News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

COVID-19 Updates

Masking and social distancing requirements

As previously announced, 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. Read more here.

Summer surveillance testing

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. Read more information and the testing schedule here.

Skidmore News

Skidmore College appoints new dean of students and vice president for student affairs

Adrian Bautista, a proven and highly experienced leader in all areas of student affairs in a liberal arts college setting — from strategic planning and fiscal management to diverse and inclusive student engagement and support — will assume the role on Aug. 16.

Skidmore joins with local leaders to celebrate Saratoga Pride

President Marc C. Conner and Barbara Reyes-Conner joined community leaders and Saratoga Springs residents at an event to mark the beginning of Pride Month.

Culinary choreography: Alumna pivots to build distinctive pastry business

Dance and exercise science double-major Kaitlin Guerin ’14 combined equal parts art and science with a generous amount of creativity to launch Lagniappe Baking Co. during the pandemic.

Dining Services

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

Pop-up Grill: Dining Services is now hosting a pop-up grill featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and plant-based burgers on the walkway outside Burgess Café from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday this summer. A $7 lunch combo meal includes your choice of a grill item, two sides and a beverage. A la carte pricing is also available. The grill is available to the entire Skidmore community. Pay inside Burgess Café and come out to the grill, where the crew will take care of you. Credit/debit card and Skidmore Card are accepted for payment.

Human Resources

Return to Campus Policy

As announced at the most recent staff and faculty meetings, the College will soon begin a phased return to campus of all staff who have been working remotely. The College’s Return to Campus Policy was also outlined in an email to all employees earlier today. Division and unit heads have also received an email from Human Resources with instructions for completing their division or unit's Return to Campus Plan. Human Resources is available to assist division and unit heads in completing their Return to Campus Plans and to answer any employee questions regarding the phased return of remote staff to campus. Employees will be notified by their supervisors of the date the phased return to campus will begin for their unit or division. That date will be no later than Aug. 2, 2021, with a full return to on-campus work by Sept. 2, 2021.

The College looks forward to welcoming remote employees back to campus in the coming months. The College also acknowledges that this will be a transition that involves mixed emotions for many employees. The College reminds employees that Human Resources is available to provide support, answers to your questions, and resources during this transition period. Employees may also speak confidentially to a support professional from the College's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 518-793-9768 or 1-800-734-6072.

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 written performance appraisals are due to Human Resources by June 14, 2021. 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 Audrianna Rumsey

Audrianna Rumsey, a short order cook, has worked in a number of Dining Services locations throughout the pandemic. She says the food she serves helps provide students “comfort and warmth when they are far from home.” 

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

Catherine J. Golden, professor of English, has published a chapter in an edited volume. Read more >> 

Martha O’Leary, director of brand communications and marketing, participated in a career panel with students. Read more >>

Oscar A. Pérez, assistant professor of Spanish, participated in a panel discussion. Read more >> 

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

Announcements

Scribner Library Book Club

The Scribner Library Book Club will be meeting in person this summer on the second-to-last Wednesday of each month. Our non-traditional book club encourages attendees to “show and tell” a book they’ve read with the group. Please check our page for more info. The book club will be meeting from noon to 1 p.m. June 23, July 21 and Aug. 18 on the Adirondack chairs outside Scribner Library. We will follow any health and safety guidelines that are in place at the time of each meeting. Hannah Matecko-Conti is happy to field any questions, but please feel free to simply show up.

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 open by appointment through July 9

The museum will be open by appointment only through July 9 for viewings of the exhibition “Nicole Cherubini: Shaking the Trees,” while we prepare the museum for new exhibitions that will open on July 10. Students, faculty and staff interested in visiting the museum for research or planning purposes are also welcome to make an appointment. Those interested in exhibitions may contact Rachel Seligman, assistant director for curatorial affairs. Those interested in collections may contact Kara Jefts, collections registrar. Summer hours and events will be announced in the coming weeks.

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 16. 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.

Skidmore Shop

While we’d loved to see your beautiful smiles, we are requiring all of our visitors to wear masks at this time. You can of course, visit us at skidmoreshop.com with or without a mask. Happy shopping!

Share news in the Skidmore Weekly Bulletin

Please help reduce bulk emails by posting your announcement in the Bulletin, which reaches all faculty, staff and students.

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