Faculty Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2025
Gannett Auditorium/Zoom
Dorothy E. Mosby, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs called the meeting to order at 10:05am.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Dean Mosby asked if there were any corrections to, or comments regarding, the minutes of the Faculty Meeting held April 25, 2025. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as distributed.
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES AND HONORS
A. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees
Dave DeConno, Registrar, read the following resolutions into the record (see attached):
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of 吃瓜网 recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Arts degree to 362 students of the Class of 2025 to be awarded on May 17, 2025.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of 吃瓜网 recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Science degree to 191 students of the Class of 2025 to be awarded on May 17, 2025.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of 吃瓜网 recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Arts degree to 31 students of the Class of 2025 upon satisfactory completion of the degree requirements by August 31, 2025.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of 吃瓜网 recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Science degree to 15 students of the Class of 2025 upon satisfactory completion of the degree requirements by August 31, 2025.
The total number of graduates of the Class of 2025 is 628 as follows: 29 for January completion, 553 for May completion, and 46 for August completion.
There was no discussion. The resolutions were voted on and passed with a large majority.
B. All-College and Departmental Honors
Corey Freeman-Gallant, Associate Dean of the Faculty for Student Academic Affairs, read the following resolutions into the record (see attached):
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore approve College Honors for members of the Class of 2025, as presented at the May 14, 2025 Faculty Meeting: 69 students for summa cum laude distinction; 129 students for magna cum laude distinction; and 88 students for cum laude distinction.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore approve Department and Program Honors for 239 students from the Class of 2025, as presented at the May 14, 2025 Faculty Meeting.
There was no discussion. The resolutions were voted on and passed with a large majority.
OLD BUSINESS
Associate Professor Ting Li, on behalf of the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) and in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Board (FAB), read the following motion into the record:
MOTION: The Faculty Executive Committee, in consultation with the Faculty Advisory Board, moves to clarify language in the faculty handbook regarding how faculty become members of the Faculty Advisory Board (FAB). This change will bring Faculty Handbook Language into agreement with longstanding practice, and remove confusion regarding the role of the faculty vote in the staffing of an appointed committee.
Professor Li moved to bring the motion to a vote. The motion was seconded. There being no questions, the motion was voted on and passed by a large majority.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
OTHER
Dean Mosby invited Jess Ricker, Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, to update the faculty on the incoming class of students.
VP Ricker opened her update by sharing that 吃瓜网 has enrolled 704 students toward our target of 705 for the Class of 2029, and that we are very close to our fiscal goals for the class. We have enrolled 12 new transfer students who will bring in about a million additional dollars in net tuition revenue (NTR). Because transfer admission is rolling, we will continue building up that group through June.
Our current deposited class shows significant progress in key areas, including geographic expansion in the West, Midwest, and South. More students with addresses outside the US will enhance the global perspective of our community. VP Ricker also reported that academic ratings are similar to past classes. We have full cohorts for London FYE, PW, S3M. The Opportunity Program was over its goal by 8. 15% of the class is first generation college students and there is strong socioeconomic, racial and ethnic diversity similar to recent years. VP Ricker said that she will be able to share more finalized stats when the final class arrives on campus in late August.
VP Ricker then offered the faculty insight into how the enrollment landscape has shifted and how 吃瓜网鈥檚 process has evolved with it. There鈥檚 growing skepticism nationally about the value of a degree, uncertainty around the future of federal student aid and loans, and continued pressures on affordability for families. The timing of what we traditionally call 鈥渟ummer melt鈥� has moved up. Summer melt refers to the period between May and August when we typically lose some deposited students, some receive waitlist offers from other institutions, others decide to take gap years, and a small number encounter unexpected financial or personal circumstances. Over 60 institutions started admitting from their waitlists in mid-April this year 鈥� an unheard-of number 鈥� many of them ultra-selective places that have never gone to the waitlist that early. That鈥檚 a clear sign of broader enrollment volatility. It also means melt that typically happens in May or June started much earlier this cycle, and might be done earlier as well.
Additionally, Admissions has made some strategic changes to how we handle gap year requests. Students now work with VP Ricker to confirm their plans earlier so that we can account for their future enrollment now and better manage our current class. This helps us to be proactive rather than reactive when planning for any necessary waitlist activity to replace students who take gap years.
We鈥檝e also changed how and when we intervene with students who show signs of wavering, such as not activating their 吃瓜网 email promptly. In the past, we might not have followed up with that group until midsummer. Now, we start just days after enrollment. If there鈥檚 a question or concern, we address it early by connecting them with the Financial Aid team, Student Academic Services, or other campus partners. We can oftentimes address their issue and keep them in the class with this early intervention. In other cases, this allows us to confirm a student won鈥檛 be enrolling. Because this is now happening earlier in the cycle, there is time to go back to the waitlist to fill the spot.
