News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

Spring return-to-campus update

President Conner reports on the College’s initial return-to-campus process and plans for week two and advises continued vigilance.

Op-ed: Health and safety Skidmore's top priority

Writing in The Saratogian newspaper, President Marc C. Conner emphasized that the health and safety of the campus and local communities remain Skidmore’s primary concern as the College begins a new semester providing access to a residential, excellent liberal arts education.

Serving up healthy food from a safe distance

Skidmore Dining Services is coordinating and preparing thousands of takeout meals each day to help ensure a safe start to the spring semester.

Healthcare Working Group Update

In October 2020, the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee (IPPC) charged the Healthcare Working Group (HWG) with developing and implementing a plan for gathering community input regarding options and choices for changes to the health benefits plan. HWG presented these options and choices to the community in early 2020, but its plans to solicit community input were postponed due to the pandemic. HWG is now ready to begin the process of gathering community input using an online platform, and it will sponsor a series of online focus groups and administer a survey during the month of February.  

To explain the process for gathering community input and review the topics under consideration, HWG will hold a community meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, via Zoom. The meeting will be recorded and made available to all employees afterwards, together with a written summary. There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end of the presentation.     

For planning purposes, the online focus groups will be held at the following times:  

• Monday, Feb. 8, at 2:15 p.m.  
• Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m.  
• Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 2:45 p.m.  
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m.  

An online survey will be available to all employees Feb. 15–21. Further information about accessing the focus groups and the survey will be shared soon. We hope you can join us for the Feb. 4 community meeting and will participate in the online focus groups and complete the survey. 

Dining Services

The Spa and Burgess Café will be open to Skidmore employees beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9. Please visit the Dining Services website regularly for updates and hours of operation.  

Oracle Cloud System

After months of planning, Skidmore is pleased to roll out an upgraded Oracle Cloud system for financial and human resources functions. Please click on this link to access the new system. Please continue to review the Oracle Cloud training website and the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin for updates.  

Finance and Human Resources staff will continue to host open office hours and are available by email and Zoom. Please visit the Oracle Cloud training website for a schedule of Zoom sessions. If you have questions, please consult this points of contact website for assistance.  

Human Resources

Employee Development Series

The third installment of the Employee Development Series workshops will focus on communication and on how we communicate matters. Lindsey Ahern of Ahern, Murphy and Associates will offer a 90-minute, virtual training class to all employees. The premise is that while everyone communicates and we are inundated with communication from a variety of channels, for our communication to be effective we need to be better connectors. Communicating effectively and finding ways to connect with each other fosters trust, builds relationships and increases influence. The class will review fundamental communication principles including active listening, body language, tone and choice of words. The workshop will be held via Zoom from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. Registration is required on the HR Training website. 

EAP Reaching Out Newsletter

The February edition of the Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) Reaching Out Newsletter features a range of interesting articles.  

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.   

Important Updates: Employee COVID-19 testing information

Testing During the Weeks of Feb. 1 and Feb. 8

Test Results. The cold weather is affecting test results. The Broad Institute recently notified the College that there has been an increase in the number of test results that are coming back as "TNP" (test not processed). With the cold and dry weather, Broad is seeing an increase in the number of samples that are too viscous to process. Participants are therefore asked to blow their nose vigorously before swabbing and to visually inspect the swab. If it has visible mucus, please discard the sample and try again. The nursing staff at the testing facility have been notified of this and will assist employees in securing an appropriate swab for testing.

For the first two weeks of the semester, every employee working on campus will be tested TWICE weekly. These tests should be taken at least 72 hours apart. Unless you are not scheduled to work, all employees who are required to get tested should get the first test on Monday or Tuesday. To prevent long lines and promote social distancing, please follow the following schedule for your testing window:

LAST NAME

DAY

TIME SLOT

A-B

C-D

E-G

H-K

L-M

N-Q

R-S

T-Z

Monday

Monday

Monday

Monday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

Tuesday

8 – 10 a.m

10 a.m. – noon

noon – 2 p.m.

2 – 4 p.m.

8 – 10 a.m

10 a.m. – noon

noon – 2 p.m.

2 – 4 p.m.

Employees who are not scheduled to work on Monday or Tuesday should get their first test on their first scheduled day of the week. Employees should coordinate with their supervisor to select a testing time. Similarly, employees who are unable to get tested during the scheduled times posted above should work with their supervisors to select an alternative testing time. Faculty members may select a testing day and time that works best with their teaching schedules.

