News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

Skidmore Cares donations

Skidmore Cares, the College’s annual holiday community-service program, is celebrating 15 years of supporting nonprofit agencies and schools in Saratoga County.

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Kevin Young

The poet, author, poetry editor at The New Yorker and next director the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture speaks as part of Skidmore’s Racial Justice Initiative.

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PHE knitting program

Peer health educators are integral to wellness efforts at Skidmore, serving as resources to confide in and role models to emulate.

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Dining Services

Bread sale: Order on the Dining Services website by Tuesday, Nov. 3, for pickup on Friday, Nov. 6, between 3 and 5 p.m. in the Atrium Café. Flavors are ciabatta, cinnamon raisin, corn, corn with jalapenos and cheddar, pumpkin chocolate chip, and sourdough.

 

The Spa, the Atrium Café and Burgess Café are open to students and Skidmore employees. Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, including the new Murray-Aikins Dining Hall Express, are open to students only this fall. Hours of operation and Spa specials are available online.

Human Resources

You’re invited: Zoom training sessions

Human Resources and LEDS are partnering to offer a two-part Zoom training opportunity for employees.

 

Session 1: Zoom Basics, at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, or 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. Join the LEDS team virtually to get your questions answered relating to Zoom basics. We will cover a range of Zoom functionality you will want to be familiar with. The session will highlight these key components:  

  • How to schedule on the fly and recurring meetings
  • How to troubleshoot audio and mic issues
  • How to share your desktop, whiteboard and use the chat and virtual backgrounds
  • How to create recordings and where to store them
  • How to make sure your meetings are secure

 

Session 2: Setting up your remote studio, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, or 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Zoom meetings can be wonderful or less than stellar. While factors like internet connectivity are often beyond our control, Zoom does afford each of us an opportunity to create a remote studio that can improve the online meeting experience for you and others on the call. Join your LEDS colleagues as we detail our home office transformation. This interactive session will include peer discussion, set design techniques and great tips and tricks to produce the best quality set design for your meetings. 

 

Employees must register for these programs via the LEDS training calendar.   

 

EAP Reaching Out newsletter

The November edition of our Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) Reaching Out newsletter is here. There are a range of interesting articles. We hope you find this month’s newsletter helpful.

 

Reminder: Harassment prevention and minors compliance training

As a friendly reminder, all employees must complete the annual workplace harassment prevention and minors compliance training courses on or before Monday, Nov. 16. Instructions can be found here to access the training portal. Thank you for your participation in this important training and working together to make Skidmore College an inclusive environment for all community members.  

 

Save the date: Open enrollment

Open enrollment for 2020 benefits is Nov. 9-20. The College will host informational Zoom sessions this year that will provide employees with information about the College’s benefits and a chance to ask questions of our vendors. For those employees who do not work in front of a computer, the College will make arrangements for these sessions to be broadcast to small groups with appropriate social distancing measures in place. The HR team is in the process of developing the schedule of sessions and will soon update our website with materials regarding our 2021 benefits options, Frequently Asked Questions and virtual vendor sessions. Employees will also have the opportunity to schedule meetings (virtually or socially distanced on campus) with Human Resources to provide assistance with the enrollment process.

 

Breakfast with HR: Supervisor Roundtable

Human Resources sincerely thanks those supervisors who were able to attend our Breakfast with HR program Wednesday morning, Oct. 28. We hope you enjoyed the program and gained valuable strategies that you can implement on your team. Please click here to view the presentation slides. For those of you who could not join us, we encourage you to review the presentation and reach out to us to discuss best practices for engaging your team during these extraordinary times. The next Breakfast with HR will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

 

Kris Covey, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, presented during a virtual climate conference. Read more >>

 

Stephen J. Ives, associate professor of health and human physiological sciences, published a research paper. Read more >>

 

Michael Janairo, manager of communications and strategic initiatives at the Tang Teaching Museum, was awarded a prize for poetry. Read more >>

 

Rebecca Krefting, chair and associate professor of American studies, was invited to contribute an essay to a new book. Read more >>

 

Jason Ohlberg, assistant professor of dance, led a panel presentation. Read more >>

 

A podcast hosted by Bradley Onishi, associate professor of religion, gained an institutional partner. Read more >>

Announcements

Campus polling site information for Election Day

A campus polling site in the Center, located on the second floor of Case Center across from the InterCultural Center (ICC), will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for voting. Please see the message that was sent to students about safety, what to expect and voter rights.

 

Campus Safety to test siren, notification systems

Campus Safety will be conducting a test of the on-campus siren, public address system and web-based Skidmore Urgent Notification System (SUNS) at about 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. If you do not receive a SUNS message at that time, please email Campus Safety or call 518-580-5567.

