News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

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President Conner thanks all employees for their extraordinary work in making a safe reopening of the College possible this semester and for furthering the College’s mission. In recognition of the tremendous effort, diligence and dedication of each employee at Skidmore, the president and his cabinet declare the week of Nov. 23 “Giving Thanks to You” week.

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Skidmore Cares

Community agencies are counting on Skidmore to help keep up with growing needs, especially during the upcoming holiday season. From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 13, drive up to the Surrey-Williamson Inn and drop off your donation items at the Skidmore Cares donation tables outside. If you are unable to drop off your donations during these times, please contact Megan Buchanan or Michelle Hubbs to make arrangements. President Conner and Barbara Reyes-Conner will be outside the Surrey to help collect donations from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

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Scribner Library

President Conner and College administrators briefed staff on recent developments, including unsanctioned social gatherings of students over the weekend of Oct. 30-31, continuing efforts to build a more inclusive campus community, plans for the winter break and spring semester, and other topics.

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American flags

Faculty experts from the Political Science Department partner with the Tang Teaching Museum to provide perspective and context around this year’s historic election.

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Ensemble Connect

Nine young musicians are sharing their talents remotely this fall during the 14th biannual Ensemble Connect program residency. An online concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.

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Helena Yohannes ‘04

This year, the list of noteworthy holiday gifts is giving special attention to Black-owned businesses, including 2.4.1 Cosmetics, co-owned and co-founded by Helena Yohannes ‘04.

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Skidmore Shop gifts

Skidmoreshop.com is a one-stop shop for all of your Skidmore holiday needs. Cozy and branded apparel, tech, games and more will make great gifts this season.

 

The Skidmore Shop in Case Center will host its annual holiday sale from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 12. Stop by and spin the wheel to get a deal, and for every $25 you spend you will be entered into a raffle to win a MacBook (12-inch 256gb space gray).

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Dining Services

Final bread sale of 2020: Order on the Dining Services website by Tuesday, Nov. 17, for pickup on Friday, Nov. 20, between 3 and 5 p.m. in the Atrium Café. Flavors are apple cinnamon, ciabatta, corn, corn with jalapeno and cheddar, cinnamon raisin, pumpkin, pumpkin with chocolate chips, and sourdough. Loaves are $4 each.

Esperanto Oboy “Take and Bake” party packs will be available for pickup from The Spa during the final week of classes, Nov. 16-20. The Oboy is a natural blend of mild spices, chicken breast, cheeses and green onions, wrapped in golden brown dough. Orders must be placed through the Esperanto website and pre-payment is required. During checkout, please specify in the optional notes section that you will be picking up at The Spa and indicate the day you would like to do so.

Take-and-bake apple crisp: For $8, get everything you need — from apples and premeasured ingredients to ice cream, whipped cream and a baking pan — to make a delicious apple crisp for six people. Order on the Dining Services website by Tuesday, Nov. 17, for pickup on Friday, Nov. 20, between 3 and 5 p.m. in the Atrium Café. 

 

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.

Oracle Cloud System

Skidmore will roll out an upgraded Oracle Cloud system for financial and human resources functions in January 2021. This week’s updates to the Oracle Cloud training website include how to pay an invoice (check request), how to view your pay slip and how to change your payroll tax withholdings.

 

Finance staff will host a training session on “How to Pay an Invoice (Check Request)” from 11:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 12, via Zoom using this link. We hope you will join us for this opportunity to ask questions and understand more about this new, enhanced system.

Human Resources

You’re invited: Employee Development Series

Human Resources is excited to announce an upcoming opportunity for all faculty and staff. HR is partnering with Ahern, Murphy and Associates to offer a five-part Employee Development Series over the next several months. Each session will be a 90-minute virtual training class offered to all employees. The first class, “Creating the Best Possible Work Environment,” will be held via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Registration is required on the HR Training website.

 

Benefits Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2020 Benefits is Nov. 9-20. Information is posted on the Benefits website. 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. Employees will have the opportunity to schedule meetings (virtually or socially distanced on campus) with Human Resources to provide assistance with the enrollment process.

 

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.

 

Vanguard one-on-one meetings

Schedule a one-on-one discussion with a Vanguard retirement planning counselor. Vanguard is holding sessions for Skidmore College employees Nov. 17-18. All appointments will be scheduled as phone consultations. There will be no in-person meetings scheduled due to the spread of COVID-19.

