean of Students Derek Doucet will hold weekly open office hours each Friday from 12:00 PM-1:30 PM. You can submit your questions in advance or simply come and listen in on the conversation. They will start each week with a focus on a specific aspect of the COVID-19 response. Next week, March 5, they will begin with discussion of the concept of close contacts. Join the conversation!
Apply to the Cross Cultural Community Service (CCCS) Grants
CCCS grants support international community service, advocacy, and activism. The fund supports international service-learning and community-building internships and/or related volunteer service experiences for undergraduate students. These internships and service initiatives may be student designed; preference is given to those opportunities in a culture distinctly different from the applicant’s background. You can utilize this fund for short-term opportunities such as a school break or longer-term projects (J-Term or semester-long). For more information visit go/CCCS/. Access the application here. Contact Ashley Laux, alaux@middlebury.edu, for questions or to brainstorm project ideas and resources.
SGA Updates: Endowment Report, JusticeProjects, Winter Break Food Resources, and more!
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Dear Students,
We’ve made it to the final weekend of the semester! This will be our last SGA Newsletter until Winter Term. Good luck on your final exams, and we hope that you have a restful winter break!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
This Sunday will be our last General Assembly Meeting of the fall semester. Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, December 6, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Fall 2020 Endowment Report
SGA Endowment Liaison Abbott LaPrade ‘21 attends meetings with the Board of Trustees Resources Committee and reports to the SGA and the student body on all matters related to the endowment. The latest report on the performance of the endowment through this third quarter of 2020 and an update on divestment is available for viewing here. Contact Abbott at alaprade@middlebury.edu with any questions or comments.
SGA Student Affairs Committee Update on Justice Projects
JusticeProjects is a campaign to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at Middlebury. The SGA is partnering with the Office of Advancement to raise $100,000 for the initiative, and we are looking for student involvement in a promotional video for the fundraising campaign! If you have an idea for a potential JusticeProject, please fill out this form. We would love to feature your idea, and also, potentially you speaking about it, in the video. We encourage all submissions, even if ideas aren’t fully formed. Middlebury alumni would love to hear what students care about directly from you!
Upcoming Health & Wellness Survey
SGA Health & Wellness Committee has partnered with The Middlebury Campus to survey the student body about mental health and COVID-19 policies this semester. Keep your eyes out for the survey in your inboxes soon!
First-Year Gratitude Grams
The Gratitude Grams, personalized letters of appreciation to each first-year, were a success! The SGA First-Year Committee had over 260 notes of appreciation submitted and all 603 first-years received a personalized note, either from the committee, their peers, or both. Major thanks to everyone on the committee for their hard work, especially Mariia Dzholos ‘24 for the idea, Reika Herman ‘24 for her impeccable gram creation and distribution coordination, and SGA First-Year Senator Karina Martir ‘24 for creating the gram design. We're so grateful for each of you! If any first-years have not yet opened their gram, please check your Google Drive’s “Shared with Me” or your email, and contact SGA First-Year Senator Meg Farley ‘24 at mfarley@middlebury.edu if you are unable to locate it.
First-Year Symposium
The First-Year Symposium with Oratory Now happened on Tuesday, December 1, and it was a huge success! The SGA First Year Committee led two panels: Mental Health in this Sociopolitical Climate and Remote Learning & Ways to Stay Connected Despite the Distance. Thank you to everyone involved for a great event!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winter Break Food Resources
If you are concerned about accessing enough food in the upcoming long break from campus, there are many resources that can help. The Campus Hunger Project has created a guide at go/WinterBreakFood/ that provides information about food resources in every US state and in several major cities. It has emergency food options like food pantries and food delivery, information about 211 services in every state, and several guides for college students with shopping lists, cheap cooking utensil options, and other useful resources. While this was designed with the upcoming break in mind, this guide can be used all year for all students, whether you are living on campus, living off campus, studying remotely, or on leave. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to get involved in addressing student food insecurity, please fill out this form. Contact Molly Babbin ‘22 with any questions at mbabbin@middlebury.edu.
Anti-Racist & Decolonial Initiatives at The Knoll
The Knoll—Middlebury’s organic farm—wants to hear your thoughts and feedback! Student interns have been dream-scheming about possible expansion and further centering of anti-racist and decolonial work out at the Knoll. Whether you were on campus this fall or not; whether you’ve ever been out to the Knoll or not, they would love to hear your thoughts and dreams for the Knoll! Please help us make the Knoll a more accessible space that nourishes the needs of the whole Middlebury community and the earth by filling out this form.
Winter Term Workshops
The Student Activities Office is excited to announce that they will be able to support a simplified and virtual version of the Winter Term Workshop Program. Workshops will look a little different this year, as everything will be remote. However, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to think creatively about how to share your passions and connect with one another during January term. To find Winter Term Workshops currently available, head to BannerWeb, conduct a search for Winter Classes with the Department Field of “Physical Education,” and add or drop workshops from there. To learn how to host your own workshop, see go/WTW/ for more information.
Winter Term Add/Drop Period
The Add/Drop period for Winter Term 2021 begins on Tuesday, December 8 at 12:00 PM and continues through Thursday, January 21 at 5:00 PM. Check your email for more details from the Registrar’s Office.
Acquiring Winter Clothing & Accessories
For students remaining on campus during winter break, there are a number of local consignment shops and donation centers where you can get winter clothing and accessories for the colder months. Local places to check out include Round Robin, Neat Repeats, Buy Again Alley, and HOPE Resale Store.
We’ve made it to the final weekend of the semester! This will be our last SGA Newsletter until Winter Term. Good luck on your final exams, and we hope that you have a restful winter break!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
This Sunday will be our last General Assembly Meeting of the fall semester. Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, December 6, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Fall 2020 Endowment Report
SGA Endowment Liaison Abbott LaPrade ‘21 attends meetings with the Board of Trustees Resources Committee and reports to the SGA and the student body on all matters related to the endowment. The latest report on the performance of the endowment through this third quarter of 2020 and an update on divestment is available for viewing here. Contact Abbott at alaprade@middlebury.edu with any questions or comments.
SGA Student Affairs Committee Update on Justice Projects
JusticeProjects is a campaign to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at Middlebury. The SGA is partnering with the Office of Advancement to raise $100,000 for the initiative, and we are looking for student involvement in a promotional video for the fundraising campaign! If you have an idea for a potential JusticeProject, please fill out this form. We would love to feature your idea, and also, potentially you speaking about it, in the video. We encourage all submissions, even if ideas aren’t fully formed. Middlebury alumni would love to hear what students care about directly from you!
Upcoming Health & Wellness Survey
SGA Health & Wellness Committee has partnered with The Middlebury Campus to survey the student body about mental health and COVID-19 policies this semester. Keep your eyes out for the survey in your inboxes soon!
First-Year Gratitude Grams
The Gratitude Grams, personalized letters of appreciation to each first-year, were a success! The SGA First-Year Committee had over 260 notes of appreciation submitted and all 603 first-years received a personalized note, either from the committee, their peers, or both. Major thanks to everyone on the committee for their hard work, especially Mariia Dzholos ‘24 for the idea, Reika Herman ‘24 for her impeccable gram creation and distribution coordination, and SGA First-Year Senator Karina Martir ‘24 for creating the gram design. We're so grateful for each of you! If any first-years have not yet opened their gram, please check your Google Drive’s “Shared with Me” or your email, and contact SGA First-Year Senator Meg Farley ‘24 at mfarley@middlebury.edu if you are unable to locate it.
First-Year Symposium
The First-Year Symposium with Oratory Now happened on Tuesday, December 1, and it was a huge success! The SGA First Year Committee led two panels: Mental Health in this Sociopolitical Climate and Remote Learning & Ways to Stay Connected Despite the Distance. Thank you to everyone involved for a great event!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winter Break Food Resources
If you are concerned about accessing enough food in the upcoming long break from campus, there are many resources that can help. The Campus Hunger Project has created a guide at go/WinterBreakFood/ that provides information about food resources in every US state and in several major cities. It has emergency food options like food pantries and food delivery, information about 211 services in every state, and several guides for college students with shopping lists, cheap cooking utensil options, and other useful resources. While this was designed with the upcoming break in mind, this guide can be used all year for all students, whether you are living on campus, living off campus, studying remotely, or on leave. If you have any questions, comments, or would like to get involved in addressing student food insecurity, please fill out this form. Contact Molly Babbin ‘22 with any questions at mbabbin@middlebury.edu.
Anti-Racist & Decolonial Initiatives at The Knoll
The Knoll—Middlebury’s organic farm—wants to hear your thoughts and feedback! Student interns have been dream-scheming about possible expansion and further centering of anti-racist and decolonial work out at the Knoll. Whether you were on campus this fall or not; whether you’ve ever been out to the Knoll or not, they would love to hear your thoughts and dreams for the Knoll! Please help us make the Knoll a more accessible space that nourishes the needs of the whole Middlebury community and the earth by filling out this form.
Winter Term Workshops
The Student Activities Office is excited to announce that they will be able to support a simplified and virtual version of the Winter Term Workshop Program. Workshops will look a little different this year, as everything will be remote. However, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to think creatively about how to share your passions and connect with one another during January term. To find Winter Term Workshops currently available, head to BannerWeb, conduct a search for Winter Classes with the Department Field of “Physical Education,” and add or drop workshops from there. To learn how to host your own workshop, see go/WTW/ for more information.
Winter Term Add/Drop Period
The Add/Drop period for Winter Term 2021 begins on Tuesday, December 8 at 12:00 PM and continues through Thursday, January 21 at 5:00 PM. Check your email for more details from the Registrar’s Office.
Acquiring Winter Clothing & Accessories
For students remaining on campus during winter break, there are a number of local consignment shops and donation centers where you can get winter clothing and accessories for the colder months. Local places to check out include Round Robin, Neat Repeats, Buy Again Alley, and HOPE Resale Store.
SGA Updates: Exploring our Radical Imaginations, Communications Language Barriers, Diversifying Varsity Athletics, and more!
Saturday, November 14, 2020
Dear Students,
We hope you are enjoying the last weekend of the in-person semester! Here are some updates from the SGA.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 15, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Power, Justice, and ____? Exploring our Radical Imaginations
On Thursday, November 18 at 5:00 PM, join the SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee for an evening of reflection, processing, and imagination. Hear the stories and imaginings of leaders of campus, then reflect in small groups on how we can envision a better future together. The first 20 students to register here will get a reusable straw!
Communications Language Barriers
The SGA Innovation & Technology Committee and the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee have continued to meet with the Office of Communications and Marketing, the Admissions Office, and the Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernández to discuss how Middlebury can provide communications in different languages. We have discussed the types of communications for which we can begin to provide translation, and now we are collecting student input. Complete this form to let us know about communication changes or resources that would be useful for you and your parents or guardians.
Diversifying Varsity Athletics
SGA Director of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and SGA Junior Senator Teddy Best ‘22 met with Dean Nicole Curvin and Director of Athletics Erin Quinn to learn about current initiatives, within the institution and NESCAC, to increase the athletic diversity of prospective student-athletes. We are working with the Admissions Office and the Athletics Department to support current recruitment efforts that aim to increase diversity in our varsity athletic programs and to facilitate more dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion between staff, faculty, coaches, and students.
SGA Break Buses
The SGA Finance Committee is sponsoring subsidized bus transportation open to all students. Buses will run from campus to Burlington Airport (VT), Penn Station (NY), Ridgewood (NJ), and Boston (MA). The buses will be ticketed for 50% capacity to allow for private rows and partial physical distancing. Purchase tickets from the Box Office here. Please direct questions to boxoffice@middlebury.edu.
