News and announcements from Skidmore College

Weekly Bulletin

Weekly Highlights

Women’s tennis team wins 12th straight Liberty League title
Visions and Values Project feedback sought
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Student Leadership Awards
Important end-of-year reminders from Summer Housing, Post Office, and other offices

Skidmore News

Meet Skidmore’s new Counseling Center director, Robert Cardom

Cardom describes his team’s work and the growing array of mental health and wellness resources available at Skidmore, where support for mental health is woven into the fabric of campus life.

April 28 staff meeting recap

President Conner and College administrators held the last staff meeting of the 2022-23 academic year and provided updates on important initiatives.

Photo essay: Books, blooms, and a busy spring semester

Campus is bustling with academic, athletic, and community experiences. Even so, the Skidmore community has found time to enjoy the beauty of spring.

Athletics News

The women’s tennis team won its 12th straight Liberty League title with a 5-2 win over Vassar College on Sunday, April 30, at Cornell University. The Thoroughbreds will compete in their 16th consecutive NCAA Division III tournament this weekend. The team has a first-round bye and will face the winner of Drew/Hunter on Saturday, May 6, at Middlebury College. A win would send the team to the regional final on May 7.

In other Athletics news, the rowing teams will host the Liberty League Championships Friday morning on Fish Creek. The first race starts at 8 a.m. The baseball team is home Saturday in the Liberty League crossover best of three series against Clarkson. The first game is at noon and will be followed by Game 2. If necessary, a third game will take place at noon on Sunday. The winner moves on to the league Final Four.

Human Resources

Professional development, events, training, and other opportunities

May 4: EAP Presents: “Stop, Drop, and Roll: Preventing Burnout in the Workplace”
May 23: Retirement and Recognition Ceremony

For more information, including registration details and a full listing of opportunities, visit the Professional Development and Training website.

Faculty-Staff Achievements

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

Paul Benzon, assistant professor of English, delivered the annual Babcock Lecture at Hartwick College. Read more>>

Barbara Black, professor of English and Tisch Chair in Arts and Letters, contributed to Oxford Bibliographies. Read more>>

Heather Hurst, associate professor of anthropology, was featured in a French documentary. Read more>>

Nancy Thebaut, assistant professor of art history, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to France for next academic year. She also published a scholarly article. Read more>>

Chris Vecsey, associate professor and director of the Neuroscience Program, received an award at the Northeast Under/graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience (NEURON) conference. Read more>>

Announcements

Reception for Michael Orr

President Marc Conner cordially invites you to a reception to honor Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael T. Orr immediately following the faculty meeting on Wednesday, May 17. A toast and brief remarks will be held at 12:15 p.m. in Gannett Lobby. Refreshments and light fare will be served.

Information regarding possible RA/CA unionization

The National Labor Relations Board has approved an agreement between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Skidmore College to conduct an election to determine whether students who serve as resident assistants (RAs) and community assistants (CAs) wish to join a union. The election will be held at the Wyckoff Center Conference Room from noon to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. Any Skidmore student who was actively employed as a resident assistant or community assistant as of April 14, 2023, is eligible to vote. Additional information, including latest messages and new FAQs, may be viewed here.

The Office of the First-Year Experience announces summer reading

The Class of 2027 summer reading is “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro. This text explores what it means to be human, curiosity, learning, and knowledge, as well as artificial intelligence. Incoming students, peer mentors, and Scribner Seminar faculty will be given copies of the book. Contact the First-Year Experience for more information.

Fiscal Year-End Reminders from Financial Services

Please review these detailed guidelines ahead of the close of the fiscal year on May 31. You are encouraged to submit expense reimbursements, invoices for payment, and related items in advance of the deadlines. As a reminder, all transactions are handled through Oracle Cloud.

Reminder from the Skidmore Post Office

Students should pick up any packages and clean out their mailbox before departing campus. Any packages and letters received over the summer will be returned to the sender. Students

staying on campus or in the local area over the summer must complete this form to keep their mailbox during the summer. For more information, contact the Post Office.

