Standing in Unity Against Hate and Violence
January 28, 2023
Dear Skidmore Community,
I write to you once again in the wake of yet more acts of senseless violence that
have left our nation and our community in deep concern and anxiety.
Last night’s release of the video of the horrific fatal beating of Tyre Nichols has
undoubtedly left us all in a state of shock, sadness, fear, and anger. Such inhumane
and egregious abuses of power must be rejected and condemned with clear moral conviction.
Skidmore College utterly condemns all such acts of hate and violence. As our Racial
Justice Initiative declares, Skidmore remains dedicated to fostering a community of
trust and inclusivity where compassion, care, and peace are our defining principles.
We recognize members of our campus community may want to gather to express themselves
and support one another. This Monday at 5 p.m., we will hold a vigil for peace and justice in Wyckoff Center. Anyone in our community—students, staff, and faculty—is invited to come by to share
thoughts, express emotions, learn about resources, or simply be in fellowship with
others in our community.
If you are grieving, or feeling anxious or concerned, your Skidmore community is here
to support you.
The Dean of Students Office is sponsoring a Community Check-In for campus community
members who have been impacted in any number of ways by these recent events. Individuals
are invited to Wilson Chapel on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. to check-in with fellow community members, or demonstrate solidarity and support.
Students who wish to reach out for support services may contact the Skidmore Counseling Center at any time. To access services please call the Counseling Center main number (518)
580-5555. Faculty and staff seeking support may call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 518-793-9768 or 1-800-734-6072.
In the meantime, if you need any additional support or information, please reach out
to any of the following additional resources:
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Dean of Students Office: Staff you are available to discuss any concerns and share resources at (518) 580-5760 or studentaffairs@skidmore.edu.
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Campus Life and Engagement (CLE): Staff are available to advise and support student initiatives around direct relief efforts. You may reach CLE at (518) 580-8338, or by visiting the office at Case 207.
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Campus Safety: Campus Safety provides information pertaining to a wide range of safety and security issues. You may reach Campus Safety at (518) 580-5567 (non-emergencies) or (518) 580-5566 (emergencies).
Finally, as I have stated in the past, it is during such challenging times that we
turn to each other for support and understanding. We are a community that takes care
of one another and our strength and our hope live in that commitment to our community. I
continue to find inspiration in the mission of our college and hope in the foundation
we are building for the future.
Sincerely,
Marc Conner
President