 

Employee COVID-19 testing after Nov. 20

Starting Nov. 30 and through the winter break, the College will continue to test those students who have permission to stay on campus and employees who are working on campus on a weekly basis using the Broad Institute. Human Resources encourages supervisors to consider remote work assignments for any employee whose job responsibilities can be performed from home, as well as staggered work schedules for those employees who need to come to campus to perform work. Considering these de-densification efforts, together with the absence of direct contact with students on campus, the College will change the scope of who is required to be tested each week. The following employees will be exempt from the College's testing program:

  • Individuals who come to campus sporadically and work alone in an office, even if for more than 30 minutes. This would allow individuals who are not regularly scheduled to work to come on campus for periodic work in their office without getting tested first.
  • Individuals who are regularly scheduled but who do not work in a setting with proximate contact (defined consistent with DOH guidelines as being in the same enclosed environment such as an office or other workspace).

Testing will be conducted on Mondays and Tuesday mornings. There will be no testing the weeks of Nov. 23, Dec. 12 and Dec. 28.

Announcements

Winter Athletics update

The Liberty League has announced it is canceling all Liberty League winter sport competition and championships. Skidmore will pursue the opportunity to schedule limited competition within New York state when students return from the semester break. For more Athletics news, see the Skidmore Athletics website.

 

Skidmore joins Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance

In line with Skidmore's Racial Justice Initiative, the College has joined the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center’s Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance as a founding participant. Read the full story here.

 

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. To protect the integrity of this reading and conversation, those who wish to attend the virtual event are asked to log in to the Annual Critical Futures webpage with your Skidmore username and password to obtain the Zoom meeting details. The link to the webpage is provided on the English Department website.

 

Stolen People, Stolen Land on Turtle Island

Ty Defoe (Giizhig) of the Ojibwe and Oneida nations will lead an engaging conversation on Indigenous and Black solidarity, decolonizing art, and land acknowledgments from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, via Zoom. He will also screen "We Will Always Be Here,” one of his original short films. Defoe is a writer, interdisciplinary artist, activist, educator and Grammy winner. To learn more, see his website. The event is sponsored by Black Studies at Skidmore and hosted by Professor Eunice S. Ferreira of the Theater Department. For the Zoom meeting details and more information, contact Ferreira.

 

Tang Live: Alumni Reunion Art Exhibition Spotlight

During this week’s Tang Live at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, on the Tang Instagram account, Madeleine Welsch ’17, former Tang design assistant, will speak with mixed-media artist Sarah Meyers Brent ’00 about Brent’s recent co-curation of the 26th annual Skidmore Alumni Reunion Art Exhibition and her artwork, which explores motherhood, politics and environmental issues. The event is organized by 2020-21 Eleanor Linder Winter Endowed Intern Nathan Bloom’21.

 

“Never Done” Artist Talk with Marie Watt

Marie Watt, an American artist and citizen of the Seneca Nation whose work is on view in the exhibition “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond,” will engage in a conversation with exhibition co-curators Rachel Seligman and Minita Sanghvi at noon Friday, Nov. 13, via Zoom. Watt is known for work that draws from history, biography, Iroquois protofeminism and Indigenous teachings. Register via Zoom.

 

Fall 2020 Give+Go

The Sustainability Office is offering a limited move-out donation collection. They are accepting unopened, non-perishable food items, unopened toiletries, unopened feminine hygiene products, clothing and shoes. See complete details on the Give+Go webpage.

 

International Education Week

The Office of Off-Campus Study and Exchanges invites you to be a part of International Education Week, a weeklong campuswide initiative to promote international education, Nov. 16-20. Contact Kendra Nelson for more information.

 

Skidmore-Saratoga County EOC Thanksgiving Basket Project

The annual Thanksgiving Basket Project helps local neighbors in need of a family holiday meal that they may prepare at home. To make a donation or learn how to help in other ways, visit the Saratoga County EOC website. Please indicate that you are affiliated with Skidmore.

 

Beatlemore Skidmania 2020

Beatlemore Skidmania will celebrate its 20th anniversary concert virtually at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20. Students have come up with imaginative interpretations and beautiful video presentations of select songs from the entire Beatles catalog. Also included will be some important conversations about the relationship between the Beatles and Black American songwriters and musicians. T-shirts for this year will be available at the Skidmore Shop. All proceeds go to local charities. For more information, email the Beatlemore account.

 

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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