Important COVID-19 Updates
Dear Skidmore Community,
Since the start of the fall semester, the College has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases among members of our community and in surrounding counties. Indeed, the CDC has updated the Saratoga County Community Level to “medium.” The College is currently monitoring caseloads, and our COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated weekly on Thursdays.
We understand that a rise in cases can cause concern among our community members. Please know the COVID-19 Logistics Working Group continues to meet regularly to address changes as they occur and will continue to provide timely and transparent communication. Any questions not addressed in these communications may be emailed to covidfeedback@skidmore.edu.
Mitigating Transmission
To help mitigate transmission, it is essential that students and employees who are symptomatic stay home when sick, wear a mask around others if out in public, test, and closely follow isolation guidelines.
Testing
- Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 20, students and employees may pick up one box of rapid tests per visit by presenting their Skidmore ID at Case Information Desk, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including lunch hours, or at Campus Safety at any time. Individuals should test if they are symptomatic, or if they have had a close exposure (test on Day 5). Individuals requesting tests should be fully masked when picking up tests (inside Case Center or at the Campus Safety window).
- Staff and faculty who test positive for COVID-19 must report the test results to HR at hr@skidmore.edu.
- Students who test positive using a rapid antigen test must promptly 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.
Boosters
- Individuals who are eligible for the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster designed to protect against the most recent Omicron subvariants are strongly encouraged to get theirs as soon as possible. The CDC states that COVID-19 boosters are safe and effective. For more information, visit the CDC’s website here.
- Students in need of transportation to a booster site may sign out a fleet vehicle (if an authorized driver).
- Employees, including union employees, may take paid time off to receive the booster. Please notify your supervisor if you plan to do so.
Masking
- Skidmore will continue to follow CDC recommendations for masking on campus. When the CDC County Community Level is “low” or “medium” (as it is now), masking indoors will not be required on campus but will continue to be supported. When the CDC Community Level is “high,” masking indoors will be required.
- Please note that faculty may require masking in their classrooms or labs, staff and faculty may require masking within their personal office space, and students may do so in their individual residence rooms. Masking is optional everywhere else on campus and generally cannot be required of anyone. Masks continue to be required at the Counseling Center and Health Services per New York state law.
- Please remember to bring a mask with you when traveling about campus and respect requests for masking in these areas.
- Ready-made signs and templates are available here for faculty and staff to download, print, and post as needed.
- The College will continue to make free KN95 masks available to all students and employees at Campus Safety. In addition, baskets with KN95 masks will be placed at convenient locations across campus, including Case Center and academic buildings.
Grab-and-Go Option at Murray-Aikins Dining Hall
- Students who have tested positive and who live on campus will receive a communication about meal pick-up services from Dining Services.
- Students who have a roommate who tests positive will receive an exposure notification from covidsupport@skidmore.edu which outlines grab-and-go procedures. Similarly, those who are out of isolation but still masking (Day 6-10) will receive information about grab-and-go.
- Students who fall outside the categories above but are interested in a grab-and-go option should follow the procedure outlined here.
- Effective Sept. 20, tables and chairs will be set up in the courtyard between Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and Starbuck Center for those who wish to dine outdoors.
Other Accommodations
- 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 reasonable accommodation should contact the Coordinator for Student Access Services.
Thank you for your attention to these reminders and updates.
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, Strategic HR Advisor