First-Year Pizza Talks
The SGA First-Year Committee hosted a relaxed opportunity for the Class of 2024 to build community and to check-in with the SGA First-Year Senators. Between Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12, over 240 first-years came by to decompress, discuss, and devour some delicious pizza from Shafer’s!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID-19 Departure Testing
As communicated by the COVID Testing Team, the Testing Center at Virtue Field House will be available for student testing on Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17 from 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM. How to sign up: Use this scheduling link through Microsoft Bookings to select which day and time works best for you.
Health & Wellness Stressbusters
The Office of Health & Wellness Education has compiled a calendar of stressbusters happening through November 20. Check out the upcoming opportunities to destress at go/Stressbusters/!
We hope you are enjoying the last weekend of the in-person semester! Here are some updates from the SGA.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 15, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Power, Justice, and ____? Exploring our Radical Imaginations
On Thursday, November 18 at 5:00 PM, join the SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee for an evening of reflection, processing, and imagination. Hear the stories and imaginings of leaders of campus, then reflect in small groups on how we can envision a better future together. The first 20 students to register here will get a reusable straw!
Communications Language Barriers
The SGA Innovation & Technology Committee and the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee have continued to meet with the Office of Communications and Marketing, the Admissions Office, and the Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernández to discuss how Middlebury can provide communications in different languages. We have discussed the types of communications for which we can begin to provide translation, and now we are collecting student input. Complete this form to let us know about communication changes or resources that would be useful for you and your parents or guardians.
Diversifying Varsity Athletics
SGA Director of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and SGA Junior Senator Teddy Best ‘22 met with Dean Nicole Curvin and Director of Athletics Erin Quinn to learn about current initiatives, within the institution and NESCAC, to increase the athletic diversity of prospective student-athletes. We are working with the Admissions Office and the Athletics Department to support current recruitment efforts that aim to increase diversity in our varsity athletic programs and to facilitate more dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion between staff, faculty, coaches, and students.
SGA Break Buses
The SGA Finance Committee is sponsoring subsidized bus transportation open to all students. Buses will run from campus to Burlington Airport (VT), Penn Station (NY), Ridgewood (NJ), and Boston (MA). The buses will be ticketed for 50% capacity to allow for private rows and partial physical distancing. Purchase tickets from the Box Office here. Please direct questions to boxoffice@middlebury.edu.
First-Year Pizza Talks
The SGA First-Year Committee hosted a relaxed opportunity for the Class of 2024 to build community and to check-in with the SGA First-Year Senators. Between Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12, over 240 first-years came by to decompress, discuss, and devour some delicious pizza from Shafer’s!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
COVID-19 Departure Testing
As communicated by the COVID Testing Team, the Testing Center at Virtue Field House will be available for student testing on Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17 from 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM. How to sign up: Use this scheduling link through Microsoft Bookings to select which day and time works best for you.
Health & Wellness Stressbusters
The Office of Health & Wellness Education has compiled a calendar of stressbusters happening through November 20. Check out the upcoming opportunities to destress at go/Stressbusters/!
SGA Updates: Land Acknowledgements, Student Advisory Councils, Projects for Peace, and more!
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Dear Students,
We’re nearing the end of our time together on Middlebury’s beautiful campus! Make sure you find some time to unwind this weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 8, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Junior Class Pizza Night
The SGA Junior Committee will be giving out free American Flatbread to the Classes of 2022 and 2022.5 tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wilson Terrace outside of the McCullough Student Center. Enjoy the beautiful night connecting with your classmates before the end of the in-person term!
Land Acknowledgements for Abenaki Native Americans
SGA Sophomore Senator Khasai Makhulo ‘23 and SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 met with Professor Catharine Wright to discuss implementing land acknowledgements at Middlebury, which resides on land belonging to the Abenaki Native American tribe. We hope to work within the SGA and alongside other student leaders to learn about and create reflective acknowledgement practices for all student organizations and campus departments.
Expanding Student Advisory Councils
The SGA Academic Affairs Committee is working with all of the Academic Departments and Programs to establish Student Advisory Councils. The goal is to create channels of communication between faculty and students on matters related to course offerings, the curricula, and support networks.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
International Week
The International Student Organization (ISO) is hosting the 2nd Annual International Week from November 8-14! This year, we are celebrating ISO’s 25th Year at Middlebury and Launching the International House. They are kicking it off with the Welcome Brunch at the International House Lawn from 10:00 AM on Sunday and watching Spirited Away at 8:00 PM. RSVP to the brunch and other exciting International Week events at go/ISOreflections/. Come through for some good food, good times, and good people—and depending on the event, some cool merch!
Upcoming JusTalks Workshops
JusTalks is a community of students who strive to create a culture of change through conversations about the systems of oppression that surround the Middlebury community. Student facilitators create workshops and facilitate conversations for other students. From Sunday, November 8 to Tuesday, November 17, JusTalks is hosting a series of workshops about race, racism, and white supremacy. All students are invited to attend and there is no requirement of content knowledge or experience. JusTalks hopes you will come to learn from each other and that these conversations happen not just at these workshops but in everyday life. See the workshop descriptions and register at go/JusTalksRegister/. Contact justalks@middlebury.edu for any questions, comments, or concerns.
Petitions to Stay On Campus
While the deadline has passed to submit the petition, students are encouraged to still fill out the form if they are in need of resources to successfully engage in their studies or housing assistance over the break. If there are students planning on filling out the form who haven’t gotten around to it, please fill it out quickly here.
Projects for Peace
Receive $10,000 in funding for a summer project that promotes peace! Projects for Peace is an initiative for Middlebury students to design grassroots projects that build community and address the root causes of conflict. Watch this video with Projects for Peace grant recipient Meron Benti ’19 on how to design a successful application. The password is aQL2G=AJ for the video. The Innovation Hub will also be holding virtual office hours on November 13 at 12:00 PM and November 17 at 3:30 PM to answer any additional questions! Email hneuwirth@middlebury.edu for the Zoom information. Learn more here.
MiddCORE J-Term Applications Open
Bring your education, your passions, your purpose into the professional world in MiddCORE J-Term. No textbook will teach you this kind of problem solving: Work, chat, and engage remotely with industry experts from around the world giving first-hand insight into leadership, innovation, and persuasive communication. Apply here by November 29.
AFC Peer Mentor Program
For a greater sense of community, access to campus resource, and relationship-building skills, join the AFC’s Peer Mentoring Program! Learn more about the program via this FAQ page. If interested, first- and second-year students click this link to sign up to be a mentee. Third- and fourth-year students click this link to sign up to be a mentor. Mentor applications should be submitted by Monday, November 9.
We’re nearing the end of our time together on Middlebury’s beautiful campus! Make sure you find some time to unwind this weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 8, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Junior Class Pizza Night
The SGA Junior Committee will be giving out free American Flatbread to the Classes of 2022 and 2022.5 tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wilson Terrace outside of the McCullough Student Center. Enjoy the beautiful night connecting with your classmates before the end of the in-person term!
Land Acknowledgements for Abenaki Native Americans
SGA Sophomore Senator Khasai Makhulo ‘23 and SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 met with Professor Catharine Wright to discuss implementing land acknowledgements at Middlebury, which resides on land belonging to the Abenaki Native American tribe. We hope to work within the SGA and alongside other student leaders to learn about and create reflective acknowledgement practices for all student organizations and campus departments.
Expanding Student Advisory Councils
The SGA Academic Affairs Committee is working with all of the Academic Departments and Programs to establish Student Advisory Councils. The goal is to create channels of communication between faculty and students on matters related to course offerings, the curricula, and support networks.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
International Week
The International Student Organization (ISO) is hosting the 2nd Annual International Week from November 8-14! This year, we are celebrating ISO’s 25th Year at Middlebury and Launching the International House. They are kicking it off with the Welcome Brunch at the International House Lawn from 10:00 AM on Sunday and watching Spirited Away at 8:00 PM. RSVP to the brunch and other exciting International Week events at go/ISOreflections/. Come through for some good food, good times, and good people—and depending on the event, some cool merch!
Upcoming JusTalks Workshops
JusTalks is a community of students who strive to create a culture of change through conversations about the systems of oppression that surround the Middlebury community. Student facilitators create workshops and facilitate conversations for other students. From Sunday, November 8 to Tuesday, November 17, JusTalks is hosting a series of workshops about race, racism, and white supremacy. All students are invited to attend and there is no requirement of content knowledge or experience. JusTalks hopes you will come to learn from each other and that these conversations happen not just at these workshops but in everyday life. See the workshop descriptions and register at go/JusTalksRegister/. Contact justalks@middlebury.edu for any questions, comments, or concerns.
Petitions to Stay On Campus
While the deadline has passed to submit the petition, students are encouraged to still fill out the form if they are in need of resources to successfully engage in their studies or housing assistance over the break. If there are students planning on filling out the form who haven’t gotten around to it, please fill it out quickly here.
Projects for Peace
Receive $10,000 in funding for a summer project that promotes peace! Projects for Peace is an initiative for Middlebury students to design grassroots projects that build community and address the root causes of conflict. Watch this video with Projects for Peace grant recipient Meron Benti ’19 on how to design a successful application. The password is aQL2G=AJ for the video. The Innovation Hub will also be holding virtual office hours on November 13 at 12:00 PM and November 17 at 3:30 PM to answer any additional questions! Email hneuwirth@middlebury.edu for the Zoom information. Learn more here.
MiddCORE J-Term Applications Open
Bring your education, your passions, your purpose into the professional world in MiddCORE J-Term. No textbook will teach you this kind of problem solving: Work, chat, and engage remotely with industry experts from around the world giving first-hand insight into leadership, innovation, and persuasive communication. Apply here by November 29.
AFC Peer Mentor Program
For a greater sense of community, access to campus resource, and relationship-building skills, join the AFC’s Peer Mentoring Program! Learn more about the program via this FAQ page. If interested, first- and second-year students click this link to sign up to be a mentee. Third- and fourth-year students click this link to sign up to be a mentor. Mentor applications should be submitted by Monday, November 9.
SGA Updates: Election Day Shuttles, Student Project Pipeline, Spring 2021 Breaks, and more!
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Dear Students,
Happy Halloween! We hope you have a spooky weekend. Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 3 if you haven’t already!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 1, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
The Student Project Pipeline (SPP)
Working on a nifty project outside of class? Looking for help? Just want to share it with the wider Middlebury community? The SPP is what you're looking for! This is a place for students to briefly describe an on-going or past extra-curricular project (can include research with faculty, an initiative started by a club/org, etc.). Use go/Projects/ or go/SPP/ to check out some of the cool things students are doing in their spare time, and to see how to submit your own project! Connect with SGA Directors of Innovation & Technology Lizeth Lucero ‘21 and Jeremy Navarro ‘21 with questions at llucero@middlebury.edu and jnavarro@middlebury.edu.
Changes to Spring 2021 Academic Calendar
After several SGA leaders shared student feedback with the Faculty Council, Academic Department Chairs, and the Senior Leadership Group, the College has modified the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar to include built-in breaks to avoid the COVID-19 fatigue that we are currently experiencing. See the full announcement on the Middlebury College website here.
Meet the Team!
The SGA Operations Committee is working on an interview project so you can get to know the student leaders on the SGA. Look out for short videos on our @MiddSGA Instagram stories to watch the videos. Special thanks to Jenny X Tan ‘21, Liam Hahn ‘21.5, Emily Wight ‘24, Ella Du ‘24, and Cheko Mkocheko ‘22, Jackson Evans ‘22, and Bobbi Finkelstein ‘22 for putting together the videos. And thank you to all our SGA student leaders for all their work so far!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Free Shuttle Rides to Vote on Election Day
MiddVotes is sponsoring a free ride to the Town of Middlebury polling place on Election Day, November 3! The shuttle will run from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, leaving Adirondack Circle (ADK) every hour on the hour. The Middlebury polling site is located at 154 Creek Road (the Middlebury Recreation Center) and is open from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM on Election Day. Middlebury students are eligible to vote in Vermont, as long as they have not voted in any other state. Students can register and vote on Election Day, in-person at the Middlebury polling site. They will need to know the last four digits of their SSN and should bring some proof of identification. MiddVotes is looking for more drivers to help drive the shuttles. If you have your Middlebury College Driver’s License for 15 passenger vans and are interested in driving for a paid shift (1-2 hours) on Election Day, please email middvotes@middlebury.edu for more information.
