A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT CONNER

I have remarked at times that this year for me will be “Year 1, Part 2,” since last year was such a bizarre and strange year in so many respects. This fall, we’ve been able to hold in person so many crucial events marking the start of an academic year that last year were either virtual or just couldn’t happen. New Student Orientation, the First-Year Experience, Convocation, the London semester, athletic competition, live theater and music events, and so many other gatherings have occurred and, at last, Barb and I have been able to fully participate in the life and community of Skidmore. That has been incredible, and it has confirmed to me what last year also showed: that this is a remarkable community that cares deeply about its members, that loves to gather and show support, and that the creativity, empathy, and downright fun of Skidmore emerges in these moments of gathering. As I have said many times this past year, I feel so blessed to have come to such a wonderful place.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of COVID-19, I am so proud of our entire community. We have all of our students back on campus, and every class is being taught in person. Our community is over 98% vaccinated, which safeguards our campus health as well as that of the larger Saratoga community. Our active cases remain very low, and indeed Skidmore continues to set the standard nationally for how to manage COVID-19 with safety and the continuance of our educational mission. The credit goes to all of our people — staff, students, and faculty — as we are accomplishing this together. Indeed, “Returning Together” is our theme for this year, and our triumphs are most meaningful when they happen together, as a community.

I’ve been very pleased to welcome two new vice presidents to our campus: Collyer Vice President for Advancement Carey Anne Zucca and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Adrian Bautista. Both Carey Anne and Adrian have thrown themselves into their crucial leadership roles, and Skidmore is already feeling the good effects of their work. They arrived in a momentous year, as we celebrate — though one year delayed — the 10th anniversary of the Zankel Music Center and the 20th anniversary of the Tang Teaching Museum. It is so fitting that we celebrate these signature buildings in the same year that we approach the completion of the Center for Integrated Sciences. All three buildings are more than buildings — they are concepts of teaching and learning, given material form. The major East Wing of the CIS will be complete and open before the fall 2022 semester, including the crucial IdeaLab that sits at the heart of this building and its concept of integrated and innovative learning. This will correspond as well with next year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Skidmore as an accredited four-year college, a centennial we will mark with pride. This year we are excited to continue two major initiatives that we launched last year — highly aspirational and ambitious efforts that I’m proud to see us embark upon and continue even during the challenges of the pandemic. The Campus Master Planning project is moving forward extremely well. Working with Ayers Saint Gross, the architectural firm we have employed for the Master Plan, we have held now over 30 meetings, sessions, and forums with every possible constituency, including the Board of Trustees, our community neighbors, city planning officials, Skidmore retirees, and of course our faculty, staff, and students. At the October Board meeting (the first time the Board has met on campus in two years!) we conducted in-person walking tours of major areas of campus, exploring our residential, academic, and student support spaces as well as the campus’s overall accessibility and infrastructure. Ayers Saint Gross is now gathering all this substantial feedback and will be reporting back to the community on the principles and suggestions they have been hearing. The goal continues to be to present a finished Master Plan for the physical campus to the Board by the May 2022 meetings.

The Racial Justice Initiative enters into its second year with continued vigor, energy, and urgency. We are building on the substantial accomplishments of last year: the establishment of a Board-level committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the hiring of two key staff leadership positions that directly support student and Collegewide DEI programming and efforts; a wide-ranging series of lectures, presentations, and events that engaged our campus on major issues all of last year; and especially the opening of The Center, Skidmore’s new space in Case Center dedicated to collaborative gathering and work for all members of the Skidmore community. This year we continue with substantial programming on many areas, including new focus areas of anti-Asian violence, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the U.S.-Mexico border. This fall we are responding to strong student concerns over transgender rights and access on our campus and, most recently, to renewed concerns about sexual and genderbased misconduct and the Title IX processes, an area that intersects with racial justice in important ways. The Initiative continues to offer a focused platform for these powerful and resonant issues in our community and indeed in the world. I remain extremely pleased that we are bringing such fearless and sustained focus to these issues of great challenge.

Finally, this fall marked our deferred presidential inauguration, an event that I thought came together remarkably well in every way. We were able to hold a wide range of College-wide activities, including a presidential panel titled “Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: The Liberal Arts Education in the 21st Century,” a portrait unveiling and honoring of President Emeritus Glotzbach, a memorable live performance by jazz legend Branford Marsalis, and of course the inauguration event itself. The whole weekend was a great celebration of Skidmore and what makes our College such a special and sustaining place. I was greatly honored and humbled by the entire experience, and I look forward to continuing our hard and immensely rewarding work throughout this year and in the many years to come.

— Marc C. Conner