President Conner updates employees at the start of a new academic year
President Marc Conner and College administrators welcomed Skidmore employees back for a new academic year and briefed them on important issues, including precautions against COVID-19, the Class of 2025, new hires, and human resources initiatives.
Speaking at the first staff and faculty meetings of the 2021-22 academic year on Friday, Sept. 10, Conner said that — with a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for employees and students, testing at the beginning of the semester, indoor masking on campus, and other measures — the College was off to “an extraordinarily good start” in its efforts to contain COVID-19. Only a small number of cases had been detected so far.
“It's medically and statistically impossible to not have cases on our campus. Last year, we really aimed for zero, and every case felt calamitous. This year, we're in a different place,” Conner said. “We’re equally concerned, of course, and obviously trying to keep those numbers as low as possible. We — Skidmore, Saratoga County, New York, the region, the nation, the globe — are now figuring out how to live with this virus.”
The president said he was encouraged by the College’s robust preparations and pledged continued transparency in communications about any new cases. Skidmore’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily.
President Conner also discussed other initiatives at the College. The Racial Justice Initiative remains a top institutional priority, and a summary of the College’s progress so far and new goals will be communicated in the coming period. He also noted the recent hiring of Anita Jack-Davies as deputy chief diversity officer and inaugural director of The Center, and Christopher Barnes as the new director of the Office of Student Diversity Programs.
The College is continuing to move forward on its collaborative Campus Master Planning process. Ayers Saint Gross, the design firm leading Skidmore’s efforts, is gathering input from the Skidmore community with a goal of completing a draft by the end of the academic year.
Mary Lou Bates, vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid, also shared good news about the Class of 2025. Drawn from a record pool of 11,200 applicants, members of the first-year class come from 39 states and 24 countries other than the United States.
The president also introduced two new members of his Cabinet, Adrian Bautista, who assumed his role as dean of students and vice president for student affairs in August, and Carey Anne Zucca, who became the new Collyer Vice President for Advancement in July. Both expressed excitement about joining Skidmore and appreciation for the work of their colleagues.
Also discussed were the College’s ongoing efforts to reduce its workforce — both faculty and staff — by 10% over the next five years in order to avoid a projected $5 million budget shortfall. President Conner and Donna Ng, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer, both noted that the College was fortunate to have time to tackle this challenge. They emphasized that every reduction was being driven by attrition, and all hiring decisions would be based on needs in line with Skidmore’s strategic goals.
Sarah Delaney Vero, interim human resources director, also noted that the College recently hired an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of compensation for all faculty and non-union staff over the next six months. The process commenced recently, and she pledged a transparent and open process, including employee forums, in the months ahead.
She also discussed the College’s compliance with the NY Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act). In line with this act, the College is again requiring all employees to complete a Daily Health Certification. Employees are also required to watch a training video reviewing the College’s COVID-19 prevention plan, the New York Department of Labor’s Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard, and other topics. Employees should review a detailed email that was sent on Monday, Sept. 13.
In line with Skidmore tradition and its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, faculty and staff affirmed their own commitment to Skidmore’s Diversity and Inclusion Statement, which was read aloud at both the faculty and staff meetings.
Following another Skidmore tradition, Michael Orr, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs, introduced each of 40 new faculty members joining the Skidmore community. He also expressed congratulations to faculty members whose promotion or tenure had been approved by the Board of Trustees over the summer.
The next faculty and staff meetings are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 1, and will take place via Zoom.