President Conner applauds Skidmore staff, urges continuing COVID-19 vigilance

President Marc Conner expressed great appreciation for the work that Skidmore staff have done to support the successful start of the fall semester and called for continuing vigilance to tackle COVID-19.

Conner spoke in a virtual meeting with all Skidmore staff on Sept. 4, the first in a series of regular meetings that will take place the same day as faculty meetings. Topics during the Zoom session ranged from statistics about the Class of 2020 to information about the Racial Justice Initiative, which Conner unveiled on Sept. 1.

Conner noted that after two weeks of testing, Skidmore had only two positive COVID-19 tests and described the College as “a national leader” so far in its response to the pandemic.

“It is tempting to feel really good about these first two weeks — and we should,” the president said. “But we also know that this could all change in a day … We need to keep the pedal to the metal, keep doing what we’re doing and be constantly vigilant.”

Conner said the turnaround on weekly tests for on-campus students and employees, which are conducted by the Broad Institute, is about 30 hours. Results are uploaded in batches to Skidmore’s COVID-19 Dashboard each week. Beginning Monday, Sept. 7, students would begin using the CoVerified app to monitor for symptoms and ensure compliance with testing requirements, Conner said.

The president expressed continuing confidence in students’ adherence to health protocols but added that Skidmore was also affirming their importance through the Safe Skidmore Ambassadors program and other means.

Conner also provided an update about enrollment at the College. Classes are equally divided between virtual and in-person modes of instruction. More than 2,500 students are taking classes this fall and include:

• Approximately 1,750 students on campus and 435 who live in the local area.
• About 300 students who are taking courses virtually.
•  141 international students on campus, and another 117 who are taking classes remotely.

Mary Lou Bates, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid, also provided an overview of the Class of 2020. First-year students:

• Number 720 — about 10 students more than Skidmore had targeted.
• Come from 37 different states and 26 countries outside the United States.
• Are 58% women and 42% men according to federal reporting guidelines.
• Are 25% domestic students of color and 10% international students.
• Speak 36 distinct languages at home.
• Have exhibited a strong record of voluntarism and community service.

President Conner also provided an overview of the Racial Justice Initiative, which was unveiled last week. The initiative includes 12 projects in three clusters. Conner said the initiative reflected calls across the country, in the local community and on campus for racial justice.

“The goal was for these to be action-oriented, achievable, true institutional change efforts — things that can help Skidmore be better,” Conner said. “These are substantial efforts. These are real change efforts that are underway.”

“Let me be clear: The Skidmore that I am coming to know is an impressively diverse, welcoming and supportive place — yes. But, like the nation, and like each of us, Skidmore can be better and do better. That’s the goal.”

The College will be giving monthly updates on progress toward the outlined goals, and Conner invited all members of the community to be part of those efforts.

Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity Joshua C. Woodfork, Associate Dean of Student Affairs Mariel Martin and Opportunity Program Director Kelli Johnson also led community members in an affirmation of a statement on Diversity and Inclusion at Skidmore College.

Woodfork said he considered the statement, approved by the College in 2012, “a living document,” and invited community members to propose ways to update it, considering the Black Lives Matter movement and ongoing antiracism efforts.

The president said initial planning for the spring semester was also underway and would be conducted in a collaborative manner similar to planning for the fall.

“Right now, we’re going to operate as if the same conditions in place right now will be in place in the spring,” Conner said.

Meeting participants also joined small group discussions that considered the goals for future staff meetings, aspects of Skidmore cherished by community members and community concerns for the future.

Staff also asked the president questions on topics that ranged from inclusion to financial aid.

The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2.