Important COVID-19 Updates

Dear Skidmore Community, 

Last week, the College implemented a number of operational changes to help control and reverse an upward trend in cases. We understand how challenging it was for many in our community, especially our students, and we are grateful for your patience and flexibility.  

Following a week of closely monitoring test results, we feel that our community’s efforts have successfully helped to mitigate the rise in cases. 

In turn, we write to share the following updates, effective immediately: 

• Students may now visit others in residence halls, but only one visitor per resident (who must be present) is permitted at a time. For example, if you live in a double and both you and your roommate are present, you may have two visitors in your space. 
• Visitors are once again permitted in apartments. As in residence halls, only one visitor per resident (who must be present) is allowed at a time.  
• Please remember: If you are in a room, apartment, or space other than your assigned residence, masks are required. Off-campus students must follow the same guidelines as on-campus students. 
• Official team practices held outdoors may now occur without masks. Masks remain required for indoor practices. 

Please note that the following operational changes remain in effect while the College is operating at ‘yellow’ status level, as we are now: 

• Outside visitors (e.g. family members, friends from other schools) are not permitted in residence halls or apartments. 
• Informal, indoor social gatherings are limited to 10 individuals in common spaces across campus, including residences, and masks are required.   
• Masks must be worn at all times indoors when students are off campus (e.g. at the grocery store, in town).   
• All students are required to show a “cleared” status in CoVerified in order to gain entry to Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and Williamson Sports Center. Faculty may ask students to show a “cleared” CoVerified status before entering the classroom. In addition, staff and faculty in departments and offices across campus may also request to see a student’s “cleared” status before inviting a student to enter their workspace.  

Testing location update 

Testing will be held in Falstaff’s until noon on Friday, Oct. 15. Beginning Monday, Oct. 18, testing will move to the second floor of Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, not Pine Cottage Annex, as previously announced. 

Thanksgiving break 

We know that many of you are already making plans for the Thanksgiving break, which will take place Wednesday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 28. At this time, the College is planning to proceed with Thanksgiving break as normal, with the expectation that in-person academics will resume after the break and remain in person until the end of the semester. We are planning for additional safety measures, including enhancing testing regimens for students, faculty, and staff as needed, to ensure that students transition as safely as possible.  

Details of the College’s Thanksgiving break plans, such as specific COVID-19 testing procedures, will continue to be evaluated and shared as the semester progresses, and we will remain flexible and prepared to pivot as necessary. 

While we cannot predict future conditions, our goal is to provide as much notice as possible to allow our students, faculty, and staff to sufficiently adjust their plans for the break and the remainder of the semester, should circumstances dictate. In turn, when booking any travel plans, we recommend making them as flexible and refundable as possible. 

Monitoring our community’s progress and communication 

The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group will continue to keep a close eye on campus transmission rates and will continue to update the entire Skidmore community through transparent and timely communications as information becomes available. As a reminder, Skidmore’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily with aggregate data related to testing and infection rates on campus.  

The Dean of Students Office/Office of Student Conduct will continue to reach out to students who have not complied with testing requirements and/or other COVID-related guidelines. Please know that, depending on the severity and/or frequency of non-compliance, consequences and/or sanctions may include (non-exhaustively) such options as warnings, educational activities, removal from campus housing, or suspension/expulsion. 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment, patience, and flexibility as we continue to live with this pandemic and make the most of this fall semester back together. 

Sincerely, 

The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group 

• Donna Ng (Co-Chair), Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer 
• Gail Cummings-Danson (Co-Chair), Assistant VP for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics 
• Sarah Delaney Vero, Interim Human Resources Director/Assistant Director of Employment & Workforce Diversity 
• Pat Fehling, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Professor for Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department 
• Sara Miga, Director of External Relations and Strategic Communications 
• Tim Munro, Director of Campus Safety 
• Bruce Murray, Assistant Director of Facilities 
• Kelley Patton-Ostrander, Assistant Vice President for Financial Planning & Auxiliary Services 
• Ann Marie Przywara, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Residential Life 
• Julia Routbort, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness 
• Angela Valden, Strategic Communications Editor