FYI from FYE - May 2016
Welcome Class of 2020
Welcome to "FYI from the FYE."
We hope you find this newsletter interesting and informative, and that it offers a glimpse into Skidmore's First-Year Experience and into the College itself. At Skidmore, we believe that there is something unique and wonderful about liberal arts education, an education whose principal aim is to free the mind and develop the soul.
I hope you'll take the time this summer to consider what you'd like to get out of your time at Skidmore and how the intellectual risks you take may contribute to your development. We look forward to welcoming you as you embark on your undergraduate journey.
Sincerely,
Janet Casey
Director of the First-Year Experience
Professor of English
Checklist of Upcoming Deadlines
May and June Checklist
| Activity | Due Date |
| Enter Scribner Seminar selections | By May 18 |
| Fill out Academic Interest form | By May 18 |
| Complete Directed Self-Placement for Expository Writing (DSP) | By May 18 |
| Create email account | ongoing, upon receipt of letter from IT |
| Submit housing information | June 6-17 |
| Talk with summer advisors | June 3-24 |
| Register for classes | June 21 or 22 |
| Register for Pre-Orientation | June 1-July 15 |
Upcoming Deadlines
| Activity | Due Date |
| Submit ID picture | July 1-August 1 |
| Mail in Health Services forms | Due July 15 |
| Write RAP | July 1-August 30 |
| Complete online alcohol education class | August TBA |
| Register for Skidmore Urgent Notification System (SUNS) | Ongoing |
For a complete list of dates and deadlines, visit the Dates and Deadlines page.
A Note for London First-Years and Opportunity Program First-Years
London First-Years
For information about the London program and dates and deadlines, please be sure to
visit the London FYE 2016 page and join the Skidmore College London First-Year Experience, Class of 2020 Facebook
group. Orientation schedules can be found on the FYE Orientation website.
Opportunity Program First-Years
For Opportunity Program dates and deadlines, please be sure to visit the OP page. Orientation schedules can be found on the FYE Orientation website.
Summer Advising
Summer advising for the Class of 2020 takes place June 3 through June 24. We have 50+ summer advisors who will contact new students to talk about their academic and personal goals and how to navigate the course registration process. Because summer advisors are matched with students according to shared interests, it is important that you enter your academic interests by May 18. Interests are entered using an online form available through the Registrar's website.
Summer advisors
Our summer advisors are faculty who are familiar with Skidmore's academic programs
and opportunities. The advisors are ready to help students make decisions about fall
semester scheduling and beyond. Whether a student comments that "my passion is science"
or "I am totally undecided," he or she will find a summer advisor who is eager to
discuss strategies for making the most of the first semester at Skidmore. Students
should ask their summer advisor about a range of academic and co-curricular issues,
such as interests in the sciences, studio arts, or athletics. If students are undecided
on a major course of study, they may want to talk to their summer advisor about a
variety of liberal arts courses.
The New Student Advising and Registration Guide has plenty of information on selecting courses that fit student interests (information on placement testing, requirements for each major, academic support resources, etc.). For information on deadlines and the registration process, the best resource for students is the Incoming Students section of the Registrar's website.
Scheduling your Scribner Seminar
Students should have entered their top 10 choices for the Scribner Seminar (SSP-100)
by May 18 using the online form. The Registrar's Office will send an email on or around May 26 notifying students
that seminars have been assigned and providing instruction about how to view their
assignments. During the following weeks, each student should then decide on the additional
courses he or she wants to take in consultation with his or her summer advisor. All
students should be prepared to enter those courses into the registration system during
his or her assigned registration time on June 21 or 22 (the assigned time is indicated
on the lava colored sheet that is included with the Registration materials). Except
for the Scribner Seminar, students are able to adjust their schedules through the
add/drop period in September. If a student registers for classes after his/her assigned
time on June 21–22, it is highly likely that many courses will be closed.
Students with any questions about summer advising may contact the Office of Academic Advising via email or by phone at (518) 580-5720.
A special note to parents
Since we treat college students as emerging adults, each advisor needs to talk directly
with each student about his or her college goals. We appreciate that parents are often
eager to assist their son or daughter in the transition to college. However, we find
it particularly helpful when parents review this newsletter and other registration
information and then encourage their son or daughter to prepare for his or her summer
advising session with specific classes and questions.
Best wishes,
Kim Marsella
Director, Office of Academic Advising
(518) 580-5720
P.S. Beginning with the summer advising and the registration process, the College will communicate important information via the Skidmore e-mail network only. Each member of the Class of 2020 will receive an email message from a summer advisor to schedule a specific advising time to talk over the phone.
Pre-Registration Diagnostic Exams
Chemistry, Calculus, WorldLanguages, and Music
Chemistry
Chemistry is required for students majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental
Sciences, Geosciences, Health and Exercise Sciences, Neuroscience and all Pre-Health
careers (pre-med, pre-vet, pre-PT, etc.) Skidmore offers two pathways through the
first–year chemistry curriculum. The Chemistry Department has developed an online
diagnostic to place you into one of these courses. Based on your diagnostic score
and previous chemistry experience, you will be given permission to register for either
Foundations of Chemistry (CH 115) or Principles of Chemistry (CH 125). A student cannot
register for a chemistry course without completing the diagnostic. If you are interested
in any of the fields requiring chemistry, we strongly encourage you to take the diagnostic
at you earliest convenience.
For more information please visit the Chemistry website. For questions, please email Professor Kimberley A. Frederick, Chair of the Chemistry Department.