Talk to Oratory Now!
If you got somethin’ to say… we’ve got an audience! As part of this year’s First-Year Symposium, Oratory Now will host a series of student panels … and we want YOU to set the topics! What have you been reflecting on this semester? Is there a community conversation you’d like to see happening? Let us know here!
Grant Funding Available through Center for Community Engagement Cross Cultural Community Service (CCCS)
The CCCS grants support international community service, advocacy, and activism. The fund supports international service-learning and community-building internships and/or related volunteer service experiences for undergraduate students. These internships and service initiatives may be student designed; preference is given to those opportunities in a culture distinctly different from the applicant’s background. You can utilize this fund for both virtual and in-person short-term opportunities such as a school break or longer-term projects (J-Term or semester-long). The Priority Deadline for Winter break/J-Term experiences is on Wednesday, December 2. Find the Application and more information at go/CCCS/.
Happy Halloween! We hope you have a spooky weekend. Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, November 3 if you haven’t already!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, November 1, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
The Student Project Pipeline (SPP)
Working on a nifty project outside of class? Looking for help? Just want to share it with the wider Middlebury community? The SPP is what you're looking for! This is a place for students to briefly describe an on-going or past extra-curricular project (can include research with faculty, an initiative started by a club/org, etc.). Use go/Projects/ or go/SPP/ to check out some of the cool things students are doing in their spare time, and to see how to submit your own project! Connect with SGA Directors of Innovation & Technology Lizeth Lucero ‘21 and Jeremy Navarro ‘21 with questions at llucero@middlebury.edu and jnavarro@middlebury.edu.
Changes to Spring 2021 Academic Calendar
After several SGA leaders shared student feedback with the Faculty Council, Academic Department Chairs, and the Senior Leadership Group, the College has modified the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar to include built-in breaks to avoid the COVID-19 fatigue that we are currently experiencing. See the full announcement on the Middlebury College website here.
Meet the Team!
The SGA Operations Committee is working on an interview project so you can get to know the student leaders on the SGA. Look out for short videos on our @MiddSGA Instagram stories to watch the videos. Special thanks to Jenny X Tan ‘21, Liam Hahn ‘21.5, Emily Wight ‘24, Ella Du ‘24, and Cheko Mkocheko ‘22, Jackson Evans ‘22, and Bobbi Finkelstein ‘22 for putting together the videos. And thank you to all our SGA student leaders for all their work so far!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Free Shuttle Rides to Vote on Election Day
MiddVotes is sponsoring a free ride to the Town of Middlebury polling place on Election Day, November 3! The shuttle will run from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, leaving Adirondack Circle (ADK) every hour on the hour. The Middlebury polling site is located at 154 Creek Road (the Middlebury Recreation Center) and is open from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM on Election Day. Middlebury students are eligible to vote in Vermont, as long as they have not voted in any other state. Students can register and vote on Election Day, in-person at the Middlebury polling site. They will need to know the last four digits of their SSN and should bring some proof of identification. MiddVotes is looking for more drivers to help drive the shuttles. If you have your Middlebury College Driver’s License for 15 passenger vans and are interested in driving for a paid shift (1-2 hours) on Election Day, please email middvotes@middlebury.edu for more information.
Talk to Oratory Now!
If you got somethin’ to say… we’ve got an audience! As part of this year’s First-Year Symposium, Oratory Now will host a series of student panels … and we want YOU to set the topics! What have you been reflecting on this semester? Is there a community conversation you’d like to see happening? Let us know here!
Grant Funding Available through Center for Community Engagement Cross Cultural Community Service (CCCS)
The CCCS grants support international community service, advocacy, and activism. The fund supports international service-learning and community-building internships and/or related volunteer service experiences for undergraduate students. These internships and service initiatives may be student designed; preference is given to those opportunities in a culture distinctly different from the applicant’s background. You can utilize this fund for both virtual and in-person short-term opportunities such as a school break or longer-term projects (J-Term or semester-long). The Priority Deadline for Winter break/J-Term experiences is on Wednesday, December 2. Find the Application and more information at go/CCCS/.
SGA Updates: Reducing Student Workloads, First-Year Peer Mentors, Connecting Change-Makers, and more!
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Dear Students,
With midterms wrapping up and Halloween on the horizon, there are so many exciting things to come! Be sure to find time to have fun and take care of yourself. Here are some SGA updates on what we have in store.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 25, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Reducing Student Workloads
In the last two weeks, members of the SGA had several meetings with the Faculty Council, the Academic Department Chairs, and the Senior Leadership Group to discuss students’ workloads and wellbeing after hearing lots of concerning feedback from our peers. After hearing from SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice Presidents Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Roni Lezama ‘22, SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Priya Kaur ‘22 and Kenzo Okazaki ‘21, SGA Junior Senator Mariana Tahiri ‘22, and Co-Chair of Community Council Christian Kummer ‘22, the Faculty Council urged the entire Faculty to make changes to their syllabi and workload expectations for the remainder of the semester, as you can read in this email sent on Monday, October 19. We encourage all students to continue advocating for themselves and their peers to professors, deans, and other support systems on campus.
First-Year Remote Peer Mentors
After SGA Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 initiated conversations about support mechanisms for remote students, a new staff position has been created: Student Life Advisor for Remote Learners. Professor Jessica Holmes was appointed to this position and has worked hard to last our proposal come into fruition. She has secured funding and has posted several positions open to any student who is eligible to work on campus and is interested in being a peer mentor for remote students. First-Year Peer Mentors (FYPMs) at Middlebury College serve as mentors to first-years who are studying remotely. Specifically, they are expected to build community and foster the intellectual and personal development of first-year students. They serve as a bridge that connects students to available resources on campus. FYPMs forge personal connections with their students and communicate any student issues with the Student Life Advisor for Remote Learners.
Connective Platform for Change-Making
Do you feel like there must be a better way for organizations across campus to talk to each other? So do we! The SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee is developing a connective platform—like a mutual aid spreadsheet for organizations but with even more perks. To make this work, though, we need your feedback! Fill out this form, or contact SGA Directors of Environmental Sustainability Connor Wertz ‘22 and Haley Goodman ‘21 with any questions at cwertz@middlebury.edu and hgoodman@middlebury.edu.
First-Year Halloweekend
The SGA First-Year Committee is planning a Halloween First-Year Hallway Decorating Competition! Decorating will begin on Thursday, October 29, judging will happen on Saturday, October 31, and winners will be announced on Sunday, November 1. There will also be a virtual Costume Competition via @Midd2024 on Instagram on Saturday. More information to come!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Waste at the Dining Halls
This past week, representatives from the Sustainability Solutions Lab met with Dining Services and the Facilities Services Office to discuss how to reduce our food and plastic waste. In a typical semester, we have staff sorting our waste streams, but this is no longer an option with our COVID-19 reality. Here is what you can do to help:
JusTalks First-Year Workshops
JusTalks is a community of students who strive to create a culture of change through conversations about the systems of oppression that surround us here at Middlebury. Student facilitators create workshops and facilitate conversations for other students. They want to offer the first workshops of the year to first-years in order to talk about race, racism, white supremacy, and other related topics. Workshops cover a range of topics and anyone from the first-year class will be able to participate, regardless of content knowledge or experience. They hope you will come to learn from each other and that these conversations happen not just at these workshops, but also in everyday life. Contact justalks@middlebury.edu for any questions, comments, or concerns. For workshop descriptions and the registration form, visit go/JusTalksRegister/. Some upcoming workshops include “Uprooting White Supremacy in Ourselves,” “Black Bodies as Entertainment,” “Interracial Friendships,” and “Racial Microaggressions,” which are happening from Sunday, October 25 to Thursday, October 29.
An Evening with Angela DavisThe Middlebury College Activities Board, Black Student Union, and Distinguished Men of Color have teamed up to bring American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author, Angela Davis, to campus virtually on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM EST via Zoom. They are inviting and encouraging all students to participate in this conversation from wherever you are around the world! There is no maximum capacity for this event. If you are on campus, there will be a socially distanced viewing party on McCullough Lawn so that some students can experience the event together. For a brief overview of this event, check out this New York Times article on Angela Davis. Access the Zoom link at go/Angela/. Use this Google Form to submit questions prior to the event.
MiddTelehealth Prizes
The Center for Health & Wellness will give prizes to students who register for MiddTelehealth before October 30! After registering, you will be automatically entered to win 1 of 250 Middlebury Buffs or 1 of 50 $10 declining balance credits. Sign up at go/MiddTelehealth/.
With midterms wrapping up and Halloween on the horizon, there are so many exciting things to come! Be sure to find time to have fun and take care of yourself. Here are some SGA updates on what we have in store.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 25, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Reducing Student Workloads
In the last two weeks, members of the SGA had several meetings with the Faculty Council, the Academic Department Chairs, and the Senior Leadership Group to discuss students’ workloads and wellbeing after hearing lots of concerning feedback from our peers. After hearing from SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice Presidents Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Roni Lezama ‘22, SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Priya Kaur ‘22 and Kenzo Okazaki ‘21, SGA Junior Senator Mariana Tahiri ‘22, and Co-Chair of Community Council Christian Kummer ‘22, the Faculty Council urged the entire Faculty to make changes to their syllabi and workload expectations for the remainder of the semester, as you can read in this email sent on Monday, October 19. We encourage all students to continue advocating for themselves and their peers to professors, deans, and other support systems on campus.
First-Year Remote Peer Mentors
After SGA Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 initiated conversations about support mechanisms for remote students, a new staff position has been created: Student Life Advisor for Remote Learners. Professor Jessica Holmes was appointed to this position and has worked hard to last our proposal come into fruition. She has secured funding and has posted several positions open to any student who is eligible to work on campus and is interested in being a peer mentor for remote students. First-Year Peer Mentors (FYPMs) at Middlebury College serve as mentors to first-years who are studying remotely. Specifically, they are expected to build community and foster the intellectual and personal development of first-year students. They serve as a bridge that connects students to available resources on campus. FYPMs forge personal connections with their students and communicate any student issues with the Student Life Advisor for Remote Learners.
Connective Platform for Change-Making
Do you feel like there must be a better way for organizations across campus to talk to each other? So do we! The SGA Environmental Sustainability Committee is developing a connective platform—like a mutual aid spreadsheet for organizations but with even more perks. To make this work, though, we need your feedback! Fill out this form, or contact SGA Directors of Environmental Sustainability Connor Wertz ‘22 and Haley Goodman ‘21 with any questions at cwertz@middlebury.edu and hgoodman@middlebury.edu.
First-Year Halloweekend
The SGA First-Year Committee is planning a Halloween First-Year Hallway Decorating Competition! Decorating will begin on Thursday, October 29, judging will happen on Saturday, October 31, and winners will be announced on Sunday, November 1. There will also be a virtual Costume Competition via @Midd2024 on Instagram on Saturday. More information to come!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Waste at the Dining Halls
This past week, representatives from the Sustainability Solutions Lab met with Dining Services and the Facilities Services Office to discuss how to reduce our food and plastic waste. In a typical semester, we have staff sorting our waste streams, but this is no longer an option with our COVID-19 reality. Here is what you can do to help:
- Return your reusable container to the dining hall. This is critical! If containers are not returned to Dining Services, we will have to switch back to disposable containers.
