Skidmore president, administrators update employees about spring semester

Skidmore President Marc C. Conner and College administrators discussed Skidmore's Spring 2021 Return to Campus Plan, including efforts to maintain a safe campus environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of vaccines, testing for the virus and other topics during a Community Forum Thursday, Jan. 21.

The president opened the online gathering, attended by more than 370 employees, with comments about the historic inauguration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the previous day. Conner noted that the new administration would have major implications for higher educational institutions, including an extension on the moratorium on federal student loan payments, the restoration of protections for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students, the repeal of a travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries, the elimination of a ban on diversity training for institutions receiving federal funding and the creation of a national plan for the rollout of vaccines.

"We did accomplish that miracle of democracy, a peaceful transfer of power despite remarkable obstacles — and that is certainly a moment of caution and triumph," Conner said. "From my perspective, all the changes relative to higher education are positive, not just for our community but for higher education as a whole."

As the president also emphasized in a video message released earlier Thursday, Skidmore had only 19 cases of COVID-19 in the fall, from more than 38,000 tests conducted over 12 weeks. Conner said increased positivity rates now and a new variant of the virus found in the local community means that heightened vigilance through regular testing, social distancing, masking and good hygiene would remain essential during the spring semester.

"In the fall, we showed we know how to do this — that we can live, work and learn in relative safety in the midst of this pandemic," Conner said. "It was not perfect and there are things that we could do better and, in fact, need to do better. But we are building on success." As previously announced, Skidmore will begin the semester in "safe shelter" mode, with gatherings initially limited to classroom instruction, increased testing and meals being provided safely to students during the first week of the semester.

"Keeping that initial number low is our first step and from there keeping the virus off our campus is the second step," Conner said. "Like so many of you, the Cabinet is working around the clock on these challenges."

The president encouraged everyone eligible according to state guidelines to be vaccinated. Conner expressed hope that the vaccination process would be improved, adding that a county vaccination site has been established in Saratoga Springs and the College is a potential vaccination site for Skidmore community members.

Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Orr said his office had provided letters to instructors teaching in-person courses confirming their current eligibility for the vaccine. Orr also acknowledged that many others who work closely with students, unfortunately, were not yet eligible under New York state guidelines and expressed hope that those regulations would soon change.

"We had no instance of virus transmission in the classroom, and that's something being reported across higher education more broadly," Orr said. "Provided that we stick with the classroom protocols ... the classroom environment should continue to be safe."

Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Cerri Banks said most students who are required to pre-quarantine would arrive Friday, Jan. 22, and would stay on campus and in local hotels. All Skidmore students will also need to sign a new pledge concerning community standards that focus on vigilance, including mask wearing, restricting travel, limiting gatherings, hand washing, regular testing, social distancing and self-monitoring for symptoms.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness Julia Routbort and Interim Human Resources Director Sarah Delaney Vero noted that COVID-19 testing for on-campus staff and students will be conducted at Falstaff's Pavillion. Testing will begin Jan. 25, with the frequency increased to twice weekly during the first two weeks of the semester. A detailed testing schedule and requirements for employees are outlined in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin. Employees who test positive elsewhere should report those results to Human Resources.

Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Donna Ng discussed efforts to provide meal delivery to all students in their rooms during the first week of the semester and added that seating in both the Dining Hall and Case Center has been reconfigured to promote social distancing. Covered outdoor areas have also been created so that students can gather in limited numbers in a safe manner.

The president reiterated his pledge of regular and transparent communications to the Skidmore community and emphasized that the health and safety of the community remained Skidmore's top priority. Updates will continue to be provided through the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin and occasional direct email messages that will also be posted on the Campus Planning website.