Calculus
Skidmore offers several levels of calculus. If you are planning to take a calculus
course next year or in a later year at Skidmore, it is important that you complete
the Calculus Placement Exam online. The Placement Exam is a tool that helps the department
advise students which calculus course is best suited for them.
For more information, please visit the Math and Computer Science website.
World Languages
French, German, and Spanish
Students planning to continue study in French, German, and Spanish language and literature classes in the fall must
take the foreign language diagnostic exam (webCAPE) prior to registration.
Students with no previous study in these languages should not take the placement exam.
Students beginning French (FF 101) or Spanish (FS 101) must contact the instructor
for permission to enroll as these courses are reserved for students with no previous
study of the language.
Greek and Latin
Students interested in Greek and Latin should visit the Classics Department’s website. and the link to "Choosing a language." For more information, please contact Michael Arnush, Professor and Chair, Department of Classics.
For questions about the exam and/or other languages offered at Skidmore, please email Cindy Evans, Director of the Language Resource Center.
For more information, please click here.
Music
Majoring or minoring in music
If you are considering either a major or a minor in music, the Music Theory curriculum
should be on your early radar. Please click here for more information about what music theory course to take. Click here for a Sample Music Theory Diagnostic Exam.
Lessons and/or Music Ensembles
If you are interested in private lessons or an ensemble, please use this online form - Interest in Music to inform the Music Department of your interest. Actual registration for private
lessons or for a music ensemble will not be finalized until you arrive in September.
Please visit the Music Department’s First-Year Information page for contact information and answers to other questions about music at Skidmore.
Housing Questionnaire
From June 6–June 19, students will be able to fill out and send their Housing Questionnaire to the Office of Residential Life. If you will not be available to submit the questionnaire during this time period, please contact the Office of Residential Life as soon as possible, via email or by phone: (518) 580-5765.
Computer Q&A
Are students required to bring a computer to campus?
While it is not a requirement, we find that many of our students bring a computer
to campus. In a recent survey, 98% of Skidmore students have laptops. Skidmore students
who choose to buy a computer can take advantage of our purchasing relationships with
Apple, HP and Dell, who all offer educational discounts:
- Before buying a computer, please check out our Purchasing Guide
Can I get free or discounted Microsoft Office?
Yes! As long as you are a current Skidmore student, you are eligible to use Microsoft
Office under the “Microsoft Student Advantage Program”:
- For more information, visit our website: Microsoft Office for Students
What types of IT support services does the campus provide?
- The Information Technology Help Desk offers some support for students. It is located on the first floor of Scribner Library and is open during normal library hours. You may also contact the Help Desk via email or (518) 580-5900. Students can get help and instruction on a range of technologies.
- Formal training on a variety of software is available through Academic Technologies. Students can contact Academic Technologies via email or by phone: 518-580-5933.
- Assistance with multimedia production is offered through Media Services. Media Services is at the bottom of the spiral stairs in the library. They can be reached at (518) 580-5940.
Phishing – be careful!
Phishing is a form of identity theft. The bad guys throw out a hook in the form of
an imaginary but semi-legitimate looking request. They hope that you will take the
bait and provide your credentials or financial information. With your username and
password (or credit card number or bank PIN), a lot of damage can be done to our servers,
your mail account, or even your financial status. If you’re not certain about the
legitimacy of an email, please email the Help Desk. The IT Help Desk is located on the first floor of Scribner Library, near the stairs.
Here is our website on phishing: Phishing example
Does the college provide technical support for students who bring their own computers?
While the college does not repair non-college-owned computers, the Help Desk offers
troubleshooting advice and can give recommendations for off-campus service providers.
What public computing access is available to students?
Skidmore has approximately 200 public computers available to students, 100 of which
are located in Scribner Library. Internet connectivity (wired and wireless) is also
available for students in each dorm room.
How does the campus support printing for students?
The college does not currently charge students for printing, but for sustainability
reasons, printing is managed in the Library using PaperCut. Students will find printing
available in most of the public computing areas.
What self-service opportunities are available to students online?
Students are able to manage most of their academic and personal information online.
For example, students can register for courses, add/drop classes, view transcripts,
register vehicles, sign-up for emergency notifications, etc.
What technology resources and assistance are available to students with special needs?
The Coordinator for Students with Disabilities is a resource for students who require
modifications and/or accommodations on campus and in the classroom. For more information,
please visit the Student Academic Services website.
Are library collections and resources available online?
Most of the library's online resources are accessible from on and off campus through
the Scribner Library Web site. Online resources include the library catalog, most
databases, electronic journals and books, interlibrary loan, course reserves, and
research tools.
Orientation and Family Logistics
Due to the popularity of tourist travel in Saratoga Springs in August, we encourage families that may need to stay overnight to make local hotel reservations as soon as possible. Please click here for information from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Please note that residence halls open for New Student Orientation on Sunday, September 4 at 8:30AM. For more information and the Family Orientation Guide, visit the FYE Orientation website.
Pre-Orientation
Pre-Orientation offers a rich and diverse set of opportunities for students to get
to know Skidmore and to make new friends before classes begin. More than half of the
incoming class participates in these programs each year. For more information about
the various programs please click here.
Registration for Pre-Orientation opens on June 1 and closes on July 15. Students participating in Pre-Orientation programs will arrive on campus on Thursday, September 1. For schedules and the Family Orientation Guide, visit the FYE Orientation website.
A limited number of scholarships are available for high-need students on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning in mid-May. Students may receive 50% to 100% off the program fee. If you would like to apply for a program scholarship, please go to our Pre-Orientation webpage and fill out the scholarship application. You will be notified of your scholarship award by the end of May prior to registration opening.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Mary Ann Toia.