Williamson Sports Center main entrance to be closed

Due to new construction of the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, the main sidewalk to the Williamson Sports Center will be closed from Monday, May 15, until mid-August. A temporary entrance will be located on the west side of the building. Follow signage to access the building.

Campus air conditioning

The campus chiller plant is now up and running and ready for use. Air conditioning will be available as needed based on outside air temperature. Contact Facilities for more information.

Reunion student assistant positions

The Office of Alumni Relations and College Events has temporary job openings for students (16 to 23 years old) for Alumni Reunion Weekend, June 1-4. Please apply online by May 19. Contact Janis Petroski for more information.

Dining Services

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

Skidmore Shop

Textbook Buyback begins Friday, May 5, and runs through Monday, May 15. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Visions and Values Project: Seeking Feedback

President Conner invites all members of the campus community to provide their thoughts and reflections about what is unique and defining about Skidmore College through this feedback form. The form includes five open-ended questions that are reflective but also aspirational and forward-looking. Responses will help inform the College’s next strategic planning process as we affirm, together, our values and our shared vision for Skidmore. The form will remain open until Wednesday, May 10. Responses are confidential, though respondents will be asked to identify their primary role at Skidmore.

Updates on search for general counsel and VP for human resources

The search for a general counsel/vice president for human resources continues to progress and is now in the semi-finalist stage. Following semi-finalist interviews, the search committee will identify finalists and invite them to campus for meetings and in-person interviews with the search committee along with other constituencies, including the Appointments and Tenure Committee, President’s Cabinet, Board of Trustee representatives, and HR leadership. Following the same model as other recent vice presidential searches, open confidential forums will also be scheduled to allow our community the opportunity to engage with and ask questions of the candidates. Details regarding time and location will be shared as soon as available. Updated information will continue to be posted here.

Student summer housing applications due Friday

Students wishing to live on campus this summer must apply by this Friday, May 5. Housing assignments will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Summer Housing.

Give+Go Move-Out Donation Collection

U-Haul Box donation stations will be open Monday, May 8, through senior move-out day, Sunday, May 21. This initiative yields over 10 tons of gently used goods and food for nonprofit partners each year. Students can visit the website for donation details. Staff, faculty, and students are invited to volunteer to sort donations on Sunday, May 21. For more information, contact Jen Natyzak.

Workforce Team Challenge registration extended

The Work Force Team Challenge will take place on Thursday, May 18, in Albany. Register online by Monday, May 8. To participate, select Skidmore as your team and fill out all the required information. Do not pay for your cart; Skidmore’s team captain, Darren Drabek, will manage the payments. Contact Darren Drabek or Rachel Roe-Dale for more information, including details about carpooling and celebrations after the race.

Student Leadership Awards

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Student Leadership Awards: Aymon Langlois '23 and Luna Peralta '23 (Rodney D. Andrews Prize); Ishani Chakravorty '24 and Vicky Grijalva '24 (Barbara Hume Memorial Award); Garrett Marino '23, Issy Mejia '23 and Iti Singh '23 (Katherine Rozendaal Citizenship Award); Shayna Cohen '24 (Sara Bennett '92 Memorial Prize for Leadership in Student Journalism); and Arham Hashmi '23 and Aliza Nazir '23 (Jane Hapeman Distinguished Service Award).

Skidmania fall 2023

Skidmania ’73, planned for Nov. 17-18, will offer an exciting and inclusive bill of music and musicians, with all proceeds going to charity. Auditions featuring the hits of 1973 will be held in the fall. For more information, visit the Skidmania website.

Skidmore Weekly Bulletin submission procedure

Please help reduce bulk emails by posting your announcement in the Bulletin. Submit announcements and events, academic lectures, and faculty-staff achievements by completing the appropriate online form. The deadline for all submissions is noon on Monday. Please email swb@skidmore.edu if you have questions.