FYI from FYE – August 2025
A Letter From FYE
Dear Class of 2029,
August is when it all comes together. After months of preparation, it’s almost time to arrive on campus and start your first year as a Skidmore College student! This is the first of two messages you will receive from us this month. In about two weeks we’ll send detailed move-in instructions for those of you arriving for pre-orientation and orientation. For those students arriving early for London FYE orientation, international student orientation, or pre-season sports training, you will receive separate move-in instructions from your program coordinators. You may also review the draft orientation schedules online, though some details are still being finalized.
For now, I encourage you to pause for a moment of reflection. As you prepare to join us on campus, know that you're stepping into something much bigger than just a college campus. You’re becoming part of our Skidmore community, part of the Class of 2029, your residence hall, clubs, teams, academic circles—and most importantly, your Scribner Seminar community. In this course, you’ll connect with your faculty advisor, peer mentor, and a group of classmates ready to grow and explore alongside you.
No matter where you're coming from—around the world or just down the road—Skidmore will soon feel like a whole new world. Use these early days to make connections, be curious, and reflect on what it means to be part of our community.
Highlights of your August to-do list are below, but remember to check your FYE Checklist, your Skidmore email, and review the complete list of dates and deadlines online.
Sincerely,
Rachel Roe-Dale, Ph.D.
Director of the First-Year Experience
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
UPCOMING Dates and DEADLINES
OVERDUEIf you have missed any of the following, please contact the appropriate office as soon as possible.
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Preparing for Move-In
We are thrilled to welcome you to Skidmore. Details are still being arranged. Final schedules and instructions will be emailed to students around August 15. In the meantime, you're welcome to review the drafts outlined below to get a sense for what to expect.
- Review draft orientation schedules
- Double-check your move-in time and arrival day schedule for Pre-Orientation
- Review the schedule for New Student Orientation
- Review the Residential Life packing list
Insider tips from Skidmore's Res Life leader
Get to know Christina Montville, Skidmore’s assistant vice president of residential
life, as she shares tips and tricks for a successful first year on campus — and explains
how she and her team help every new student feel right at home on campus from day
one.
Read the Q&A
Messages from the Community
Dear Members of the Class of 2029,
I am so excited to send this note to welcome you and share additional insights about our resources for you in Student Affairs. Just last year I was going through this very process not only in my role at Skidmore, but as the father of a first-year (now rising second year) college student. I truly appreciate all of the hard work and determination that has brought you (and those close to you) to this incredibly exciting moment.
It is the role of the Dean of Students and the Division of Student Affairs to support students' academic, personal, and professional development, and the goal of this FYI from FYE is to share the vast range of resources you can leverage as you prioritize your well-being, skill development, and success that will serve you well both inside and outside of the classroom. I want to first highlight perhaps Skidmore’s greatest resource: our returning students. Your Peer Mentors, Residential Life (“Res Life”) Resident/Community Assistants (RAs/CAs), Peer Health Educators, team captains and teammates, Pre-Orientation SCOOP Leaders, Peer Academic Coaches (PACs), and Student Government Association (SGA) leaders are just a few whom you will meet in your first days on campus. Be sure to tap into their experience and wisdom! Here are few other resources I would like to highlight:
Holistic Wellbeing: Our commitment to wellbeing integrates mental health (mind) and physical health (body) resulting in a holistic approach to our clinical and prevention services. Our McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center opened in the Spring ’25 semester and reflects this integrated approach for our and Health and Wellness areas. If you have questions before arriving on campus about your physical or mental health care options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Health Services and Counseling Center in advance.
Inclusive Engagement: Skidmore is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which members develop or expand their abilities to live in a complex and interconnected world. To that end, I invite you to explore our incredible collection of co-curricular offerings through our Student Clubs as well as the Office of Campus Life and Engagement (which houses the offices of Student Diversity & Inclusion, Religious & Spiritual Life, and Leadership Activities). Additionally, I chair the College’s Bias Response Group (BRG), a team that grew out of Skidmore’s determination to foster an inclusive climate on campus.
Learning and Development: As part of the College’s commitment to academic excellence, The Learning Commons (formerly Student Academic Services), is a key office serving all Skidmore students by organizing Peer Academic Coaches (PACs), peer tutoring, and offering individual and group academic guidance and training. I invite you to explore these resources intended to help you thrive as a Skidmore student. The Learning Commons also includes Disability and Accessibility Services as well as International Student łÔąĎ±¬ÁĎ and Services. I also encourage you to make the Career Development Center one of your first stops. They will partner with you as you navigate your academics and choose a major, land internships and jobs, deepen your impact through civic engagement, hone your professional skills, and connect you with mentors and alumni committed to your success.
Residential Life: Our residential communities are just one avenue for you to get engaged in your residential student experience. Each community is comprised of both first-year and returning students, providing an environment for organic connections to help develop support and a sense of belonging here at Skidmore. Your housing placement for the fall semester and roommate information is already available in your portal. You can access this information by logging into Okta with your Skidmore username (do not include “@skidmore.edu”) and your Skidmore password. Select the Residential Life Housing Portal tile to view your assignment and your roommate(s). If you have questions or concerns related to your housing, please contact Residential Life at reslife@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5765.