VP Ricker also explained how her team is actively working to prevent 鈥渕elt鈥� this year. Some of the melt mitigation strategies that proved successful last year and that we鈥檝e repeated this spring are: a speed-friending event for enrolled students, a Zoom session for families on how to support their students as they transition to 吃瓜网, a calling campaign to every newly enrolled student, and a range of personalized outreach efforts. These are all designed to build a stronger emotional connection to 吃瓜网. As that connection deepens, students are far less likely to accept a late offer from another institution.
As of now, we have already melted about half of the students we projected to melt. This is the result of a more intentional and interpersonal, front-loaded, data-informed process. After all of that, we still stand at 704 enrolled students, and we鈥檙e carefully working the waitlist to create a cushion for the melt that remains. VP Ricker emphasized that this is good news. It reflects a highly adaptive and strategic approach to enrollment management that has proven effective. Based on current trends and our strategic approach, we're confident that 吃瓜网 will welcome a robust and diverse Class of 2029 this fall.
VP Ricker closed with thanks to the faculty that have supported her division鈥檚 enrollment efforts this year. Faculty and campus partners have been a critical part of this success; from leading Zoom sessions to engaging with students at open houses, to making personal connections with prospective and admitted students from your academic areas. That kind of outreach really does make a difference and it helps students feel seen, welcomed, and excited to join our community.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Conner opened his remarks with an expression of congratulations to VP Ricker, Director of Admissions Janessa Dunn, and the entirety of the Admissions/Enrollment team. He led the faculty in a round of applause for the division鈥檚 work this year.
Referring to the current political climate, President Conner noted that there was recently a second Navigating Uncertainty seminar, and that 吃瓜网 will continue to hew to its mission and values. Both President Conner鈥檚 and VP Vero鈥檚 inboxes are always open to faculty concerns.
President Conner then expressed his gratitude and commendation to Dean Mosby for her service during such a challenging time for the College. This was met with a round of enthusiastic applause. He confirmed that an interim Dean will be appointed soon. The search process for a Dean of Faculty will likely begin in the fall, and the faculty will be consulted and involved as this process gets underway.
The Huron Consultancy work continues. President Conner clarified that the consultants will be exclusively providing suggestions and recommendations, and not directing our decision-making. The summer work of analysis and distillation of inputs will continue with the office of the Dean of Faculty and the interim Dean. Major decisions will not be happening this summer. President Conner acknowledged that 吃瓜网鈥檚 expenses are presently greater than our revenue and that we have alarming projected deficits if we continue on in this vein. The purpose of the work with the consultancy is to help us identify where we might be able to reduce costs before we are in a position of reactivity. The Strategic Plan will also help guide these decisions. While this is a challenge, there are many opportunities remaining available to us.
Continuing with an update regarding The Board of Trustees, President Conner noted that the Board鈥檚 May meetings began today. Each seasonal meeting has its own themes and agendas. The May meeting is a combination of celebration 鈥� we have the dedication of the McCaffery-Wegman Health and Wellness Center, and of course the graduates 鈥� and discussion of priorities for next semester. The hope is that when the trustees are on campus for the October meeting, that they will have opportunities to sit in on some academic classes. President Conner thanked Vice President for Advancement Carey Anne Zucca and Tang Museum Director Ian Berry for their work in acquiring and placing the new Fitzhugh Karol outdoor statue (see link for details).
At Commencement on Saturday, we will graduate 648 吃瓜网 students. It鈥檚 such a highlight of the academic year and it means the world to our students to see the faculty at commencement. We have two honorary degree recipients, Aaron Dworkin and Adam Weinberg, who exemplify our values. President Conner then offered congratulations and gratitude to the faculty for their great quality work in a year that was extraordinarily challenging.
President Conner then solicited questions from the faculty.
A faculty member asked what the Board will be voting on with regard to the GSA and faculty raises. The President answered that the GSA that was put before the Board was 2% and he is confident that it will be approved. The faculty member asked if this also applies to administrators. The President answered that it applies to each and all employees of the college.
There being no further questions, President Conner concluded his remarks, with well-wishes to the faculty for restful and restorative summers.
DEAN OF THE FACULTY AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS鈥� REPORT
Dean Mosby opened her report with updates on the Middle States reaffirmation of accreditation and the meaningful progress that has been made on 吃瓜网鈥檚 self-study this year. She noted that faculty, staff, students, and administrators from across the College have engaged in a rigorous and collaborative evaluation of how 吃瓜网鈥檚 policies and practices align with Middle States standards and institutional priorities.
Working groups are now finalizing their findings and recommendations, which will inform the self-study report and the College鈥檚 broader strategic planning efforts.
