Faculty Meeting Minutes

October 1, 2021

Michael Orr, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, called the meeting to order at 3:31 p.m.  He welcomed everyone to the second Faculty Meeting of the semester and expressed the hope that the semester was going well for everyone.  He noted that the students seem to be very engaged and excited to be back in the classroom and that he has heard from many faculty members that they are enjoying teaching in person, despite the constraints of masking and other COVID-related measures.  DOF/VPAA Orr then reminded everyone that there was a matter on the agenda requiring voting and reviewed the procedures to be followed for voting through theSpring.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

DOF/VPAA Orr asked if there were any corrections to, or comments regarding, the minutes of the Faculty Meeting held September 10, 2021.  Hearing none, he announced the minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

On behalf of the Faculty Executive Committee, Associate Professor Jason Ohlberg read the following Motion (see attached) that was introduced at the last Faculty Meeting:

MOTION:  The Faculty Executive Committee moves that the 2021-2022 Faculty Handbook be adopted.  The following link takes you to the 2021-2022 Faculty Handbook (showing tracked changes) as well as handbooks from previous years: http://www.skidmore.edu/dof-vpaa/faculty-handbooks.php

There being no questions or discussion, the Motion was voted on and passed by majority vote.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business.

REPORTS

On behalf of the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC), Associate Professor Jason Ohlberg reported that in May, 2021, FEC convened a Committee of Committees meeting via zoom with representatives from all elected college governance committees, with the exception of the Athletic Council. The Committee of Committee’s report is attached  (see attached).  Professor Ohlberg reported that all committees expressed positive and productive inter-committee working relationships as well as positive and healthy working relationships with the College administration.  Professor Ohlberg also reminded everyone that the Tenure Review Board has since been disbanded, as voted on by the faculty at the May, 2021 Faculty Meeting, and will no longer be included in faculty governance; he further reminded everyone that the work of the Tenure Review Board will now be taken up by the newly formed Tenure Review Subcommittee.   While an opportunity for questions was offered, there were no questions raised.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A Committee of the Whole was held to discuss the creation of a faculty working group to advise the Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs with regard to evaluating requests from departments and programs for new or replacement faculty lines.  Associate Professor Jason Ohlberg was appointed as chair of the Committee of the Whole.  A 20-minute time limit was set and extended for an additional 10 minutes.  At the conclusion of the Committee of the Whole, Professor Ohlberg rose and reported that a discussion on the creation of a faculty advisory committee was held. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Conner thanked everyone for the frankness and openness of the discussion that occurred during the Committee of the Whole. He reminded everyone that this is a challenging time for the institution and that there will be opportunities for further conversations in the future with regard to the issues raised.  He then reflected on the first several weeks of the semester, noting the amazing instruction that is happening, the wonderful academic lectures, the many athletic competitions, the great exhibits at the Tang and the Schick Art Gallery, and the great performances in the Theater. It is remarkable what we are able to do right now even though this is a difficult time with COVID continuing to be such a challenge.  President Conner indicated that there are so many people to thank for the college to be in a position for these events to go forward in these challenging times, such as facilities, grounds, dining services, and campus safety. 

President Conner then provided an update on COVID cases on campus, noting that there has been an increase in cases over the last week with 21 active cases at the moment.  This, however, should not be a surprise to anyone as we had been anticipating some positive cases upon a return to campus.  President Conner reported that those that have tested positive advise that they are doing well, have minor symptoms, and recover quickly. Oftentimes, he stated, those that have tested positive don’t even know they have COVID until they are tested or they discount minor symptoms, such as the sniffles. 

