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March 11 Issue
Today, The Campus presents its second issue of the spring semester. The stories [post_grid id='54172'] Today's Front Page
What we watched/What we read
The things we left behind
A Year in Headlines
WRMC Radio Roundup: New sounds for a new semester
This is the first installment of the column “WRMC Radio Roundup” from the Middlebury College radio station, in which WRMC executive board members offer album recommendations. Are you tired of listening to “Channel Orange?” Have you decided it's time to branch out, spread your musical wings and hear something new? Look no further. The Executive Board of WRMC, Middlebury College’s radio station, has selected a wonderfully wide range of albums, spanning time and genre, for your listening pleasure. *RIYL = Recommended If You Like; if you like these artists, you’ll probably enjoy this recommendation General Manager’s Pick — Rayn Bumstead ’21 Album: “For The First Time” - Black Country, New Road Genre: Post-Punk RIYL: Black Midi, Iceage, Deeper, Slint Blurb: “For the First Time” is the debut album from the Brixton, England-based band Black Country, New Road. The group has already been hailed by Stereogum as “one of the most exciting, transformative young bands to come out of not just the Speedy Wunderground/Windmill ecosystem, but out of this new generation of genre-mutating rock artists overall.” The band describes its sound as “jazz-inflected post-punk,” and “For the First Time” delivers on that claim. It is dark and moody, makes use of a saxophone and contains some re-appropriated Phoebe Bridgers lyrics. Sounds weird? You should give it a try. Tech Director’s Pick — Maddie Van Beek ’22 Album: “The Leo Sun Sets” - Serena Isioma Genre: R&B/Soul RIYL: Dua Saleh, Arlo Parks, Orion Sun, MICHELLE Blurb: After the release of her hugely popular single “Sensitive,” Isioma returns with her EP, “The Leo Sun Sets,” which deals with identity, youth and independence. Each song unlocks another part of her narrative, punctuated with playful riffs and melodies that echo childhood lullabies. Creative Director’s Pick — Chad Kim ’23 Album: “L. W.” - King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (KGLW) Genre: Microtonal Rock RIYL: Kikagaku Moyo, levitation room, Babe Rainbow Blurb: Back in the fall, these boys from down under reprised their affinity for microtones with their K. G. album, followed a week later by the single, “If Not Now, Then When?,” hinting at the advent of an ensuing “L. W.” album. They did not disappoint. In addition to completing their microtonal trilogy, “L. W.” laments and warns of the modern apocalypse of climate change and corruption through their creative acoustic tones paired with their signature rock style. Concerts Manager’s Pick — Eric Kapner ’21 Album: “I Don’t Hate Hate You” - Ogbert the Nerd Genre: Emo RIYL: Sorority Noise, Snowing, PUP Blurb: It’s been a while since I’ve gone to a show in a dingy New Jersey basement, but this album takes me back to that experience anytime I listen to it. Ogbert the Nerd’s debut record is as messy and loud as it is well written and catchy. Continuing a long tradition of semi-underground emo, “I Don’t Hate You” deals with getting over the past, stumbling into adulthood and generally feeling bad all the time. Music Director’s Pick — Dan Frazo ’22 Album: “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” - Chinatown Slalom Genre: prog-rap, pop/rock RIYL: Bamily, extremely bad man, Mosie Blurb: Most bands entering the music scene lead with an EP, a few singles, or something of the sort. Chinatown Slalom is not most bands. Right out of the gate, this Liverpool-based group released a full-length album titled “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The band’s four members live together in a house in their hometown, with the words “Everyone’s Invited” spray painted onto the walls, so naturally their music is a seriously eclectic mix. If you like collage-style samples, pedal-driven synth or eerie background harmonies, this album is definitely worth a listen. Studio Manager’s Pick — Lucy Rinzler-Day ’21 Album: “Kids Talk Sun” - Camila Fuchs Genre: Dream Pop, Psychedelica, Darkwave RIYL: Björk, Cocteau Twins, Beach House, Katie Dey Blurb: Listen to while stoned in the dark.
