Guidance for masking, Senior Week / Commencement visits and summer gatherings

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released guidance on Tuesday, April 27, exempting fully vaccinated individuals from outdoor masking under specific circumstances. However, for the health and safety of the entire Skidmore community, the College is requiring that all members of the campus community, and visitors, continue to wear a mask everywhere on campus.

Given the nuanced nature of the CDC guidance and the fact that not everyone on campus has been vaccinated, this decision gives us the best chance of successfully finishing out the last few weeks of the semester and ensuring that our seniors can receive their degrees in person during this year’s Commencement. 

Commencement/Senior Week visitors

During Senior Week and Commencement weekend, we will maintain our policy that no visitors will be allowed in residence halls or apartments. Families may come to campus for outdoor visits, as long as they are masked and maintain social distancing at all times. Outdoor gatherings should be capped at 10 individuals.

Guidance after May 24

Outdoor gathering: Members of the Skidmore community who are fully vaccinated will be given the option to not wear masks outdoors on campus after May 24, as the CDC guidance permits. However, 6 feet of social distancing must still be maintained, and attendance at outdoor gatherings will be capped at 25 individuals.

All individuals should be cognizant of their own risk levels in assessing whether to wear a mask when there is an option.

We will continue to urge all visitors to follow CDC guidance for masking and social distancing outdoors.

Indoor gathering: Any department or program that would like to host formal indoor gatherings or visits will need to submit a safety plan for approval.

Some key elements of such a safety plan include:

• Designating a safety officer
• Requiring social distancing and masking
• Keeping a log of attendees
• Conducting a health screening of visitors

Food and beverages may be served at outdoor events but will still not be permitted at indoor events.