To answer your question, though–
Marginal:
1)Having the mail center open on Saturday morning before any of us wake up. Unnecessary over time if you ask me.
2)Having custodians clean 3 times a week. (especially since those cleanings don’t take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings)
3)Having a full fleet of 15-, 7- and 4- passenger vehicles available 24/7 for any type of college-related event…are they ever used up to capacity?
Public art displays
3)The museum–I’ve ventured in there twice which, I think, is twice more than most college students.
4)So many public safety officers. I can understand having 5 or 6 on staff on Friday and Saturday nights and during move in and move out. Otherwise there just aren’t that many parking citations to write.
5)Free parking

Central:
1)SNOW PLOWERS
2)Great professors
3)Pub night
4)Social spaces including 51 Main. How did the meeting go, by the way? I couldn’t attend, unfortunately.
5)J-term workshops (not necessarily j-term courses…)
6)Counseling center
7)tech desk
8)Inter Library Loan
9)private music lessons
10)the operator
11)Hepburn zoo

Thank you,
Molley

Mr. Sharpton is not receiving $40K for his lecture–the press reports were incorrect–but significantly less.

It’s also important to point out that the financial support for this lecture comes a fund overseen by the MCAB Speakers Committee, and that the money in the fund derives from the student activities fee, which all students pay. The Speakers Committee likewise made the decision to bring Mr. Sharpton to campus. And, for those who are wondering, the College administration has no oversight authority for how students spend the activities fee.

Over that same time, the college has faced economic ups and downturns. No serious person would suggest that when viewing economic good times with bad, Middlebury hasn’t steadily moved forward on average. Nothing in current times leads me to believe that the above formula is not still in place & valid. To paraphrase our previous President, “No one 4 year cycle should be allowed to unduly effect a 200 year old institution”

Cut if you must, but at the same time show real harm certain to befall the “Center” were that “Periphery” maintained instead of cut.

When Mr. Obama speaks of shared sacrifice these are the folks who are actually embracing the message- If somehow everyone can take a bit less – that will keep the greatest number of folks working -paying mortgages-buying cars etc. (ensuring our graduates have jobs when they graduate), keep the tuition burden a bit lighter on our students, and best of all would allow Middlebury to focus on what it does best. Producing well prepared, well rounded graduates.

We are in an economic cycle which will continue downward without bold actions- I believe we all must be cautious in our actions that not add to this negative downward momentum. If through shared sacrifice we are able to lose only 50 positions rather than the 100 and shout that message through our PR department- Middlebury again leads by doing the “right” thing.