All Campus COVID-19 Update and Reminders
Dear Members of the Skidmore Community,
As many of you are aware, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in our Skidmore community. This isn’t unexpected as students, faculty, and staff come together again at the start of the academic year; in fact, it mirrors a similar increase in cases that took place at about the same time last year.
The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the following:
Dining Hall: Limited Hours
Due to staffing concerns, Dining Hall hours will be shortened for the next few days. Today through Thurs., Sept. 18, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall will close at 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.
Exposure
As always, if you have been exposed to the virus or if you develop COVID-19 symptoms, mask up and test!
Masking
Skidmore is a mask-friendly campus. Although wearing a mask isn’t required at this time, a quality mask (for example, N95 or KN94) can reduce the likelihood of catching – or transmitting – the COVID-19 virus. Masks are available through the outward facing Campus Safety window located to the left of the Jonsson Tower parking lot entrance. Starting today, masks will also be available at the Case Information Desk on the second floor of Case Center.
Vaccinations
New COVID-19 vaccines are now available at pharmacies and other locations. The CDC has a web page where you can check vaccine appointment availability in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area. Skidmore plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines through campus clinics as soon as our provider, Adirondack Health and Wellness, is able to do so. For now, the campus clinics are offering Flu shots, which are also important to help to prevent or mitigate the effects of this year’s Flu strain. The first campus Flu clinics are at the end of this week: you can sign up for this Thursday (9/21) or Friday (9/22) here.
Testing
Rapid COVID-19 Tests are available through the Campus Safety window. Please note: We’re not distributing out-of-date tests: the expiration dates for these tests have been extended. You can always check the FDA website to make sure your test is still valid even after the stated expiration date.
Student Reporting
Students are reminded to self-report here (login required) if they test positive for COVID-19 and to follow the campus guidelines for isolation and quarantine. We know that there were some glitches in the reporting system initially, but we believe those have been resolved. If you encounter problems, please email covidsupport@skidmore.edu. Additionally, answers to some other FAQs can be found on the Health Services website.
Faculty/Staff Reporting
Faculty and staff are asked to tell their supervisor or department chair and to email HR at hr@skidmore.edu if they test positive for COVID-19, and to follow CDC Guidelines for isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19.
Stay Safe/Be Healthy
Although vaccinations and masking remain among the best defenses against COVID-19 and Flu, there are other things you can do to lower your risk of infection. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep! Information regarding all policies, guidelines, and latest messages can be found on the COVID-19 Campus Planning Page.
As COVID-19 becomes endemic in our community, surges in infection rates will take occasionally take place. But together we can do our part to keep ourselves – and others – healthy.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group
Adrian Bautista, (Co-Chair), Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs
Sarah Vero, (Co-Chair), Vice President for Human Resources and General Counsel Abigail
Caldwell, Director of Health Services
Pat Fehling, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Professor for Health and Human Physiological
Sciences
Julia Routbort Baskin, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness
Elizabeth Stauderman, Vice President for Communications and Marketing