News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

President Conner and administrators brief College staff

President Marc Conner and Skidmore College administrators offered updates on the College’s continuing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Campus Master Planning process, and preparations for important College events, including the October Board of Trustees meeting, Celebration Weekend, and Inauguration.

An unprecedented presidential inauguration

While maintaining many of Skidmore’s ceremonial traditions, the inauguration of Marc C. Conner as Skidmore’s eighth president on Saturday, Oct. 16, will be unlike any other in the College’s past — most notably because it will take place nearly 16 months after Conner officially took office on July 1, 2020. Learn more about inauguration history and events on the Inauguration website.

Skidmore and City of Saratoga Springs partner to make ice rink improvements

An agreement between Skidmore and the City of Saratoga Springs will allow the College to build a new hockey locker room at the Weibel Avenue Ice Rink while enabling the City to make a number of other planned improvements to its ice rink facilities.

Skidmore faculty weigh in on Afghanistan conflict

Faculty in disciplines ranging from gender studies to international affairs consider the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and its recent withdrawal.

COVID-19 Updates

Pfizer Booster Eligibility

New York has adopted the CDC’s recommendations for offering booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for individuals who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago and who fall into certain categories, which may encompass some members of our campus community. Eligible categories include individuals aged 65 and older; individuals with an underlying medical condition; and individuals employed in a setting with increased risk of transmission, which includes education staff and first responders, including healthcare workers. Skidmore employees who opt to receive a booster shot do not need a letter from the College to prove eligibility. New Yorkers are required to provide written self-attestation confirming eligibility, which providers must collect.

HERO Act Designation Extended: Daily Health Certification, training video required for all employees

The designation of COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease has been extended until Oct. 31 by the New York State Department of Health. In turn, HERO plans must remain activated and all employees must continue to complete the Daily Health Certification form at the beginning of each workday. Any employee with symptoms of COVID-19 must contact their healthcare provider and follow their instructions, including referral for a COVID-19 test. Clearance by a healthcare provider or proof of a negative COVID-19 test must be submitted to Human Resources at hr@skidmore.edu before returning to work on campus. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 must notify Human Resources for further instructions. All employees are also required to review the College’s plan and watch this training video as soon as possible and notify their supervisors when they have completed this requirement. If you have any questions after reviewing the plan and viewing the training video, please contact the HR Hotline at 518-580-5801 or hr@skidmore.edu.

CoVerified App

To ensure compliance with testing requirements, effective Friday, Oct. 1, all students are required to show a “cleared” status in CoVerified in order to gain entry to Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and Williamson Sports Center.

Staff and faculty in departments and offices across campus may also request to see a student’s “cleared” status before a student is invited to enter their workspace. As a reminder, ready-made signs and templates, including those specific to CoVerified, are available on the Campus Planning website for faculty and staff to download, print, and post as needed.

Fall semester COVID-19 guidelines, testing, and related protocols

The College’s fall policy for surveillance testing, contract tracing, and protocols for employee illness, positive cases, and exposures to positive cases are outlined in this fall testing policy for employees, which was emailed to all staff and faculty on Tuesday, Aug. 31, and posted to the Campus Planning website.

Please note: Employees who are well (i.e., have no COVID-19 symptoms) but are concerned that they have been exposed to COVID-19 through work-related activities may contact Human Resources to request to test on campus.

The College’s detailed guidelines for masking, social distancing, visitors, gatherings, and dining are posted to the Campus Planning website , and updates to frequently asked questions are being posted as soon as information becomes available. The College is currently at a “yellow” status level, due to a "substantial" to "high" COVID-19 transmission rate in Saratoga County, as categorized by the CDC. Therefore, indoor masking is currently required for everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status.

Pick up a free Skidmore facemask at the Skidmore Shop

All students and employees may pick up a complimentary Skidmore facemask at the Skidmore Shop. Just show your Skidmore ID to receive your mask.

Dining Services

Please visit the Dining Services website regularly for updates, specials, hours of operation, and other information.

While the College is operating at a “yellow” status level (“substantial” to “high” Saratoga County COVID transmission rate), Murray-Aikins Dining Hall will be open to students only during the fall semester. The Spa, Atrium Café, and Burgess Café remain open to everyone.

Human Resources

New Open Positions

Human Resources would like to invite interested Skidmore staff to submit their applicant materials for the openings listed below. These are current, approved, budgeted positions that are being filled due to vacancies.

Customer Attendant/Short Order Cook, Dining Services
(Two full-time) Environmental Services Technicians, Custodial Operations

To apply, please access the Okta portal. Click on “Me” and then click on “Current Jobs.”

Upcoming Training Opportunity

Financial Services will be holding a session to help with any Oracle questions you may have related to reporting, invoices, purchase orders, and expense reports, which include expense reimbursements as well as P-card and SCIP charges. The training will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon. To register, please visit our HR Training website.

EAP Reaching Out Newsletter

The October edition of our 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.

MVP Living Well Programs

MVP Living Well Programs is proud to offer more well-being experiences to both MVP members and non-members, as well as family and friends. Register for any of the listed programs here.

