News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

A semester of extraordinary achievement

Cross-cultural experiences, artistic achievement and innovative research — all of these would be the hallmarks of an accomplished semester, but Skidmore students achieved these and much more during an extraordinary semester framed by a global pandemic and measures designed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

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Career Connections

The College’s alumni network has supported Cadence founder and CEO Stephanie Hon '16 in her entrepreneurial journey and continues to pave paths for students like Natalie Jew '23.

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December staff meeting recap

President Marc Conner offered an end-of-semester update to Skidmore staff on important initiatives, including the search for the College's next vice president for advancement, the strategic action agenda for this academic year, preliminary work on a new campus master plan and other projects.

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Dining Services

Hours of operation and Dining Services updates are available online.

Oracle Cloud System

Skidmore will roll out an upgraded Oracle Cloud system for financial and human resources functions in January 2021. Please click on this link to access the Oracle Cloud training website. Finance staff will also host a training session on "How to Enter Time for Non-Exempt/Hourly Staff" from 11:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 11, via Zoom. 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 the second installment of the Employee Development Series, “Creating the Best Possible Work Environment.” Lindsey Ahern from Ahern, Murphy and Associates will offer a 90-minute, virtual training class to all employees. This workshop will explore how and when to engage in difficult conversations, the fundamentals of crucial conversations and how to resolve conflict in the workplace. We will learn the five methods of resolving conflict and discover your natural conflict resolution style. The workshop will be held via Zoom from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Registration is required on the HR Training website. 

 

HR will resume its “Supervisor Roundtable: Breakfast with HR” series in January.  

 

Employee COVID-19 Testing Information

Important reminders for those who will continue to require COVID-19 surveillance testing through winter break:   

  • Testing days and times: Testing will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. All employees who require testing will need to arrange to be tested during these time frames. Due to the increase in cases locally and nationally, it is unlikely that you will be able to obtain asymptomatic surveillance testing in the community.  
  • Testing location: All testing will be located at Falstaff's.  

 

Employees who will be working on campus with regular proximate contact with co-workers (working in the same workspace) and students are expected to participate in Skidmore's COVID-19 surveillance testing program. Employees who will come into incidental (e.g., hallways, Spa, etc.) contact, who work in shared spaces but on different days or who work alone do not need to be tested. Those employees who meet the testing criteria have been identified and their names will be provided to the testing staff. Due to more limited availability of tests from now until students return on Jan. 25, 2021, only those employees who meet the criteria may be tested over the break. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or HR

 

EAP Reaching Out Newsletter 

The December edition of our Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) Reaching Out Newsletter offers a range of interesting articles. We hope you find this month’s newsletter helpful. 

 

Inclement Weather Policy 

While the campus mission requires us to be operational 24/7 on a 12-month basis, there are some occasions where 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.  

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below. 

 

Kris Covey, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, convened two sessions at a scientific meeting. Read more >> 

 

Andrew M. Lindner, associate professor of sociology, co-authored an academic article that also received media coverage. Read more >>

 

A film by Rik Scarce, professor of sociology, premiered at a film festival, where it also received an award. Read more >> 

 

Denise L. Smith, professor of health and human physiological sciences, co-authored two articles. Read more >> 

 

We welcome submissions from faculty and staff related to professional accomplishments and scholarly endeavors. 

Announcements

2021 staff meetings

Skidmore staff meetings will be held virtually from 1 to 2 p.m. on the same day each month as scheduled faculty meetings. Zoom details will be provided before each meeting. Dates for the 2021 meetings are as follows:

  • Feb. 5
  • March 5
  • March 26
  • April 30
  • May 2021 — Date to be determined.

 

Skidmore Shop

From now until Dec. 11, take advantage of our Holi-Ship promotion with a flat fee of $5 for any order sent with standard shipping. If you’re having shopper’s block and need some holiday shopping inspiration, check out our gift guide.

 

Peer Health Education

The Peer Health Education Mental Health Committee will debut the fourth edition of its newsletter in January 2021 and feature BIPOC student expressive art. Submissions and questions should be sent by email or visit us on Instagram @skidphes.

 

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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 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.

 

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

Financial Aid Office are 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. 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.

 

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

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

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 fully operational and accessible 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. 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

For policies regarding use of space under current health and safety guidelines, visit the Scheduling Office webpage or check availability in EMS. Academic building hours during finals and over winter break are posted. Email the Scheduling Office with any questions.

 

Scribner Library

For library hours and updates, check the library website. To request materials, fill out the library’s online form. For research help, visit the “Ask Us” page to access FAQs. Consult the More Access Information page for additional information about access, resources and help.

 

Sponsored Research

The Office of Sponsored Research is working remotely. 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

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