- Bring your own reusable cutlery and beverage containers!
- Sort your compost and recycling correctly. Only put food waste in the compost. Any “mixed” bag will be thrown in the trash.
- Soon, you will see posters guiding us towards how to take care of our waste. Let’s keep Middlebury sustainable!
JusTalks First-Year Workshops
JusTalks is a community of students who strive to create a culture of change through conversations about the systems of oppression that surround us here at Middlebury. Student facilitators create workshops and facilitate conversations for other students. They want to offer the first workshops of the year to first-years in order to talk about race, racism, white supremacy, and other related topics. Workshops cover a range of topics and anyone from the first-year class will be able to participate, regardless of content knowledge or experience. They hope you will come to learn from each other and that these conversations happen not just at these workshops, but also in everyday life. Contact justalks@middlebury.edu for any questions, comments, or concerns. For workshop descriptions and the registration form, visit go/JusTalksRegister/. Some upcoming workshops include “Uprooting White Supremacy in Ourselves,” “Black Bodies as Entertainment,” “Interracial Friendships,” and “Racial Microaggressions,” which are happening from Sunday, October 25 to Thursday, October 29.
An Evening with Angela DavisThe Middlebury College Activities Board, Black Student Union, and Distinguished Men of Color have teamed up to bring American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author, Angela Davis, to campus virtually on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM EST via Zoom. They are inviting and encouraging all students to participate in this conversation from wherever you are around the world! There is no maximum capacity for this event. If you are on campus, there will be a socially distanced viewing party on McCullough Lawn so that some students can experience the event together. For a brief overview of this event, check out this New York Times article on Angela Davis. Access the Zoom link at go/Angela/. Use this Google Form to submit questions prior to the event.
MiddTelehealth Prizes
The Center for Health & Wellness will give prizes to students who register for MiddTelehealth before October 30! After registering, you will be automatically entered to win 1 of 250 Middlebury Buffs or 1 of 50 $10 declining balance credits. Sign up at go/MiddTelehealth/.
SGA Updates: Board of Trustees Meeting, Health & Wellness Guide, Speak About It Training, and more!
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Dear Students,
With midterms moving along, don’t forget to take time for yourselves! Taking a look at the beautiful fall trees and checking out the Town of Middlebury are great ways to destress. We have a few SGA updates for you to brighten up your weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
Recording of the Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Thank you to everyone who helped make the recent Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion a success! The recording can be accessed here. Thank you to all of our staff and admin panelists for sharing updates on the work you're doing to transform Middlebury into an anti-racist institution and engage BIPOC community members in the process. Additionally, thank you to our student moderators for facilitating a robust conversation and contributing thoughtful questions. We greatly appreciate all of the student input that went into this event, and look forward to continuing these conversations as we push to make Middlebury a more just and inclusive place. Please reach out with any thoughts about what you'd like to see from the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee in the future, or if you'd like to learn more about what we're up to right now! Anyone is welcome to join the Committee’s weekly meetings on Mondays from 5:00-6:00 PM EST. Email mholland@middlebury.edu or fniyigena@middlebury.edu for the Zoom link.
Introducing the SGA Senior Committee
We are excited to announce the members of the SGA Senior Committee, led by SGA Senior Senators Rodney Adams ‘21 and Sabian Edouard ‘21: Destini Armstrong ‘21, Edgar Leon ‘21, Britnney Ron ‘21, Ethan Sherman ‘21, Tre Stephens ‘21, and Kaila Thomas ‘21. Together, they will be working on various projects and initiatives for the betterment of the Middlebury community. Look out for updates from them soon!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
New Student Center and New First-Year Housing
On Monday, October 5, some members of the SGA had the chance to meet with the architects planning the New Student Center and New First-Year Housing projects that the College is working towards. SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Director of Relationship & Sexual Respect Aubrianna Wilson ‘23, SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley ‘24 and Karina Martir ‘24, SGA Student Affairs Committee Liaison Jordyn Johnson ‘23, and Mauricio Moreno ‘22 provided constructive feedback and suggestions for these spaces, which are only being conceptualized at this point in time.
Board of Trustees October Meeting: Open Office Hours with the SCA
The College Board of Advisors (CBA) to the Board of Trustees meets three times a year, and we are currently preparing for their upcoming October meeting. We are reaching out to collect your thoughts, opinions, and stories to share with the CBA during this month’s meeting about:
SGA Health & Wellness Guide
The SGA Health & Wellness Committee has created a guide to help students stay healthy and well during COVID-19. Check it out for yourself here! We will be sharing it on social media as well.
Clothing and Food Drive for the Charter House
Jack Eschert ‘23 of the SGA Sophomore Committee completed a Canned and Non-Perishable Food Drive on campus to support the Charter House, which relies on students and volunteers for support. The drive addressed the Food Insecurity gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday October 10, over 20 boxes of wholesale food items and other donated goods were delivered to the Coalition with the help of Ali DePaolo ‘23 from the SGA Sophomore Committee and Ryan Ashe ‘21, a senior officer in the DREAM Foundation. It was great to see how the students and faculty rally together to support an organization that helps those in our local community.
Title IX Question & Answer Session
The SGA Relationship & Sexual Respect Committee is working with Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb and Violence Prevention and Advocacy Specialist Emily Wagner on a Title IX Q&A for students to ask questions regarding the new Title IX guidelines as well as clarify the reporting and filing a complaint process. More information is coming soon.
Engage with First-Years
The SGA First-Year Committee is working on increasing engagement between first-year students and student organizations. If your organization has an event, opportunity, or resource that you would like to be shared with the First-Year Class, please fill out this form.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Action Research Survey from the Middlebury Social Impact Corps
The Middlebury Social Impact Corps Summer/Fall 2020 Cohort has been working with MIIS Faculty Dr. Netta Avineri and Middlebury College Special Assistant to Student Creativity, Engagement & Careers Dana Anderson to develop a survey that aims to gain insight into students’ perspectives on their remote internships from Summer 2020. Before Friday, October 23, please take a moment to fill out this survey and get a chance to win a $20 Target gift card!
Maneuvering Middlebury: Life as a Student of Color
The Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC) will be hosting a BIPOC Students Panel on Thursday, October 22 from 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom. Tune in for a Q&A session to learn more about BIPOC student experiences, opportunities, and advice. Sign up at go/SOCpanel/ by Thursday, October 22 at 4:00 PM.
Speak About It Training
Speak About It consent training is happening this month! Speak About It uses theater and dialogue to empower students to give and get consent, build healthy relationships, and make change in their communities. This training is mandatory for all NCAA athletes and first-year students, but is open to everyone! Please visit go/SpeakAboutIt/ to sign-up for a time slot, and drop-ins are also welcome.
With midterms moving along, don’t forget to take time for yourselves! Taking a look at the beautiful fall trees and checking out the Town of Middlebury are great ways to destress. We have a few SGA updates for you to brighten up your weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
Recording of the Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Thank you to everyone who helped make the recent Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion a success! The recording can be accessed here. Thank you to all of our staff and admin panelists for sharing updates on the work you're doing to transform Middlebury into an anti-racist institution and engage BIPOC community members in the process. Additionally, thank you to our student moderators for facilitating a robust conversation and contributing thoughtful questions. We greatly appreciate all of the student input that went into this event, and look forward to continuing these conversations as we push to make Middlebury a more just and inclusive place. Please reach out with any thoughts about what you'd like to see from the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee in the future, or if you'd like to learn more about what we're up to right now! Anyone is welcome to join the Committee’s weekly meetings on Mondays from 5:00-6:00 PM EST. Email mholland@middlebury.edu or fniyigena@middlebury.edu for the Zoom link.
Introducing the SGA Senior Committee
We are excited to announce the members of the SGA Senior Committee, led by SGA Senior Senators Rodney Adams ‘21 and Sabian Edouard ‘21: Destini Armstrong ‘21, Edgar Leon ‘21, Britnney Ron ‘21, Ethan Sherman ‘21, Tre Stephens ‘21, and Kaila Thomas ‘21. Together, they will be working on various projects and initiatives for the betterment of the Middlebury community. Look out for updates from them soon!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
New Student Center and New First-Year Housing
On Monday, October 5, some members of the SGA had the chance to meet with the architects planning the New Student Center and New First-Year Housing projects that the College is working towards. SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Director of Relationship & Sexual Respect Aubrianna Wilson ‘23, SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley ‘24 and Karina Martir ‘24, SGA Student Affairs Committee Liaison Jordyn Johnson ‘23, and Mauricio Moreno ‘22 provided constructive feedback and suggestions for these spaces, which are only being conceptualized at this point in time.
Board of Trustees October Meeting: Open Office Hours with the SCA
The College Board of Advisors (CBA) to the Board of Trustees meets three times a year, and we are currently preparing for their upcoming October meeting. We are reaching out to collect your thoughts, opinions, and stories to share with the CBA during this month’s meeting about:
- How COVID-19 has been impacting your semester, on-campus or remotely
- Your opinions on anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion on Middlebury’s campus
SGA Health & Wellness Guide
The SGA Health & Wellness Committee has created a guide to help students stay healthy and well during COVID-19. Check it out for yourself here! We will be sharing it on social media as well.
Clothing and Food Drive for the Charter House
Jack Eschert ‘23 of the SGA Sophomore Committee completed a Canned and Non-Perishable Food Drive on campus to support the Charter House, which relies on students and volunteers for support. The drive addressed the Food Insecurity gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday October 10, over 20 boxes of wholesale food items and other donated goods were delivered to the Coalition with the help of Ali DePaolo ‘23 from the SGA Sophomore Committee and Ryan Ashe ‘21, a senior officer in the DREAM Foundation. It was great to see how the students and faculty rally together to support an organization that helps those in our local community.
Title IX Question & Answer Session
The SGA Relationship & Sexual Respect Committee is working with Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb and Violence Prevention and Advocacy Specialist Emily Wagner on a Title IX Q&A for students to ask questions regarding the new Title IX guidelines as well as clarify the reporting and filing a complaint process. More information is coming soon.
Engage with First-Years
The SGA First-Year Committee is working on increasing engagement between first-year students and student organizations. If your organization has an event, opportunity, or resource that you would like to be shared with the First-Year Class, please fill out this form.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Action Research Survey from the Middlebury Social Impact Corps
The Middlebury Social Impact Corps Summer/Fall 2020 Cohort has been working with MIIS Faculty Dr. Netta Avineri and Middlebury College Special Assistant to Student Creativity, Engagement & Careers Dana Anderson to develop a survey that aims to gain insight into students’ perspectives on their remote internships from Summer 2020. Before Friday, October 23, please take a moment to fill out this survey and get a chance to win a $20 Target gift card!
Maneuvering Middlebury: Life as a Student of Color
The Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC) will be hosting a BIPOC Students Panel on Thursday, October 22 from 7:00-8:00 PM via Zoom. Tune in for a Q&A session to learn more about BIPOC student experiences, opportunities, and advice. Sign up at go/SOCpanel/ by Thursday, October 22 at 4:00 PM.
Speak About It Training
Speak About It consent training is happening this month! Speak About It uses theater and dialogue to empower students to give and get consent, build healthy relationships, and make change in their communities. This training is mandatory for all NCAA athletes and first-year students, but is open to everyone! Please visit go/SpeakAboutIt/ to sign-up for a time slot, and drop-ins are also welcome.
SGA Updates: Adopting Middlebury Money, Applications for New Student Organizations, Sophomore Social, and more!
