FYI from FYE - June 2024
Dear Class of 2028,
A few weeks ago, I attended the Class of 2024's Commencement. This celebration marked the end of this class’s Skidmore academic experience but, in a few months, you will start your Skidmore journey with Orientation and New Student Convocation, a ceremony of similar pomp and circumstance. Together, these two ceremonies represent the bookends of the college journey and highlight the wealth of growth that occurs between them.
Thinking on that growth, I was struck by the words of Luz Towns-Miranda P’23, one of this year’s Commencement speakers, as they felt equally pertinent to both our college graduates and our soon-to-be students: “Everything is grist for the mill. Every experience you have, whether sad, infuriating, confusing, wonderful, you name it, it is something that can help you grow, can help you understand others.”
As you look forward to starting at Skidmore this fall, consider your growth over the past several years. Imagine where you'll be in several more, and reflect on your goals and plans for your future at Skidmore. No one can predict what lies ahead, but we, the faculty and staff of Skidmore College, look forward to helping you navigate this period of growth.
Next steps: This month, please make sure you follow up on the items on the First-Year Checklist. In particular:
- The expository writing and quantitative reasoning diagnostics are past due.
- Your summer advisor will be contacting you this week. Prepare for that appointment by perusing the New Student Advising and Registration Guide (NSARG), completing the necessary placement tests, and reflecting on your academic interests.
- Pre-Orientation registration is open. While not required, we highly recommend you consider it as an opportunity to connect with other students and explore prior to New Student Orientation.
- The housing questionnaire is due before June 14.
- You will register for classes June 25 or 26.
You were also recently assigned your Scribner Seminar, which is listed in your student schedule. Upon arrival on campus, your seminar professor will be your academic advisor until you declare a major, usually in your sophomore year. Your seminar will also have a peer mentor, an experienced Skidmore student who will support and guide you as you adjust to collegiate life.
I look forward to meeting you, hearing about your goals, your dreams, and watching you grow as the Class of 2028. Please let me or my office know if you have questions as you prepare.
Sincerely,
Rachel Roe-Dale, Ph.D.
Director of the First-Year Experience
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
UPCOMING Dates and DEADLINES
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Dear Class of 2028,
I am delighted to be among the many faculty, staff, and campus leaders who congratulate you on your acceptance to Skidmore College and welcome you to our campus community.
The academic advising and course registration process will take place in June. Faculty members from across the College’s academic departments and programs are eager to serve as your summer advisor. Summer advisors help students explore their academic interests to create an appropriate fall course schedule. They also support students’ transition to Skidmore during this exciting moment in their academic journey.
Summer advisors will begin contacting new students through their Skidmore email account on or around Monday, June 3 to invite them to schedule an individual advising appointment conducted via phone or Zoom throughout June before registration opens.
Summer advisors will expect students to conduct their appointment on their own, coming prepared with specific course selections and questions. Students should review the New Student Advising and Registration Guide before this appointment. The guide has important information to help you create a fall course schedule and prepare for your advising appointment. All first-year students should have received their Scribner Seminar placement. This is an essential (and required) course for your first semester, so be sure to consider this placement as you plan the rest of your course schedule.
We recently held an an advising and registration information webinar. Watch the recording.
Students had an opportunity to learn more about the advising/registration process, our College requirements, and how to pursue a path in the health professions. Students raised many excellent questions along the way! We encourage the Class of 2028 to watch the recording so students can be as informed and prepared as possible when they have their advising meeting with their summer advisor.
First-year students will register themselves for courses online after they have met with their summer advisor. Course registration opens at 8:30 a.m. ET based on the first letter of your last name: A-K may begin to register on Tuesday, June 25 and L-Z may begin on Wednesday, June 26. Although the deadline to secure a full-time course schedule is July 12, our goal is you achieve this by June 30 because course availability becomes more limited the longer you wait. You can continue to make changes to your course schedule through the add/drop period at the start of the Fall 2024 semester.
The Office of Academic Advising invites students to contact us with any questions about the summer advising process.
We look forward to welcoming your student to the Skidmore College community!
Sincerely,
Ryan Homsey (he/him/his)
Director of Academic Advising
Meet the Department of Health Promotion, your campus resource for:
- Wellness coaching
- Alcohol and other drug-related services
- The Student Wellness Center — a student-centered space staffed by trained peer health educators
- Therapy dogs — available throughout the week in our Student Wellness Center
- Peer Health Education — check out the PHE Instagram!
