Update on COVID-19 testing for Skidmore employees

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As we prepare for the return of our students to campus, I write with an update about the testing process and protocols that Human Resources will be implementing for employees. As we have stated throughout the fall planning work, the health and safety of our entire community is our top priority.

All health guidance about COVID-19 states that a robust testing and tracing program is essential for avoiding the spread of the virus. Therefore, just as we are planning to test each student during their first day on campus and weekly during the semester, we will also put in place a weekly testing program for employees. However, since many employees will not be working on campus as they did in the past, employees who are in one or more of these categories will NOT require testing:

• Employees who work remotely
• Employees who are not scheduled to work on campus
• Employees who may need to be on campus briefly, such that they are on campus no more than twice per week and for a period that amounts to no more than 30 minutes each time. An example would be coming in only to pick up mail or make a copy.

All other employees who will be on campus either daily or in greater frequency than those listed above will be tested prior to the start of classes and then each week during the 12-week on-campus semester. All employees who come to campus in any capacity, including those who will be on campus only briefly, must submit the daily health certification, wear a face mask inside any building and preferably when outside, and follow all social distancing and hygiene protocols.

The tests, which will use the less invasive nasal swab method, will be provided at no cost to employees. They will be conducted by the Broad Institute, the organization that is also conducting the student testing. Test results, which are confidential health information, will be handled as such and restricted to the individual, Human Resources and public health officials. The test location will be a tent-covered area on campus. Early next week, Human Resources will notify employees who need to be tested and provide them with schedules and other details. Preliminary plans are to begin employee testing on campus on Aug. 17 or 18.

Thank you for your continued work for our students and in support of our fall plan.

Sincerely,

Marc C. Conner

President