Indoor masking now required on campus for all individuals
As of Saturday, Aug. 7, the COVID-19 transmission rate in Saratoga County has moved from "substantial" to "high," as classified by the Centers for Disease Control. In the wake of this development, the College is now requiring a return to indoor masking for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
The following masking requirements and protocols are now in effect on campus, in accordance with current CDC recommendations for "high" transmission areas and with Saratoga County Public Health Services guidance:
- All unvaccinated individuals remain required to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing at all times in indoor public spaces. In outdoor settings, unvaccinated individuals may unmask unless social distancing is not possible.
- All vaccinated individuals are now required to wear a mask indoors. Masking is not required when alone in a private office or partitioned cubicle/workspace or in a private residence. In outdoor settings, vaccinated individuals may unmask.
- Masks are not required when eating or drinking in a campus dining area while seated, but they are required for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals at all other times in a public indoor setting such as the dining hall.
As members of the Skidmore community with the shared responsibility of keeping one another safe, all students and employees are urged to wear a mask when in public indoor settings off campus as well, in accordance with current CDC guidance for "high" or "substantial" transmission areas.
Fall semester return-to-campus planning
With the fall semester approaching and as we prepare to transition back to a fully on-campus, residential learning environment in the coming weeks, the College is very closely monitoring local and national COVID-19 infection rates, as well as evolving information about the Delta variant, and is thoroughly considering how this information will impact the details of our return-to-campus plans.
Members of the College’s Student Affairs team, Health Services, and College administrators meet on a regular basis to discuss the latest developments and guidance from the CDC and state and local health departments to help us determine the measures we will need to take to protect our campus community’s health and safety during this critical time.
Skidmore will continue to prioritize the health and safety of all our students, staff, and faculty and will continue to provide regular and timely updates via email and the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin as soon as decisions are reached regarding any changes to policies and protocols. Clear, timely, and transparent communication remains crucial in our efforts to keep everyone informed and safe. All communications regarding COVID-19 and the fall semester return are also being posted to the Campus Planning website, for reference. Any questions about return-to-campus planning may be addressed to Human Resources or your supervisor.
Your patience and cooperation during this important time are appreciated as we look forward to a great fall semester.
Sincerely,
Marc Conner
President
Gail Cummings-Danson
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Logistics Working Group
Donna Ng
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Logistics Working Group