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Dear Students,
As you enjoy the remnants of fall weather and this beautiful weekend, we have some updates from the SGA!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 11, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If an individual or a group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
SGA First-Year Committee
We are excited to announce the members of the SGA First-Year Committee, led by SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley ‘24 & Karina Martir ‘24: Pearl Akoto ‘24, Adil Avil ‘24, Alejandro Castillo ‘24, Mariia Dzholos ‘24, Michael Eller ‘24, Alysandra Fedde ‘24, Reika Herman ‘24, Carinna Kinnaman ‘24, Acadia Klepeis ‘24, Amelia Seepersaud ‘24. Stay tuned for updates from their committee as they build community in the Class of 2024!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Middlebury Money
Last Sunday, the SGA Student Senate passed F2020-SB3: Adopting Middlebury Money to Stimulate Local Economy and Ease Financial Barriers, developed by SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA Directors of External Affairs Henry Ganey ‘22 and Daniel Gutierrez ‘23, and sponsored by SGA President John Schurer ‘21. As of Spring 2021, students will have the choice of either $25 in declining balance to use at on-campus retail dining or $25 in Middlebury Money to use or at off-campus establishments. This program will not only stimulate the local economy but will ease student financial burdens of experiencing the Town of Middlebury to the fullest extent.
Applications for New Student Organizations
Are you trying to start a new student organization on campus? The SGA Student Affairs Committee is now accepting applications for new student organizations! To register a new student organization, submit an application on the Organization Registration form in Presence. Then, sign up here for a 15-minute presentation slot with the SGA Student Affairs Committee, which meets every Tuesday from 6:00-6:45 PM via Zoom. If you have any questions about the new student organization registration process, please email SGASAC@middlebury.edu.
Sophomore Social
The SGA Sophomore Committee is hosting a Sophomore Social on Friday, October 16 from 9:00-11:00 PM at Battell Beach. Open to the Classes of 2023 and 2023.5, the Sophomore Social will have free food, games, and music for you to enjoy with friends!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
First-Gen Zoom Social
On Tuesday, October 13 from 5:00-6:00 PM via Zoom, reconnect with and meet First-Gen students in our Middlebury community! Be sure to RSVP to the Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC) at AFC@middlbury.edu by Sunday, October 11 to be sent the Zoom link.
Quick Question Hours with the Center for Careers & Internships
The Center for Careers & Internships (CCI) is hosting daily Quick Question Hours! The CCI’s well-trained student team can share timely guidance and answers on a variety of topics including: getting started on your first college résumé, reviews of résumés and cover letters, how to schedule a career advising appointment, how to search for internship and job opportunities, strategies for career exploration and networking using Midd2Midd and LinkedIn, tips for interview prep, how to access resources like Handshake, GoinGlobal, Vault, etc. Drop in on Monday-Wednesday from 12:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM or Thursday-Friday from 1:00-4:00 PM. Schedule an appointment at: go/PCAs/.
As you enjoy the remnants of fall weather and this beautiful weekend, we have some updates from the SGA!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 11, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If an individual or a group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
SGA First-Year Committee
We are excited to announce the members of the SGA First-Year Committee, led by SGA First-Year Senators Meg Farley ‘24 & Karina Martir ‘24: Pearl Akoto ‘24, Adil Avil ‘24, Alejandro Castillo ‘24, Mariia Dzholos ‘24, Michael Eller ‘24, Alysandra Fedde ‘24, Reika Herman ‘24, Carinna Kinnaman ‘24, Acadia Klepeis ‘24, Amelia Seepersaud ‘24. Stay tuned for updates from their committee as they build community in the Class of 2024!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Middlebury Money
Last Sunday, the SGA Student Senate passed F2020-SB3: Adopting Middlebury Money to Stimulate Local Economy and Ease Financial Barriers, developed by SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA Directors of External Affairs Henry Ganey ‘22 and Daniel Gutierrez ‘23, and sponsored by SGA President John Schurer ‘21. As of Spring 2021, students will have the choice of either $25 in declining balance to use at on-campus retail dining or $25 in Middlebury Money to use or at off-campus establishments. This program will not only stimulate the local economy but will ease student financial burdens of experiencing the Town of Middlebury to the fullest extent.
Applications for New Student Organizations
Are you trying to start a new student organization on campus? The SGA Student Affairs Committee is now accepting applications for new student organizations! To register a new student organization, submit an application on the Organization Registration form in Presence. Then, sign up here for a 15-minute presentation slot with the SGA Student Affairs Committee, which meets every Tuesday from 6:00-6:45 PM via Zoom. If you have any questions about the new student organization registration process, please email SGASAC@middlebury.edu.
Sophomore Social
The SGA Sophomore Committee is hosting a Sophomore Social on Friday, October 16 from 9:00-11:00 PM at Battell Beach. Open to the Classes of 2023 and 2023.5, the Sophomore Social will have free food, games, and music for you to enjoy with friends!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
First-Gen Zoom Social
On Tuesday, October 13 from 5:00-6:00 PM via Zoom, reconnect with and meet First-Gen students in our Middlebury community! Be sure to RSVP to the Anderson Freeman Resource Center (AFC) at AFC@middlbury.edu by Sunday, October 11 to be sent the Zoom link.
Quick Question Hours with the Center for Careers & Internships
The Center for Careers & Internships (CCI) is hosting daily Quick Question Hours! The CCI’s well-trained student team can share timely guidance and answers on a variety of topics including: getting started on your first college résumé, reviews of résumés and cover letters, how to schedule a career advising appointment, how to search for internship and job opportunities, strategies for career exploration and networking using Midd2Midd and LinkedIn, tips for interview prep, how to access resources like Handshake, GoinGlobal, Vault, etc. Drop in on Monday-Wednesday from 12:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM or Thursday-Friday from 1:00-4:00 PM. Schedule an appointment at: go/PCAs/.
SGA Updates: Open Meeting on Anti-Racism & DEI, Language Accessibility, SGA Senior and Feb Committees, and more!
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Dear Students,
With the leaves falling and midterms beginning, we are writing to share some news with you as we enter the middle of the semester.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 3, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If an individual or a group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
New SGA Senior Committee and SGA Feb Committee
Last Sunday, the SGA Student Senate passed F2020-SB2 to create and institutionalize committees for Seniors and Febs to reflect the existing First-Year, Sophomore, and Junior Committees. The SGA Senior Committee is currently accepting applications, and the SGA Feb Committee will begin accepting applications in February 2021. Seniors, submit an application at go/Join/ by Wednesday, October 7 at midnight. Reach out to SGA Senior Senators Rodney Adams ‘21 and Sabian Edouard ‘21 or SGA Feb Senators Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 and Mistaya Smith ‘21.5 with any questions.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
The Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is on Thursday, October 8 from 7:00-8:30 PM and will focus on key Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion/Anti-Racism efforts being taken by the College, including the 5-Year Action Plan for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion created by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the $500,000 donation made to the College (particularly how the administration plans to ensure that BIPOC students, faculty, staff, & community members have a say in how that money is spent). Apart from these specific College initiatives, the event will be an opportunity for general discussion about how we can improve campus climate & culture using an intentionally anti-racist framework and working extensively with BIPOC communities to reduce harm on our campus. Panelists will include Laurie Patton (President), Miguel Fernández (Chief Diversity Officer), Christal Brown (Director of Taskforce on Anti-Racism), and other key DEI stakeholders on campus. Submit questions in advance at go/DEIquestions/ and join the meeting on Thursday at 7:00 PM EST at go/DEIopenmeeting/.
F2020-SR1: Request For a Speedy Investigation and Resolution for Violation of Middlebury Policy Regarding Racial Discrimination and COVID-19
The SGA unanimously passed F2020-SR1 last Sunday, which calls on the College Administration to immediately investigate and resolve the reported incident of racial discrimination that occured on Friday, September 25. The resolution was written by SGA Senior Senator Rodney Adams '21 and SGA Junior Senator Teddy Best '22.
Increasing Language Accessibility
The SGA Innovation & Technology Committee is working with the Office of Communication and Marketing, the Dean of Admissions Nicole Curvin, the Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernández, and the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee to talk about providing communication emails to parents in their language of choice and also distributing information on the Middlebury College website in different languages.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Recognizing Student Leaders for Elevating Voices
We want to recognize Divya Gudur and Claire Contreras, and all other student leaders involved, for their anti-racist work with the Alexander Hamilton Forum this past week. We also want to thank SGA Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 for writing the open letter to the Senior Leadership Group, giving students a platform to communicate their frustration with the administration.
Successful MoveMidd Challenge
Thank you for all of the student support for the Office of Advancement’s MoveMidd Challenge these past two days. As a whole community, Middlebury was able to surpass its goal of 1,800 donors—a total of 2,976 individual donors contributed to the 2-day challenge—and raised a total of $985,405 to support students.
Crossroads Café is Open
Crossroads, Middlebury’s student-run cafe, is serving coffee, tea, smoothies, milkshakes, and more every day except Saturday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Crossroads is located in the McCullough Student Center, underneath the Grille.
GrilleMe is Back
GrilleMe, a Middlebury Grille delivery service is back and running! GrilleMe is accepting orders for pickup in-store or delivery to your dorm Wednesday-Sunday from 6:00-11:00 PM. View the menu and place your orders at go/GrilleMe/.
With the leaves falling and midterms beginning, we are writing to share some news with you as we enter the middle of the semester.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, October 3, and join us at go/GeneralAssembly/! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If an individual or a group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
New SGA Senior Committee and SGA Feb Committee
Last Sunday, the SGA Student Senate passed F2020-SB2 to create and institutionalize committees for Seniors and Febs to reflect the existing First-Year, Sophomore, and Junior Committees. The SGA Senior Committee is currently accepting applications, and the SGA Feb Committee will begin accepting applications in February 2021. Seniors, submit an application at go/Join/ by Wednesday, October 7 at midnight. Reach out to SGA Senior Senators Rodney Adams ‘21 and Sabian Edouard ‘21 or SGA Feb Senators Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 and Mistaya Smith ‘21.5 with any questions.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
The Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is on Thursday, October 8 from 7:00-8:30 PM and will focus on key Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion/Anti-Racism efforts being taken by the College, including the 5-Year Action Plan for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion created by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the $500,000 donation made to the College (particularly how the administration plans to ensure that BIPOC students, faculty, staff, & community members have a say in how that money is spent). Apart from these specific College initiatives, the event will be an opportunity for general discussion about how we can improve campus climate & culture using an intentionally anti-racist framework and working extensively with BIPOC communities to reduce harm on our campus. Panelists will include Laurie Patton (President), Miguel Fernández (Chief Diversity Officer), Christal Brown (Director of Taskforce on Anti-Racism), and other key DEI stakeholders on campus. Submit questions in advance at go/DEIquestions/ and join the meeting on Thursday at 7:00 PM EST at go/DEIopenmeeting/.
F2020-SR1: Request For a Speedy Investigation and Resolution for Violation of Middlebury Policy Regarding Racial Discrimination and COVID-19
The SGA unanimously passed F2020-SR1 last Sunday, which calls on the College Administration to immediately investigate and resolve the reported incident of racial discrimination that occured on Friday, September 25. The resolution was written by SGA Senior Senator Rodney Adams '21 and SGA Junior Senator Teddy Best '22.
Increasing Language Accessibility
The SGA Innovation & Technology Committee is working with the Office of Communication and Marketing, the Dean of Admissions Nicole Curvin, the Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernández, and the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee to talk about providing communication emails to parents in their language of choice and also distributing information on the Middlebury College website in different languages.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Recognizing Student Leaders for Elevating Voices
We want to recognize Divya Gudur and Claire Contreras, and all other student leaders involved, for their anti-racist work with the Alexander Hamilton Forum this past week. We also want to thank SGA Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 for writing the open letter to the Senior Leadership Group, giving students a platform to communicate their frustration with the administration.
