Community concerns about the KKK
Dear Members of the Skidmore Community,
In recent weeks, some community members have called for a statement on a February 11 incident in which fliers referring to the promotion of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), anti-interracial partnering, and anti-LGBTQIA+ were left on vehicles and some homes in an area of Saratoga Springs where some Skidmore students live.
In line with his clear stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion that he has stated on numerous occasions, President Glotzbach condemns in the strongest possible terms the KKK and any such groups that promote racist, hateful, and divisive ideologies.
The safety of our community is always our highest priority. There is no evidence that the individuals posting the fliers had any connection to the College, and there was no indication that they targeted people at Skidmore. The fliers included a link to a defunct website and a non-local phone number that no one answered.
Following the incident, Campus Safety informed administrators and continued working with Saratoga Springs Police Department to determine if there were any new related developments. There have been none. Officials in Saratoga Springs have also condemned the KKK and the distribution of the fliers.
The incident and related concerns have been the subject of discussions by senior administrators, during a meeting of the Committee on Intercultural and Global Understanding (CIGU), in a meeting with Student Government Association (SGA) leaders, during two community meetings, and with reporters from the Skidmore News, who on February 21 reported President Glotzbach's condemnation of the deplorable incident.
Luis Inoa, senior associate dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs, sent an email to students who live off-campus and invited those who were concerned about their safety and needed temporary on-campus housing to get in touch with him. He also offered resources available for support, including those from the Counseling Center (518-580-5555), the Offices of Campus Life and Engagement, the Office of Student Diversity Programs, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Safety (518-580-5566), and Saratoga Springs Police (911).
Administrators have met with concerned students and offered to facilitate potential meetings with Saratoga Springs authorities and community leaders. Cerri Banks, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, has invited concerned students to meet.
A Community Check-In has been scheduled on Thursday, April 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. on the second floor of Murray-Aikins Dining Hall. We invite community members (students, staff, and faculty) to join us to discuss this topic.
Sincerely,
Philip A. Glotzbach
President
Cerri A. Banks
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs
Joshua C. Woodfork
Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity