Important Fall 2022 COVID-19 Information

August 3, 2022

Dear Skidmore Community,

Like many colleges and universities, Skidmore continues to navigate challenges to campus life due to COVID-19. As we prepare for our return to campus this fall, we write to share important information about COVID-19 plans, policies, and procedures, specifically regarding testing, masking, and isolation.

The well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remains our top priority. As we welcome students back to Saratoga Springs and as part of our shared responsibilities toward one another, it is imperative that we try to identify active COVID cases prior to students’ arrival on campus in order to prevent transmission as we begin the semester. The policies below are also intended to mitigate the spread of COVID on campus and within the local community throughout the fall, while also recognizing that we must demonstrate flexibility, respect, and care as we continue to adapt to living and working alongside the pandemic.

TESTING

Prior to returning to campus

All students are expected to take a PCR or rapid test 48 to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus, to help protect others in our community. If positive, students must remain off campus until they have completed their five-day isolation period. In compliance with CDC guidelines, individuals should continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others for five additional days. A KN95 (or equivalent) mask is strongly recommended.

Fall 2022 testing

Effective during the fall semester, the campus will discontinue the use of PCR surveillance testing (both optional and mandatory) via the Broad Institute.
Free rapid tests will be easily available from Campus Safety to all students and employees who are concerned about symptoms or exposure. We encourage individuals to monitor their symptoms and exposure status and to use rapid testing as a way of protecting themselves and others.
Health Services may perform PCR testing in symptomatic individuals with negative rapid tests but persistent and/or concerning symptoms. Please note that a testing consent form for students under age 18 will be emailed to students from Health Services for a parent or guardian signature.
The College continues to have the capacity to offer targeted, group, or campus-wide testing, as needed. Such testing would be determined in consultation with Saratoga County Public Health Services and may be administered through rapid and/or PCR tests, depending on circumstances and timeline.

Reporting

Students who tested positive in the past 90 days, including all testing that has occurred 48 to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus, should report their positive test dates to Health Services by emailing health@skidmore.edu for recordkeeping.
Employees who have tested positive in the past 90 days should notify Human Resources if they have not yet done so at hr@skidmore.edu.
Students who test positive during the academic year must notify covidsupport@skidmore.edu so the College can provide appropriate individual support, notify key College staff and faculty on a need-to-know basis, and take steps to mitigate transmission.

MASKING

Skidmore will continue to follow CDC recommendations for masking on campus. When the Community Level is “low” or “medium,” as it is currently, masking indoors will not be required on campus but will continue to be supported. When the Community Level is “high,” masking indoors will be required.
The College will continue to make free KN95 masks available to all students and employees at Campus Safety.
When masking indoors is optional, faculty may continue to require masking in their classrooms or labs, staff and faculty may require masking within their personal office space, and students may require masking of visitors in their individual residence rooms. Everywhere else on campus, masking is optional and generally cannot be required of anyone.
Skidmore continues to be a mask-supportive and mask-friendly community. Individuals should feel free and comfortable to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish.
Per current New York state guidelines, masks are required to be worn in healthcare settings, including the Health Center and Counseling Center.

ACCOMMODATIONS

As a reminder, the College is committed to the health and well-being of its community members and will work to reasonably accommodate students, faculty, and staff with known disabilities. Employees in need of a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition should contact the Assistant Director of Employment & Workforce Diversity. Students in need of a reasonable accommodation should contact Coordinator for Student Access Services Meg Hegener.

ISOLATION FOR STUDENTS

Please note that effective this fall, a limited number of isolation spaces will be available on campus. Therefore, most students will be isolating in place. Exceptions include those outlined below.

FOR STUDENTS IN SINGLES, APARTMENTS, OR OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

As was the case last year, students who live in singles, apartments, or off-campus housing must isolate in place.

FOR STUDENTS IN DOUBLE OR TRIPLE RESIDENCE HALL ROOMS

This upcoming semester, students who live in doubles or triples in residence halls will need to isolate in place as well.
Individuals who have significant concerns about isolating in place should reach out to covidsupport@skidmore.edu to discuss thefollowing options that the College may offer based on availability, individual circumstances, and medical review. Individuals can expect responses during work hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday).

Isolation in room

Students, families, and roommates are encouraged to talk with each other now about their comfort level with this option.

Isolation independently off campus

Students may choose to travel to another location to isolate if they can get there by private transportation (car) and not through public transportation (bus, train, airplane). Students must notify covidsupport@skidmore.edu if they decide to relocate elsewhere (e.g., home) for isolation.

Isolation space on campus

Isolation spaces on campus will be prioritized for individuals who test positive and who live in a double or triple with a roommate with pre-existing medical conditions that put them at significant risk for severe COVID symptoms or complications, such as: chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, severe asthma, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, pregnancy, cancer, organ transplant, or taking immunosuppressive medications.

Alternative isolation space off campus

While not within walking distance, the College has made arrangements for rooms at hotels and motels.

As in past semesters, comprehensive details regarding isolation guidelines (e.g., masking, extra precautions) and support for isolation (e.g., access to food, care, academic support and other essentials) will be communicated directly to students by the Skidmore COVID Support Team when they report or receive a positive test.

During any isolation period, students should coordinate with their professors regarding coursework. Faculty are encouraged to be as flexible and supportive as possible during the required five-day isolation period.

FOR EMPLOYEES

Employees who test positive must isolate for at least five days and report their positive test to HR, who will provide additional information regarding isolation.
Employees who feel well enough to work, and the nature of their work allows for remote work, may work from home with supervisor approval. If individuals are not feeling well, or the nature of their work does not allow for remote work, the College will provide paid sick time to use during the isolation period.

Please note that in alignment with many of our peer institutions and Saratoga County practices, the COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated weekly.

As always, the College will closely monitor trends and cases, and communicate any changes to the above policies and procedures in a clear and prompt manner. Our Campus Planning 2022-2023 webpage will also be updated accordingly and is set up as a resource for all to view policies, FAQs, and more.

Thank you in advance for your adherence to these requirements. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in just a few weeks.

Sincerely,

The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group
Adrian Bautista, (Co-Chair), Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs
Donna Ng, (Co-Chair), Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer
Abigail Caldwell, Director of Health Services
Jacqueline Conrad, Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Pat Fehling, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Professor for Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department
Julia Routbort, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness
Sarah Vero, Interim Human Resources Director