 

Tang Live: Pocket Lectures

On this week’s Tang Live at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, on the Tang Instagram account, Tang design intern Heidi Birch ’22 hosts a series of short lectures from students on eclectic topics. This episode was designed and organized by Marchand intern Maria Staack ’22. For more information, visit the Tang event webpage.

 

Curators’ Tour of “Never Done”

At noon Friday, Oct. 30, via Zoom, Tang Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs and Malloy Curator Rachel Seligman and Skidmore faculty co-curator Minita Sanghvi, assistant professor of management and business, will lead a virtual tour of “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond.” Please register via Zoom.

 

Honoring grief and celebrating memories on Día de los Muertos

International Student Union, Raíces and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) invite the Skidmore community to join in observance of Día de los Muertos. Stop by the second floor of Case Center between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to add a name or memory to the display and to learn more about the traditions related to this observance, or email submissions to ORSL. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the different kinds of grief that so many are experiencing and to celebrate those who have gone before us and the gifts of memory, family and community. The display will remain in Case Center for the week and will then reside in Wilson Chapel for the remainder of the semester. 

 

Skidmore Encore presents “Political Polarization & Democratic Decline”

The popular lecture series Skidmore Encore will be presented live online in two 45-minute webinars each Tuesday from Oct. 13 through Nov. 10. Next week’s theme is “Political Polarization & Democratic Decline.” On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Patrick Campbell will consider “The Pathology of Political Polarization” from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., and Associate Professor of Political Science Feryaz Ocakli will discuss “Democratic Erosion: How Established Democracies are Declining” from noon to 12:45 p.m. The program is free for Skidmore students, faculty, staff and the College’s retirees. Visit the Skidmore Encore webpage to register.

 

A Guide to Election Watching 2020

From 7 to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, tune in for a Zoom discussion of what to expect as returns trickle in. Chris Mann, assistant professor of political science, will discuss the election map, when and where to expect election results and why it will take longer for the presidential race to be called than in past elections. Minita Sanghvi, assistant professor of management and business, will discuss the role of political marketing and branding in the 2020 campaign. This event is a public program of the exhibition “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond” and is presented by the Political Science Department and the Tang Teaching Museum. Register via Zoom.

 

Annual Critical Futures reading with President Marc Conner

Skidmore President Marc Conner will read from “The Selected Letters of Ralph Ellison” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, via Zoom (Meeting ID: 995 220 2235, Passcode: English). The event is presented by the English Department.

 

2020 Selected Art Faculty exhibition

The Schick Gallery is pleased to present the 2020 Selected Art Faculty Exhibition, this year featuring sculpture by John Galt, photographs by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison and paintings and drawings by Michael Van Winkle, through Nov. 20. For more information, visit the Schick website.

 

Skidmore Grants update

New content has been added to the Skidmore Grants website. This month, the website is highlighting Associate Professor of Chemistry Juan Navea and Professor of Chemistry Kimberley Frederick and their award from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation’s Scientific Equipment Program. In addition, upcoming funding announcements and articles of interest have been updated. Visit the Skidmore Grants website for more information.

 

Alumni Welcome Back Initiative

With the increased use of virtual meeting technology, we are more easily able to connect alumni with our current students than ever before. If you have recently invited an alumna or alumnus to speak with your class or program, or if you have upcoming plans to do so, the Office of Alumni Relations and College Events would like to know that these connections are happening. Please complete this “welcome back” form so we can share our appreciation as well.

 

Help Skidmore students by sharing your thoughts

Students in ES 224 Political Ecology need your help to collect data for their fall semester project. There are two opportunities to help: The first is a survey on plastic bags that aims to understand consumer habits and thoughts about the plastic bag ban. The second is a survey in collaboration with Bikeatoga that aims to understand pedestrians’ and bikers’ perception of road safety in Saratoga Springs.

 

Upcoming Electric Vehicle (EV) Webinar Series

National Drive Electric Week wrapped up earlier this month, but Drive Green with National Grid has more events scheduled throughout the end of 2020. Webinar topics range from what you need to know about EV charging to tips for buying a pre-owned EV. Webinar information and registration links can be found here. If you missed National Drive Electric Week, you can find recordings of the webinars here.

 

Skidmore Shop

Check out the new Skidmoreshop.com! The new site is more user-friendly, better looking and faster than its predecessor. If you can’t stop by the Shop, we’re always open online.

 

Share news in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin

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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 fall semester updates here.

 

Academic Advising

At this time, the Office of Academic Advising is best able to serve students, faculty and parents through phone or Zoom meetings. Appointments can be scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Same-day appointments are often available. Visit the office webpage or find more contact information here.

