Commencement 2021 Update

Dear Members of the Skidmore Community,

As shared earlier this month, Skidmore plans to hold commencement exercises for the Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 22, as an in-person event. 

I am now pleased to confirm that Commencement will be held at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and will be open to the entire senior class, provided that state and local health and safety guidelines allow. 

New York state has yet to issue guidelines specific to commencement ceremonies, so the College’s plans are being developed by the Commencement Logistics Working Group based on current guidelines for other large gatherings. 

I write to share the following additional updates:

Guests: Due to current and anticipated restrictions on large gatherings, as well as health and safety considerations, in-person attendance by guests, families, and friends will unfortunately not be possible. Parents and families may opt to travel to Saratoga Springs to pick up their students if they wish, but, again, will not be permitted at the ceremony. The event will be livestreamed for those who wish to view it. 

Students studying remotely: We have developed the following protocols to allow remote seniors and January and August graduates to return to campus to participate in Commencement: 

• Remote seniors and January and August graduates interested in returning to campus to participate in Senior Week and/or Commencement must respond to the Student Affairs survey sent directly to them by Friday, April 2.
• International students must meet quarantine requirements or submit proof of full vaccination status prior to arriving on campus. 
• All returning students will be required to provide negative COVID-19 test results 72 hours prior to arriving on campus and must meet Skidmore, New York state, and federal testing and quarantine guidelines. Testing will be required upon arriving on campus and prior to Commencement. 
• No room or board fees will be required for seniors returning to campus for Senior Week and/or Commencement. 
• Students must arrive on or after Monday, May 17, 2021, and all graduating students must leave campus on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

COVID-19 guidelines: Each student who plans to participate in Commencement must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. We are developing further testing, masking, and social distancing protocols as they pertain to Commencement, and more details will be shared soon.

Pre-Commencement events: We are working to hold as many pre-Commencement events as possible, keeping the health and safety of our community as our top priority. While we wish we could hold all pre-Commencement events in person, many events must be held virtually due to health and safety guidelines. Our priority is to hold the main Commencement ceremony in person.

The Office of Campus Life and Engagement is planning activities for seniors that align with health and safety guidelines. More information about Senior Week and other events will be shared soon.

Class of 2020: I recently met with leaders from the Class of 2020 to discuss their wishes for a celebration of their Commencement. With their input, we are planning an on-campus celebration in the May-June 2022 timeframe. I greatly look forward to welcoming that class back to campus for an appropriate celebration of their Skidmore experience. More details will follow.

Though we continue to see promising signs for a better spring ahead — including increased vaccination rates — all plans are subject to change at any point, should circumstances or legal restrictions require. 

I look forward to sharing more information in the weeks ahead. And to our seniors, I hope you are enjoying and embracing these final weeks at Skidmore. We are eager to celebrate your impressive accomplishments in May.

Sincerely, 
Marc Conner 
President