Statements

 
Update on economic challenges (June 16, 2009)
As part of our ongoing commitment to keep the campus community apprised of budgetary planning and other matters, I write to make the information that Michael West and I presented at the May open meetings more broadly available.  Given the challenges ahead of us, I thought it would be beneficial to provide this written summary of steps the College is taking, as well as steps we are considering, to ensure that Skidmore continues to move forward in fulfilling our educational mission. Read more...

Economic update to Community (March 4, 2009)
I write to update you on several important matters: the Board of Trustees meetings that took place February 19-20, an important vote on the University Without Walls (UWW) program taken at the Faculty Meeting last Friday, February 27, and the ongoing discussions related to the College’s budget planning process. Read more...

Update on College’s response to current economic challenges (November 25, 2008)
As you know from recent community meetings and correspondence, I have been working with members of Cabinet to respond to the challenges resulting from an unprecedented confluence of external events.  We now believe we have a sufficiently informed view of the situation to begin taking the steps required to address both the short- and long-term issues relating to the economic downturn. Read more...

Message regarding the economic crisis (October 7, 2008)
As all of us certainly are aware, these are very challenging economic times.  This past week, especially, financial markets in the U.S. and around the world exhibited tremendous volatility – mostly, and unfortunately, in a downward direction.  These conditions affect all of us directly through the performance of our own personal retirement and savings portfolios.  The College is not immune to these conditions, and we are likely to see continuing effects for some period of time.  So I would like to take a moment to comment on these developments and to indicate some of the actions we have taken and will take in response.  Read more...


Message regarding the Virginia Tech tragedy (April 18, 2007)
The full scope of loss in the tragic episode of Monday, April 16, 2007 on the campus of Virginia Tech University is now beginning to become clearer to us all. The members of the Skidmore College community join with others in expressing our heartfelt sympathy to those connected with this great university who will be dealing with the aftermath of this event for so long into the future. In our various roles of student, parent, member of the faculty or staff, alumnus or alumna, or trustee - all of us can relate to the profound grief experienced by those who have been directly affected. Read more...