Please join in on congratulating Dean Ouellette, Energy and Technology Manager in Facilities Services, who recently co-authored a new book that will be released soon. “Climb Every Mountain: 46 of the Northeast’s 111 Hikes over 4,000 feet” is a guidebook that offers detailed accounts on how tackle 46 mountain hikes in the Northeast. Dean and co-author Michele Hernandez Bayliss both have a passion for hiking and were able to find an effective, user-friendly way to share their knowledge of many points of the pre-hike preparation.
Each hike covered in the book includes a map, GPS coordinates, trailhead location, round-trip mileage, along with many other special fun facts like whether the trail is canine friendly, quality of the views and parking along with some photos.
Climb Every Mountain will be available online and in local Vermont shops, including the Vermont Book Shop here in downtown Middlebury and part of the “Vermont Author Series” talk at the Middlebury’s Ilsley Library on Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m.
All faculty, staff and students of the GMHEC colleges are invited to join the Green Mountain Higher Ed. Consortium team for the annual Step Up for Stepping Strong steps challenge supporting The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The challenge runs from May 1st through the 31st. Be part of an effort to raise a $100,000 gift to advance trauma research provided by Cigna, honor and support those who have been affected by trauma and be entered into weekly drawings to win gift cards. There is no cost to participate and there is no individual fundraising requirement. Download the MoveSpring app, connect your device and get moving. It’s simple and fun and you can feel good knowing that you’re activity is making a positive difference.
The new program for managers & supervisor to take a person or a team out for breakfast on campus has hit the ground running and seems to be going strong! In the first month we had 133 people from across both campuses take advantage of starting the day with good food, conversation, and appreciation. For more information about the program and for managers and supervisor to sign up for breakfast, visit the web site: https://www.middlebury.edu/office/human-resources/rewards-and-recognition/good-morning-middlebury
Gratitude Board
Kudos to the many people who appear on the new Gratitude Board. In the first six weeks, over 40 employees/departments were recognized by their colleagues. Truly inspiring comments! Take a moment to stop by the site and check out the recognition shared by colleagues! https://www.middlebury.edu/office/human-resources/rewards-and-recognition/gratitude
There is a search option if you are looking for a particular person. Start typing the name in the box under “Find on page”
Want to recognize a colleague? Submit information using this form: Community Thanks
We are pleased to announce the first winner of a drawing from all of those recognized this past quarter! The winner is Wen Lu. Wen is an Infrastructure Engineer in IT located at our Monterey Campus. Congratulations, Wen! We hope you enjoy your complimentary meal. A new winner will be drawn each quarter.
Stress is something we all experience. Financial AND emotional strains are both common, routinely appear together, and can significantly influence our lives. Successfully reducing these stressors is key to overall wellness. We’ll walk through several financial and emotional challenges and offer tips on how to manage them. We’ll also talk about how to work with resources and how professionals can help.
Obtaining your mortgage doesn’t have to feel scary or overwhelming when you know what to expect. Let us help simplify the major components of a mortgage for you. We’ll explain where to start, the requirements of different types of loans, and how you might choose what’s best. We’ll also dive into interest rates and how they can affect your payment. Finally, we’ll discuss closing costs and the fees associated with getting a loan.
Register even if you cannot attendto receive a recording of the webinar | Want to learn more aboutthese topics? Connect with MSA at middlebury.mysecureadvantage.com or call 888-724-2326.
You are warmly invited to join us on Friday April 14, 8:30 am – 4 pm Pacific Time, online and in MG100 on the MIIS Campus for a full day of presentations by Middlebury Institute faculty on their research projects, pedagogical innovations, and reflections on their teaching, scholarship, and work as practitioners. Light breakfast, lunch, and coffee break refreshments will be available to all in-person attendees. Open to the entire Middlebury community. Please click here for the schedule and please click here to pre-register for zoom attendance. Hope to see you there!
The federal government announced in January that both national emergencies addressing COVID-19 will end on May 11, 2023.
Effective May 12, 2023, when medical and pharmacy plans will no longer be subject to federal coverage requirements for COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and treatment coverage, Cigna Healthcare standard coverage for integrated pharmacy and medical plans will be reinstated:
Pharmacy plan coverage
COVID-19 vaccineswill be covered on all formularies under the preventive benefit, at 100% in-network only.
FDA-approved antivirals and therapeutics will be covered with the cost share subject to plan design.
Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered, if applicable. The Internal Revenue Service does consider these tests an eligible expense reimbursable under health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Customers may use funds to pay for OTC kits separate from the health plan.