Successful MoveMidd Challenge
Thank you for all of the student support for the Office of Advancement’s MoveMidd Challenge these past two days. As a whole community, Middlebury was able to surpass its goal of 1,800 donors—a total of 2,976 individual donors contributed to the 2-day challenge—and raised a total of $985,405 to support students.
Crossroads Café is Open
Crossroads, Middlebury’s student-run cafe, is serving coffee, tea, smoothies, milkshakes, and more every day except Saturday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Crossroads is located in the McCullough Student Center, underneath the Grille.
GrilleMe is Back
GrilleMe, a Middlebury Grille delivery service is back and running! GrilleMe is accepting orders for pickup in-store or delivery to your dorm Wednesday-Sunday from 6:00-11:00 PM. View the menu and place your orders at go/GrilleMe/.
SGA Updates: DEI Open Meeting, Middlebury Money, Textbook Accessibility, & More!
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Dear Students,
The SGA is continuing to make strides on our Ideas for a Better Middlebury in a multitude of ways as we close out week 3 of the semester. Try to get outside and enjoy the weather while it lasts!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, September 27, and join us via Zoom! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
SGA Fall Election Results
On Friday, September 25, Sabian Edouard ‘21 was elected as SGA Senior Senator while Meg Farley ‘24 and Karina Martir ‘24 were elected as SGA First-Year Senators. Congratulations to them and all of our candidates for running engaging and respectful campaigns!
SGA Committee Meetings
Are you interested in the work or ongoing projects of a particular SGA committee? We want you to get involved with projects that interest you, so don’t hesitate to connect with members of the SGA and attend their meetings. Find more info at go/SGA!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
SGA Directors of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 and Madison Holland ‘21 and SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 are organizing an Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with the College administration. The Open Meeting will focus on some key DEI/anti-racism efforts being taken by the College, including the 5-Year DEI Action Plan created by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the $500,000 donation made to the College (particularly how the administration plans to ensure that BIPOC students, faculty, staff, & community members have a say in how that money is spent). Apart from these specific College initiatives, the event will be an opportunity for general discussion about how we can improve campus climate and culture using an intentionally anti-racist framework and working extensively with BIPOC communities to reduce harm on our campus. The Open Meeting will be moderated by student cultural organization leaders who will facilitate a Q&A session and discussion with key administration and staff members. It is currently scheduled for Monday, October 5 at 7:00 PM EST. A larger, more comprehensive communication is forthcoming and will include a form for students to submit questions.
Phase 2 Dining Updates
After meeting with SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21, SGA President John Schurer ‘21, and SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5, Dining Services has announced changes for Phase 2 dining that you may have already noticed. For the comprehensive update, check out the announcement sent by Dining Services on Wednesday, September 23. Notable highlights include the expansion of vegan and vegetarian food options, the new online menu system at go/Menu/, the free Food Truck that begins on Monday, September 28, the return of reusable containers, the opening of beverage stations, and the availability of indoor seating. Continue to connect with anyone from the SGA Health & Wellness Committee about your dining concerns.
Middlebury Money
SGA Directors of External Affairs Henry Ganey ‘22 and Daniel Gutierrez ‘23 and SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 are drafting a proposal to find ways to support the local businesses in town by expanding Middlebury Money, a program already established by the Better Middlebury Partnership. The goal is to enable students to spend their declining balance at local establishments in addition to on-campus retail locations like The Grille and MiddXpress. We want students to take advantage of what the Town of Middlebury has to offer while continuing to stimulate the local economy.
Textbook Accessibility
SGA Sophomore Senator Khasai Makhulo ‘23 is beginning a project with the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee and the SGA Academic Affairs Committee to make textbooks more affordable and accessible for students. In anticipation for a larger discussion at our SGA General Assembly meeting this Sunday, we are seeking student feedback and ideas about textbook accessibility at go/HeySGA/.
Swings Returned to Twilight!
SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 worked with the Director of Facilities Services Mike Moser and the Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator Jen Kazmierczak to get the swings returned to the quad in front of Twilight Hall. Enjoy swinging with your friends while the weather is still nice!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
MoveMidd Challenge
The Office of Advancement will be hosting its MoveMidd Challenge fundraiser on September 30 and October 1 to raise money for financial aid among the community—parents, students, faculty, and alumni. The goal is to receive 1,800 donations (of any size) in two days. If this goal is met, the College’s trustees will contribute an additional $220,000 to Middlebury’s financial aid budget. See their vision in action with this video and help raise awareness on social media!
Speak About It
In October, the Civil Rights & Title IX Office and the Office of Health & Wellness Education are partnering to present Speak About It: a consent education, sexual violence prevention, and healthy relationships training that uses true storytelling and live performance to capture what healthy relationships and sex can and should look like. The hour-long show (presented virtually) uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more. After the show, Speak About It’s professional sex and relationship educators (many of whom are still students themselves) will partner with trained Middlebury student facilitators to lead small group discussions to allow participants to debrief and engage directly with their peers on these issues. After the performance, professional facilitators working with trained student co-facilitators will host small group discussions to allow students to debrief and engage directly with their peers on the issues. We are looking for up to 20 student volunteers to help lead these discussion sessions. Facilitator training will be provided in advance. All that’s required is an interest in promoting healthy relationships and building a culture of consent on campus, and a willingness to lean in to these conversations. If you are interested in facilitating a session, please sign up at go/SpeakAboutIt/ or contact Middlebury’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb at mmcaleb@middlebury.edu for more information.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Athletic Facilities
Middlebury’s Athletic Facilities have been open since Thursday, September 17 for student use only. Due to CDC, Vermont, and Middlebury Guidelines, athletic equipment and facilities need to be reserved through this link.
Register to Vote in the 2020 Election
Are you registered to vote yet? Have you requested your absentee ballot? Are you super confused about the process and don’t know where to start? MiddVote can help! Check out their new website at go/Vote/ for comprehensive voting resources. Email middvote@middlebury.edu with further questions.
Ralph Myhre Golf Course
SGA President John Schurer ‘21 and Student Constituent Advisor to the College Board of Advisor Maya Gee ‘22 worked with Jake Thompson ‘21.5 and Director of Business Services Matthew Curran to expedite the opening of the Ralph Myhre Golf Course for students. Throughout this semester, students can book tee times, borrow equipment, and a golf cart completely free of charge. Call (802) 443-5125 to schedule a tee time with your friends.
The SGA is continuing to make strides on our Ideas for a Better Middlebury in a multitude of ways as we close out week 3 of the semester. Try to get outside and enjoy the weather while it lasts!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow, Sunday, September 27, and join us via Zoom! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns. If individuals or group of students would like to present to the SGA General Assembly on a project or initiative, please contact SGA Speaker of the General Assembly Melisa Gurkan ‘23.5 at mgurkan@middlebury.edu by Friday at 12:00 PM EST prior to the upcoming meeting, and you will be included on the General Assembly Agenda.
SGA Fall Election Results
On Friday, September 25, Sabian Edouard ‘21 was elected as SGA Senior Senator while Meg Farley ‘24 and Karina Martir ‘24 were elected as SGA First-Year Senators. Congratulations to them and all of our candidates for running engaging and respectful campaigns!
SGA Committee Meetings
Are you interested in the work or ongoing projects of a particular SGA committee? We want you to get involved with projects that interest you, so don’t hesitate to connect with members of the SGA and attend their meetings. Find more info at go/SGA!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
SGA Directors of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 and Madison Holland ‘21 and SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 are organizing an Open Meeting on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion with the College administration. The Open Meeting will focus on some key DEI/anti-racism efforts being taken by the College, including the 5-Year DEI Action Plan created by the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the $500,000 donation made to the College (particularly how the administration plans to ensure that BIPOC students, faculty, staff, & community members have a say in how that money is spent). Apart from these specific College initiatives, the event will be an opportunity for general discussion about how we can improve campus climate and culture using an intentionally anti-racist framework and working extensively with BIPOC communities to reduce harm on our campus. The Open Meeting will be moderated by student cultural organization leaders who will facilitate a Q&A session and discussion with key administration and staff members. It is currently scheduled for Monday, October 5 at 7:00 PM EST. A larger, more comprehensive communication is forthcoming and will include a form for students to submit questions.
Phase 2 Dining Updates
After meeting with SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21, SGA President John Schurer ‘21, and SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5, Dining Services has announced changes for Phase 2 dining that you may have already noticed. For the comprehensive update, check out the announcement sent by Dining Services on Wednesday, September 23. Notable highlights include the expansion of vegan and vegetarian food options, the new online menu system at go/Menu/, the free Food Truck that begins on Monday, September 28, the return of reusable containers, the opening of beverage stations, and the availability of indoor seating. Continue to connect with anyone from the SGA Health & Wellness Committee about your dining concerns.
Middlebury Money
SGA Directors of External Affairs Henry Ganey ‘22 and Daniel Gutierrez ‘23 and SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 are drafting a proposal to find ways to support the local businesses in town by expanding Middlebury Money, a program already established by the Better Middlebury Partnership. The goal is to enable students to spend their declining balance at local establishments in addition to on-campus retail locations like The Grille and MiddXpress. We want students to take advantage of what the Town of Middlebury has to offer while continuing to stimulate the local economy.
Textbook Accessibility
SGA Sophomore Senator Khasai Makhulo ‘23 is beginning a project with the SGA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee and the SGA Academic Affairs Committee to make textbooks more affordable and accessible for students. In anticipation for a larger discussion at our SGA General Assembly meeting this Sunday, we are seeking student feedback and ideas about textbook accessibility at go/HeySGA/.
Swings Returned to Twilight!
SGA Vice President Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 worked with the Director of Facilities Services Mike Moser and the Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator Jen Kazmierczak to get the swings returned to the quad in front of Twilight Hall. Enjoy swinging with your friends while the weather is still nice!
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
MoveMidd Challenge
The Office of Advancement will be hosting its MoveMidd Challenge fundraiser on September 30 and October 1 to raise money for financial aid among the community—parents, students, faculty, and alumni. The goal is to receive 1,800 donations (of any size) in two days. If this goal is met, the College’s trustees will contribute an additional $220,000 to Middlebury’s financial aid budget. See their vision in action with this video and help raise awareness on social media!
Speak About It
In October, the Civil Rights & Title IX Office and the Office of Health & Wellness Education are partnering to present Speak About It: a consent education, sexual violence prevention, and healthy relationships training that uses true storytelling and live performance to capture what healthy relationships and sex can and should look like. The hour-long show (presented virtually) uses real stories written by real young people in order to engage students in conversations about consent, dating, sex, identity, alcohol, bystander intervention, sexual assault, and more. After the show, Speak About It’s professional sex and relationship educators (many of whom are still students themselves) will partner with trained Middlebury student facilitators to lead small group discussions to allow participants to debrief and engage directly with their peers on these issues. After the performance, professional facilitators working with trained student co-facilitators will host small group discussions to allow students to debrief and engage directly with their peers on the issues. We are looking for up to 20 student volunteers to help lead these discussion sessions. Facilitator training will be provided in advance. All that’s required is an interest in promoting healthy relationships and building a culture of consent on campus, and a willingness to lean in to these conversations. If you are interested in facilitating a session, please sign up at go/SpeakAboutIt/ or contact Middlebury’s Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator Marti McCaleb at mmcaleb@middlebury.edu for more information.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Athletic Facilities
Middlebury’s Athletic Facilities have been open since Thursday, September 17 for student use only. Due to CDC, Vermont, and Middlebury Guidelines, athletic equipment and facilities need to be reserved through this link.
Register to Vote in the 2020 Election
Are you registered to vote yet? Have you requested your absentee ballot? Are you super confused about the process and don’t know where to start? MiddVote can help! Check out their new website at go/Vote/ for comprehensive voting resources. Email middvote@middlebury.edu with further questions.
