News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

COVID-19 Updates

Booster eligibility

New York has adopted the CDC’s recommendations for offering booster doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines who fall into certain categories, which may encompass some members of our campus community. 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. 

 

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.

 

Thanksgiving Pie Sale

Dining Services is accepting orders for homemade pies, assorted breads, and rolls for Thanksgiving until Wednesday, Nov. 17. A signup form will be posted on the Dining Services website. Pickup is Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Human Resources

FINAL REMINDER: 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 Friday, Oct. 29. 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 Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together training

 

Free one-on-one retirement consultations with Vanguard

Employees can schedule a one-on-one phone consultation with a Vanguard retirement planning counselor on Thursday, Nov. 11, or Monday, Nov. 22. You can sign up for an appointment by going to www.meetvanguard.com and selecting New York/Skidmore College/Saratoga Springs/one-on-one sessions. You can also schedule a phone consultation appointment at your convenience. Visit www.meetvanguard.com and select “Schedule Phone Meeting” to speak with a Vanguard retirement specialist.

 

Free TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Session

TIAA is holding one-on-one phone consultations with employees on Thursday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Dec. 15. Call 1-800-732-8353 to schedule an appointment or visit www.TIAA.org/schedulenow.

Skidmore Spotlight

Kelli Johnson, director of the Opportunity Program, oversees 160 students in the program and five staff members. She is also responsible for ensuring the program is in compliance with state requirements and offering a holistic, supportive program for OP scholars.

Meet Kelli Johnson

Faculty-Staff Achievements

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

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

 

Kathryn Baustian, teaching professor of anthropology, delivered an invited lecture. Read more >>

 

Jim Kennelly, professor of management and business, gave a public talk. Read more >>

 

Christine Reilly, assistant professor of computer science and Charles Lubin Family Chair for Women in Science, presented two papers, including one with Aarathi Prasad, assistant professor of computer science. Read more >>

Lectures

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. Contact Larry Jorgensen, chair of the Philosophy Department, for more information.

 

Making a Difference: Social Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century (Annual Arthur Zankel Event)

Ed Mitzen and Fred Rose will discuss social entrepreneurship at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1, in Gannett Auditorium. Mitzen is a local business leader and CEO of Fingerpaint Marketing with a reputation for turning local enterprises into financial pipelines for philanthropy. Rose is co-founder of Wellspring Cooperative in Springfield, Massachusetts, with a focus on job training and employment opportunities for underserved communities. This event will also be streamed. Please contact Pushi Prasad for more information.

 

Latin American and Latinx Studies Fall 2021 Speaker Series

Natalie Belisle, assistant professor of Spanish and comparative literature at the University of Southern California, will discuss “Haitian Invasion: Rethinking the (Black) Frontera” from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4. Belisle’s work focuses on literature, visual media, and cultural production from the contemporary Caribbean. Please contact Oscar A. Pérez for more information about this virtual event, which is open to the public.

 

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

Updates and next steps to address sexual and gender-based misconduct

Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Adrian Bautista outlines specific measures that the College is taking to respond to the concerns raised about sexual and gender-based misconduct on campus and efforts to create a safer, more secure, more inclusive, more welcoming community committed to respect and justice for all.

 

Information forum on Skidmore’s financial context

From 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, Skidmore’s administration will offer a one-hour informational session 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 session will be recorded.

 

Campus Master Planning open forums

Planning firm Ayers Saint Gross will report back on the information gathered throughout the first phase of the Campus Master Planning process, including what they have seen, heard, and analyzed about the Skidmore campus during two virtual sessions for the entire Skidmore community: from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, and from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. Ayers Saint Gross will also provide a sneak peek at the next phase of the process: “Envision and Test.” You are invited to attend either of these upcoming forums and to review these videos, which provide a preview of the many campus strengths and challenges that will be discussed during the open forums.

 

Campus Polling Site Information

This year's campus polling site will be The Center, located across from the Campus Life and Engagement Offices in Case Center. Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

 

‘Parallel Play’ new exhibition

The Schick Art Gallery is excited to present “Parallel Play,” an exhibition co-curated by Skidmore Assistant Professor of Sculpture John Galt, and featuring works by Chris Duncan, DeWitt Godfrey, Coral Penelope Lambert, and Mary Neubauer, four sculptors who also make drawings and digital prints. The exhibition opens with a reception for Skidmore students and faculty from 5 to 6 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. for campus and off-campus guests on Thursday, Oct. 28. Masking is required for all; proof of vaccination is required for off-campus guests. There will be a Zoom artists talk at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4. Contact Rebecca Shepard for a link.

 

SWOP Coffee Hour

Stop by Burgess Café from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to learn more about the new Sustainable Workplace Operations Program (SWOP) with SWOP student managers Luna and Maggie. This program is designed to help employees better understand sustainable workplace practices and how to help implement them. Participants will complete an evaluation on standardized criteria over the course of the semester and will be awarded a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum sticker to be displayed as thanks for their participation. Learn more about SWOP at the program website.

 

Athletics winter seasons are underway

The ice hockey season opens at home at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, when the Thoroughbreds host Wentworth in a non-conference game. The riding team competes for the first time since 2019 with its season opener at the Hartwick Show on Oct. 30. The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams kicked off the 2021-22 schedule with a home sweep of St. Lawrence on Oct. 23. The women’s basketball team tips its season on Nov. 4 at Oneonta, while the men begin Nov. 13 at Stevens.

 

Skidmore Shop

Trick or treat yourself with 20% off all T-shirts (excluding clearance items) at the Skidmore Shop on Friday, Oct 29.

 

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Events

Wednesday, Oct. 27

8 p.m.

Skidmore Theater’s Fall Black Box Production: John Proctor Is the Villain

JKB Theater

 

Thursday, Oct. 29

6 to 8 p.m.

Skele-Tang: Six Spooky Tables

Tang Teaching Museum

 

Saturday, Oct. 30

11 a.m.

Tang at Home Studio: Drawing Language

Virtual event

 

Saturday, Oct. 30

2 to 4 p.m.

Crochet Circle: Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef

Tang Teaching Museum

Saturday, Oct. 30

3 p.m.

Teen Open Studio

Virtual event

 

Sunday, Oct. 31

2 p.m.

Tang Guide Tour

Tang Teaching Museum

 

Wednesday, Nov. 3

Noon to 12:30 p.m.

Lunchtime Crochet: Saratoga Springs Satellite Reef

Virtual program

 Please send submissions to the Office of Communications and Marketing. 

Skidmore College

 

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-580-5000