March 4 Issue
Today, The Campus presents its first issue of the spring semester. The stories [post_grid id='53951'] Today's Front Page
January 28 Issue
Today, The Campus presents its first issue of winter term. The stories [post_grid id='53697'] Today's Front Page
Campus survey finds split opinions on the fall, widespread Covid-19 violations and mental health struggles
Although two-thirds of students said they did not regret their Fall 2020 enrollment decision, 76% of students said their mental health was worse during the fall semester than during a typical semester and nearly two in three students broke Covid-19 health protocols, according to a Campus survey. Other major findings include: More than a third of students — 38% — said the semester exceeded expectations, while almost 40% said that it was worse than expected. Almost half of students said that they disapproved of the administration’s handling of the fall semester. A vast majority of students, 75%, said they felt stressed about their relationships this semester. Students emphasized increasing social opportunities for students, promoting inclusivity and providing greater clarity on Covid-19 safety rules when suggesting improvements for the spring. At the end of the survey, we also offered students the opportunity to anonymously share their ideas on how to make the spring 2021 semester better and provide any additional anecdotes from the semester. We have included some of these anonymous responses throughout this article and compiled specific student suggestions for improving the spring semester. Academics !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); The data reveal a striking lack of consensus regarding how the fall semester went: while 38% of students said the semester exceeded their expectations, nearly 40% of students said the semester was worse than they expected. About a quarter of students said the semester was about the same as they expected. In the anecdotal responses, many students wished for more in-person classes. “Middlebury should prioritize its primary duty, which is to educate its students to the best of its abilities by making every possible effort to make classes in-person,” wrote one student. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Satisfaction with the fall semester also varied by class year. While one in three members of the classes of 2021 or 2021.5 said the semester was worse than they expected, one half of respondents from the classes of 2023 or 2023.5 said the semester fell below expectations. The vast majority of respondents, 87.5%, said they took four courses during the fall semester. A third of students indicated that two of their courses had in-person components, while 17% of students said they had zero classes with in-person components. The average student had in-person components in roughly half — 45% — of their courses. Approval of college entities !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Of the six different entities we asked students to evaluate, Middlebury faculty enjoyed by far the highest approval rating. Still, in their anecdotal responses, students said they hoped that faculty would be more “lenient,” “understanding” and “flexible” during the spring semester. Some students wished faculty would go one step further and lighten students’ workloads. “It seems like professors are concerned that reducing workloads means that we're learning less and not getting enough for our money,” one respondent wrote. “But the stress and depression of this fall made it so hard to learn that covering less material would be beneficial and we would actually learn more.” Almost half of students, or 47%, disapproved of the administration, while a quarter approved of it. Some students said they thought Covid-19 policies were unrealistic or unclearly communicated in their anecdotal responses. “I hope that there can be more dialogue between students and administrators to understand how to better create rules that students will actually follow and feel safe,” one wrote. Fall satisfaction and spring intentions !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Overall, two in three students said they did not regret their enrollment decision. One-tenth of respondents said they regretted their decision, and a quarter of students said they regretted the decision “somewhat.” “I am not returning Middlebury in the Spring as they never fulfilled most of the things they told us they would throughout the semester,” one student wrote. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); If students’ intended spring plans are an indication of enrollment rates for the spring semester, Middlebury may see fewer students on campus this spring. 68% of students who said they intend to enroll as an on-campus student in the spring, compared to the 87% of respondents who identified as on-campus learners in the fall. Compared to the 3.5% of students who took the semester off in the fall, 10% of respondents said they would not enroll or take the semester off. One senior student said they were part of a group of friends leaving campus in the spring as a result of the strict rules. “It’s not how I wanted to spend my senior spring but we can’t deal with the rules on campus and just want to be able to be together for our last few months,” the student wrote. An additional 9% of students were unsure of their spring plans. The number of remote students and the number of students living off-campus but taking classes on-campus is projected to remain the same for the spring at about 7% and under 3% respectively. Covid-19 policies, rules, and guidelines !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Almost two in every three respondents — 64% — indicated that they broke Covid-19 safety rules this semester. A third of respondents said they exceeded room or suite capacity during the semester and a fourth of students reported having more than four close contacts. More than one in every ten — 13% — of students said they participated in a party or gathering with more than 10 people. