Spring 2024 COVID-19 update
Dear Skidmore Community,
As we look with excitement to the spring semester, we write to share some updated guidance and reminders about how best to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other seasonal illnesses. Globally, nationally, and within the Saratoga community, there has been an uptick in cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations, and it is important that we continue to exercise care to keep our campus community safe.
- 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. The College will continue to monitor local infection rates and CDC guidance as circumstances evolve.
- Effective immediately, masking will be required in both Health Services and the Counseling Center in order to protect staff and preserve our community’s response capacity.
- Faculty, who received additional information by email, 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 remains optional.
- Mask wearing is strongly recommended while traveling, in high-density settings where a large group is gathered for an extended period, or in other places where transmission may be more likely.
- If you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, please mask up and test. Any members of our community concerned about exposure to COVID-19 or showing symptoms of potential COVID-19 should test before returning to campus.
- If you test positive prior to the start of the spring semester, you must complete your required five-day isolation period away from campus. Students should review these guidelines for self-reporting and isolation. Employees must inform their supervisor or department chair, email Human Resources, and follow CDC guidelines. Employees are also encouraged to review Skidmore’s policies about absences, including caring for dependents who may be ill.
- If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19, are symptomatic, or are otherwise feeling unwell, please do not attend campus gatherings or events.
- Free KN95 masks will continue to be available to all members of the Skidmore community, as well as visitors, at Campus Safety and at the Case Information Desk.
- Free rapid tests are currently available to students, as well as to employees concerned about a workplace exposure. Tests are available at the Case Center information desk from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from Campus Safety after hours.
- If you have not yet received an updated COVID-19 vaccine or flu shot, please consider doing so as soon as possible.
Thank you for your attention to these guidelines, and we wish you all a safe and healthy return to campus.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Logistics Working Group
Adrian Bautista, (Co-Chair), Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs
Sarah Delaney Vero, (Co-Chair), General Counsel and Vice President for Human Resources
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
Julia Routbort Baskin, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness
Elizabeth Stauderman, Vice President for Communications and Marketing