Ralph Myhre Golf Course
SGA President John Schurer ‘21 and Student Constituent Advisor to the College Board of Advisor Maya Gee ‘22 worked with Jake Thompson ‘21.5 and Director of Business Services Matthew Curran to expedite the opening of the Ralph Myhre Golf Course for students. Throughout this semester, students can book tee times, borrow equipment, and a golf cart completely free of charge. Call (802) 443-5125 to schedule a tee time with your friends.
SGA Updates: JusticeProjects, Fall Elections, Dining Services, Academic Credits, & More!
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Dear Students,
Thanks to our continued vigilance as a community, we have made it to Phase Two! Let’s continue to put each other first as we navigate this new reality. We hope you have been enjoying the change in season this weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Please check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow Sunday, September 20, and join us via Zoom! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns.
SGA Fall Elections
Candidates for SGA Senior Senator and SGA First-Year senator are currently campaigning for elections! Be on the lookout for posters and conversations with candidates. On Tuesday, September 22, we will be having an event called the First-Year Conversation in which candidates for SGA First-Year Senator will be able to share their experiences, interests, and ideas with fellow first-years. This will be an informal conversation to help build community, and we will be sending out more information and a Zoom link to the Class of 2024 in a few days! Voting for SGA Senior Senator and SGA First-Year Senator will open on Thursday, September 24 at 12:00 PM EST and close on Friday, September 25 at 12:00 PM EST. Results will be announced on Friday evening to The Middlebury Campus and the student body.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
JusticeProjects
At the SGA General Assembly meeting last Sunday, the Student Senate passed F2020-SB1: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through JusticeProjects by a majority vote. The Office of Advancement has pledged to partner with the SGA every year to raise $100,000 to support student-run initiatives that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Middlebury College community. The bill was written by SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, and SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23.
Dining Services Improvements
On Tuesday, September 22, SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice Presidents Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Roni Lezama ‘22, and SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21 are meeting with Executive Director of Food Service Operations Dan Detora. They are planning to discuss updates to dining hall assignments and waiting queues, retail location options and accessibility, meal delivery, waste management, and seating availability. They are also hoping to continue to work on a comprehensive plan to address dietary needs and allergies, as well as malnourishment and eating disorders. The SGA Directors of Health & Wellness have also been working with MiddVegan to expand vegan and vegetarian options in the dining halls. Let us know your thoughts on dining at go/HeySGA/. We’d love to hear from you!
P.E. Credits & ROTC Credits
The SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 and Priya Kaur ‘22 are working with Dean of Curriculum Suzanne Gurland to create additional flexibility and intentionality around the College’s Physical Education requirements. Moreover, they are working alongside Liam Hoagland ‘22 to expand academic credit opportunities for Middlebury ROTC. Thank you to the student organizers of FairGradesMidd and OptInMidd for your work on accessible and thoughtful grading systems last semester. Those discussions are still helping inform the ones we are having around improving academic systems at the College.
Spring 2020 Endowment Report
The SGA Endowment Liaison Abbott LaPrade ‘21 attends meetings with the Board of Trustees Investment Committee and reports to the SGA and the student body on all matters related to the endowment. Due to the campus closure last semester, the report was finalized just last week and is available for viewing here. Feel free to reach out to Abbott at alaprade@middlebury.edu with any questions.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Council Applications
The Community Council serves as a forum in which all segments of the College community: administration, faculty, staff, and students, have a voice on nonacademic issues facing the College. With this representative membership, Community Council deliberations and decisions take into consideration the interests and concerns of the whole community. Applications to join the Community Council for the 2020-2021 academic year have been extended until Sunday, September 20 at 11:59 PM EST.
Getting Involved with MCAB
The Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) is seeking members, partners, and ideas! The mission of MCAB is to enrich the quality of student life by orchestrating innovative programming, upholding college traditions, and providing a platform for students to design and execute their own events. MCAB members are creative, collaborative, and community-minded people. Have an idea for an event? Submit it here. Want to become an MCAB event coordinator? Register here.
Introducing ProjectConnect
ProjectConnect is a student-led series meant to introduce you to new people outside of your social circle and help build community. In ProjectConnect groups, you'll go beyond small talk and really get to know people! You'll meet in a small group for six weeks and get to know others through fun and meaningful discussion and community projects and meals. Once you sign up at go/ProjectConnect/, you'll be placed in a group with a student facilitator who will share with you where and when you'll be meeting. Groups meet the weeks of September 28 to November 2 for one hour per week and are open to students of all class years. Both in-person and virtual groups are available. Connect with Mental Health Peer Educator Michele Young at mcyoung@middlebury.edu with questions.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Apply to be a COVID-19 Line Manager
The President’s Office is hiring COVID-19 Line Managers to stand outside the dining hall to greet students prior to entering and to ensure that students are complying with the campus health guidelines. See the job posting on PeopleAdmin here.
SafeColleges Phase Two Fall 2020 Course
Don’t forget to log into SafeColleges and complete the Phase Two Fall 2020 Course by Wednesday, September 23. This mandatory online course is designed to keep our entire community safe as we integrate the College and the Town of Middlebury.
Remember to Get Your Flu Shot!
This year, all Middlebury students living or learning on campus are required to get a flu shot, unless they receive a medical or religious exemption by filling out an exemption form. To sign up for your flu shot, log into your Student Health Portal every Thursday at 12:00 PM EST to see new appointment openings.
Contacting the Center for Health and Wellness
The Center for Health and Wellness is composed of four offices: Counseling, Health Services, Health and Wellness Education and Sports Medicine. The Health Service and the Nurse Triage Line is (802) 443-3290. They can help with management of COVID-19 symptoms, refilling prescriptions, and general health management. To access counseling services, call (802) 443-5141 or email counseling@middlebury.edu. Also check out Midd Telehealth, an online resource that provides medical and mental health services 24/7.
Thanks to our continued vigilance as a community, we have made it to Phase Two! Let’s continue to put each other first as we navigate this new reality. We hope you have been enjoying the change in season this weekend.
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
SGA General Assembly Meeting
Please check out our meeting agenda for tomorrow Sunday, September 20, and join us via Zoom! There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas and concerns.
SGA Fall Elections
Candidates for SGA Senior Senator and SGA First-Year senator are currently campaigning for elections! Be on the lookout for posters and conversations with candidates. On Tuesday, September 22, we will be having an event called the First-Year Conversation in which candidates for SGA First-Year Senator will be able to share their experiences, interests, and ideas with fellow first-years. This will be an informal conversation to help build community, and we will be sending out more information and a Zoom link to the Class of 2024 in a few days! Voting for SGA Senior Senator and SGA First-Year Senator will open on Thursday, September 24 at 12:00 PM EST and close on Friday, September 25 at 12:00 PM EST. Results will be announced on Friday evening to The Middlebury Campus and the student body.
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
JusticeProjects
At the SGA General Assembly meeting last Sunday, the Student Senate passed F2020-SB1: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through JusticeProjects by a majority vote. The Office of Advancement has pledged to partner with the SGA every year to raise $100,000 to support student-run initiatives that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Middlebury College community. The bill was written by SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22, and SGA Directors of Student Affairs Ellie Thompson ‘22 and Maggie Connolly ‘23.
Dining Services Improvements
On Tuesday, September 22, SGA President John Schurer ‘21, SGA Vice Presidents Sophia Lundberg ‘21.5 and Roni Lezama ‘22, and SGA Directors of Health & Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21 are meeting with Executive Director of Food Service Operations Dan Detora. They are planning to discuss updates to dining hall assignments and waiting queues, retail location options and accessibility, meal delivery, waste management, and seating availability. They are also hoping to continue to work on a comprehensive plan to address dietary needs and allergies, as well as malnourishment and eating disorders. The SGA Directors of Health & Wellness have also been working with MiddVegan to expand vegan and vegetarian options in the dining halls. Let us know your thoughts on dining at go/HeySGA/. We’d love to hear from you!
P.E. Credits & ROTC Credits
The SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 and Priya Kaur ‘22 are working with Dean of Curriculum Suzanne Gurland to create additional flexibility and intentionality around the College’s Physical Education requirements. Moreover, they are working alongside Liam Hoagland ‘22 to expand academic credit opportunities for Middlebury ROTC. Thank you to the student organizers of FairGradesMidd and OptInMidd for your work on accessible and thoughtful grading systems last semester. Those discussions are still helping inform the ones we are having around improving academic systems at the College.
Spring 2020 Endowment Report
The SGA Endowment Liaison Abbott LaPrade ‘21 attends meetings with the Board of Trustees Investment Committee and reports to the SGA and the student body on all matters related to the endowment. Due to the campus closure last semester, the report was finalized just last week and is available for viewing here. Feel free to reach out to Abbott at alaprade@middlebury.edu with any questions.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Council Applications
The Community Council serves as a forum in which all segments of the College community: administration, faculty, staff, and students, have a voice on nonacademic issues facing the College. With this representative membership, Community Council deliberations and decisions take into consideration the interests and concerns of the whole community. Applications to join the Community Council for the 2020-2021 academic year have been extended until Sunday, September 20 at 11:59 PM EST.
Getting Involved with MCAB
The Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) is seeking members, partners, and ideas! The mission of MCAB is to enrich the quality of student life by orchestrating innovative programming, upholding college traditions, and providing a platform for students to design and execute their own events. MCAB members are creative, collaborative, and community-minded people. Have an idea for an event? Submit it here. Want to become an MCAB event coordinator? Register here.
Introducing ProjectConnect
ProjectConnect is a student-led series meant to introduce you to new people outside of your social circle and help build community. In ProjectConnect groups, you'll go beyond small talk and really get to know people! You'll meet in a small group for six weeks and get to know others through fun and meaningful discussion and community projects and meals. Once you sign up at go/ProjectConnect/, you'll be placed in a group with a student facilitator who will share with you where and when you'll be meeting. Groups meet the weeks of September 28 to November 2 for one hour per week and are open to students of all class years. Both in-person and virtual groups are available. Connect with Mental Health Peer Educator Michele Young at mcyoung@middlebury.edu with questions.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Apply to be a COVID-19 Line Manager
The President’s Office is hiring COVID-19 Line Managers to stand outside the dining hall to greet students prior to entering and to ensure that students are complying with the campus health guidelines. See the job posting on PeopleAdmin here.
SafeColleges Phase Two Fall 2020 Course
Don’t forget to log into SafeColleges and complete the Phase Two Fall 2020 Course by Wednesday, September 23. This mandatory online course is designed to keep our entire community safe as we integrate the College and the Town of Middlebury.
Remember to Get Your Flu Shot!
This year, all Middlebury students living or learning on campus are required to get a flu shot, unless they receive a medical or religious exemption by filling out an exemption form. To sign up for your flu shot, log into your Student Health Portal every Thursday at 12:00 PM EST to see new appointment openings.
Contacting the Center for Health and Wellness
The Center for Health and Wellness is composed of four offices: Counseling, Health Services, Health and Wellness Education and Sports Medicine. The Health Service and the Nurse Triage Line is (802) 443-3290. They can help with management of COVID-19 symptoms, refilling prescriptions, and general health management. To access counseling services, call (802) 443-5141 or email counseling@middlebury.edu. Also check out Midd Telehealth, an online resource that provides medical and mental health services 24/7.
SGA Updates: General Assembly Meetings, Credit/No-Credit, Midd Xpress Pregnancy Tests, & More!
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Dear Students,
We hope that this finds you at the end of a successful first week of classes. To increase engagement and transparency with the student body, the Middlebury Student Government Association (SGA) will be sending out periodic newsletters throughout the academic year!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
General Assembly Meetings
The SGA has a new meeting structure this year! SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 suggested that the SGA meet as a full General Assembly to encourage collaboration and communication between the Presidential Cabinet and the Student Senate. The SGA General Assembly will meet every Sunday from 3:00-5:00 PM to share updates, discuss campus-wide issues, and vote on legislation. There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas. Please check out our meeting agenda for this Sunday, September 13, and join us via Zoom during Phase 1!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Our Directors and Senators have already started working on projects and initiatives to support the student body. Connect with them at any time to find out more information!