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); One respondent said they were with as many as 30 other people in a house or suite without masks “every weekend.” The respondent added, “The rules were too strict. If I had followed them I would have become depressed.” Some respondents believed that Covid-19 policies were enforced unevenly. “The inconsistency in punishment for breaking the Covid rules was absolutely unreal,” one respondent wrote. “Do not create a rule if it will not and cannot be enforced consistently.” !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Students greatly differed in their understanding of Middlebury’s Covid-19 policies. Nearly half of students said they felt confused by guidelines, compared to the 43% that said they were clear. “I worried pretty constantly that I would get reported for something that was me misunderstanding the rules and be kicked off campus,” one student responded. Mental Health The survey finds a striking decline in student mental health during the fall semester. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Three-fourths of students said their mental health was worse than it has been during a typical semester. The three factors most likely to affect student mental health this semester were stress about an uncertain future amid the pandemic, stress about academic work and anxiety over friendships or “fear of missing out,” according to survey results. “The one thing that was amazing was my professors, but it is hard to motivate oneself to do work when you feel miserable all the time,” one student wrote. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Two-thirds of students reported feeling greater social isolation than in a normal semester, and almost a third of respondents experienced significant changes in their diet which led to either weight loss or gain. Nearly one in 10 students experienced intrusive thoughts of suicide which worsened during the semester. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Three-fourths of students felt stressed about their relationships. Some students expressed that the Covid-19 restrictions implemented by the college were successful in limiting cases of virus, but did so at the expense of students’ mental health. One student put it succinctly: “Mental health is just as important as physical health.” Others said they experienced mental strain due to the inability to socialize with friends or the fear of being punished for breaking Covid-19 rules. General Demographics !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); This survey was sent to about 2,500 Middlebury students studying both remotely and on campus, and 549 — slightly less than quarter — responded. Eighty-seven percent of respondents were on-campus students this past fall, 2.3% of respondents lived off-campus but took classes on campus and 6.9% of respondents were remote students. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Respondents were fairly evenly distributed by class year, with a slight majority of respondents coming from the classes of 2022 and 2022.5 at 28.2%. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Three-quarters of respondents identified as white, 8.4% as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander, 6% as of Latino or Hispanic Origin, 6% as biracial or multiracial, and 1.6% as Black or African American. Thirty-one or 5.6% of respondents identified as international students. Slightly more than one-third of respondents said they receive financial aid. Ideas from Student Responses for an improved Spring 2021 semester Social Life !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); 80% of students said that they thought spaces for hanging out or socializing were inadequate. 75% of students said they thought there was inadequate space for hosting events. In the anecdotal responses, students repeatedly said they hoped for more in-person social opportunities in the spring, either facilitated by the college or through extracurricular activities, and improved access to spaces for socializing. One respondent wanted “more opportunities for virtual students to stay connected to campus events with students in person.” Other student ideas included having heaters for tents, changing policies so that it is easier to register events and providing “funding for students to figure out how to make their own fun.” Several students said they would be willing to sacrifice off-campus privileges in order to make on-campus rules less strict. Inclusivity Some anecdotal responses mentioned the ways in which rules and policies create different playing fields for different students. “This semester exasperated the divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' because the students who had access to a car to drive places in Addison County tended to have a better experience overall than those who didn't,” wrote the student, adding that they wished the college provided a “rent-a-car” service for students. “Promote inclusivity,” wrote another student. “White students spend time with white students and are intimidating to students of color. There is an apparent divide.” Other students felt that they had to exclude friends from social gatherings due to capacity limits. One student felt particularly strongly about Covid-19 policies capping the number of people in a room: “Rules [related to Covid-19] essentially required us to ruin our friendships.” One student said that they hoped students would be allowed to rank their preferred dining hall. “Some dining halls have a reputation of being predominantly white spaces, whereas other dining halls have a perception of being more inclusive to BIPOC students,” the student wrote. Creation and Communication of Covid-19 Policies Some students hoped for student input regarding Covid-19 policies. One respondent recommended that new rules should first be run by Residential Life. Several students perceived the college’s Covid-19 guidelines to be vague and worried that they would accidentally break a rule. “I wish that it was more clear what people [were] disciplined for,” wrote a student. Another student hoped for “more concise guidelines from fewer sources.” Editor’s Note: Survey questions pertaining to mental health were designed in conjunction with the Student Government Association Health and Wellness Committee.