President Conner then asked Donna Ng, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer, to provide an update on behalf of the COVID Logistics Working Group.  VP Ng reported that the COVID Logistics Working Group has implemented some temporary changes it thinks will help reduce the transmission of the virus: students will now be required to use the CoVerified app to enter the dining hall and athletic facilities; visitors will be limited in residence halls and on campus; limiting indoor social gatherings to 10 individuals; enhanced masking requirements; and allowing faculty to request CoVerified status in the classroom.  VP Ng reminded everyone that, since August, the college has been operating under two levels—green and yellow—with red being reserved for a potential serious outbreak scenario.  She also reported that the COVID Logistics Working Group has been closely monitoring many internal measures (such as compliance with masking and testing for students) and external key factors (such as COVID positivity rates within Saratoga County), along with our current policies, procedures, and guidelines, to ensure we are sufficiently mitigating the spread of the virus.  The COVID Logistics Working Group has also been discussing scenarios that would require a range of operational changes in the event that the college would need to move to a red status, such as limiting visitors or pivoting to remote instruction.

VP Ng concluded by reporting that the COVID Logistics Working Group has been discussing plans for the Thanksgiving break. At this time, the college intends to proceed as normal in terms of the Thanksgiving break with the implementation of additional safety measures, such as additional testing for students and employees upon returning to campus.  VP Ng also reminded everyone of the need for continued flexibility should conditions change.

President Conner then thanked VP Ng and the COVID Logistics Working Group for their continued work in ensuring the safety of the community. As a comparative perspective, he noted that he has been in touch with a number of presidents and provosts at other colleges and several report positive cases peaking into the triple digits. Thus, he noted, Skidmore is doing remarkably well in keeping positive cases low and keeping the virus from spreading. President Conner then opened the floor for any questions concerning COVID.

Extensive discussion was then held with regard to:

• the distinction on the COVID dashboard with regard to active cases (those that have tested positive and are in isolation) and quarantine cases (those that have been identified through contract tracing as having been in close contact with someone who has tested positive);
• the rationale regarding the move of the COVID testing center from Falstaff’s to the Pine Cottage Annex;
• the rationale for using the CoVerified app, which is a database that tracks student compliance with testing and generates reports, and how the app works to ensure compliance with weekly testing;
• the need for the development of guidance surrounding the implementation of the use of the CoVerified app in the classroom to avoid potential confrontations;
• the Protocols that are followed when students test positive, specifically related to contact tracing in the classroom;
• the need for guidelines for faculty to follow in the classroom when a student reports they have COVID systems or are unable to attend classes because they test positive;
• the protocols followed when a student has been in contact with someone who tested positive (if no symptoms the student can continue to attend class).

Following discussion, President Conner suggested that any further specific questions be directed to either Gail Cummings-Danson, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, or VP Ng, co-chairs of the COVID Logistics Working Group.

Next, President Conner reminded everyone that later this month the Board of Trustees will be on campus, Celebration Weekend will be occurring, and the Presidential Inauguration will be held.  He emphasized that all these events will be occurring with enhanced COVID health safety protocols.   Carey Ann Zucca, Collyer Vice President for Advancement, then provided an update on the many events occurring during Celebration Weekend and the formal inauguration of President Conner, Skidmore College’s eighth president. VP Zucca also assured everyone of the enhanced safety measures being followed during these events, including requiring guests to be vaccinated, indoor masking, and meals being held outdoors.  VP Zucca hoped everyone will take part in the many events on campus and to congratulate President Conner on his inauguration.

In concluding his report, President Conner shared the plans for the presidential inauguration.  He noted that many new presidents in his cohort last year deferred their inaugurations to this year, thinking that COVID would no longer be an issue.  Although COVID is still an issue, President Conner indicated that we will need to mark this important event with a formal inauguration.  While a typical inauguration includes an academic panel or presentation, usually involving distinguished outside scholars, President Conner has taken a different approach.  He indicated that he has invited five Skidmore faculty and students to participate in a panel entitled Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Liberal Arts Education in the 21^st Century.  The panel, which will be moderated by David Howson, Senior Teaching Professor and Arthur Zankel Executive Director of Arts Administration, will include Kim Frederick, Professor of Chemistry; Catherine Hill, Teaching Professor of Management and Business; Pushkala Prasad, Professor of Management and Business and Zankel Chair; Sarah Sweeney, Associate Professor and Chair, Art Department; and David Tago, Class of 2023. President Conner stated that this panel will not only provide an opportunity to highlight what Skidmore has been doing remarkably well for a long time but will signal his vision and aspiration for what he thinks we can grow and do even better in the years to come.  He thanked everyone for their all their work in putting this panel together.