- Friday Night Out (FNO) program
- Victim Advocate Liaison services
Apply to be a PHE: We will be accepting applications from first-year students interested in being a part of the highly competitive Peer Health Education (PHE) program. If accepted, students will take a 3-credit course in the fall semester in which they will train to become a PHE on campus. Students interested should apply online by July 7. Interviews will be held via Zoom this summer.
The Counseling Center is delighted to offer a range of services, including in-person counseling sessions, teletherapy through BetterMynd, and 24/7 after-hours support. Students have up to eight in-person and eight teletherapy appointments available to them each academic year. We help students who may need ongoing care with tailored referrals to community providers based on their insurance, as well as the student’s needs and preferences.
Director of Counseling Dr. Robert Cardom notes, “We are delighted to serve the incoming first year class with timely appointments, usually available in just a few days for routine requests. We also have same day appointments available for emergencies. If you find yourself needing some support this year, please reach out to us. We are using the summer to plan some new offerings in the fall, including workshops, groups, and events!”
Speaking of preparing for the fall, any student who is interested in connecting with a local clinician for more open-ended or specialized support this coming year is encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Center this summer, so they can answer questions and offer tailored referral recommendations. You may call the office at 518-580-5555.
In the meantime, some other helpful web links you might explore include frequently asked questions and detailed information for families.
Dining Services is hard at work ensuring that Murray-Aikins Dining Hall provides students with the very best food possible.
As your full-service dining provider on campus, we're also here to help you find the foods that can accommodate your special requirements. If you have a food-related medical condition please email fs-staff-list@sipinglq.com or call 518-580-5850. We will assist you in making your dining experiences at Skidmore both pleasurable and safe.
You are invited to fill out the Religious and Spiritual Life Interest Form to help the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) plan for the year and welcome you to campus. The form also allows you to sign up for clubs, request a meeting, indicate interest in different topics, and ask questions such as, "When are High Holy Days services on campus?"; "Where do students meet for Jummah?"; "Can I continue this interfaith service project I started in high school?"; "How do I find a local congregation that is LGBTQIA-affirming?"; and more!
Religious Accommodations: It is important to contact professors, supervisors, and coaches at the start of the semester or before about any religious accommodations you may need, including missed class times or adjustments to assignments and exams. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life can help you navigate this process. More on the policy is available on our website.
Mindfulness Program: Contemplative and mindful practices from a range of traditions are available, including daily meditation breaks, spiritually grounded yoga, sound healing, and more. Students from all backgrounds and beliefs are invited to take part. Select “Skidmore Mindfulness” on the Religious and Spiritual Life Interest Form to be added to the mailing list.
Contact the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Parker Diggory, for more information: kdiggory@sipinglq.com
Dear Students,
A big WELCOME from Health Services!!
As you pack for college, please consider some of the following suggestions, resources, and information to help support your health while you transition to campus:
- Please check your student health portal home page and portal messages to be sure you have met health form requirements, including immunizations, physical, tuberculosis screening, and electronic forms in your portal.
- Consider packing cold/flu medications and supplies, including a thermometer, masks, rapid COVID tests, and Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol in case you become ill during the semester.
- Please be aware that students remain in the same living space with roommate(s) when sick with COVID-19, the flu, or other illness.
- COVID-19 and flu clinics will be available on campus this Fall. Clinics will be announced via Skidmore Weekly Bulletin and email. We strongly encourage all students to be vaccinated before cold and flu season begins.
Sincerely,
Abigail Caldwell, MSN, APRN
Director of Health Services
The Skidmore Shop has everything first-year students will need, from textbooks to laptops, dorm supplies, and more.
Textbooks: When it's time to buy your course materials, The Skidmore Shop carries all textbooks and other course materials required by your professors. If you have any questions, we're happy to help.
Computers and Tablets: Need a laptop? We have Apple devices from MacBooks to iPads at educational pricing as well as AirPods, AirPods Max, Apple Watches, and more. To ensure you get the device tailored to your needs, we advise ordering before classes start.
Supplies: School, art, dorm, and cleaning supplies can be found online and in-store. Books and supplies are usually in high demand, so we recommend placing your order as soon as lists are available to avoid delays.
Skidmore Apparel: If you’re looking to show some Skidmore spirit, we have Skidmore-branded apparel, gifts, and more at skidmoreshop.com. Your Skidmore2028 code for 15% off expires July 1.
Join The CLASS OF 2028 ON DISCORD
The Class of 2028 server is a great space to jump into conversations about everything from academics to pets. Student moderators will also be online all summer to help answer your questions. Click here to join the server.