Skidmore to start remote learning March 23
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Skidmore College has made the decision to move to remote learning after the extended spring break, effective Monday, March 23, and continuing throughout the remainder of the spring semester.
In a statement issued by college President Phillip A. Glotzbach addressing members of the Skidmore community, Glotzbach stated “extraordinary times require extraordinary measures.”
All students must move out of campus housing. Students will be allowed to access campus residences to retrieve belongings beginning Monday, March 16, and must be moved out by Saturday, March 21.
Glotzbach made the following comments and announced the protocols that will be in place at Skidmore while the COVID-19 crisis remains fluid and subject to change:
“There is no question that the number of cases of COVID-19 will increase exponentially over the coming weeks. In our previous communication with the Skidmore community, I stated that the health and safety of all members of our community are our highest priorities. To these values we now must add our responsibility to the broader Saratoga Springs community and, indeed, to our nation, to do everything in our power to slow the course of this illness.
“With these concerns in the forefront of my mind, I write to announce that Skidmore has made the decision to move to remote learning after the extended spring break, effective Monday, March 23, and continuing throughout the remainder of the spring semester. While there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Skidmore, given the continued and rapid spread of the disease to communities within the United States and around the world, and the need to mitigate the spread of the virus to our campus community, we are taking these extraordinary steps.
“We understand that this is a significant change that will feel like a loss to many. Please know that College leadership did not make this decision lightly. The move to remote learning is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our entire community. As a small residential college, if an outbreak were to occur at Skidmore, it would be particularly challenging for our institution to provide care for many people infected at one time. “
Glotzbach acknowledged he had heard from many students and parents asking that the college not cancel in-person classes and that it would allow all students to return to campus. He said senior students are especially concerned about the loss of the final weeks of their last semester at Skidmore.
Members of the Skidmore community were asked to “consider the big picture and embrace the steps necessary for our community to do our part in bringing the current crisis to a point where we can resume normal operations.”
Beginning Monday, March 23, classes will resume remotely using alternate modes of instruction. Students will be able to complete the courses they have already begun and can expect to receive more information from their instructors by Friday, March 20.
Although courses will need to be adjusted for the online environment, we are committed to ensuring that students can complete their coursework for the semester and that seniors will complete their degrees as planned. Campus offices such as the Registrar’s Office, Academic Advising, the Opportunity Program, Student Academic Services, and the Career
Development Center will remain open and available to help students remotely throughout the semester.
For international students anxious about the potential impact of remote learning on their visa status, the federal government has provided institutions with flexibility to respond to COVID-19, including offering online classes, without adversely impacting international students’ F-1 visa status.
With regard to commencement and future Campus events, Glotsbach stated:
“We are aware there are concerns about commencement and other future campus events. It is too soon to knowif and howcommencement and other events will be affected by COVID-19. We are monitoring the situation and will notify students and families as soon as we are able to make a final decision.”