COVID-19 alert level change

Dear Skidmore Community, 

I’m pleased to report that effective today, the College will move from safety Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2. This is in large part thanks to the diligence with which our campus community has observed precautions and helped limit the number of additional cases of COVID-19. Although this is welcome news, I emphasize that we are making this decision cautiously and we may revert to a higher alert level if circumstances change. 

This is a promising step that will allow for the resumption of many activities and services and enable students to use more spaces on campus. But we must continue to limit gatherings, especially in residential areas, for the time being. Therefore, we will maintain the Alert Level 3 policy  regarding visitors in student housing until further notice: 

• Visits of any kind are not permitted in campus housing. Students may not visit others in residence halls or apartments. Students living off campus may not be in campus housing. Students in campus housing may not visit off-campus residences. 

With that in mind, I also want to highlight some activities and services that will resume in Level 2: 

• Classes will be held as scheduled.
• Dining Services, the Post Office, the Skidmore Shop, Health Services and Information Technology will return to regular operations.
• Scribner Library is once again open during posted hours. Reservations are required. Classes meeting in the library will be held as scheduled.
• Testing for most students and employees working on campus will return to once per week. Those who require additional testing will be notified directly.
• Athletic competition may resume. 
• Small-group gatherings of no more than 10 individuals are now permitted when individuals are masked and socially distanced at all times. 

To provide safe gathering spaces, we have identified and created several areas that have seating marked for social distancing. The largest indoor space is located at Case Center. Other outdoor spaces include Case Center Porter Plaza, Starbuck Center Patio and Barrett Center driveway. A full list of socially distanced, marked outdoor spaces can be found here. Please do not move the chairs off the markings and remember to wear your masks. 

This is an encouraging step for our campus and of course we would like to loosen restrictions further if possible. That will depend on how well we do in the days ahead.  

As always, I encourage everyone to visit the Campus Planning website to carefully review additional detailed information about the alert levels and each level’s impact on key services, operations, activities and expectations.   

Please continue to exercise caution, get tested, wear your masks and social distance. Whenever possible, wear double masks as the CDC recently recommended, particularly indoors.   

Sincerely, 
Marc Conner
President