Laurie Patton

Fall Semester Planning and Vaccination Requirements

Laurie Patton, Jeff Dayton-Johnson — 2021-05-13T12:22:48-0700

As we continue to plan for a return to more normal operations in the fall semester, we are writing with some updates about vaccination expectations and requirements as well as our return to more in-person work and learning.

Statement on Violence Against Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander People

Laurie Patton, Jeff Dayton-Johnson, Miguel Fernández — 2021-03-17T17:18:34-0700

We write today in profound sadness to express our support and solidarity with all members of Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities, following recent terrible acts of violence against Asian, Black, Indigenous, and all people of color across our nation, including the brutal killings of eight people in Atlanta on March 16.

President's Message: Black History Month

Laurie Patton, Miguel Fernández — 2021-02-03T15:49:02-0800

February is Black History Month. As events of the past year have demonstrated, it is as crucial as ever that we face up to and address our nation’s racial past. Last winter brought calls for reflection about our history and how we include the stories of enslaved peoples.

Affirming Our Commitment to Democracy

Laurie Patton — 2021-01-07T08:00:47-0800

Dear Middlebury Community,
One of our primary responsibilities in American colleges and universities is to educate about the work of democratic society, and to deliberate together to improve that democracy. This involves, most centrally, an understanding of the structures of our government, the processes of elections, the role of evidence in public discourse, and the peaceful transition of power.

Processing the Events of the U.S. Election

Laurie Patton — 2020-11-04T09:15:41-0800

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I write today, the morning after Election Day in the United States, to check in with our community and to encourage you to take time to reflect and to support one another during this time of uncertainty. I know that many of you will be contemplating the direct implications for you as students, faculty, staff, and as individuals. Some of you have voted for the first time in a presidential election, whether in Vermont or your home state, and will be waiting for and processing the results for days and weeks to come.

COVID-19: Remote Instruction and Other Measures

Laurie Patton — 2020-03-11T06:17:50-0700

As an educational institution, we have two overarching obligations to our community: to provide the academic opportunities Middlebury is known for, and to do so in a safe, healthy environment. The rapidly developing circumstances of the novel Coronavirus now require extraordinary changes to our usual practices to fulfill those obligations. We are making these changes in order to maximize our ability to continue the core educational activities that are our mission—teaching classes.

COVID-19: Remote Instruction and Other Measures

Laurie Patton — 2020-03-10T13:16:39-0700

The Middlebury Institute is taking proactive measures to help mitigate the transmission of Covid-19. These steps include moving to remote instruction after Spring Break, on Monday, March 23 and cancelling all non-class events as of Wednesday, March 11. As of today, there are no known or suspected cases of Covid-19 on our campus.