COVID-19 policy and protocol updates

February 11, 2022

Dear Skidmore Community,

Prior to our return to campus, we shared that the College’s goal during the first few weeks of the semester was to ensure we could operate safely and in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations while maintaining the residential, in-person learning environment we all value. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were successful in doing so.

Moving forward, as we continue to navigate living and working alongside COVID-19, our goal is to strike a balance between managing our institutional capacity to respond to cases while also providing the robust, interactive student experiences that we are all eager to fully return to. Ultimately, as the semester progresses, we want to help ensure that we can enjoy spring traditions and celebrations, together, under much more normal circumstances and with only limited restrictions.

The following guidelines will be in place effective immediately, until further notice. We will continue to monitor CDC guidance and transmission on campus and regionally and adjust policies when conditions and recommendations allow, communicating any changes in a timely manner.

Masking

As you may be aware, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced earlier this week that the state's indoor mask mandate was lifted effective Thursday, Feb. 10, citing declining positivity and hospitalization rates across New York. She noted that counties, cities, and businesses remain free to establish their own mask requirements.
The state's mask requirement remains in effect in healthcare settings, pre-K-12 schools, childcare facilities, and on public transit.
While the governor has lifted the mask mandate, the CDC continues to recommend masking in indoor public spaces in areas of substantial or high transmission, which currently includes Saratoga County.
In turn, the College will continue to require indoor masking in public spaces, for now, in accordance with the College’s masking guidelines.
In addition, KN95 masks (or equivalent, i.e., N95 or KF94) are no longer required, but are still strongly recommended.
The College's COVID-19 policies have, and will continue to be, governed by all relevant laws and guidelines.
Please note: As in all class settings, faculty have the discretion to determine and enforce appropriate safety measures and may continue to require KN95 masks to be worn in their classrooms.
Students who need new or additional KN95 masks can continue to pick them up for free at the Murray-Aikins testing site during testing hours or at Campus Safety outside of testing hours.
Departments may continue to request KN95 masks on an as-needed basis by emailing facilities.

Visitors

External visitors to campus are required to wear masks at all times when indoors. While no longer required, a KN95 mask (or equivalent mask, i.e., N95 or KF94) is strongly recommended.
Visitors are required to be vaccinated (including booster) but are no longer required to show proof of vaccination and booster. However, individual departments, programs, or offices may choose to verify vaccination status for indoor gatherings.
Off-campus students are now permitted in on-campus housing and must continue to follow the same guidelines as on-campus students at their own residences.
Non-Skidmore community members are not permitted in any student housing, regardless of vaccination and booster status.
Students may continue to visit others in residence halls, but onlyone visitor per resident (who must be present) is permitted at a time.
Students may continue to visit others in apartments, but as with residence halls, only one visitor per resident (who must be present) is allowed at a time.
If you are in a room, apartment, or space other than your assigned residence, masks are required.

Testing

All eligible students must continue surveillance testing weekly (every seven days). The full testing schedule can be viewed here.
Students who share a room are encouraged to test on the same day, if possible, so their test results will arrive at the same time.
Employees with circumstances that result in specific workplace-related concerns prompting them to seek a test within the College’s testing program may contact Human Resources at hr@skidmore.edu to discuss their unique circumstances and request a test through the College’s testing program. Such requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and are subject to the availability of testing resources.

Dining

Murray-Aikins Dining Hall will continue to operate with a grab-and-go option.Seating will be provided in the Dining Hall, The Spa, and Burgess Café at reduced capacity.
Indoor dining at events is permitted in approved, designated spaces (the Payne Room, the second floor or Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, and Falstaff's only) at approximately 50% capacity.
Attendees may be unmasked when seated and eating but must remain masked otherwise.
A cleared CoVerified status will be required for all students attending events serving food.

Quarantine and Isolation

In addition to the policies above, we want to offer a reminder about quarantine and isolation requirements.

Based on current CDC guidance, individuals who are fully up to date on their vaccinations and booster status and who are exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine if they are not symptomatic.
Students who meet these criteria should attend all of their classes. However, they should make sure they are wearing a snuggly-fitting mask that completely covers their nose and mouth. A KN95, KN94, or N95 is highly recommended. They should not remove it for any reason in the classroom or when they are in close proximity to anyone else.
Students who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster, or who are exempt from vaccination requirements and who are exposed to COVID-19, should contact Health Services or covidsupport@skidmore.edu for instructions about next steps regarding quarantine.
Any student who is symptomatic, or who tests positive on a rapid antigen test, should contact Health Services at 518-580-5550 and they will be provided detailed next steps and, if needed, isolation information and support. After hours, students should contact Campus Safety.

Thank you for your continued attention to these policies and guidelines and to the health and wellness of our entire community.

Sincerely,

The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group

Donna Ng (Co-Chair), Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer
Gail Cummings-Danson (Co-Chair), Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics
Sarah Delaney Vero, Interim Human Resources Director
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