December 3 Issue
Today, The Campus presents its last issue of the fall semester. The stories [post_grid id='53523'] Today's Front Page
November 19 Issue
See latest happenings on campus in The Campus' latest issue. The stories [post_grid id="53416"] Today's Front Page
November 12 Issue
See latest election coverage and the newest happenings on campus in The Campus' latest issue. The stories [post_grid id='53318'] Today's Front Page
Spring modalities: Proportion of in-person classes to double this spring
In preparation for the spring semester, Middlebury has released a breakdown of its course modalities in a Nov. 3 email from Dean of Curriculum Suzanne Gurland. Based on a Campus analysis of the document outlining initial teaching plans for the semester, 241 of the 518 courses — or 48% — will be offered completely in either “scheduled online” or “flexible online” modalities, with no in-person components at all. Meanwhile, 67% of all classes will be taught online in some capacity. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Compared to this fall semester, the proportion of classes that will be completely in-person has more than doubled — 13% of courses were completely in-person this fall, compared to the projected 26% in the spring. The proportion of classes in-person increased due to cutting the proportion of “flexible” online courses in half and decreasing the number of “blended” courses. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); 130 of the 518 courses — 25% — include a discussion, lab, drill or screening session alongside the lecture component. The Campus found that 33% of discussions, 36% of labs, 43% of drills and 29% of screenings will be held in-person. Some courses that have in-person discussions or labs also include another “scheduled online” section. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Out of the 51 departments listed in the course catalog, seven — 14% — will hold the lecture portions of their courses exclusively in “scheduled online” or “flexible online” modalities. This fall semester, that figure was much larger at 17 — more than a third of all departments. Registration for spring courses begins Wednesday, January 27.
Election Day
Voting in Middlebury will take place at the Town of Middlebury Recreation Center & Gymnasium at 154 Creek Road. Vermont offers same-day voter registration with a valid form of ID or address verification, like a bank statement or utility bill. Read The Campus' Middlebury voting guide for more information. 4:20 p.m.: According to an email from Acting Dean of Students AJ Place and Jason Duquette-Hoffman at the Center for Community Engagement, staff, faculty, and supportive community members will be walking on public sidewalks on College Street and Route 30 for the next few days, including evenings from 6 p.m. to midnight. "We have heard from students that you are concerned about potential reactions to the U.S. election results, and specifically concerns about non-Middlebury community members driving on College Street and targeting students," they write. "While we cannot prevent people from driving along these roads or saying things to students as they drive, we recognize the impact this can have, and we hope that this show of solidarity will provide some support to our entire community." 4:04 p.m.: Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, told media outside the town hall in Berlin that he voted for Joe Biden. The news was first reported by Seven Days' Paul Heintz. He is the first incumbent Republican governor to support the Democratic nominee. Scott was the first GOP governor to support Trump's impeachment inquiry in 2019. "It's been a bit of a struggle for me, but I ended up voting for Joe Biden," he said. "It's something that I'd never done in my lifetime. I had never voted for a Democrat for president, so I had to some soul-searching."
Live: Election Day 2020
Today’s the day. Polls are open in Vermont until 7 p.m. tonight. Throughout the day, The Campus staff will be reporting on voting news, election events and results as the evening progresses. Check out last week’s Election Issue for our coverage on the races to watch.
Election Issue Front Page
Special Edition: Election Issue 2020
We don’t have to tell you how important this election year is. Over the past months, we at The Campus have watched the Middlebury community dive headfirst into activism, organizing and getting out the vote — and we’ve been busy, too. Just as politics has permeated every part of our lives, you’ll notice that the issue spans all five of our sections: below, you’ll find coverage of local and national races, interviews with elected officials (and election hopefuls), a podcast about the intersection of athletics and politics and an op-ed about the role of politics in romance, among much more. This year, we’re also advocating with many of our NESCAC peer publications that Election Day should be a college holiday. Speaking of Election Day, check out our guide to voting in Middlebury — and for more about the making of this issue, read our Notes from the Desk. To quote from it, “Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring. So much is at stake.”
October 22 Issue
This week, The Campus presents its seventh issue of the semester. This fall, we will continue publishing content online on a weekly basis on Thursdays. You can browse our stories on our website, as well as check out a virtual front page each week. The stories [post_grid id="52944"] Today's Front Page
October 15 Issue
This week, The Campus presents its sixth issue of the semester. This fall, we will continue publishing content online on a weekly basis on Thursdays. You can browse our stories on our website, as well as check out a virtual front page each week. The stories [post_grid id='52804'] Today's Front Page
October 1 Issue
This week, The Campus presents its fourth issue of the semester. This fall, we will continue publishing content online on a weekly basis on Thursdays. You can browse our stories on our website, as well as check out a virtual front page each week.