In good virtual company in quarantine

Students from states and countries on New York’s Travel Advisory List arrived in Saratoga Springs in early August to begin a precautionary 14-day quarantine — an effort that will help protect their classmates and others in the Skidmore community from possible exposure to COVID-19.

Out of respect and appreciation for what these students are doing for the whole community and out of genuine care for their health and well-being, many Skidmore staff, alumni and fellow students have stepped up to support them during this time, signing up for online discussions, preparing and delivering meals, and organizing and hosting virtual events. A SkidSync group created by Student Affairs tracks events and programs offered during the two-week period, and all students taking part in Skidmore-supported quarantine were automatically enrolled in the group.

President Marc Conner even contributed to the lineup of online programs. After writing to all students in quarantine upon their arrival, he hosted a virtual Q&A meet-and-greet, a guided discussion of Irish literature and a virtual tour of Ireland.

“These students are resilient. They’ve spent 14 days in a single room, and they kept their sense of humor and positivity right to the end,” Conner said. “These are some of the first Skidmore students I’ve gotten to know — I call them our ‘Q-club’ — and I’m very proud of them. They have shown a true commitment to be here and to participate in the Skidmore education, and I’m proud we’re doing all what we can to meet that commitment.”

Keeping the students busy, engaged and fed has truly been a team effort.

Dining Services has been preparing three meals a day for about 225 students and boxing them up for delivery. Quarantine menu items include student favorites such as roast turkey with all the fixings, macaroni and cheese, and Skidmore’s popular Chicken Finger Friday fare. More than a dozen staff members from Athletics and other campus offices have been volunteering to deliver the meals to students.

The Tang Teaching Museum has created multiple opportunities for expressing creative energy through virtual conversations, tours and crafts. Special Events and Publications Manager Olivia Cammisa-Frost taught students how to knit, while Associate Curator Rebecca McNamara taught them how to cross-stitch. “The cross-stitching and knitting events provided much needed entertainment long after the Zoom meeting ended and I'm excited to continue developing the skills that I learned in them,” said Nick Cipriani ’23. “I especially appreciate that all required materials were provided free of charge.”

Members of the Tang Student Advisory Council have also organized events to build community and connect with their peers. “College Regrets,” at 8 p.m. Aug. 19, allows seniors to talk to younger students about what they wish they had done differently, and “Back to School During COVID,” hosted by Jane Cole '21 at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 through the Tang’s Instagram Live, provides an opportunity for students to talk about how they feel about this current moment and the upcoming semester.

“Many students are feeling the same anxieties and hopes, and we want to help them remember they are not alone in any of these experiences,” said Nathan Bloom ’21 on behalf of the Tang Student Advisory Council. “It is integral for communities that care about each other to strive to create and maintain these bonds regardless of the environment, whether remote or in person.”

To support the First-Year Experience (FYE) program’s efforts in welcoming the Class of 2024, Communications and Marketing staff have met every day with members of the incoming class to answer questions and introduce them to current students.

“Going off to college requires bravery, vulnerability and a willingness to adapt to change, and that is especially true this year,” said Amon Emeka, director of FYE. “I have been so impressed with the spirit and positivity the Class of 2024 has already demonstrated and am so proud of their commitment to safety. They know the sacrifice they are making is part of a bigger picture, and they are showing amazing strength as they push through this moment and still find ways to laugh, connect and be creative.”

Students like Anthony Nikitopoulos ’21 have been co-hosting some of the FYE calls to help incoming student acclimate. He has been trying to look on the bright side of quarantine.

"There haven't been a lot of moments in my recent life when I was forced to sit still and truly do nothing, so I'm relishing the moment as best I can,” he said. “I know that doing the quarantine and being safe is the right thing to do, and I get to spend 14 days dressed comfortably, enjoying campus food and playing a lot of video games.”

Nikitopoulos has also kept busy by coordinating the collection of unused bottled water and nonperishable food items from the quarantine for donation to Shelters of Saratoga, a local homeless shelter. 

In addition, the Counseling Center has hosted check-ins and self-development opportunities for coping with stress and anxiety, and Skidmore Mindfulness has hosted virtual yoga classes, meditations and sound-healing sessions. Alumni Relations expanded its ongoing series of virtual faculty lectures to include quarantined students, and some young alumni organized a trivia night. Peer academic coaches also hosted their own trivia night, and students have bonded through game nights.

In an event sponsored by the Skidmore College Arts Administration Program, naturalists from The Wild Center even took students on a private tour of the Center’s Exhibit Hall, with close-up virtual experiences with Adirondack animals and ecosystems.

“It has been so heartening to see the outpouring of support from all corners of our College community as we organized programming for our students in quarantine, helping them to stay connected, active and involved,” said Julia Routbort, associate dean of student affairs for health and wellness. “It is important that our students know Skidmore is there for them — supporting all aspects of their health, wellness and education — and we will get through these challenges together.”