Events & Updates
Upcoming events
Planned Parenthood will be running a 10-week support group for survivors beginning in late February. Additional information about the group and process for attending will be provided to the community in coming weeks. Students can stop by Case Center to talk with representatives from Planned Parenthood on the second Thursday of every month from noon to 2 p.m.
Past events
Consent Fest is a sex-positive event focused on educating students about safe sex;
sexuality; gender identity diversity; communication and relationship health; body
image; and of course, consent. It is an opportunity for students, student clubs, and
organizations, and the community to come together in support, and celebration of consent.
Food trucks, performances, activities, and educational information.
Read a recap of the event
The Office of the Dean of Students will host in-person feedback sessions for current
Skidmore students beginning Monday, Nov. 1, through Wednesday, Nov. 3. During these
sessions, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own
experiences, thoughts, and ideas about SGBM at Skidmore.
Monday, 11/1
Session 1: BIPOC and LGBTQ+; 5 - 6pm @ Payne Room (Tang)
Session 2: SGA/Senate; 7 - 8pm @ Payne Room (Tang)
Tuesday, 11/2
Session 3: RAs/Peer Health Educators/Peer Mentors; 12 - 1pm @ Payne Room (Tang)
Session 4: Open Registration; 5 - 6pm @ Payne Room (Tang)
Session 5: Student Athlete Advisory Council; 8 - 9pm @ Payne Room (Tang)
Wednesday, 11/3
Session 6: Off-Campus Students; 1 - 2pm @ Somers Room (Tang)
Session 7: Open Registration; 6 - 7pm (Payne Room)
Session 8: Open Registration; 7:30 - 8:30pm (Payne Room)
Updates
Skidmore staff receive training
On Jan. 18, 2022, a group of staff members across several divisions participated in a professional training designed for Skidmore College administrators, Campus Safety, Title IX professionals, and first responders. The session was facilitated by Jackson Katz, Ph.D., an internationally renowned educator known for his pioneering scholarship and activism on issues of gender, race, and violence. Dr. Katz has long been a major figure and thought leader in the growing global movement of men working to promote gender equality and prevent gender violence.
Participants explored the role of institutional leaders in the prevention of sexual harassment, gender violence, and other forms of interpersonal abuse and harassment. The session included a briefing on Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training philosophies intended to assist with the development of tools to enhance how sexual assault and relationship abuse is addressed on campus.
Athletics LGBTQ training
On Jan. 4, 2022, the Athletics Department participated in a three-hour training called LGBTQ One Team. This training was facilitated by the NCAA for all full-time, part-time, and volunteer staff.
The training was designed to recognize the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in Division III college athletics and to learn common LGBTQ terms, definitions, and concepts. Learning the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity/gender expression and gaining comfort in navigating these conversations with students was also identified as a desired goal for the training. The session included identifying strategies and best practices for the Athletics Department to ensure all individuals may participate in an athletics climate of respect and inclusion, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The Athletics Department Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has a DEI sub-committee and a staff working group tackling this important and necessary work.
Peer Health Educators
During the winter break, Skidmore’s peer health educators read the book Sexual Citizens by Jennifer Hirsch and Shamus Khan. The book explores the concepts of sexual citizenship, sexual geographies, and sexual projects and examines sexual assault through a public health lens. The PHEs wrote reflection papers connecting the reading to their own lives and to what they have observed and experienced as Skidmore students. This week, the PHEs are participating in workshop discussion groups and beginning the work of developing programs and educational campaigns inspired by and informed by the reading. Students interested in reading Sexual Citizens can borrow a copy from the Student Wellness Center (third floor of Case Center).