President Conner briefs Skidmore staff
Skidmore College President Marc Conner briefed staff about recent events and important initiatives, including last month’s meeting of the Board of Trustees, ongoing efforts to address sexual and gender-based misconduct (SGBM), COVID-19, and other issues.
Speaking at the monthly staff meeting on Friday, Nov. 5, Conner noted that the Board of Trustees had recently met on campus for the first time in two years. Campus Master Planning occupied an important position on their agenda, and trustees met with Ayers Saint Gross, the firm that is leading the College’s efforts to draft a new Campus Master Plan. Trustees also discussed a range of other important issues, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
The president described his inauguration on Oct. 16 as “an uplifting moment for the College and a celebration of our values,” including DEI, sustainability, and creativity and innovation.
Adrian Bautista, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, discussed recent listening sessions with students to learn more about sexual and gender-based misconduct (SGBM) and Title IX-related topics. He led those sessions with Leslie Gomez, a former sexual violence prosecutor and nationally recognized expert in higher education and SGBM issues.
“Institutions don't bring in someone like Leslie unless we're really ready to do a deep dive and think about what needs to change on our campus,” Bautista said.
Dean Bautista noted that the College had also developed a new website to serve as a hub of resources related to SGBM and Title IX.
Title IX Coordinator Joel Aure also stressed that all faculty and staff (except confidential or anonymous resources) are required to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and any form of sexual or gender-based misconduct.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Gail Cummings-Danson, who co-chairs the College’s COVID-19 Logistics Working Group, said that cases of COVID-19 remained low on campus. The College will be sending antigen tests home with students for Thanksgiving break. Both students and employees will also undergo PCR tests during the week following break.
Sarah Delaney Vero, interim human resources director, announced that eligible employees could participate in open enrollment for benefits through Friday, Nov. 19. An information session about an outside consultant’s comprehensive review of compensation for all faculty and non-union staff will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, she said.
President Conner also briefly discussed a recent presentation that he and members of his Cabinet provided concerning College finances. A summary and full recording of the presentation are both available online.
Planning is also underway for Skidmore Cares, Skidmore’s annual initiative to help neighbors in need. This year’s collection drive is slated for Dec. 6-10.
The next staff meeting, the last of the semester and calendar year, is scheduled for Dec. 3.