President Conner briefs Skidmore staff

President Marc Conner shared encouraging news about the end of the academic year, the College’s efforts to contain COVID-19, the budget and plans for the fall.  

A reflection of a continuing drop in COVID-19 cases and an increase in vaccinations, Skidmore announced Friday that it was moving to COVID-19 safety Alert Level 1.  

“That's an astonishing achievement. It's testament to students and the great job they've done. It’s testament to our continued vigilance, preparation, careful stewardship and community support,” the president said at the virtual, all-College staff meeting on April 30. 

The president noted that all employees and students are now eligible for vaccination and encouraged everyone to be vaccinated. As New York state announces increased workplace capacity limits, the College is continuing to plan for the gradual return of all employees to campus for the fall semester. 

Planning for an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021 is also proceeding “remarkably well,” Conner said.  

“I have no doubt now we're going be able to do a very special, in-person, live Commencement for the whole senior class at SPAC and that it’s going to be ... an appropriate celebration and commemoration for what this enduring senior class has been through and achieved,” the president said.  

Unfortunately, there was no safe way to accommodate families and guests at the May 22 ceremony, he said.  

The president also shared the good news that Skidmore was able to maintain a balanced budget this year through a variety of measures, including savings, a hiring freeze and budgetary restraint.  

“Very few schools have done what we have done with a balanced budget. The thanks for that goes to everyone in the community,” he said.  

Conner announced that federal stimulus payments would allow Skidmore to make a one-time discretionary payment to employees to acknowledge that they did not receive a general salary adjustment (GSA) during this fiscal year and to recognize employees' contributions during this arduous COVID-19 period. Details about the payment, scheduled for May 21, were sent by email.  

Last year, the College announced a new policy that reduced vacation carryover from two weeks to one week. Because many employees were unable to take full advantage of vacation time this year, the president also announced that employees subject to the vacation carryover change would be eligible for an additional week of floating holidays that could be used anytime between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022.

Donna Ng, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer, provided a brief update on the budget, showing an anticipated surplus of approximately $1 million for the fiscal year ending May 31. 

Ng expressed confidence that the budget for next year, which is projected to include a GSA for employees, would remain balanced. Ng will offer a more detailed presentation to Skidmore employees about next year’s budget in the coming weeks.  

Conner said work on a new Campus Master Plan is proceeding on schedule, and focus groups are now providing input.  

The search committee for the Collyer Vice President for Advancement has determined finalists for that position, while another committee was reviewing semifinalists in its search for the next vice president for student affairs and dean of students.  

The president said he expects to share his decisions about the College’s efforts to address steeply rising health care costs before the summer break. 

The next staff meeting is scheduled for May 26.