Medical plan coverage
Covered as Preventive:
COVID-19 vaccines will be covered under the preventive benefit, same as the flu shot, at 100% in-network only. Availability of out-of-network coverage with applicable cost share is based on plan design.
Covered as medically necessary/appropriate with applicable cost share based on plan design and place of service:
PCR lab testing – coverage under your Lab benefit
FDA-approved antivirals and therapeutics
COVID treatment
No longer covered:
Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests. The Internal Revenue Service does consider these tests an eligible medical expense reimbursable under health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Customers may use funds to pay for OTC kits separate from the health plan.
Middlebury closely monitors the latest scientific discoveries and medical recommendations in response to the COVID-19 virus. As COVID-19 has become endemic, we have resumed normal operations, while continuing core health and safety measures to minimize the potential of its spread. In response to the latest conditions, Middlebury has ended its COVID-19 requirements for its campuses in Vermont and California. Employees and students should follow CDC guidance, state health department guidance, and their healthcare provider’s advice for prevention and treatment of the virus. We have replaced the Middlebury College Campus Status page and Campus Guide with this informational webpage, which includes a full explanation and summary of our current guidance.
March 28 was National Diabetes Alert Day so there is no better time to assess your risk. Take this free online assessment brought to you by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
If you are at risk and you are am employee of Middlebury College, Norwich University or St. Michael’s, you may be eligible to participate in the Omada Diabetes Prevention Program. Click here to learn more.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the events coming your way over the next two weeks….
Middlebury College Employee Well-being Fair: Tuesday, April 18th 10am to 1pm Peterson Family Athletics Complex. Program guide coming shortly.
Guided Resilience Beginner’s Mindfulness course: Tuesdays, April 4th through May 23rd 7:00-8:30pm EST. Preregistration required. Click here to learn more.
Addison Community Action/CVOEO – Volunteer Prepared Taxes
Through April 14, 2023 – By Appointment Only
Tue 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Wed 9:30AM to 12:30PM
Thu 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Fri 12:00PM to 4:00PM;
To make an appointment, call (802) 388-2285
MyFreeTaxes Partnership
MyFreeTaxes helps people file their federal and state taxes for free and is sponsored by United Way and its partners in the public and private sector.
The partnership helps qualified taxpayers by offering online filing at myfreetaxes. To qualify for free tax filing assistance for the 2022 tax year, your income must be $60,000 or less.
Learn from those who have gone before you! This class shares the habits commonly practiced by people who have little financial stress in their lives. The MSA coaching staff has conducted over a million financial consultations, and the most experienced coaches were interviewed to develop this presentation. The goal is for attendees to take pride in the processes they are practicing well, and to develop an action plan to address the habits they would like to improve.
Learn about the ways that investment accounts might be used to achieve various personal savings goals. We’ll also talk about the relationship between risk and timeframes. Then, build your knowledge as we explain how mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and other types of investments work. We’ll conclude with some action steps attendees can take to apply what they have learned.
Register even if you cannot attendto receive a recording of the webinar | Want to learn more aboutthese topics? Connect with MSA at middlebury.mysecureadvantage.com or call 888-724-2326.
Middlebury College has partnered with My Secure Advantage (MSA) to provide a complete financial wellness benefit to you! When it comes to money, searching for answers can feel overwhelming. By connecting with a personal Money Coach, you can build a stronger and more secure future no matter where you are in your financial journey.
3 Important Things to Know
❶ No two stories are alike and your financial strategies shouldn’t be either
With MSA, you have access to a dedicated Money Coach for 90 days each year to talk about any financial topic. It could be about creating a budget, increasing your credit score, paying down debt or all three! Maybe you’ve got questions about planning for retirement, buying a home, or creating an investment plan. You get the idea. Whatever your financial focus or challenge, MSA has credentialed, skilled Coaches who can help.
❷ Confidentiality and a real person to guide and support your goals
Think of your Coach as a personal financial guide, accountability partner, and chief motivator. Together you’ll create a plan that embodies your values, priorities, and goals – one that reflects and works with your life. MSA encourages your spouse/partner to join in the conversations too. All sessions are confidential, over the phone and a half hour long.
❸ No out-of-pocket cost, hidden fees or charges
Middlebury College has paid for this benefit, full stop. MSA’s coaches don’t work on commission or sell any products. When you talk with a Money Coach, you can be sure that you’re getting unbiased, judgment-free guidance.
