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.
