President Marc Conner met with the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate and other students via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 16, to discuss a number of students’ ongoing concerns. 

The Q&A forum, in which Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Adrian Bautista also responded to comments and questions, was open to the entire student body and was attended by about 60 students. 

President Conner spoke briefly about COVID-19, Title IX, and racial justice to begin the forum, then fielded questions from students for about 90 minutes. 

Most of the concerns, questions, and comments raised during the forum were in regard to Skidmore’s Title IX and sexual and gender-based misconduct (SGBM) policies, which are being reviewed by the College with the help of a national expert and in consultation with student input gathered during listening sessions that began earlier this month, with more to be announced soon. 

“I can’t tell you how much I truly care about these issues. These are our students coming to us, hurting,” President Conner said. “Of course, we are bound by federal law, and we must respect the confidentiality and safety of all parties. At the same time, we are called to minister with care to our students who are going through extraordinarily challenging events. Every college is trying to figure this out, and our goal is to do it as well as it can be done at Skidmore. We can do better and we will do better.” 

Other major topics included improving communication between students and the administration regarding transgender and BIPOC experiences on campus; the challenges associated with the work study cap, with regard to student financial aid and providing services on campus; working toward a safer environment for all students in all areas; COVID-19 policies and supporting students during the upcoming holiday breaks; preserving small class sizes; and concrete progress resulting from the College’s racial justice efforts.