News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

Beatlemore Skidmania

The annual concert that features students’ reinterpretations of Beatles classics will be celebrated virtually with the release of this year's show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

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Students walk on campus

Although this fall brought unique challenges associated with COVID-19, students also enjoyed many of the experiences that characterize Skidmore’s on-campus experience, from opportunities to train with teammates to meaningful conversations with friends.

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Ralph Ellison book

Skidmore College President Marc C. Conner spoke about his latest book, “The Selected Letters of Ralph Ellison,” during the English Department’s annual “Critical Futures” event.

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Skidmore logo

President Conner outlines the major issues that students of color consistently raised during recent listening sessions and establishes some immediate action steps to begin addressing some of those concerns.

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Dining Services

Dining Services has transitioned to takeout only. Hours of operation 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 instructions for submitting an employee expense report and updating personal information.

 

Finance staff will host a training session on “How to Submit an Employee Expense Report” from 11:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 20, 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: EAP workshop

Join us for a workshop focused on “Building Resiliency Muscles During COVID-19.” Brenda Reid, a licensed master social worker from our Employee Assistance Program, will facilitate this program. Moment by moment, we make choices for ourselves that affect us and those around us. During the program, we will focus on what we have realized and accomplished in our own world since March 2020. We will talk about lessons learned, acknowledge accomplishments (small, medium and large) and what we are grateful for at work and at home. We will focus on adding tools to our personal toolboxes to increase and maintain our ability to bounce, which is what resiliency is. This program will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 9. 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 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.

 

Employee Appreciation Week

On Monday, Nov. 23, and Tuesday, Nov. 24, as part of Employee Appreciation Week, employees will participate in an appreciation event with their teams. Department heads and program chairs will choose from a list of events developed by Human Resources. Departments may choose alternative dates if Nov. 23 and 24 do not work, as long as the appreciation event occurs prior to Friday, Dec. 4. The appreciation week will be capped off with a day off for all employees on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Employees who have to work will be able to take another day off that week instead. Since the appreciation day off is in addition to the 2020-2021 Holiday Schedule, premium pay will not be provided for employees who work on this day. Union employees should work with their supervisor to submit a request for time off and document the day as a Floating Holiday. Other employees may mark this day as a Floating Holiday from the drop-down in the column Pay Code and then enter their regular hours under the Amount column.

 

Inclement Weather Policy

While the campus mission requires us to be operational 24/7 on a 12-month basis, there are some occasions when the campus will experience a delayed opening, early release or closure impacting non-designated essential personnel due to particularly severe winter weather. Employees are encouraged to read the full Inclement Weather Policy. For more information, contact Sarah Delaney Vero

 

Employee COVID-19 testing after Nov. 20

The last day of testing before Thanksgiving will be Friday, Nov. 20. There will be no testing the week of Nov. 23. Starting Monday, Nov. 30, and through the winter break, the College will continue to test those students who have permission to stay on campus and some 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 and staggered work schedules for those employees who need to come on 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 to co-workers (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 at Falstaff's. Employees should make arrangements to come to campus to be tested on these days, even if not scheduled to work on campus until later that week. Employees who are unable to test on Mondays or Tuesday mornings should contact their supervisor and Human Resources to obtain information on alterative testing options. There will be no testing the weeks of Nov. 23, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, and employees will not be required to obtain a test during those weeks as a condition of coming on campus.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

 

Jason Breves, associate professor of biology, co-authored an academic article. Read more >>

 

A project led by Kris Covey, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, and Kurt Smemo, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, was featured in a news article. Read more >>

 

Jordana Dym, professor of history and director of the Latin American and Latinx Studies Program, was elected to the executive council of an international organization of scholars and teachers. Read more >>

 

Amy Frappier, associate professor of paleoclimatology, was interviewed for a news article. Read more >>

 

Stephen Ives, associate professor of health and human physiological sciences, Sarita Lagalwar, associate professor and director of neuroscience, and T.H. Reynolds, professor and chair of health and human physiological sciences, co-authored a research paper. Read more >>

 

Christine F. Reilly, assistant professor of computer science and Charles Lubin Family Chair for Women in Science, co-authored a research paper. Read more >>

 

Research by Jessica Sullivan, associate professor of psychology, and Leigh Wilton, assistant professor of psychology, was highlighted in an article. Read more >>

Announcements

Ensemble Connect concert tonight

Tune in live at 7:30 tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 18, on YouTube or Facebook for a virtual performance of “Up Close: United Through Separation.” The event is part of the 14th biannual Ensemble Connect residency at Skidmore featuring nine young classical musicians. The concert is presented to our community by Skidmore’s Department of Music and the Office of Special Programs.