Faculty members who are teaching remotely during “safe shelter” mode and any other employees who are working remotely are not required to test twice per week unless they will be on campus. Faculty members must test and receive a negative result prior to their first day of in-person classes. Please plan on taking the test within 72 hours of the first time you are coming on campus and resuming regular testing from that date.

Faculty members and other employees who do not live locally may obtain a COVID-19 test in their local community and provide their negative test results to HR prior to their first day of returning to work on campus.

Employees who are required to test twice per week during the weeks of Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 should follow the schedule below for the first two weeks of classes:

Test 1

Monday, Feb. 1

Tuesday, Feb. 2

Wednesday, Feb. 3

Thursday, Feb. 4

Friday, Feb. 5

Test 2

Thursday, Feb. 4

Friday, Feb. 5

Saturday, Feb. 6

Sunday, Feb. 7

Monday, Feb. 8

Week 2

Test 1

Monday, Feb. 8

Tuesday, Feb. 9

Wednesday, Feb. 10

Thursday, Feb. 11

Friday, Feb. 12

Test 2

Thursday, Feb. 11

Friday, Feb. 12

Saturday, Feb. 13

Sunday, Feb. 14

Monday, Feb. 15*

* as this is the beginning of a new testing week, this is the only test you will be required to take for the week of Feb. 15.

Employees who are not scheduled to work on Test Day 2 should get tested during their next regularly scheduled shift.

Where to Get Tested

All employee testing will be held at Falstaff’s Pavillion.

When to Get Tested

To accommodate twice weekly testing from Feb.1-14, testing will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

You must bring your Skidmore College ID for proper identification. Masks must be worn, and employees must maintain appropriate social distancing at all times.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping the Skidmore community safe. If you have any questions, please contact the Interim HR Director.

Positive Test Results or Close Contact with a Positive Individual Off Campus  

As a reminder, employees who test positive for COVID-19 outside of Skidmore College’s testing program or are subject to quarantine because of close contact with a positive individual off campus must notify Laura Goodwin in HR immediately.

Daily Health Certification

The Daily Health Certification must be completed before or upon arrival to campus each day.

Recording Absence Time Due to Quarantine

Any employee who is unable to work as a result of a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine will receive up to 14 days of College Emergency Leave. Employees should record this time as College Emergency leave when completing their timecards. Employees who are quarantined but who can work remotely are not eligible for College Emergency Leave.

This information is also available on the Campus Planning website. Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping the Skidmore community safe. If you have any questions, please contact the interim HR director.

Skidmore Spotlight

Meet Michelle Lapo

Michelle Lapo, an associate director and a registered nurse in Health Services, “has stepped up in a huge way” to support Health Services’ central role in protecting the campus community from COVID-19.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

Paul Arciero, professor of health and human physiological sciences, has been invited to participate in an international sports nutrition conference. Read more >>

Barbara Black, professor and chair of the English Department, was interviewed by a podcast about her book. Read more >>

Holley Hodgins, professor of psychology emerita, was interviewed for an article featuring Ariel Brown ’01. Read more >>

Andrew M. Lindner, associate professor of sociology, published a scholarly article with Skidmore alumni Gina Pryciak '20 and Jamie Elsner '18. Read more >>

A.J. Schneller, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, published an academic article with Greta Binzen 19', Colin Cameron 19', Sam Vogel 19' and Isaac Bardin 19'. Charlie Bettigole, director of the Skidmore GIS Center for Interdisciplinary Research, created maps and figures for the publication. Read more >>

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

Jessica Sullivan, associate professor of psychology, co-authored two scientific papers. Read more >>

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

Announcements

Black History Month 2021 virtual event series

Skidmore’s Black History Month virtual series includes webinars, interviews and exhibitions that explore Black culture and examine issues of race, diversity, equity and inclusion which impact our lives locally, nationally and globally.

If you or your team would like to contribute to the programming, please be in touch with Joshua Woodfork or Mariel Martin.

Williamson Sports Center spring semester hours

Williamson Sports Center is open for academic purposes only Feb. 2-12. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Additional information is available online.

Skidmore Shop

While the College remains in "safe shelter" mode, all skidmoreshop.com orders (including textbooks) will need to be picked up by appointment or shipped. While our physical Shop location is closed for in-person shopping, Skidmore Shop associates are available by email or phone to assist you with any questions you may have. Please contact us by email or call 518-580-5490.

