Statements, Messages and Speeches from President Marc C. Conner
I’m happy to report that due to declining case numbers on campus, in large part thanks to our community’s continued diligence and caution, the College remains at an Alert Level 2.- As we eagerly look forward to the return of warmer days, I would like to provide an update regarding the College’s summer planning.
- I’m pleased to report that effective today, the College will move from safety Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2.
- We are pleased to share that Skidmore College plans to hold commencement exercises for the Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 22, at an in-person event open to the entire senior class, provided that state and local health and safety guidelines allow.
- I know our recent move to safety Alert Level 3 was concerning as well as frustrating. We’ve been doing so well this spring semester and our positive case counts seem to be relatively low.
- I write to inform you that effective immediately, Skidmore will move from COVID safety Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3.
- I write to share the news that Cerri Banks, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, has informed me that she will step down from her position at the end of this academic year.
- I’m pleased to report that after beginning the semester in “safe shelter” mode and maintaining enhanced precautions throughout this week, we currently have just two students in isolation and three in quarantine.
- President Conner reports on the College’s initial return-to-campus process and plans for week two and advises continued vigilance.
- I write to welcome all of you back for the spring semester, and to welcome many of you back to campus.
- I write to share the news that Martin Mbugua, Skidmore's inaugural vice president for communications and marketing, has accepted the position of associate vice chancellor for external relations at New York University-Abu Dhabi, a portal campus of New York University in the United Arab Emirates.
- In a video message, President Marc Conner extends a warm welcome to faculty, staff and students to a new semester on Skidmore’s beautiful campus, while also emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- As we celebrate King, his achievements and all he stood for, President Conner reflects on King's legacy and how his work can inspire us in these troubled times.
- We are now within two weeks of having our students back on campus, and although the vaccine progress is encouraging, it is clear that it will be months before vaccinations are sufficiently widespread to make a palpable difference in living with the pandemic.
- I write to provide an update about COVID-19 vaccinations in New York state based on information provided to us today by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU).
- I write to provide an update on how the COVID-19 vaccine will be rolled out to our campus community. Members of our community will be eligible to receive the vaccine, however, it appears availability will not be imminent.
- President Conner reflects on the significance of the events of Jan. 6, what they mean for American democracy and the importance of Skidmore College's mission and commitment to civic duty.
- Skidmore is embarking on a new Campus Master Planning project to determine how future changes to the physical structure of campus can best support the College’s strategic priorities, needs and aspirations.
- President Conner outlines the major and repeated issues that students of color consistently raised during recent listening sessions and shares some immediate action steps in response to some of those concerns.
- I write to share an important update and announce additional measures we are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.