TicketsatWork Program

Having fun, getting away from it all, and saving money are important for your well-being. This cost-free benefit provides access to thousands of exclusive travel and entertainment discounts, so you can make the most of your time away from work. This October, you have access to specials in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, frightfully good offers on Halloween goodies and events, savings on fall essentials, wellness offers to support your mind and body on World Mental Health Day, and more! If you haven’t signed up yet, click become a member and enter our company code: SKIDMOREPERKS. Check out the October Higher Flyer here.

Skidmore Spotlight

Meet Amy Ballesteros

Amy Ballesteros, web developer and programmer in the Office of Communications and Marketing, provides technological leadership and web guidance for the College, helps maintain Skidmore’s strong web presence; oversees the College website, online products, and services; and develops solutions for campus partners in support of students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

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

Ian Berry, Dayton Director of the Tang Teaching Museum and professor of liberal arts, was quoted by The New York Times. Read more >>

A dance program created by Sarah DiPasquale, associate professor and chair of the Department of Dance, is featured on PBS Learning Media. Read more >>

An opera by Evan Mack, senior teaching professor of music, made its West Coast premiere and was featured on a public radio station. Read more >>

Lectures

Greenberg Middle East Scholar-in-Residence Lecture

Haggai Ram, the 2021 Greenberg Middle East Scholar-in-Residence, will discuss “The Social Life of Cannabis in Palestine-Israel: A Global History,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Gannett Auditorium. This event is open to Skidmore students and employees only.

Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: The Liberal Arts Education in the 21st Century

All are invited to join President Conner for this panel discussion focusing on the “Skidmore difference.” Moderated by David Howson, senior teaching professor and Arthur Zankel Executive Director of Arts Administration, this Inauguration Panel features Kimberley Frederick (Chemistry), Catherine Hill (Management and Business), Pushkala Prasad (Management and Business & International Affairs), Sarah Sweeney (Art), and David Tago ’23 at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in Gannett Auditorium. Seating is limited. The event will also be livestreamed on Skidmore's homepage.

To view all upcoming lectures and for details on how to submit information about upcoming Skidmore academic lectures, named lectures, and faculty panels, visit the Skidmore Lectures webpage.

Announcements

Glotzbach Presidential Portrait Dedication and Honorary Degree Presentations

Join President Marc C. Conner and the Board of Trustees for the unveiling of the portrait of President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, in Gannett Auditorium. Overflow seating will be available in Emerson Auditorium. During this gathering, honorary degrees will also be presented to President Emeritus Glotzbach and Marie B. Glotzbach in recognition of their service to the College. The event will also be livestreamed. A reception will follow in a tent in Palamountain Parking lot.

Celebration Weekend

Skidmore looks forward to welcoming the families of Skidmore students to Celebration Weekend 2021, from Oct. 15 through 17. The complete weekend schedule can be found on the Celebration Weekend website.

Celebration Weekend Parking Lot Closures

A portion of Palamountain Parking lot will be closed beginning the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 12, through Monday, Oct. 18. Cones will be placed in an area near the main entrance of Palamountain on Tuesday evening.

Celebration Weekend Fireworks

A fireworks display will take place over Haupt Pond on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 9 p.m. All are welcome to view this outdoor event.

Open house tours at The Center

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to open house tours of The Center, from 10 a.m. to noon through Friday, Oct. 8. Learn about the vision and mission of The Center, as well as ways in which you can get involved. Drop by The Center (located on the second floor of Case Center across from the Office of Campus Life and Engagement) during a two-hour window. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, each tour is limited to 60 participants. RSVP online.

Tang Announces Opening of Hyde Cabinet #14

On view now through Dec. 5 at the Tang Teaching Museum is the student curatorial project “Hyde Cabinet #14: Con todos estos líos: confronting the demons of US history,” organized by Heidi Birch ’22. The exhibition presents a work from the Tang collection, Enrique Chagoya’s “Return to Goya No. 9,” which provokes conversation about the persistence of racism in the United States. The Hyde Cabinet is curated by members of the Tang Student Advisory Council. For details, visit the Tang website.

Discounted Gore season passes

A corporate discount for season passes to Gore Mountain is available for Skidmore employees through Dec. 8. You can find information about pass options and submit your request to purchase online.

Get Certified with the Sustainable Workplace Operations Program (SWOP)

This fall, the Sustainability Office is launching a certification program for individuals and departments to track, demonstrate, and improve their workplace practice. To learn more and participate, visit the Sustainabilty website and fill out an interest form.

Parking on campus

Campus Safety is now issuing fines for parking violations. Students, faculty, and staff are reminded that parking is only permitted in authorized parking spots (identified by white or yellow lines on either side of the parking space). Parking is not permitted over pavement markings such as those with hazard markings (parallel diagonal lines), at the end of a row of cars where there are no parking lines on both sides of your car, on the grass, on sidewalks or crosswalks, in the roadway, or in any no-parking zones. Parking in any of these areas may result in your car being ticketed. Receiving three tickets qualifies your car to be “booted.” If you cannot find an authorized parking space in your preferred parking lot, you will need to move to another lot. Please check the campus map to identify alternative lots that meet your needs.

Skidmore Shop

The Skidmore Shop team is looking forward to Celebration Weekend, Oct. 15-17. Shop hours that weekend will be 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. With every purchase of $50 or more, shoppers will receive a free Skidmore mug — while supplies last. Can’t make it to campus? Skidmoreshop.com will be offering free shipping from Friday, Oct. 15, through Sunday Oct. 17.

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