DEAN OF THE FACULTY AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS’ REPORT

DOF/VPAA Orr thanked everyone for their continued hard work and dedication to our students as well as their understanding and flexibility as we manage the changing COVID situation. He announced that the DOF Office was in the midst of preparing a more detailed set of guidelines for faculty in response to some of the issues and questions that had been discussed during today’s meeting, and that those guidelines would be forthcoming within the week.

DOF/VPAA Orr then announced, for those that were unaware, that New York State changed the guidelines on COVID booster shots.  Now, anyone who is considered education staff – whether a faculty member or support staff – is eligible for the Pfizer booster shot without having to provide a letter from the college. 

Next, DOF/VPAA Orr reminded everyone that any faculty or staff member with particular personal circumstances that would warrant additional surveillance testing can contact Human Resources to seek approval to participate in the college’s surveillance testing.

DOF/VPAA Orr then assured everyone that we continue not to see any evidence of transmission of the COVID virus in classroom settings.  There have been several instances where more than one student who attended or had a similar class on their schedule has tested positive but there is no indication that the transmission in those cases is occurring in the classroom.  Michael Arnush, Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs, then addressed the process whereby faculty are notified of student absences from classes due to COVID-related quarantines and stressed the importance of maintaining attendance sheets and seating charts to assist with contact tracing.  Brief discussion followed regarding the possibility of providing electronic seating charts and automating the process for requesting attendance sheets or seating charts.

Next, DOF/VPAA Orr reminded everyone that students who are experiencing any kind of COVID-related symptom are being encouraged to go to Health Services and not attend classes until they are cleared. He reported that students are expressing a concern about following these health guidelines but then potentially violating faculty class attendance policies.  DOF/VPAA Orr asked for continued understanding and flexibility when students are unable to attend class due to health issues as we navigate through this very challenging moment and situation.

DOF/VPAA Orr then addressed plans for the Thanksgiving break.  At this point, the likelihood is that we will continue with the fall semester as planned with students returning to campus after the Thanksgiving break, most likely with enhanced testing protocols.  He cautioned, however, that there is a possibility that the public health situation could change sufficiently that we may not be able to bring students back to campus after Thanksgiving, and that faculty should begin considering alternatives if the college had to pivot to remote instruction for the conclusion of the semester. If this scenario appeared to be a likelihood, we would plan to make a decision at least two weeks prior to the Thanksgiving break.

Assuming that the semester will be concluded in person, DOF/VPAA Orr announced that we will return to administering our usual in-person course evaluations and department/program long form evaluations, following the normal protocol used prior to the onset of the pandemic.  However, a back-up plan is being developed in the event we had to pivot to remote instruction.  Information regarding the evaluations will be forthcoming shortly.

Thereupon, Pat Fehling, Associate Dean of the Faculty for Infrastructure and Faculty Affairs, provided an update on the campus master planning process.  She reported that the task force has been working closely with Ayers Saint Gross (ASG) on the first phase of the planning process, which involved many listening sessions and various focus groups.  The second phase of the planning process is now ready to move forward, which involves ASG developing a working draft of our strengths and weaknesses, as well as our developmental needs of our physical spaces, based upon the feedback they heard in phase one.  This summation will be referred to as our planning and guiding principles and will be shared with the community shortly.  Once these guiding principles are shared with the community, ASG plans to return to campus to participate in more focus groups to confirm that the feedback they heard was accurate. ADOF Fehling concluded by stating that the second phase of the planning process is expected to conclude by the end of the fall semester. 

DOF/VOAA Orr then concluded his report by referencing the announcement included with the Agenda – the deadline for the submission of nominations for the Edwin M. Moseley Faculty Lectureship.  DOF/VPAA Orr reminded everyone that the Moseley award recognizes a Skidmore faculty member for their outstanding scholarly achievement, artistic accomplishments, academic research and/or creative work, and encouraged everyone to consider nominating one of their colleagues for this award.  The deadline for submission of nominations is October 22, 2021.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,