To the College Community:

The College will resume normal operations today as Hurricane Sandy winds down. However, please note that because local schools will remain closed today, some offices may not be at full strength. Note, too, that rain and unusually strong winds may continue through the week, so please exercise caution as you move from place to place.

We are fortunate that our campus and most parts of Vermont sustained minimal damage from the storm. That was clearly not the case for much of the northeast, especially the coastal regions, and we encourage students who have family and loved ones in those areas and are concerned about their safety to be in touch with their Commons Deans.

Although here in Middlebury yesterday’s weather did not have the impact it was projected to have, we thank everyone for their cooperation in preparing for what could have been a dangerous situation.

– Timothy Spears
Vice President for Academic Affairs

See below the fold for earlier updates . . .

UPDATE, 10/29/12, 1:37 p.m.

To the College Community:

As we keep track of Hurricane Sandy and prepare for the effects of the storm, the safety of the community is our utmost concern. As a residential college, we must ensure that our students needs are addressed, while keeping in mind the needs of employees. Given the most recent report from the National Weather Service, which indicates dangerously high winds commencing this afternoon, the College will officially close today at 3 p.m. and reopen at 6 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, October 30). Classes will be canceled today, starting at 2:45 p.m. All lectures, events, and large campus meetings as well as all athletic practices and events are likewise canceled from 2:45 p.m. onward. Dining service in Atwater, Proctor, and Ross will be available for students.

Sustained winds of 30 to 36 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph, will create unsafe conditions for all forms of outdoor activity. Students are urged to exercise extreme caution, and venture outdoors only when absolutely necessary. Please make sure windows are closed and doors are securely latched.

Staff managers should review their operations and identify essential functions that must continue regardless of the weather, and the personnel who make them possible. As things currently stand, we expect to provide only essential services until 6 a.m. tomorrow, at which point normal operations will resume. If the effects of the storm (downed trees, etc) make the campus unsafe or impede travel for faculty and staff, we may limit operations tomorrow as well.

We will continue to update the community—via e-mail and Web postings—as this storm situation evolves. In the event of a power outage, we will use the RAVE communication system. Students should make sure that their cell phone information is up to date, and faculty and staff should update their cell and home phone information as necessary (in Banner Web).

– Timothy Spears
Vice President for Academic Affairs

UPDATE, 10/29/12, 9:53 a.m.

As of Monday morning, October 29, the main effect on Vermont’s Champlain Valley from Hurricane Sandy is expected to be high winds, particularly between late Monday and early Tuesday. Forecasters now say that, due to the high winds, we can expect power outages in our part of Vermont. Facilities Services and Public Safety are planning for the possibility of these outages, and Facilities will be moving a generator to Proctor Dining Hall; Ross Dining already has a generator in place.

Students, faculty, and staff should know that if the College is affected by a power outage for a prolonged period of time (more than 30 minutes), card access controlled buildings will lock – including the Davis Family Library, the Axinn Center, and the Middlebury Museum of Art. The residence hall card readers will continue to function on battery back-up.

With the strong possibility of a power outage, everyone should check that flashlights, cellphones, and electronics are fully charged and in working order.

Please check the National Weather Service website before undertaking any travel and be aware that winds will be stronger in higher elevations, and rain will be heavier in southern Vermont and southern New England.

It is expected that College operations will proceed as normal. Employees should contact their supervisors if they have a particular concern and we ask supervisors to show flexibility. As always, staff members can use CTO for hours missed from work.

We’ll send out additional updates as more information becomes available.

– Lisa Burchard
Director of Public Safety and
Associate Dean of the College

The winners will be announced at the:
Chellis House Picnic

Saturday, May 12, 2-4 p.m.
CHELLIS HOUSE BACKYARD
to which all of you are cordially invited.

FEMINIST OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
In the alternative: Please feel free to leave a voice mail message with Karin Hanta on #5937 or print and return to Chellis House.

AGAIN: Nominations must be received by 9:00 A.M. on Monday, May 7!

I’d like to nominate _________________ for student feminist of the year because:

I’d like to nominate __________________ for staff feminist of the year because:

I’d like to nominate __________________ for faculty feminist of the year because:

Karin Hanta
Chellis House Director
802-443-5937
khanta@middlebury.edu

Tickets for the Friday, Oct. 12, event, “Educating the Heart,” which is open only to current Middlebury College students, faculty and staff:

• Middlebury College student tickets will be available beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Tickets for current Middlebury students are free of charge with a limit of one ticket per student. A Middlebury ID card is required and must match the name on the ticket.
• Faculty and staff tickets will be available online and at the box offices (in McCullough and the Mahaney Center for the Arts) beginning on Friday, Sept. 14. Faculty and staff are limited to two tickets each, at $15 a piece.

Tickets for the Saturday, Oct. 13, event, “Finding Common Ground: Ethics for a Whole World,” which is open to the general public:

Tickets for the general public will be available starting on Thursday, Sept. 27.

• Tickets for the general public will be available online and at both box offices (in McCullough and at the Mahaney Center for the Arts), though the best chance for tickets is through online sales.
• Limit of two tickets per person, $20 each for general public, $15 each for Middlebury College alumni, faculty, staff, students, and parents of current students.

For more information, visit the website devoted to the Dalai Lama’s visit.

Join us for a celebration of 55 years of Middlebury College Snow Bowl schools on Sunday, February 19. An all-day ticket will be just $25.

The festivities will feature contests for best apparel, best equipment, and best old-style skiing, with an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Prizes will include lessons, lift tickets, equipment tune-ups, memorabilia, and $55 worth of food gift certificates.

For more information, call 802.443.7605.

You can also get a quick edge sharpening and hot wax for only $15, and a binding torque test for $20.

The Snow Bowl shop is also offering equipment leasing for the season: Skis for kids are $99 for the season, and a kid’s snowboard is $125. Adults can lease ski or snowboard gear for the full season for $165.

The Snow Bowl Ski Shop will be open for drop-off, pick-up and fitting for equipment leasing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and on Saturdays (11/12, 11/19, and 12/3) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be closed the week of Thanksgiving break.

For more info call us at ext. 7603 or e-mail us at skishop@middlebury.edu.

Your taxable amount is based on the difference between the general public’s cost and your cost, and because the rate to the public increases significantly after October, you can save by making your purchase before October 31.

During October, passes are on sale in the pro shop at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, or can be purchased by calling ext. 5125. Accepted methods of payment are cash, check, VISA or Mastercard. A Middlebury ID number must be provided to make the purchase. On line purchases can be made any time at www.middleburysnowbowl.com.

Open to all faculty and staff. (Retirees are welcome to sign up, providing there are still team openings.)

Registration is limited to the first 30 teams; sign up your team now! The registration deadline is the afternoon of Tuesday, August 16. Come and have some fun! The cost is $15 per person, $60 per team.

To register or for more information, please contact Valerie Costello, MariAnn Osborne, or Phil Cyr. Registration fee for entire team due at sign-up—checks can be made payable to Middlebury College.

• Valerie Costello, vcostell@middlebury.edu, ext. 5295, Reprographics/FIC
• MariAnn Osborne: mosborne@middlebury.edu, ext. 5435, DKE Alumni House
• Phil Cyr, pcyr@middlebury.edu, ext. 5084, Service Building

* Note that CTO must be used for events during regular work hours.

In related news, the Wilson Café will be closed for the rest of the month. The Grille and Midd Express will remain open.