Summer Study
Informational Meeting
About Summer Study
Paraphrased from legislation passed April 2014:
In order to create space in our curriculum for travel or field-based courses and experiential or
project-based learning opportunities, the EAC proposes the creation of a “Summer Study” within
which these kinds of activities can occur. The goal of this proposal is to provide greater
opportunities for students to pursue hands-on, travel- or field-based learning as well as projectbased and experiential opportunities. It also aims to provide greater opportunities for faculty to
teach new subjects, or to teach in innovative ways.
What’s the same and what’s different?
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Same: rigorous, intellectually exciting academic experience
Different: Degree of experiential content; Freedom and flexibility; Faculty member’s role
Student perspective: still credit-bearing, but optional and financially separate
Planning and proposing a course
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Proposal form – available at http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/administration/forms
Begin considering a Health & Safety Plan (see below)
Consider the various support offices that you will need to connect with for course support
(see Campus Resources and ‘useful links’ below).
Further information to follow…
Practical matters
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Timeline – available below
Registration
Compensation
Lessons learned from Summer ‘15
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Advantages of an established Midd location
Value of a co-leader or co-instructor
How the world has changed in the last 10-15 years
Administrative realities of a summer course
Things to think about for health and safety planning…
(The particulars depend on your unique course proposal.)
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Will you be in an area where regular modes of communication (cell phones, landline
phones) may not be available?
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Are you traveling in an area of increased health and safety risks? (Physical hazards,
remote locations, endemic diseases, animal attacks, human attacks, etc.)
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Will you conduct activities with special hazards or in a hazardous area (for example,
confined space, working from heights, etc.)?
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Who are your local contacts?
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Where will you be staying?
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Where is the nearest emergency medical facility?
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Do you have a group medical / first aid kit?
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Is there at least one currently certified, first aid practitioner aware of the risks and of the
availability of medical assistance?
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What is your primary means of communication? Back up?
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Have you provided local contacts with local travel plans?
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What is your communication plan in case of a natural disaster?
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What actions should be taken if you do not arrive or return when expected?
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In the areas you will visit, are there any increased risks associated with illnesses,
proximity/adequacy of medical care, sanitation practices, or extreme climate or terrain?
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Will all participants undergo a medical check-up, including vaccine recommendations,
prior to being allowed to go on this trip?
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Who is the emergency contact for each person traveling?
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Who will be in charge if you need to accompany a student to a medical facility?
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Have you familiarized yourself with the student conduct policies that apply?
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What are the local regulations regarding sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and
related issues?
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How will your students be made aware of these regulations and their responsibilities?
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Are you aware of your responsibilities regarding Clery Act reporting?
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How will you accommodate students’ individual needs in areas such as dietary
restrictions, medical conditions, learning accommodations, physical abilities/limitations?
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What will your agreement with your students be regarding alcohol use? What will the
consequences be for violation of that agreement?
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Has a copy of the health and safety plan been distributed to all students and discussed
with them?
Campus Resources
(Particularly helpful in finalizing plans for courses that have been approved)
For help concerning…
Contact…
State authorization issues
AVP for Planning & Assessment
Academic policies
Registrar
Accessibility/ADA issues
ADA Coordinator
Budget concerns and support
Conduct policies
Director of Budget/Financial
Planning
Dean of Students or designee
Financial aid
AVP for Student Financial Services
International Student and Scholar issues
Director of ISSS
Policy review for student life, threat
assessment, sexual harassment policies
Human Relations Officer
Liability and contract issues
Director of Business Services
Public Safety (availability of resources,
emergency response needs, ID cards, Clery
Act reporting)
Associate Director of Public Safety
Some useful links for particular situations:
http://www.middlebury.edu/international/global_operations
(includes check lists used by Study Abroad, but can be helpful if planning international travel)
http://www.middlebury.edu/offices/business/bsnsvcs/insurance
(includes links to release forms that might apply, depending on the kinds of activities in which
your students will be engaged)
http://www.middlebury.edu/media/view/252714/original/Middlebury_Collegecontract_policy_v
2_doc.pdf
(includes the College’s contract policy, in case your course requires you to enter into a contract)
https://www.osac.gov/Pages/Home.aspx
(includes State Department site travel warnings and alerts; can be used to check on the status of a
country that you and your students plan to visit)
Summer Study Timeline
Task
Hold informational meetings
General target date
End of Sept./Beginning of
Oct.
Send faculty reminder of
proposal deadline
Mid-October, just prior to
break
Receive proposals
Very beginning of November Monday, November 2
Make recommendations to
VPAA
Mid-November
Monday, November 9
Communicate decisions to
faculty
Mid-December
Friday, December 11
Announce offerings to students
via email
First half of January
Monday, January 18
Prep for registration/Build
sections
January to February
Friday, February 26
Open registration to students
April, just before Fall
registration
early April
Conduct courses
Any 4 wks early-June to late
Aug.
Dates TBD
Early July-Mid-August
Open from last day of 1st
course through Aug. 15
Accept grades
Registration
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By instructor approval only
Risks and responsibilities associated with approval-only
Compensation
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Approximately $5,000
Not exchangeable for teaching credit
Specific target for 2016
October 1
Friday, October 9