In summary, as we prepare to welcome you to our campus, we recognize that these are indeed challenging times for our country, the world, and higher education. We encourage you to embrace the challenges and opportunities of college life, to seek help when needed, and to make the most of your time at Skidmore.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at abautista@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5760, or in-person at my office in Case 313, if you or a friend ever need help. We can’t wait to welcome you in a few short weeks! 
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Adrian Bautista, Ph.D.
Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs 
Let's get ready for move-in!
- Detailed move-in instructions for Pre-Orientation and First Year Move-in will be emailed to you around August 15 (final date TBD).
- In that communication will be numerous instructions, including how to use the Express Check-In app for your room. You'll access Express Check-In through the same Residential Life tile in Okta you've used thus far. It will only work on your scheduled arrival date.
- When you arrive, there will be Resident Assistants, Community Assistants (Residential Life Student Leaders), and Helping Hooves (student volunteers) here to greet and help you with all your gear.
- Please review the Fire Safety section (starts on page 10) of the Residential Life Handbook to make sure you are not bringing items that are prohibited in residential spaces. These policies keep our community safe. You can also refer to the suggested packing list curated by Residential Life.
Skidmore is deeply committed to the health, wellbeing, and happiness of its community members. In an effort to prepare you for the unique challenges and responsibilities of college, we require each incoming student to complete the following online courses.
1. Alcohol Wise: Learn how to make informed decisions about alcohol use — whether you choose to drink or not — and how to support friends who do.
2. Cannabis Wise: Get the facts about cannabis use, the risks, and what’s legal (and what’s not), no matter where you're coming from.
3. Consent & Respect: Understand the importance of giving and receiving consent, how to recognize unhealthy relationship behaviors, and ways to support your peers.
4. Hazing & Hosting: Learn about New York State laws and your responsibilities around hazing and social hosting, especially when it comes to underage drinking.
The courses will become available to you on Aug. 1. The deadline for completion is Aug. 31. Failure to complete the course may result in a referral to the Student Conduct Office. Instructions and access link for the courses will be sent to your Skidmore email address.
If you have questions or did not receive instructions, please contact Kim Golemboski, director of health promotion, at kgolembo@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5484.
Please note: A second part of these courses will be sent approximately 30 days after the completion of part one. Additional information and instructions will be sent to your Skidmore email account as it becomes available.
Additional Information
All student vehicles parked on campus must be registered with Campus Safety and have a parking sticker affixed to the upper left corner of the rear window.
The student vehicle registration portal is slated to open the week of Aug. 5.
- Avoid the rush and register before arriving. If done in advance, your parking sticker will be waiting for you in your campus post office box.
- To access the registration portal, click the “Ticketrak Parking” tile visible after you sign into .
- Complete the registration information, click submit, then click the shopping cart to “check out.” You will get a confirmation email that can serve as your temporary permit.
Mailbox assignments and combination information will be available in your Okta account. Click on the housing tile where you found your housing assignment
Students who need to ship packages to themselves for the fall semester should address packages as follows:
Student Name - Class of 2029
Mailbox Number
815 N. Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632
Packages will be available for pick up Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
*If you are arriving on Sunday, August 31, please know that packages won't be available until Monday, September 1. Please bring items you will need for Sunday with you.
Your ID is essential for your first day at Skidmore. It is not just for the dining hall and library; your ID is also the key to your residence hall, your room, and a declining balance card.
Prior to arriving on campus, we ask you to upload a photo for your ID. Students who do not submit appropriate photos (or never submit photos) will face unnecessary delays when they arrive on campus.
The has everything first-year students will need, from textbooks to dorm supplies, and more.
- Textbooks: When it's time to , The Skidmore Shop carries all textbooks and other course materials required by your professors. If you have any questions, we're happy to help.
- Supplies: School, art, dorm, and cleaning supplies can be found 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.
If you’ve been hired by a Dining Services supervisor as part of your work study award, you’ll receive an email with instructions to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form online. This will be done through the “Journeys” tile in Okta.
What to do before you arrive at Skidmore:
- Complete Section 1 of the I-9 form before your arrival on campus.
What to do after you arrive:
- The Office of Financial Aid must verify your identity documents in person before your I-9 can be certified.
- You must bring original (not photocopied or digital) forms of ID. Common acceptable combinations include: A driver’s license or Skidmore ID plus your original Social Security card or birth certificate. A valid passport is also common. List of acceptable documents.
Certify your documents on move-in day:
If possible, it's best to certify documents right away. Financial Aid Student Employment staff will be available to review your documentation 8:30 a.m. – Noon on move-in days, August 28 and 31 in Case Center, second floor (next to the Information Desk). You can do this later if necessary, but certification must be completed in person. You will not be authorized to work on campus until this step is complete.
All matriculated students have access to Microsoft 365. The license expires when you graduate, transfer or separate from Skidmore College.