President Conner and administrators update Skidmore staff

President Marc C. Conner provided updates to Skidmore staff on the College’s ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, planning for the summer and next academic year, the successful conclusion of Skidmore’s capital campaign, admissions numbers, searches to fill senior leadership positions and other important topics. 

Speaking Friday, Feb. 5, at the first monthly staff meeting of 2021, Conner welcomed the Skidmore community back to campus for the spring semester. Conner praised the seriousness with which students were approaching the virus and highlighted the extraordinary efforts of Skidmore’s Dining Services and other employees during the safe-shelter period of the first weeks of the semester. 

Of some 2,400 members of the Skidmore community tested for COVID-19 within the last two weeks, only six tested positive as of Friday. “Our goal was to start with as little of the virus on campus as possible,” Conner said. “We must remain vigilant. Positivity rates in our local community have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. Yet they remain four times higher than the fall.”

The President expressed hope for some winter or spring Liberty League athletic competition this semester but said no determination had been made yet. “I remain committed to supporting our teams in their practice and training and to providing as much team experience as possible,” the president said. “If competition can be done safely, we would love to see that happen.”

Although several outside organizations have canceled events this summer, Skidmore still plans to offer some in-person courses and provide research and internship opportunities for students during the summer months. 

With vaccines expected to be more widely available, Skidmore is also planning for a full return to in-person classes and work for employees and students this fall. However, some mitigation efforts, such as masking and social distancing, are likely to remain in place.
“All of these decisions will be guided by health and safety guidelines,” Conner said.

The president reiterated his support for efforts to make vaccines available to all higher education employees as soon as possible and encouraged all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as vaccines becomes available to them. 

The College is continuing to assess the budget impact of the pandemic and has begun working on the budget for next fiscal year. Conner said more detailed information would be available during the March staff meeting.

Despite many challenges posed by the pandemic, the president also highlighted several notable achievements. 

The Office of Advancement successfully completed Creating Our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore, surpassing both its initial goal of $200 million and its updated target of $220 million. In total, the College raised $229.4 million, including $17.5 million in the second half of last year. Fifty-seven percent of Skidmore faculty, staff and retirees also contributed an impressive $1.78 million. 

“To achieve that in a crippling pandemic is really astonishing. It also bodes well for Skidmore’s future,” Conner said.

For only the second time in College history, the Office of Admissions has received more than 11,000 applicants, up 7% since last year, reported Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Mary Lou Bates. “The work that has been done by Admissions has been so rigorous — so impressive,” Conner said.

The president congratulated Skidmore’s inaugural Vice President for Communications and Marketing Martin Mbugua, who has decided to pursue another professional opportunity. Conner also expressed appreciation to Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Diane O’Connor, who has agreed to serve as interim vice president following Mbugua’s departure in mid-March. A nationwide search to fill the position will commence in August or September. 

The search for another cabinet-level position — for Collyer Vice President for Advancement — was continuing. Donna Ng, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer, would assume Mbugua’s role on that search committee. 

Ng, who also serves as co-chair of the Healthcare Working Group, encouraged employees to provide feedback in focus groups this week and through surveys that would be distributed to employees Feb. 15-22. 

President Conner also encouraged members of the Skidmore community to participate in webinars, interviews and exhibitions organized by the College as part of Black History Month. 

The next staff meeting is scheduled for March 5.