Credit/No-Credit Option for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
The SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Priya Kaur ‘22 and Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 reached out to Dean of Curriculum Suzanne Gurland and Dean of Faculty Sujata Moorti to give students more flexibility in responding to inequities caused by COVID-19. As a result, in both semesters of Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, students will have the option to take one Credit/No-Credit course. This semester, Credit/No-Credit courses may count towards requirements, and credit usage does not deduct from the 5 non-standard grading courses that students are normally allotted. Each student will have until the last day of regularly scheduled classes of each semester to invoke the credit/no-credit grading. SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA President John Schurer ‘21 were also involved in drafting the proposal.
Pregnancy Tests at Midd Xpress
The SGA Directors of Relationship & Sexual Respect Melanie Chow ‘22 and Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 have made pregnancy tests available in MiddXpress. They were concerned that students may not feel comfortable going to the Center for Health & Wellness during COVID-19, and should not have to go into the Town of Middlebury. Although Plan B cannot be sold without a healthcare professional in Midd Xpress, it is still available at a discounted rate at the Center for Health & Wellness!
Access to FYCs for Remote Students
The SGA Directors of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 and Madison Holland ‘21, and the SGA Student Affairs Committee are advocating for a peer support program for remote first-year students. Currently, the only support systems available to remote first-years are Deans and First-Year Seminar Advisors, but students often don’t feel comfortable going to staff right away. A more informal peer support system is crucial to make first-years feel included in the college community. The team sent a formal proposal to Kristy Carpenter and AJ Place from Residential Life and is excited to continue to work on this initiative.
Face Covering Cleaning
SGA Directors of Health and Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21 recently wrote an article for the Health and Wellness Campus Well Newsletter detailing how to clean and take care of your face coverings. Check out the article here!
Installations of Water Bottle Refilling Fountains
SGA Sophomore Senator Miguel Sanchez-Tortoledo ‘23 collaborated with the Facilities Services Office to install water bottle fountains in first-year dorms, dining halls, and Munroe Hall. More fountains will be installed in academic buildings and other residential halls this winter break.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply to be a JusTalks Facilitator
JusTalks is a community of students who focus on making the Middlebury community more empathetic and aware of the systems of oppression that surround us. JusTalks student facilitators are trained to lead conversations on campus regarding social justice topics to create a culture of change. Read more about the job description, and apply now to become a JusTalks Peer Education Facilitator—it is a Level C paid position!
Apply to the Environmental Council
For more than 20 years, the Environmental Council has played an active role in shaping Middlebury’s commitment to environmental and sustainability issues. The standing committee of students, faculty and staff members recommends policy, undertakes assessment and projects, educates the College community, and advises the College President.
You can expect to meet as a full committee for one hour each month, and with your subcommittee roughly every two weeks or as needed. The first meeting of the fall will be held online on Monday, September 21 from 4:30-5:30 PM. Applications are available here and Environmental Council information is here. Specific focus areas for this year will be added to the website shortly. Please contact sustainability@middlebury.edu if you have questions.
Register to Vote in the 2020 Election
Are you registered to vote yet? Have you requested your absentee ballot? Are you super confused about the process and don’t know where to start? MiddVote wants to help! Check out this comprehensive state by state voting guide, and reach out to middvote@middlebury.edu with any questions. Don’t know if you’re registered? Go to vote.org to check!
Food Resources Guide
This guide, go/FoodResources/, consolidates resources for Middlebury students who are having difficulty accessing enough food. It includes on campus points of contact, off-campus organizations, and other Addison County and Vermont resources. Thanks to Molly Babbin ‘22 and Melanie Leider ‘23, and all the other current and former students involved, for organizing this initiative.
Food insecurity rates in the United States have doubled due to the pandemic, and 3 out of 5 college students are now basic-needs insecure. At Middlebury, a survey conducted last year found that 9.7% of respondents “sometimes” or “often” did not have enough food when classes were in session. While more research must be done to figure out the reasons behind this statistic, it is important that all students know that resources exist. If you have any questions, suggestions, or additions to this guide, or if you want to share an anonymous concern about food access, visit go/FoodFeedback/.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Midd Xpress is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-11:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 12:00 PM-11:00 PM and is located in the McCullough Student Center.
Parton Center for Health & Wellness is providing mostly remote telehealth services, with in-person services as needed. You can call Parton’s phone line at (802) 443-3290 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Library Services
Both the Davis Family Library and the Armstrong Science Library are open! The limited library hours can be found at go/LibHours/. Access to the Armstrong Science Library is restricted to students who have classes scheduled in McCardell Bicentennial Hall, or are enrolled in classes whose departments reside there. Library stacks are currently closed, but materials may be requested via an online paging system. Please visit go/LibraryPaging/ for instructions. Reserved class textbooks for two-hour loans are not available this semester.
Printing at Middlebury
As we move away from Papercut, you may be wondering how to set up mobility printing on your laptop. Visit go/MobilityPrint/ to view steps and videos showing you how to set up printing on all of your devices!
If you would still prefer to use your browser for printing you can visit go/PaperCut/ and follow these steps :
We hope that this finds you at the end of a successful first week of classes. To increase engagement and transparency with the student body, the Middlebury Student Government Association (SGA) will be sending out periodic newsletters throughout the academic year!
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
General Assembly Meetings
The SGA has a new meeting structure this year! SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 suggested that the SGA meet as a full General Assembly to encourage collaboration and communication between the Presidential Cabinet and the Student Senate. The SGA General Assembly will meet every Sunday from 3:00-5:00 PM to share updates, discuss campus-wide issues, and vote on legislation. There is designated time every meeting for students to share their ideas. Please check out our meeting agenda for this Sunday, September 13, and join us via Zoom during Phase 1!
ONGOING SGA INITIATIVES
Our Directors and Senators have already started working on projects and initiatives to support the student body. Connect with them at any time to find out more information!
Credit/No-Credit Option for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
The SGA Directors of Academic Affairs Priya Kaur ‘22 and Kenzo Okazaki ‘21 reached out to Dean of Curriculum Suzanne Gurland and Dean of Faculty Sujata Moorti to give students more flexibility in responding to inequities caused by COVID-19. As a result, in both semesters of Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, students will have the option to take one Credit/No-Credit course. This semester, Credit/No-Credit courses may count towards requirements, and credit usage does not deduct from the 5 non-standard grading courses that students are normally allotted. Each student will have until the last day of regularly scheduled classes of each semester to invoke the credit/no-credit grading. SGA Vice President Roni Lezama ‘22 and SGA President John Schurer ‘21 were also involved in drafting the proposal.
Pregnancy Tests at Midd Xpress
The SGA Directors of Relationship & Sexual Respect Melanie Chow ‘22 and Aubrianna Wilson ‘23 have made pregnancy tests available in MiddXpress. They were concerned that students may not feel comfortable going to the Center for Health & Wellness during COVID-19, and should not have to go into the Town of Middlebury. Although Plan B cannot be sold without a healthcare professional in Midd Xpress, it is still available at a discounted rate at the Center for Health & Wellness!
Access to FYCs for Remote Students
The SGA Directors of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Francoise Niyigena ‘21 and Madison Holland ‘21, and the SGA Student Affairs Committee are advocating for a peer support program for remote first-year students. Currently, the only support systems available to remote first-years are Deans and First-Year Seminar Advisors, but students often don’t feel comfortable going to staff right away. A more informal peer support system is crucial to make first-years feel included in the college community. The team sent a formal proposal to Kristy Carpenter and AJ Place from Residential Life and is excited to continue to work on this initiative.
Face Covering Cleaning
SGA Directors of Health and Wellness Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin ‘21.5 and Natalie Meyer ‘21 recently wrote an article for the Health and Wellness Campus Well Newsletter detailing how to clean and take care of your face coverings. Check out the article here!
Installations of Water Bottle Refilling Fountains
SGA Sophomore Senator Miguel Sanchez-Tortoledo ‘23 collaborated with the Facilities Services Office to install water bottle fountains in first-year dorms, dining halls, and Munroe Hall. More fountains will be installed in academic buildings and other residential halls this winter break.
COMMUNITY PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply to be a JusTalks Facilitator
JusTalks is a community of students who focus on making the Middlebury community more empathetic and aware of the systems of oppression that surround us. JusTalks student facilitators are trained to lead conversations on campus regarding social justice topics to create a culture of change. Read more about the job description, and apply now to become a JusTalks Peer Education Facilitator—it is a Level C paid position!
Apply to the Environmental Council
For more than 20 years, the Environmental Council has played an active role in shaping Middlebury’s commitment to environmental and sustainability issues. The standing committee of students, faculty and staff members recommends policy, undertakes assessment and projects, educates the College community, and advises the College President.
You can expect to meet as a full committee for one hour each month, and with your subcommittee roughly every two weeks or as needed. The first meeting of the fall will be held online on Monday, September 21 from 4:30-5:30 PM. Applications are available here and Environmental Council information is here. Specific focus areas for this year will be added to the website shortly. Please contact sustainability@middlebury.edu if you have questions.
Register to Vote in the 2020 Election
Are you registered to vote yet? Have you requested your absentee ballot? Are you super confused about the process and don’t know where to start? MiddVote wants to help! Check out this comprehensive state by state voting guide, and reach out to middvote@middlebury.edu with any questions. Don’t know if you’re registered? Go to vote.org to check!
Food Resources Guide
This guide, go/FoodResources/, consolidates resources for Middlebury students who are having difficulty accessing enough food. It includes on campus points of contact, off-campus organizations, and other Addison County and Vermont resources. Thanks to Molly Babbin ‘22 and Melanie Leider ‘23, and all the other current and former students involved, for organizing this initiative.
Food insecurity rates in the United States have doubled due to the pandemic, and 3 out of 5 college students are now basic-needs insecure. At Middlebury, a survey conducted last year found that 9.7% of respondents “sometimes” or “often” did not have enough food when classes were in session. While more research must be done to figure out the reasons behind this statistic, it is important that all students know that resources exist. If you have any questions, suggestions, or additions to this guide, or if you want to share an anonymous concern about food access, visit go/FoodFeedback/.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
Midd Xpress is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-11:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 12:00 PM-11:00 PM and is located in the McCullough Student Center.
Parton Center for Health & Wellness is providing mostly remote telehealth services, with in-person services as needed. You can call Parton’s phone line at (802) 443-3290 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Library Services
Both the Davis Family Library and the Armstrong Science Library are open! The limited library hours can be found at go/LibHours/. Access to the Armstrong Science Library is restricted to students who have classes scheduled in McCardell Bicentennial Hall, or are enrolled in classes whose departments reside there. Library stacks are currently closed, but materials may be requested via an online paging system. Please visit go/LibraryPaging/ for instructions. Reserved class textbooks for two-hour loans are not available this semester.
Printing at Middlebury
As we move away from Papercut, you may be wondering how to set up mobility printing on your laptop. Visit go/MobilityPrint/ to view steps and videos showing you how to set up printing on all of your devices!
If you would still prefer to use your browser for printing you can visit go/PaperCut/ and follow these steps :
- Sign in with your Middlebury credentials.
- Go to web print located in the left navigation bar.
- Click on submit a job and then select the printer you wish to print out of.
- Click on the green button labeled Print Options and Account Selection and modify how many copies you’d like. Then, upload your file and submit the request.
- Once your job is ready to print, it will say ‘Held in a queue’. Go to the designated printer and log in with your Middlebury credentials.
- Lastly, select the files that you’d like to print.