Tang Live: A Conversation with Artist Eve Fowler

Join us Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m., for a special edition of Tang Live, a weekly Skidmore student-run event on Tang’s Instagram. Charlotte Squire ’21, public programming intern, will talk with artist Eve Fowler about her film “with it which it as it if it is to be, Part II” (2019), which streams on the Tang website through Feb. 7. The film is the second installment in Fowler’s planned 10-part video series that explores the working practices of women artists in their later years of their career, in their studios, interacting with their art. This presentation is in conjunction with “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond,” and as part of the “Whole Grain: Experiments in Film & Video” series. For more information, contact Tom Yoshikami.

Crocheting Corals: Workshop for the Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef

Join us at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, for a workshop and craft circle to crochet hyperbolic corals for the “Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef,” part of the worldwide “Crochet Coral Reef" project by Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute for Figuring. Your corals will be assembled together to form the Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef, which will be exhibited at the Tang as part of “Radical Fiber: Threads Connecting Art and Science,” in early 2022. Hosted by Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara, this program introduces the “Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef” and includes a virtual craft circle. Crochet instructors will lead beginners in the single crochet stitch, which is all you need to make your very own coral.

If you’re ready to crochet, bring yarn and a crochet hook, or come to learn more about the project. If you’re a savvy fiber crafter, use whatever’s in your stash! If you’re a beginner, we recommend medium-weight (4) yarn and a 5.5mm (or I/9) crochet hook. Open to everyone, and all skill levels welcome! Download the Institute for Figuring’s brochure How to Crochet Hyperbolic Corals. Register via Zoom. For more information, contact Rebecca McNamara.

Lunchtime Crochet: Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef

Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara hosts a lunchtime drop-in crocheting session from noon to 12:30 p.m. each Wednesday through the spring semester. Join at your leisure to crochet and chat as we create corals for the “Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef.” Open to everyone, and all skill levels are welcome. For more information, contact Rebecca McNamara.

Mellon initiative

MDOCS is hosting two local artist/change-makers to present on their work and expertise in documentary co-creation. Angela Beallor will present at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, and Patrick Harris Jr. will present at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Event attendees will learn more about the four-year project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation that links Skidmore with regional community partners through collective artistic response to the challenges of our time. RSVP by email for the Zoom link and more info on the candidates.

Book discussion

Cultural critic Saidiya Hartman of Columbia University will be interviewed by Jamie Parra of the English Department during a Zoom event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. Hartman will discuss her most recent book, "Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Riotous Black Girls, Troublesome Women, and Queer Radicals," winner of the 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism. The event is open to all members of the Skidmore community. Closed captioning will be available courtesy of the Arts Administration Program. Register for the event here. For more information, email Theresa Knickerbocker.

Ensemble Connect

Now celebrating its 14th year of residency with Skidmore College, Ensemble Connect, a group of the finest young professional classical musicians based out of Carnegie Hall, will present the virtual concert “What does it mean to be moved?” in collaboration with contemporary dance artist Wendell Gray II and director Isabella LoRusso at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. This free, online event can be viewed on Facebook or YouTube.

OCSE Global Conversation Series

The first OCSE Global Conversation Series of spring 2021 will take place at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 19. We will welcome guests from Skidmore and our partners around the globe who will discuss their expertise in Art and Social Resistance. The hourlong presentation will include the following speakers and time for Q&A.

• Babacar Faye, SIT Senegal “Hip Hop and Activism in Senegal.”
• Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, Theater Department “Art and Transformation in Ciudad Juarez.”
• Robert Stasinski, DIS Stockholm, “Art, Activism and Social Change in Contemporary Scandinavia.”
• Victor Tricot, SIT Spain: “Resisting from the Streets: Creativity and Innovation on Social Protests in Chile.”

Weight loss research study

Paul and Karen Arciero of the Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department are recruiting 14 volunteers for a weight loss research study. Participants are only required to visit the Human Physiological Sciences lab on four occasions for approximately 45 minutes during the eight-week study. Participants must be non-smokers, between the ages of 30 and 65 and meet additional eligibility requirements. Participants will receive state-of-the-art body fat, belly fat and muscle mass analysis, nutritional counseling and other benefits, including $50 for successful completion of all testing procedures for the first four weeks and another $50 for successful participation of the entire eight-week study. All testing will be conducted at Skidmore and adhere to College policies and CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety precautions. To learn more, join an informational Zoom meeting at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. Please contact Karen Arciero for details.

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Accessing College Resources

A comprehensive list of current resources and services available to the Skidmore community is now available online. This website will be updated frequently. Updates and additions to this list can be submitted by email.

Skidmore College continues to provide campuswide updates on the Campus Planning 2020-21 website.  

 Please send submissions to the Office of Communications and Marketing. 

Skidmore College

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-580-5000