March 31 staff meeting recap
President Marc Conner and College administrators offered updates on Human Resources; vice presidential searches; the Department of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation; and upcoming College events at the staff meeting on Friday, March 31.
Director of Human Resources Julie Delay pointed out several upcoming professional development and training opportunities available to employees, including a three-session retirement workshop and a networking breakfast. She invited employees to participate in the Live More, Skidmore DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Challenge, which encourages individuals to become more aware of healthy eating habits and offers tools, tips, and resources to improve nutrition. Director Delay also welcomed several new employees to Skidmore.
President Conner noted that Jessica Ricker has been named Skidmore’s new vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid; she will begin June 5. Elizabeth Stauderman has been named Skidmore’s next vice president for communications and marketing and will start on June 1. As recently announced, Skidmore has also launched a search for a new cabinet-level position: general counsel and vice president for human resources. President Conner stressed how the new post affirms the importance of employee support and the key role of HR in the life of the College.
As construction of Skidmore’s McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center continues, the president noted that Skidmore will be planting 1.4 times as many trees as have been removed: 52 trees are now being planted along North Broadway, 142 trees (along with 1,000 shrubs and perennials) will be planted as part of the McCaffery-Wagman project, and another 50 new trees will be planted elsewhere on campus by the end of next year.
The president also encouraged all members of the Skidmore community to participate in the Speech and Expression on College Campuses Symposium, which Skidmore will host on Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15. Keynote speakers for the forum are Danielle Allen of Harvard University, Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, and New York Times columnist David Brooks.
“I don't think a day goes by without another alarming story about speech and expression on college campuses,” the president said. “I want to remind our community of Skidmore's rock-solid stance on those questions.”
“Here too, we need to work as a community to safeguard the fundamental rights of speech and expression for everyone in our community. To me, this has never been more important.”
The president also noted an upcoming panel on Skidmore’s late President David H. Porter and his legacy that will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18. The program is part of continuing celebrations of the College Centennial. A similar program honoring the presidency of Phil Glotzbach will be held in the fall.
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Gail Cummings-Danson offered an overview of the Department of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation. In the presentation, she described the department’s mission, facilities, staffing, and operations, which include management of 19 varsity teams, one-credit physical activity classes, intramural teams, and non-credit bearing fitness classes.
The next staff meeting will take place on Friday, April 28.