News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

COVID-19 Updates

Important update on masking and social distancing requirements

As you are aware, the CDC and New York state recently announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in most outdoor and indoor settings. Based on current vaccination rates, the New York State Department of Health still strongly recommends that individuals wear masks indoors when the vaccination status of all individuals is not known. As federal and state guidance evolves, so will the College's masking and social distancing requirements. Based on current guidance, the following rules currently apply to employees on campus:

• Fully vaccinated employees do not need to wear masks outdoors.
• Fully vaccinated employees do not need to wear a mask or socially distance indoors when with other fully vaccinated individuals (including meetings and small gatherings).
• Fully vaccinated employees must continue to wear masks indoors when in the presence of other individuals where the vaccination status of the other individuals is unknown. This includes all indoor public spaces on campus such as shared workspaces, classrooms, labs, studios, Case Center, Scribner Library, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, hallways, restrooms, etc.
• Employees (vaccinated and unvaccinated) are not required to wear face masks when working alone in their private offices or vehicles.
• Unvaccinated employees must continue to wear appropriate face coverings and maintain appropriate social distancing when in public spaces and outdoors.

Please be cognizant of your own risk in making decisions about masking and safe physical distancing. All members of our community must be respectful in their communication with others regarding mask wearing and vaccination status. While individuals may voluntarily disclose their vaccination status, the College expects all community members to exercise sensitivity to individuals’ unique circumstances. This includes refraining from asking an individual why they have not been vaccinated.

COVID-19 surveillance testing policy, effective May 24

As a reminder, employees who are fully vaccinated (14 days past last dose of COVID-19 vaccine) are exempt from the College's surveillance testing program effective May 24. Testing after May 24 will continue to be required on a weekly basis for all non-vaccinated employees who will be working on campus with regular proximate contact (working in the same workspace) with co-workers or students. Non-vaccinated employees who will only come into incidental contact with others but who otherwise work alone (either in their own private office or in a shared office space but who will work alone because of staggered staffing arrangements) are also exempt from the College's surveillance testing program effective May 24. Find more information and the summer testing schedule here.

Please note: Testing is for surveillance testing only. Staff who are experiencing symptoms should contact their primary care provider. You must bring your Skidmore College ID for proper identification. Masks must be worn, and employees must maintain appropriate social distancing at all times.

Over the past year, the College has made a significant effort to create a safe campus community, and vaccinations are an important next step in returning to a normal learning and working environment. Please see the Employee COVID-19 Information section below for more information.

Skidmore News

Skidmore College appoints new Collyer Vice President for Advancement

Carey Anne Zucca, a demonstrated high-impact fundraiser in the field of higher education, has been named the new Collyer Vice President for Advancement at Skidmore College.

Skidmore presents positive financial picture for present and future

Donna Ng, vice president for finance and administration and treasurer, provided an in-depth look at Skidmore’s operating budget and offered a positive assessment of Skidmore’s finances for 2020-21, for the current fiscal year and for the next five years.

Skidmore's 2021 MDOCS Forum goes global

“Co-Creation: Delights, Discontents and Dislocations” is the theme of the 2021 MDOCS Forum, which will take place virtually June 6-13. Register by June 3 for full access to the programming.

Dining Services

Please visit the Dining Services website regularly for updates, specials, hours of operation (including new summer hours) and other information.  

Pop-up Grill: Beginning June 3, Dining Services will hold a pop-up grill featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and plant-based Beyond Burgers from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday (weather permitting) outside Burgess Café. $6.99 lunch combo meals and a la carte pricing are available. The grill is available to the entire Skidmore community. 

Human Resources

EAP Reaching Out Newsletter

The June edition of the Employee Assistance Program’s (EAP) Reaching Out Newsletter is here. There are a range of interesting articles, including strategies and resources for managing burnout and race-based traumatic stress. We hope you find this month’s newsletter helpful and remind all employees that the professional support team at EAP is available 24/7 by phone or video to help you with legal, financial and health and wellness related concerns.

Annual Performance Reviews

At this time, supervisors should be meeting with employees to discuss and finalize their Annual Performance Review and set upcoming annual goals. All forms are available on the Performance Review Resources webpage under the Forms heading. Please contact Brianna Herman if you have any questions about the process.

Employee COVID-19 Information

Daily Health Certification

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

Reminder to Report Your COVID-19 Vaccination Status

As a reminder, employees who are fully vaccinated are now exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements. As federal and state health and safety guidelines evolve to consider individuals’ vaccination status, the College will continue to align its testing program, health and safety policies, and anticipated return to full, on-campus employment with these guidelines. If you have not already done so, Human Resources requests that all employees complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Status form promptly. Employees who have not already submitted a copy of their vaccination card may do so by emailing vaccine@skidmore.edu. Please include [OME] in the subject line to encrypt your message.

The information submitted through the COVID-19 Vaccination Status form and vaccination records will be maintained confidentially by Human Resources. Skidmore College continues to strongly encourage all faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible as the next step in returning to a normal learning and working environment. If you have any questions regarding this process, please direct them to Interim Director of Human Resources Sarah Delaney Vero.

