News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

Fall planning update from President Conner

With less than three weeks to go before the start of the fall semester and students arriving in Saratoga Springs this Friday to quarantine, the campus is being prepared and move-in instructions are being sent out. Skidmore is also in conversation with Saratoga Springs officials about racial justice issues and policing.

"All in" for Skidmore: A campus PSA

As students, staff and faculty prepare to gather together on campus for the start of the fall semester, all members of the Skidmore community must make a personal commitment to following all health and safety protocols.

Required Video: Face Mask and Handwashing Guidelines

In order to return to campus, all Skidmore community members must review the guidelines for wearing a mask and washing hands. A fabric mask can act as a barrier to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, it must be used correctly and always combined with other measures to protect yourself and everyone else. Please view this video about how to wear a fabric mask safely and how to properly wash your hands.

Innovation generates exciting fall courses

Faculty transform challenges into opportunities in designing their fall semester curriculum for online, safe in-person and hybrid teaching modes.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

Catherine Berheide, professor of sociology, co-authored an academic article. Read more >>

Rachel Cantave, assistant professor of international affairs, co-produced a documentary film. Read more >>

Kris Covey, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, contributed to a climate report. Read more >> 

Dan Curley, associate professor and chair of classics, published an essay. Read more >>

Heather Hurst, associate chair and associate professor of anthropology, published a chapter in a new book. Read more >>

Announcements

Facilities Services COVID-19 preparedness update

Facilities Services is currently in the process of distributing cleaning and sanitizing products throughout campus. For details, read the full message here.

Quarantine events and programs

Student Affairs has created a SkidSync group that will track events and programs during quarantine, and all students taking part in Skidmore-supported quarantine will be automatically enrolled in the group. Students who are making independent quarantine arrangements can sign up for the group as well. Anyone interested in supporting these students should contact Julia Routbort, Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness.

Celebration Weekend to be virtual event

This year, Skidmore will host its first entirely virtual Celebration Weekend for the families of Skidmore students. Details are forthcoming, but anyone previously planning to attend the on-campus weekend in mid-October should be sure to cancel any local reservations or accommodations.

Tim Davis book-launch porch concert

To celebrate the publication of �Opener 31: Tim Davis � When We Are Dancing (I Get Ideas),� Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs and Malloy Curator Rachel Seligman, who edited the book, will host a live event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, on the Tang Instagram account with Tim Davis from his porch in upstate New York. For more information, contact Olivia Cammisa-Frost.

Vanguard individual counseling sessions

Skidmore College employees are invited to schedule a one-on-one discussion with a licensed retirement planning counselor from Vanguard. Phone consultations are available Aug. 18-20 and Sept. 22-24. There will be no in-person meetings due to COVID-19. Schedule your session online.

9 Miles East Farm offers 2020 CSA subscription

Skidmore students, staff and faculty are invited to sign up for 9 Miles East Farm�s 2020 CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) at Skidmore. Each week, members will receive a selection of vegetables, herbs and even flowers when they are available. This year, shares will be delivered to each member�s residence with safe, contactless delivery. Delivery is available to the entire Saratoga Springs area, including on-campus and off-campus residences. Visit the 9 Miles East webpage to sign up or for more information.

Technology drive for local seniors

Saratoga Senior Center will be collecting spare computers, tablets and smartphones, along with their chargers, during a technology drive Aug. 15-23 at the center at 5 Williams St. The devices enable seniors to participate in online classes, programs and social groups during COVID-19. For more information, contact Will Christmann '21.

K-5 day care at YMCA

The Saratoga YMCA has indicated it may be able to assist Skidmore employees with providing K-5 day care support during the two-week period between the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 24, and Monday, Sept. 7, when local schools are scheduled to reopen. If you are interested in exploring this option, please contact Scott Clark for details about the program, availability and costs.

Gore Mountain season pass discounts

Gore Mountain season pass discounts for the 2020-21 season are available to all Skidmore employees. For this year only, Gore has added a SKI3 Assurance plan that allows passholders to exchange their season pass until Dec. 1, 2020, for a 100% purchase credit that is valid through the end of the 2021-22 snow season. There is also a growing list of value-added deals and discounts. To apply, fill out this application and return it, with payment, to Skidmore's Purchasing Office by Aug. 21. The new "WTP#" line on the application is for the code on the back of the SKI3 Card that season passes were issued on last year; fill in the number if you still have the pass, leave it blank if you don't have a pass, or write "lost my card." For more information, contact Cindy Mitchell.