Looking ahead, the Faculty Director of Assessment Professor Kelly Sheppard and Accreditation Liaison Officer Amy Tweedy will draft the self-study report this summer. The draft will be shared with the Board and the broader campus community in the fall to solicit feedback. There will be a visit from the MSCHE Liaison in October, who will provide additional comments on the draft of the self-study report. The final report is due in Feb 2026 before a full peer evaluation team visit in the spring of 2026, which will include a dedicated session with faculty and the Board.
Dean Mosby noted that the self-study process is already fostering a great degree of cross-campus collaboration and institutional reflection, strengthening 吃瓜网鈥檚 readiness for reaccreditation and strategic advancement.
She then expressed gratitude on the part of the entire Office of the Dean of Faculty to the Department Chairs and Program Directors who are leaving their roles at the end of the semester:
Siobhan Hart, Anthropology
Sarah Sweeney, Art
Sarah DiPasquale, Dance
Peter Von Allmen, Economics
Kurt Smemo, Environmental Science and Sustainability
David Cohen, Management & Business
Mary Kate Donovan, Media & Film Studies
Chris Vecsey, Neuroscience
Larry Jorgensen, Philosophy
John Brueggeman, Social Work
Maria Lander, World Languages & Literatures
This was met with applause from the assembled faculty.
Dean Mosby shared some calendar reminders with the faculty. There will not be a CPD retreat the week after commencement. Instead, there will be a more substantial two-day meeting at the beginning of next semester. We have several important issues on the horizon in the fall, including implementing the CBA, responding to the input from Huron, and any forthcoming executive orders. Please save August 26th and 27th on your calendars.
She then noted that the office of the DOF had announced the day prior that Associate Dean Janet Casey will leave her role at the end of this month, and begin a sabbatical after six years in her role as ADOF. Dean Mosby said that ADOF Casey is known for her strong work ethic, deep sense of integrity and dedication to advancing the work of our office. She's provided support and wise counsel to many members of our faculty, particularly department chairs and program directors. Her contributions to the non-tenure track Union negotiations were critical in supporting the Collective Bargaining Agreement conversations. Before joining the office of the Dean of the Faculty in 2019, Janet served as the director of the 1st year experience program and interim director of the opportunity program.
Dean Mosby welcomed Associate Professor and Chair of Management & Business, David Cohen, to the office in the role of Associate Dean of the Faculty for Faculty Development, Diversity, and Faculty Affairs, effective June 1st. David brings a remarkable breadth of experience to the role, having taken on a number of institutional roles, including the Committee on Academic Freedom and Rights, IPPC Budget and Finance Subcommittee and as a member of working groups on inclusive pedagogy. In addition to serving as chair of management and business, his background in law, strategy and organizational leadership will be especially valuable as we continue to implement the CBA and also navigate the shifting national landscape for academic freedom and diversity and inclusion work at the College. She asked that the faculty please join her in congratulating Janet on a job well done and welcoming David to his new role.
This was greeted with an enthusiastic round of applause from the assembled faculty.
Dean Mosby spoke more about the work of the Dean鈥檚 Office in the coming summer. Four members of the faculty who have been supporting our engagement with Huron on our academic portfolio have agreed to continue their work over the next few months. They will help assess our opportunities, and explore policies and strategies that may be shared with the appropriate faculty groups and committees in the fall. She emphasized that no decisions will be made, but that it is critical to maintain the momentum generated in the spring semester.
After reminding the faculty about processional details for Saturday鈥檚 Commencement proceedings, Dean Mosby stated that she looks forward to seeing everyone there to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class.
Dean Mosby shared the poem 鈥淲hat Comes Next,鈥� by Rosemary Wahtola Trommer (), before reflecting on her time as Dean of Faculty at 吃瓜网. Dean Mosby said that the past two years have been quite a learning experience, marked by remarkable accomplishments and difficult challenges. She shared that she has also had some personal challenges during this time, given the loss of her father after a long battle with lung cancer. The professional challenges posed by the political climate and its dismantling of equity-focused infrastructure have created a moment in which, Dean Mosby shared, she is both leading and fighting for survival. In light of that, she is stepping down and preparing to return to the faculty after ten years in administrative service. She said that she looks forward to getting back to the work that brought her here in the first place, writing, teaching, and spending time with family. Dean Mosby expressed that it has been a pleasure working with the 吃瓜网 faculty. She has appreciated the spirit of collegiality, shared purpose, and mutual support. In conclusion, Dean Mosby reiterated that it has been an immense honor and privilege to serve as Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She is extraordinarily proud of this community and what we've been able to accomplish collectively over the past 2 years.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:56am.
Respectfully submitted,
Nora E. Graubard
Senior Administrative Coordinator