Board of Trustees meeting report, Malala's inspiring visit to campus, collaborative folk festival, and upcoming events this week.

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Skidmore News

Skidmore College logo.

The Board of Trustees welcomed new members; approved this year's Strategic Action Agenda; and considered important topics, including enrollment, renovations to campus, and efforts to increase revenue and reduce costs. Read Board Chair Jon Achenbaum ’77’s summary of the meeting.

Photo of education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

In conversation with ABC News correspondent and “20/20” co-anchor Deborah Roberts, the iconic education activist and Nobel laureate discusses navigating friendships, love, mental health, and more.

Skidmore alumna Carolyn Shapiro ’15.

Bennington and Skidmore Colleges will cohost the inaugural Folk Festival — a two-day celebration of American and Celtic folk traditions featuring concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and participatory events on both campuses.

The Coming Week

Thursday, Nov. 6

7 a.m.–1 p.m.

‌Benefits Fair

Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor

‌9 a.m.–5 p.m. 

‌Campus Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinic

McCaffery Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, Tennis Viewing Room, first floor

5:30 p.m. 

‌Dana Leibsohn Lecture 

‌Tang Teaching Museum

‌‌7:30 p.m. ‌

‌Becoming and Belonging: Students Perform Excerpts from "As You Like It" 

‌Tang Teaching Museum

Friday, Nov. 7

Noon 

‌Curator’s Talk on Hyde Cabinet #29: Pretty Classic 

‌Tang Teaching Museum

‌1 p.m. 

November Staff Meeting

Zoom or Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor

3:30 p.m. 

‌November Faculty Meeting

Zoom or Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor

Saturday, Nov. 8

2 p.m. 

‌Family Saturday 

‌Tang Teaching Museum

‌‌7:30 p.m. ‌

‌Skidmore & Bennington Folk Festival 

‌Zankel Music Center

Sunday, Nov. 9 

‌2 p.m. 

‌Tang Guide Tour 

‌Tang Teaching Museum

‌‌4 p.m. ‌

‌SURROUND: Julie Doiron

‌Zankel Music Center

Tuesday, Nov. 11 

11:30 a.m. 

‌Veterans Day Ceremony 

‌Flagpole near main entrance (Rain location: Glotzbach Atrium)

Human Resources

Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment

‌Benefits Open Enrollment begins Thursday, Nov. 6, and must be completed by the end of Friday, Nov. 21. A Benefits Fair will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, on the second floor of Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. Additional information will be shared by email and posted online.

‌Professional development, events, training, and other opportunities

  • Bridging Generational Perspectives – 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 
  • ‌LinkedIn Learning Training for Supervisors – 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, via Zoom
  • ‌Introduction to AI Workshop for Staff – 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor
     

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

Announcements

Strategic Action Agenda 2025-2026

Strategy into Action: Strategic Action Agenda 2025-2026 is now posted on the Creative Futures: The Skidmore College Strategic Plan, 2025-2030 website. This document provides context for and review of last year’s SAA and presents four goals for this year’s agenda. These goals emerged from and support Skidmore’s new strategic plan, which was approved earlier this year.

‌‌Veterans Day Ceremony 

Please join us at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the flagpole near the entrance to campus for a brief ceremony honoring our veterans. In case of rain, the gathering will be held in the Glotzbach Atrium of the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences.

‌Changes to CDTA bus service to campus


The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has announced plans to make service changes to routes in Saratoga Springs, including service to Skidmore, effective Sunday, Nov. 30. Route No. 452, which currently serves campus, will no longer be in service, except for late night Skidmore service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Riders will have access to CDTA’s FLEX On Demand service, an on-demand, point-to-point service that uses CDTA’s Navigator app. Click here to view an interactive map of Saratoga Springs FLEX Zone and FLEX Points. CDTA will hold an information session on the new routes at the Saratoga Springs Public Library at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

‌‌Registration for spring semester

Registration for the spring 2026 semester is now underway. Refer to the Registration Information page for the timeslot schedule, step-by-step instructions, and a link to Schedule Planner. Contact the Registrar with questions.

‌Course withdrawal deadline 

‌The deadline to withdraw from fall 2025 courses without a grade penalty is Thursday, Nov. 13. Visit the Course Withdrawal Considerations page for more information.

‌Kids Night Out is back

The baseball team will sponsor Kids Night Out on Friday, Nov. 7. The event is open to ages 6–13 and costs $10 per child. Activities include swimming, basketball and more. For more information, contact Ron Plourde.