Paid Time Off for Vaccine Appointments During Work Hours

Skidmore strongly encourages all employees to get vaccinated. All employees who cannot schedule vaccination appointments outside of regular work hours will receive paid time off for work time missed due to receiving the vaccine. Exempt and nonexempt employees should record any work time missed due to traveling to and receiving the vaccination as sick time. Union employees should record this time as College Emergency Leave. To be eligible for paid leave, employees must provide proof of their vaccination appointment to their supervisor, who will work with Human Resources to approve a sufficient period of paid time off for each vaccine injection. The amount of paid time off will depend on the time and location of the vaccination appointment (e.g., local appointments may require 1 to 2 hours of paid time off to attend, while an appointment in Plattsburgh could require 4 hours of paid time off to account for the additional travel time.)

Testing for New Hires Working on Campus

Hiring managers should reach out to Leslie Miakisz to coordinate testing for new hires who will be working on campus and who are not fully vaccinated. Non-vaccinated new hires should be tested within 72 hours of their first day of work on campus.

Skidmore Spotlight

Meet Mike Davis

Mike Davis, card system administrator in the Office of Information Technology, maintains Skidmore’s card system and equipment, including servers, cash registers, door access electronic panels and access rights to buildings. 

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

An article co-authored by David G. Cohen, associate professor of management and business, has received recognition. Read more >> 

Amy Frappier, associate professor of geosciences, was quoted in a news article. Read more >> 

Corey Freeman-Gallant, professor of biology, published a scientific paper. Read more >> 

Beck Krefting, associate professor of American studies, published a scholarly article. Read more >> 

Oscar A. Pérez, assistant professor of world languages and literatures, published a paper in an academic journal. Read more >> 

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

Announcements

Summer Scholarly Creative Endeavors

Summer Scholarly Creative Endeavors brown bag lunches will continue every Tuesday, June 1 through Aug. 3. Lia Ball will lead the group. They will take place outdoors at noon on Case Patio. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Lia Ball.

Lucy Scribner Library summer study carrel request form

For students needing a private study carrel for summer internship workspace or research needs, please use this form to request a study carrel assignment. Carrels are available until filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions, please see Lori Acee in the Library Administration Office (LIB 102) or contact her by phone at 518-580-5506 or by email.

Sports Center summer 2021

The Sports Center will be open this summer to vaccinated faculty, staff and Skidmore students, and to unvaccinated faculty, staff and students only if they wear a mask. Students must show a cleared CoVerified status. No guests are allowed at this time. Sign-ups are required for the weight room, cardio room and open gym time. Everyone must swipe in at the front desk with their Skidmore ID. For more information, contact Keelin Hollowood.

Tang to open to public June 3–6

The Tang Teaching Museum will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 3, through Sunday, June 6, for a last chance to see “Never Done: 100 Years of Women in Politics and Beyond” and “Energy in All Directions.” During open hours, up to 50 visitors are welcome at any given time. At this time, visitors are expected to be masked while inside the museum. Reservations are not required. Should the museum be at capacity, visitors will be asked by a member of the Tang’s Visitors Services Desk to wait. From June 7 to July 9, “Nicole Cherubini: Shaking the Trees" will be available to view by appointment, as we install new shows. The museum is also open to students and faculty by appointment for research and planning. Those interested in exhibitions may contact Rachel Seligman, assistant director for curatorial affairs. Those interested in collections may contact Collections Registrar Kara Jefts. For more information, contact Olivia Cammisa-Frost.

Saratoga Springs Arts Commission: Creative Collaborations

The Saratoga Springs Arts Commission, in partnership with Skidmore College, invites the community to the second in a series of quarterly town hall-style discussions with local arts leaders at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, on the topic of creative collaboration, with particular focus on “All Together Now,” an expansive, regional collections sharing project organized by the Tang Teaching Museum with support from the Henry Luce Foundation. The discussion will be moderated by Ian Berry, Dayton Director of the Tang Teaching Museum, who will lead a conversation that addresses community impact, accessibility and ideas for art in Saratoga. Panelists include Field Horne (vice president and chair of the museum committee, Saratoga County History Center), Lisa Kolosek (independent curator), Victoria Reisman (curator, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame), and Christopher Shiley (senior director of artistic planning, Saratoga Performing Arts Center). This online talk will be a Zoom webinar and is free and open to all. The chat will be open for community participation. Join via Zoom.

Lunchtime Crochet: Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef

Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara hosts a lunchtime drop-in crocheting session from noon to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 9. 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.

Stewart’s Signature Summer Series announced

Made possible through a generous gift from Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family, this series of premiere events produced by the Office of Special Programs celebrates collaborations with our local partners in 2021. Contact Maria McColl with any questions.

Fukushige finishes in NCAA Top-16

After winning a marathon first-round match, Skidmore College All-American Risa Fukushige advanced to the NCAA Division III Women's Singles Championship on May 28 at the Champions Club Tennis Complex at Rivermont Park. In her first match, Fukushige dropped her first set to Taylor Garcia of Washington and Lee, 6-2, then responded with a 6-2 win to tie it 1-1. The third set went "overtime," with the talented senior winning 7-6 (4) to advance to the round of 16. Reagan Delp of Christopher Newport downed Fukushige 6-3, 6-4 in the round of 16. Fukushige will become a four-time All-American when the teams are announced later in June.

Skidmore Shop

The Skidmore Shop is open this summer from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Not only do we carry Skidmore gear, we also have convenience items, office supplies and more.

Share news in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin

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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