News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

COVID-19 Updates

Current campus COVID-19 policies

In response to the lifting of most state COVID-19 restrictions earlier this month, and with a campus vaccination rate of well over 70%, the guidance outlined here is in effect on campus.

Skidmore News

Collaborative research returns to campus

Dozens of collaborative research projects — across disciplines ranging from anthropology and computer science to neuroscience and social work — are taking place in person and on Skidmore’s campus this summer after going online during the pandemic.

Read More

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 hosting its pop-up grill every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The grill features hamburgers, hot dogs and plant-based burgers and more on the walkway outside Burgess Café. 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.

 

Burgess Café is also offering novelty ice cream to help beat the heat.

Human Resources

Return to Campus Policy

The College is looking forward to beginning a phased return to campus of all staff who have been working remotely. The College’s Return to Campus Policy was announced to all employees last week. 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.

Employee COVID-19 Information

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.

 

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. For those employees who must still participate in surveillance testing over the summer, all campus COVID-19 testing will take place in Palamountain 201. More information and the testing schedule can be found here.

 

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.

 

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.)

Skidmore Spotlight

Chris Briggs, an area coordinator in the Office of Residential Life, oversees multiple residence halls and apartments, and works to recruit, select, train and supervise resident assistants (RAs). He also spends much of his free time on campus, where he lives with his family. 

Read more
Meet Chris Briggs

Faculty-Staff Achievements

Click here for details about the achievements below.

 

Nurcan Atalan-Helicke, associate professor and director of the Environmental Studies and Sciences Program, and A.J. Schneller, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, published a book chapter with three alumni. Read more >>

 

Emmanuel Balogun, assistant professor of political science, published an academic paper. Read more >>

 

Jason Breves, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biology, co-authored a scientific article with two alumni. Read more >>

 

Rebecca McNamara, associate curator at the Tang Teaching Museum, published a book review. Read more >>

 

Kelly Melekis, associate professor of social work, published a journal article with a recent Skidmore graduate. Read more >>

 

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

Announcements

Landscape Photography Pop-up Exhibition

The Summer Studio Art Program’s Landscape Photography class, taught by Emily Vallee, will be installing a pop-up exhibition of their recent artwork in Case Gallery. The show is open for viewing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, July 2. Please stop by and enjoy the landscape images produced by our creative Skidmore studio art students.

 

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, July 7. 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.

 

Fall 2021 Scheduling Notes from Religious and Spiritual Life

Faculty and staff are invited to check the Holidays and Religious Observances Calendar updated by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) as events are planned for the coming year. Of particular note for this year: Rosh Hashanah overlaps with New Student Orientation and the first day of classes, and Yom Kippur will be during the first full week of classes. Contact ORSL with any questions about scheduling and accommodations, as well as suggestions for updates and additions for the calendar.

 

Fall 2021 vegetable CSA shares now available

9 Miles East Farm will be delivering freshly harvested vegetables and herbs to subscribers in the Skidmore community for 12 consecutive Fridays starting Sept. 3. Shares are available by subscription only. Sign up online. Joining a CSA is a great way to support the local farm community. There are only 100 shares available for the entire campus community, so sign up now. Send questions to 9 Miles East Farm.

 

Spring issue of Scope magazine

The spring 2021 issue of Skidmore’s Scope magazine has been mailed to employees’ home addresses. Please contact James Helicke if you have not received a copy. The magazine is also available online.

 

Lost and found website

Campus Safety maintains a webpage listing items that have been lost and found on campus. Please visit the website to report a lost or found item, or to review a list of items that have been reported to Campus Safety. Items found last semester are also listed.

 

Athletics News

Skidmore Thoroughbred sports camps are back in a big way, starting this week with more than 150 participating in baseball and boys’ basketball camps. Read the full story on the Athletics website.

 

Skidmore Shop

Get free AirPods with each Apple MacBook or iPad you purchase at the Skidmore Shop. Check out our selection of Apple products here!

 

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

 

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