 

Liberty League All-Academic Teams

The Liberty League is recognizing 49 Skidmore athletes who have made the fall sport All-Academic Teams. Liberty League Commissioner Tracy King announced the teams Nov. 16. The recognition of 49 athletes is a fall record for Skidmore, topping the previous record of 41 in 2015. Read more on the Skidmore Athletics website

 

Skidmore Shop

Enjoy free shipping from Skidmoreshop.com this Cyber Monday, Nov. 30, with the use of code Cyber Monday at checkout. Lighten your load and have your holiday gifts shipped from campus to your home free of charge. Please note that this only applies to standard shipping.

 

Skidmore SEFCU branch

SEFCU will temporarily close its Skidmore campus branch effective Monday, Nov. 23, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 4. The SEFCU ATM on campus will remain active. The SEFCU Wilton branch, located across from Lowes and Walmart, will be open for service and offers a night drop box and two ATMs for flexible service options.

 

Fall 2020 Give+Go

There will be a limited donation collection for Give+Go this fall. Accepted items include unopened non-perishable food items, unopened toiletries, unopened feminine hygiene products, clothing and shoes. Food donations will be used to stock a temporary Winter Break Food Pantry, a new program coordinated with Sustainability, Student Government Association, Challah for Hunger and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. See times, dates and locations for drop-off on the Give+Go website.

 

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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 campuswide 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 will continue to support all students throughout the winter break. Students are invited to schedule an appointment or have their documents reviewed. For all seniors, the Senior Success Series is coming Jan. 11-15. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning

Scholarly and Creative Endeavors Work Groups (SCE) are taking on a new format next semester. Three groups will be led virtually via Zoom in spring 2021, starting the week of Feb. 8. In addition, there will be a Winter SCE camp the week of Jan. 18-22. More information will be forthcoming soon.

 

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.

 

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 the week of Nov. 16, as well as Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23 and 24. It will be closed Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 25-27. Beginning Monday, Nov. 30, staff will be available remotely, by email and by phone at 518-580-5750, and via Zoom by appointment.

 

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. Staff are working remotely until further notice. Staff will continue to 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

From the week of Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Jan. 15, the Post Office will be closed on Wednesdays. Window hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Departmental deliveries will be Tuesdays and Fridays. 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

From the week of Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Jan. 15, hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All finished jobs must be picked up at Print Services; delivery service is still 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 working mostly remotely but is fully operational and accessible for all of your Purchasing/PCard needs by emailing Anne Petruzzelli or Carol Schnitzer or leaving a voicemail at 518-580-5848 or 518-580-5849. Petruzzelli is generally in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. Schnitzer is available for in-person appointment/meetings as requested.  

 

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

As of Nov. 16, check this link for library hours and updates. 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. As the semester comes to a close, students are asked to return all interlibrary loan items by Nov. 16 and all Scribner Library-owned items by Nov. 20. If the library is open and you are without a mask covering your nose and mouth, you will immediately be asked to leave the library. Now that Skidmore College has entered Alert Level 3, there will be zero tolerance for mask violations.

 

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) academic counselors will be available until the semester ends on Saturday, Dec. 5. Peer Academic Coaching (PAC) sessions will be available through Thursday, Nov. 19. The PAC team is also working on a schedule of events for Survival Week (Nov. 28-30). A schedule will be available soon. International Student and Scholar advisors and academic counselors will be available for consultation and support throughout the winter break. To schedule an appointment, please email SAS.

 

Tang Teaching Museum

The Tang Teaching Museum welcomes the Skidmore community during the intersession. Faculty, students and staff can make appointments to visit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, Dec. 1-18 and Jan. 5-29. Faculty members especially are invited to make appointments to visit the museum in preparation for their spring semester classes. Faculty interested in teaching with exhibitions may contact Rachel Seligman, assistant director for curatorial affairs. Faculty interested in teaching with collections may contact Kara Jefts, collections registrar. All other Skidmore community members, please make an appointment by using this form or calling 518-580-8080. Please make your appointment at least 24 hours in advance of your visit. Exhibitions on view include “Energy in All Directions,” “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond” and “Nicole Cherubini: Shaking the Trees.” The exhibition “We’ve Only Just Begun: 100 Years of Skidmore Women in Politics” is on view online. The museum’s spring semester hours will be announced in January 2021.

 

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. Writing tutors will continue to work with students (remotely) during study days and exam week. Students may schedule an appointment 72 hours in advance; please 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