 

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

Scholarly and Creative Endeavors Work Groups (SCE) are taking on a new format this semester. Three groups will be led virtually via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Zoom details were shared via email. Also, due to budget constraints, the CLTL is no longer able to provide lunch tickets. In addition, for health and safety reasons, Weller Room (Library 212) will not be available for faculty and staff to access this fall. Skidmore ID access has been suspended until further notice.

 

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. Virtual office hours will be held every Monday from 2 to 2:30 p.m. To schedule an individual appointment, email Michelle Hubbs and she will send you a meeting request. If you are looking for voter registration information, please see "How to Register to Vote In Your State."

 

Employee Assistance Program

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

 

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is open during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and staff are available by email and by phone at 518-580-5750.

 

First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience office is working remotely for the fall semester. Email is the best way to contact staff, but you can also call 518-580-8111 and leave a voicemail.

 

Health Services and the Counseling Center

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

 

Human Resources/Payroll

Human Resources continues to update Faculty/Staff FAQs on a regular basis, including employee testing questions. The HR team is available by phone 518-580-5800 or email.

 

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.

 

The IT Help Desk is now offering Live Chat Support. The chat function can be accessed by clicking the Live Support button on the left side of the IT Help Desk webpage. It will be green when support is available. This week, chat support will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starting Aug. 24, Live Chat Support will be staffed by full-time staff from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until midnight and on weekends by Help Desk student assistants.

 

Off-Campus Study & Exchanges

OCSE staff continue to hold open advising hours from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday via zoom. Check out their remote advising webpage for the Zoom link or to schedule an appointment. Follow @globalskidmore on Instagram and watch for upcoming events.

 

Opportunity Program

The Opportunity Program remains available to offer support to all OP students, on campus and off. While staff are mostly working remotely this fall semester, the office is staffed with one to two staff members Monday through Thursday to assist with printing or other emergencies. Staff also offer advising, academic and social support and OP students should feel encouraged to reach out to staff by email and/or schedule video conferencing for any needs that arise.

 

Post Office

The Post Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Skidmore IDs and departmental purchasing cards are the only form of payment accepted; cash is no longer accepted. Until further notice, distributions and notices are no longer accepted. For more information, email the Skidmore Post Office.

 

Print Services

Print Services is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Until further notice, all finished jobs must be picked up at Print Services; delivery service has been suspended. Skidmore IDs and departmental purchasing cards are the only form of payment accepted; cash is no longer accepted. If you are experiencing a service issue or have a printing question, contact Jim Pfoh. 

 

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.

 

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office is working remotely for the fall semester. Email is the best way to contact staff, but you can also call and leave a voicemail. Contact information for staff can be found here.

 

Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and available to support students. Staff are working on campus and remotely and can be reached by calling 518-580-5765 or by email.

 

Scheduling Office

The Scheduling Office collaborated with Academic and Student Affairs to ensure students have space for quiet study and extracurricular activities while following health and safety guidelines. Academic building hours are posted. For policies regarding use of space this fall, visit the webpage or check availability in EMS. For more information about policies or how to request a space in EMS, email the Scheduling Office.

 

Scribner Library

Scribner Library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday with all floors open. A valid Skidmore ID is required to enter the building, and students need to present their cleared CoVerified screen. The library is circulating physical books with pickup available at the Circulation Desk. To request materials, fill out the library’s online form. For research help, visit the “Ask Us” page to access FAQs and connect with a librarian through chat, phone or email. Email your subject librarian to make a one-on-one Zoom appointment. Consult the library's welcome packet for additional information about access, resources and help. Please note: there are additional printers for students in Case Center — one on the second floor in the SGA lounge and one next to Print Services.

 

Sponsored Research

The Office of Sponsored Research is working remotely for the fall semester. Email is the best way to contact staff, but you can also call and leave a voicemail. Contact information for staff can be found at the bottom of the Sponsored Research webpage.

 

Student Academic Services

Student Academic Services (SAS) makes professional one-on-one academic support available to all Skidmore students. SAS serves students interested in strengthening their academic performance and offers assistance in developing a wide range of academic skills and practices. Academic counselors are available by appointment

 

Tang Teaching Museum

The Tang is open for scheduled classes and faculty appointments during the week, and for drop-in hours for students, faculty and staff from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, visit the Tang’s COVID response page.

 

Writing Center

At the Philip Boshoff Writing Center, trained student tutors offer one-on-one consultations for writers at every stage of the writing process, from assignment sheet to final revisions. This fall, all appointments will be online. Zoom will be the primary tool for online appointments, but the center will also support tutoring through Google Docs, Skype, FaceTime, WeChat, voice or some other method of communication. Fall 2020 tutoring hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Students may check the schedule for appointment times.

 Please send submissions to the Office of Communications and Marketing. 

Skidmore College

 

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-580-5000