News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Skidmore News

The inauguration of President Marc C. Conner

In his inaugural address, President Conner called for a "daring education" that prepares graduates to lead "lives of consequence." A full recap of the weekend’s events is available here, including a highlights video and photo gallery. A livestream recording of the Installation Ceremony can be viewed here.

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 age 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 policies are outlined in this fall testing policy for employees and posted to the Campus Planning website. 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. As of Monday, Oct. 18, testing has moved to the second floor of Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Effective today, official team practices held indoors may now occur without masks. As announced on Oct. 7, practices held outdoors may also occur without masks.

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 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.

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

Mandatory Annual Anti-Harassment Training

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community where faculty, staff, and students are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. The College’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Diversity and Anti-Harassment Policies and Procedures prohibit discrimination and harassment based on individuals’ diverse characteristics. To comply with New York state law, it is critical that all employees (faculty, staff, union, part time, etc.) complete both training courses on or before Oct. 29, 2021. Student employees are only required to complete the Anti-Harassment Training.

Accessing the training is straightforward. Please follow the simple steps on this webpage. Additionally, instructions with screen shots can be found here for the Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together training.

Skidmore Spotlight

Meet Christine Vautrin

Christine Vautrin is an administrative assistant in the Registrar’s Office, where she assists students with their questions, helps them make changes to their schedules, registers non-matriculated students, and helps resolve student registration issues.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

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

Hope Casto, associate professor and chair of the Department of Education Studies, has published a book chapter. Read more >>

Kris Covey, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences, presented at a workshop. Read more >>

Keelin Hollowood, assistant athletic director, will be inducted into the Greater Capital Region Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame. Read more>>

Stephen Ives, associate professor of health and human physiological sciences, was invited to the editorial advisory board of a scholarly journal and published a research paper. Read more >>

Michael Janairo, manager of communications and strategic initiatives at the Tang, gave a presentation to museum professionals. Read more >>

Chris Mann, associate professor of political science, spoke to CBS 6 News. Read more >>

Dan Nathan, professor of American studies, published a book chapter. Read more >>

Oscar A. Pérez, associate professor of Spanish, co-edited a special issue of a journal and published an article. Read more >>

Lectures

Skidmore Mathematics and Statistics Departmental Seminar

Skidmore's Mathematics and Statistics Departmental Seminar will host Phanuel De Andrade Mariano, assistant professor of mathematics at Union College, from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, in Emerson Auditorium. The 25-minute talk will be followed by a five-minute Q&A session. All attendees must RSVP by completing this form.

Annual Charles N. Dowd Lecture

Myisha Cherry, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, will discuss “Rage Renegades: A Message to Allies” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall. Contact Larry Jorgensen, chair of the Philosophy Department, for more information.

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

Information forum on Skidmore’s financial context

From 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, Skidmore’s administration will offer a one-hour information forum on the finances of the College. Designed for all Skidmore employees, the session will be led by President Marc Conner, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Donna Ng, and Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Orr and will provide detailed information on the College’s financial position, projected budget information, enrollment figures, and staffing levels. There will also be opportunities for questions. All Skidmore employees are invited to attend, and the forum will be recorded and available for anyone in our community to view. Zoom information will be forthcoming.

Students to present socially engaged art projects

The Skidmore community is invited to support socially engaged projects by students in Reimagining Representation (AR 351K), taught by Visiting Assistant Professor Lindsay Buchman, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21, at the Tang Teaching Museum. The event features live screen printing with takeaway totes and film screenings created collaboratively by students in the class, who form alliances across social and racial justice causes.

Operatic collaboration with Skidmore College faculty and students as well as local soloists in a semi-staged production of “Don Giovanni”

Please join a reimagined performance of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" performed in collaboration with students and faculty from Skidmore College with the Schenectady Symphony at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Universal Preservation Hall. The production includes guest artist Brian Major, faculty members Sylvia Stoner and Casey Gray, students Johnny Mulcahy '24 and Jessica Byers '25, Skidmore's Vocal Chamber Ensemble conducted by Floydd Ricketts, and new dialogue authored by Cate/Jul Le Cours '21. The concert master is Distinguished Senior Artist-in-Residence Michael Emery. Tickets may be purchased here at a special discounted rate of $15 using the code "SKIDMORE." Seating is limited. All persons must show proof of vaccination upon entry and remain masked during the performance.

Northwoods and Sussman Village: Village Treats

Trick-or-treat with college students in the apartment villages from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24. Make sure to bring a mask and a costume. Participating apartments will have an orange pumpkin on the door.

Scribner Library's annual Great Pumpkin Challenge

Craft a literary-themed pumpkin masterpiece for display in the library. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate individually or as a team. Register online. Entries are due by 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25. The top student and employee pumpkins win prizes.

SWOP Brown Bag Lunch Kickoff: Learn More About Skidmore's Sustainability Initiatives

The Sustainable Workplace Operations Program (SWOP) seeks to educate community members about sustainability, inspire behavior change, and encourage participants to make improvements for a healthier, more sustainable workplace. Please join our first brown bag lunch featuring a presentation from Jen Natyzak, interim sustainability director, for an overview of collaborative campus projects supporting our 2025 campus sustainability goals from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, at the Wiecking Tent. RSVP by email. Attendees should bring their own lunch and drinks, and complimentary cider donuts will be offered.

Air conditioning update

With colder weather approaching, Facilities Services is shutting down the chiller plant. The following buildings will no longer have air conditioning: Old Dana, Case, Ladd, Bolton, Palamountain, Library, Barrett, Waite, Tisch, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, Jonsson Tower, and Howe Rounds.

Celebration 5K Run-Walk

Over 70 runners and walkers finished the hilly Skidmore Celebration 5K Run-Walk on Sunday, Oct. 17. The first man across the finish line was Aymon Langlois and the first woman was Eliana Zitrin. The event raised $240 for Saratoga EOC Thanksgiving Dinners. Results with breakdowns by category may also be found online.

Athletics News

The playoffs are in view for the Skidmore College women’s soccer team after the Thoroughbreds beat Ithaca College 2-1 on Oct. 15. It was the team’s first win over the Bombers since 1996. Skidmore is tied for fourth with a 7-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 Liberty League record. Next up is a key league contest on Saturday at 3 p.m. against St. Lawrence.

Skidmore Shop

Looking for discounted Apple products? Look no further! The Skidmore Shop has a MacBook Air for $1,149, a Mac Mini for $699, and a iPad Pro for $649. There’s only one of each product in stock, so claim them while supplies last. Please contact Doug Chang (ext. 5491) with any questions.