March 3 staff meeting recap
President Marc Conner and College administrators provided updates on the February 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, progress on Skidmore’s new tennis and wellness center project, and vice presidential searches. They also held a conversation with staff about the restructuring of Human Resources and the possible creation of a new Cabinet-level position to better represent employees.
Director of Human Resources Julie Delay opened the meeting by announcing that extended winter breaks, stretching from late December until early January, have been approved for the next three years. She also pointed out several professional development and training opportunities available to employees in April, including a three-session retirement workshop, a workshop on compassionate leadership, and a networking breakfast.
President Conner announced that the Board of Trustees approved plans at its February meeting for Skidmore’s new tennis and wellness facility. The new facility will be named the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center in honor of alumnae Amy Wachenheim McCaffery ’01 and Kim Wachenheim Wagman ’88, P’15, both former student-athletes. The president shared a video of the project and noted the “incredible progress” that Skidmore has already made on fundraising.
As announced recently, Daniel T. Konstalid, currently vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at Gettysburg College, has been appointed vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at Skidmore. He will begin his role in June. President Conner thanked Charles Ingram, who has served as interim vice president for finance and administration and treasurer since September.
Finalists in the search for vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid have recently visited campus and participated in forums that were open to all Skidmore community members. An appointment will be announced in March. A search for Skidmore’s next vice president for communications and marketing is also underway.
President Conner and Director Delay also opened a conversation about the restructuring of Human Resources, which currently falls under the purview of the vice president for finance and administration. A proposal that is currently under consideration would create a new, separate Cabinet-level position that would be responsible for human resources and serve as general counsel for the College. The proposal follows a study conducted by an outside consultant last year.
“Our guiding concern is how can we take care of our people,” President Conner stressed. “This position is all about expanding how we can minister to our employees.”
The meeting took place in person on the second floor of Murray-Aikins Dining Hall and on Zoom. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March. 31.