‌SURROUND: Julie Doiron 

Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiron returns to the Zankel Music Center for a sunset performance at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Doiron brings her unmistakable voice and raw, intimate songwriting back to the stage with “I Thought Of You,” her first solo album in nearly a decade. Tickets are free for students and $8 for faculty and staff.

‌Eco-Fest events 

‌Join the Theater Action Climate Justice (TH 340) class in celebrating Eco-Fest, Nov. 11–14. As part of the global Climate Change Theatre Action Festival, events include pop-up performances on Nov. 11, deep forest listening in Northwoods at 10 a.m. Nov. 13, and upcycled crafting, a potluck, plays, and slow jams at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater. All are welcome.

John McQueen Memorial Exhibition

The Tang presents the “John McQueen Memorial Exhibition” Nov. 2–9 honoring the late conceptual fiber artist (1943–2025), a longtime Saratoga Springs resident featured in past exhibitions including “Affinity Atlas” (2015) and "The World According to the Newest and Most Exact Observations" (2001).

‌‌Tuition benefit and tuition exchange program info session

Admissions, Financial Aid, and Human Resources will lead a workshop 4–5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Emerson Auditorium. The session will cover admission and financial aid requirements and provide an overview of tuition benefits for eligible employees, including the Tuition Exchange Program.

‌Energy Literacy Workshop

‌Join the Sustainability Office and the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in Ladd 206 for a workshop on saving money on your energy bill. Participants will receive a gift box valued at $40. Attendance is limited to the first 30 registrants. Register now or contact sustainability@skidmore.edu.

‌‌‌Thanksgiving pie and bread orders

Dining Services will be selling homemade bread and pies for Thanksgiving. All orders must be received by Friday, Nov. 21. Pickup will be on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Wednesday, Nov. 26.

‌‌Skidmania '75 tickets on sale now

Skidmore’s biggest student-led concert returns to Zankel Music Center for two nights only – Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for faculty and staff. Purchase tickets before they sell out. All proceeds benefit Skidmore Cares.

‌Career Discovery Experience 

‌The Career Discovery Experience program is seeking hosts for Jan. 5–16. The program connects students with alumni and professionals for career exploration through flexible, half-day experiences. Hosts share their career stories and offer a glimpse into their day-to-day work. Register as a host

‌Last week to see “Crux of the Matter” at The Schick Art Gallery 

‌This is the final week to view “Crux of the Matter” featuring Margo Mensing and Sayward Schoonmaker. The exhibition runs through Sunday, Nov. 9. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday–Sunday.

‌Host an international student for Thanksgiving

Most international students remain on campus during the holiday and would love to share a meal with your family. Rides are appreciated but not required. Fill out the host family survey or email Chloe Jaleel with questions.

‌Art at the Skidmore Shop 

‌Our window display currently features artwork by Lisa Xiaocha Shan ‘28. Students interested in having their work featured can email Evelyn Lee for details. The art supply sale runs through Nov. 10. Enjoy 10% off art supplies with a coupon available from your art professors. The offer is not valid on metals, plates, purchasing cards, or kits.

Skidmore Weekly Bulletin submission procedure and schedule 

Help reduce bulk emails by posting your announcement in Skidmore Weekly Bulletin, which is distributed to all employees as well as to all students. Submit announcements and events, and faculty and staff achievements by completing the appropriate online form. The deadline for all submissions is noon on Monday. Email swb@skidmore.edu if you have questions.

Athletics

Playoffs continue this week for the Thoroughbreds. Men’s soccer hosts Vassar College in a Liberty League semifinal at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Wachenheim Field, with a spot in Sunday’s championship on the line. Men’s basketball opens its season against SUNY Plattsburgh at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Swimming and diving hosts Vassar in a dual meet at 1 p.m. Saturday. Volleyball hosts its first playoff match in 13 years — a first-round showdown against Vassar — at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Stay up to date with results and schedules on the Skidmore Athletics website and by subscribing to the Skidmore Athletics Weekly Newsletter.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, Nov. 13

4:30 p.m. 

‌"Preparing for a Home Sale: From Decluttering to the Sale"

Surrey-Williamson Inn

Friday, Nov. 14 

‌7:30 p.m. 

‌Tenzin Choegyal w/ Attacca Quartet & Alex Ring Gray: Be the Sky 

‌Zankel Music Center

Skidmore College

 815 North Broadway

 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-580-5000

 
 
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