Feb. 2 staff meeting recap
President Marc Conner and College administrators updated staff about important issues, including trends in Admissions and budget planning, at the February staff meeting.
The Feb. 2 meeting began with Director of Human Resources Julie Delay noting the College’s upcoming transition to TIAA as the single service provider for Skidmore College retirement. She assured staff that no action is currently required and that more information about the transition will be shared ahead of the May 1 implementation date; there is also an FAQ page about the service provider update on the HR Benefits website.
Director Delay also informed the audience of upcoming events, including the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Challenge, employee fitness classes, and an upcoming session on benefits. Visit the Professional Development and Training website for additional information and opportunities.
On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity will be hosting Lovefest in Wyckoff Center; the annual event will feature stations with arts and crafts, emotional support animals, seated massages, reiki, a sound bath, and more. Students, employees, and retirees are welcome to attend.
President Conner noted the continued investment of the College in freedom of speech and expression. He announced a three-day residency with Frederick Lawrence, CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and an expert on free speech, March 19-21. The President stressed the importance of free speech and academic freedom in Skidmore’s approach to contentious issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He noted multiple new courses at Skidmore were examining the issue and encouraged all to attend an upcoming event with Combatants for Peace on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
“We will be focusing on our students and their safety as our No. 1 priority, and also focusing on as many ideas and points of view as possible,” President Conner said.
Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jessica Ricker and Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Daniel Konstalid gave a detailed presentation on admissions trends. They noted continuing challenges in recruitment for institutions of higher learning across the country given declines in the population of college-age students in the United States and the Northeast in particular. Vice President Konstalid spoke about how current trends affect Skidmore’s budget, which he expected to remain flat in the next fiscal year. The Board of Trustees will consider the budget at its February meeting and a more detailed budget update will be offered to the Skidmore community in early March.
The next staff meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, March 1.