Dear Paul Smith’s community,
The fall semester is off and running as demonstrated in the messages below.
One important clarification – my email of last Friday suggested that our ability to stay open would depend on having no more than “5% of our student population test positive in any two-week period”. While we are all working to assure that we remain significantly below that threshold, a recent communication from Governor Cuomo has increased that threshold to a much more logical: “no more than 5% of our students, faculty, and staff living, attending classes, or working on campus test positive in any two week period.”
While the Covid Pandemic and the resulting policies described in our Covid -19 Management Plan have limited our athletic endeavors, student activities, and the normal freedoms we expect to enjoy in our college community, they have not dampened the spirits that make us Smitties. I am delighted by the excellent compliance we are all demonstrating to these policies and I thank you for your continuing commitment to keep us all safe.
So far, so good!
Jon
- At a recent meeting, the Board of Trustees presented Dr. Cathy Dove with a resolution in honor of her six years of committed service to PSC along with several gifts in appreciation. The Board also welcomed in the new President, Dr. Jon Strauss.
- Classes began two weeks ahead of the original schedule. So far all is going well, with students and faculty adjusting to mask wearing, physically distanced seating in classes, and other adjustments required by the current pandemic.
- Tremendous work was conducted over late spring and summer to prepare the campus for COVID health and safety. This included writing The COVID Management Plan, deploying and expanding new technology learning solutions, deep cleaning, hanging 200+ plexiglass shields and installing signage extensively across the campus.
- Covid-19 Testing
- With most of the test returned we have not encountered any positive test for Covid-19
- A small random sample of employees and students will be asked to test each week.
- The college has received a donation of 2600 free cloth masks from The Mask Hub, created by a student at Northwood School in Lake Placid. Masks will be distributed to employees and students.
- Our new Master’s Program started in May with a cohort of 12 students participating in safe and socially distanced education at the height of the pandemic. In early July we welcomed them to campus for a two-week intensive residency focused at the VIC. The faculty were excited to work directly with the students, who will return next summer to graduate. Thanks to Graduate Program Director Eric Holmlund for ensuring a smooth and successful program launch.
- Shout-out to our wonderful RAs and Peer Leaders who did a great job to make Welcome Week a success.
- Natural Sciences faculty member Scott Chimileski’s image was published as the cover of the August issue of the Journal of Bacteriology. Scott also authored an article about the interconnectivity of nature titled “Viewing the Pulse of Earth, A Vital Sign,” on the American Society of Microbiology Blog Small Things Considered.
- AT&T has begun the construction of a cell tower on the campus next to the Verizon tower. The construction is expected to be complete by end of Sept and should result in heightened service for the campus and community.
- This summer the Forestry Department offered Troops to Timber training at Fort Drum, a summer forestry block, summer surveying block, and The School of Logging.
- This fall the Center for Sustainability will begin coordinating a process to update the college’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Our campus-wide energy audit and development of a Campus Energy Master Plan (funded by a Sustainability Grant and NYSERDA) continues. L&S Energy, Inc. will perform the engineering work, which will be used to inform the CAP update.
- Development has continued on the Olympic Ski trails and Biathlon target range.
- The Paul Smith’s College Trap Team has joined the USA College Clay Target League. This will allow our team to compete remotely against more than two dozen colleges this fall.
- Center for Sustainability staff will be presenting at the Adirondack North Country Association’s “Clean Transportation: The Adirondack On Ramp” virtual conference next month.
- 40+ competitors participated in the inaugural “Barkeater Invitational” disc golf tournament
- Sustainability Grant Applications for projects costing under $500 are available on a rolling basis though the Center for Sustainability. Contact Kate Glenn for more information.
- The Forestry Department just took delivery of a 2020 F-250 4X4 thanks to a grant from the Workforce Development Institute.
- Holly Parker, Greg Landon, Gary Lewis and Teresa Grosskopf completed Title IX Investigator training with the Student Conduct Institute.
- Our newly established pollinator garden in front of the student center is in full bloom! This partnership with the Adirondack Pollinator Project was a tremendous success. We look forward to installing another garden in front of the Administration building this spring. Special thanks to Facilities for their assistance.
- The campus-wide composting program continues for its second consecutive year. We are composting all food waste from the culinary labs and the dining hall. Food scraps are delivered weekly to Moonstone Farm in Saranac Lake. This partnership between Dining Services, the Culinary Department, and the Center for Sustainability would not be possible without the dedication of Greta Hovland and Marlyse Waskiewicz.
- Painting on the exterior of the Joan Weill Library is expected to be completed this summer to include window cleaning.
- Replacement of the stairs leading into the Saunders Sports Complex is expected to begin in mid-September thanks to the generosity of Trustee Phil Saunders.
- The Community Guide has gone through its annual review. Our policies are compliant with the Final Title IX Rule, released by the federal government on May 6, 2020. All staff and faculty involved with the Title IX grievance process will complete extensive training in early September. Mandatory employee Title IX trainings will be scheduled during the fall semester.
- The Advancement team has continued to increase our base of supporters and friends
- Secured $250,000 toward the Alumni Challenge
- Secured a $30,000 estate gift to purchase a Bass Boat for the PSC Bass Fishing Team
- Successfully raised almost $40,000 through the Giving Tuesday Now Campaign
- Raised $10,000+ through the Smitties Persist Campaign
- The Alumni Relations office held a virtual graduation for the Class of 2020, a virtual alumni Reunion, and published & distributed the updated Alumni Directory.
- Our Pipeline Scholars partnership with Restaurant Associates yielded double the number of Fall 2020 Pipeline Scholarships.
- We are happy to report a total of 667 undergraduate students enrolled for the fall semester. (656 FTE)
- We have a total of 13 master’s students enrolled as well.
- The Admissions team conducted 21 personal virtual tours to prospective students over the summer. Admissions counselors are working with students for Spring 2021 admissions, and actively recruiting for Fall 2021.
Upcoming Events of Note
- October 17 – Virtual Open House
- November 7 – Virtual Open House