Skidmore Shop

Get free AirPods with the purchase of a Mac or an iPad. Visit the Skidmore Shop�s tech page to see all eligible Apple devices. The Skidmore Shop also has a limited inventory of 2019 Apple devices that are up to an additional $350 off the education price. The Shop carries the latest models as well. Please contact Doug Chang for more information.

Share news in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin

Please help reduce bulk emails by posting your announcement in the Bulletin, which reaches all faculty, staff and students.

Accessing College Resources

The following resources and services are currently available to the Skidmore community. Updates and additions to this list will be posted each week in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin. Please submit updates to this list by email.

Skidmore College continues to provide campus-wide COVID-19 updates here.

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable staff are working remotely and strongly encourage sending documentation (invoices, check requests, expense reports and other forms) electronically through scanned email attachments to Accounts Payable. Original signatures are not required, and scanned copies will be accepted. If a preparer or approver is unable to physically sign a document, Accounts Payable will accept an email directly from the individual. Please note in the email, "As an authorized signor for my department, I have reviewed and approved the attached payment request." Please note that most vendor payments are now being made by ACH transfer and employee reimbursements are being processed as a check mailed to your home address on file. Please email Accounts Payable if you have any cash deposits, and special arrangements for building access and drop-off will be made with Campus Safety or the Card Office.

Career Development Center 

The Career Development Center continues to support all students. Students are invited to schedule an appointment or have their documents reviewed. 

Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning

For summer faculty professional development opportunities, see CLTL's Summer 2020 Professional Development Calendar.

Community Service 

The Office of Community Service Programs continues to share ways to give back. Like the Skidmore Office of Community Service Facebook page for weekly updates. 

Employee Assistance Program

Employees seeking counseling services may make use of the Employee Assistance Program.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office staff is fully available by email and by phone at 518-580-5750. They are checking voicemails regularly.

First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience office is reachable by email and by phone at 518-580-8111. 

Health Services and the Counseling Center

Health Services and the Counseling Center are available to support students.

Human Resources/Payroll

Human Resources continues to provide assistance to employees via phone or email. HR is also offering new resources such as guidance on Best Practices for Telecommuting.

Non-exempt employees with questions concerning time entry should contact Joan Rivers in Payroll.

Information Technology

Information Technology asks faculty to email all Help Desk requests to a new Faculty Help Desk to expedite responses. In your email, it is essential that you include a cellphone or landline number so someone from IT can contact you. Calling the Help Desk phone line will not be your quickest means of support.

Staff should continue to submit IT support requests by emailing the Help Desk or calling 518-580-5900 from 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Off-Campus Study & Exchanges

The Office of Off-Campus Study & Exchanges will continue to offer walk-in advising through phone calls or video chats from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sign up here. 

Opportunity Program

The Opportunity Program remains available to offer support to all OP students, on campus and off.

Post Office

The Skidmore Post Office is now delivering letter mail in the mornings and packages in the afternoons on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. If a package arrives on a Tuesday or Thursday, it may be picked up at the Post Office. Window hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash payment is no longer accepted, only Skidmore IDs and departmental purchasing cards. The Post Office is only accepting prepaid packages from all carriers, as the UPS station is no longer available for use. Large prepaid packages can be dropped off at the Post Office, while smaller packages can be placed in the blue courier boxes in the Case Center vestibule or on the first floor of Jonsson Tower near the laundry room. Distributions and notices are no longer accepted. For more information, email the Skidmore Post Office.

Print Services

Print Services is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are experiencing a service issue or have a printing question, contact Jim Pfoh. Cash payment is no longer accepted; Skidmore IDs and department purchasing cards are accepted.

Purchasing

The Purchasing Office is fully operational and accessible by emailing Anne Petruzzelli or Carol Schnitzer or leaving a voicemail at 518-580-5848 or 518-580-5849. 

Residential Life

Students can reach the Office of Residential Life by email or by phone by leaving a message at 518-580-5765. Messages are checked regularly during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Residential Life webpage or check Instagram for updates.

Scribner Library

Scribner Library is now circulating physical books from its collections via �curbside� pick-up. To request materials, fill out the library�s online form. Scribner Library is currently in Phase 3 of its reopening plan and is aiming for Phase 4 by the start of classes. Long before the pandemic, the library had planned to roll out a new, improved website this summer and it will be coming soon. Feedback on the new site is welcome.

Tang Teaching Museum

The Tang is open online while the building is closed. Find exhibitions, at-home art-making projects and more on the new Tang at Home webpage.

 Please send submissions to the Office of Communications and Marketing. 

Skidmore College

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-580-5000