FYI from FYE - July 2025
Dear Members of the Class of 2029,
I hope you are enjoying your summer and preparing to join us this fall. Below I will
highlight a few aspects of the First-Year Experience that you should be thinking about
during the month of July.
First, make sure you have registered for a schedule of at least 12 credit hours, including
your 4-credit Scribner Seminar. Most students take 15–16 credits to stay on track
for graduation. If you need to change your seminar because of a conflict with another
course or because of sports practice, you can do so until July 11 using the registration
system. You can adjust all other parts of your schedule through the drop/add period
in the fall.
Second, you should have or will soon receive your summer reading text, Stay True by Hua Hsu. Students living abroad can expect to recieve an e-book code in mid-July.
Hsu received the Pulitzer Prize in 2023 for this memoir which chronicles his coming
of age, his search for belonging, and the importance of friendship. The Summer Reading
program is one way to start your Skidmore education before you even set foot on campus.
Check out this page for ways to engage with Hsu’s Stay True and to connect with Skidmore faculty, staff, and fellow students in this process.
We’ll be adding additional content to the page over the summer, so check back to see
what’s new.
Finally, continue to complete tasks on your FYE Checklist. One new task: the Reflection
and Projection (RAP) exercise is due by Sunday, August 31—it’s your chance to reflect
on your goals, interests, and what you hope to gain from a liberal arts education.
Your Scribner Seminar professor may use your responses to guide your first conversation,
and you’ll be able to revisit and add to your RAP throughout your time at Skidmore.
Other highlights of your July 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.
We look forward to seeing you in a few months!
Sincerely,
Rachel Roe-Dale, Ph.D.
Director of the First-Year Experience
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
P.S. If you haven’t done so already, please be sure your final transcript is sent to Admissions.
Additional helpful information
Friday, July 11 is the deadline for students to secure a full-time course load with 12 or more credits. (Although an average of 15 credits each semester is necessary to graduate in four years.) With the exception of SSP 100 Scribner Seminar (4 credits), students can continue to make changes to their course schedules over the summer.
Orientation schedules are being updated and posted online this month. Please visit the FYE Orientation page for details.
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. (You will not be able to move into your room without your ID.) Before August 15, we ask you to upload a photo for your ID. Once approved, your photo will be processed and your ID will be available when you check in.
Students who do not submit appropriate photos (or never submit photos) will face unnecessary delays when they arrive on campus.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Card Office at 518-580-5854.
If you haven't already, we hope you'll begin to read Stay True by Hsu Hsa, the FYE Summer Reading selection. It was selected for the Class of 2029 as an important story of self-discovery, with a powerful message that is relevant in many contexts.
Many Skidmore faculty and staff are also reading alongside you and we've invited them to share reflections on the Summer Reading website. We hope you'll enjoy their perspectives as you read and begin to experience the diverse conversations that are possible at Skidmore.
First-year housing assignments will be released on Monday, July 21. To find your housing assignment, go to the Residential Life Housing Portal found on your Okta page. Once you are logged into your housing portal, scroll to the bottom of the screen and you will be able to see your room assignment and roommate(s).
IMPORTANT: Students missing Health Forms will not have accesss to their room assignments.
Move-in is less than 2 months away! Do you need help figuring out what to bring to campus? Curious what the essentials are? Look no further! Residential Life has created a packing list to use as a guide. The page also lists items that are NOT to be brought to campus for fire safety/policy reasons.
Want to keep up to date with Residence Life news? Follow us on Instagram where you'll find important information about housing, dates, and upcoming events.
Welcome to The Learning Commons at Skidmore
The Learning Commons is your central hub for academic support, access services, and international student services at Skidmore College. We offer a range of programs and services designed to help students build academic skills, connect with a supportive academic community, and thrive in their studies. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your study habits, navigate challenging coursework, or request accommodations, we’re here to support you.
Academic Accommodations at Skidmore
Skidmore is committed to inclusive education and meaningful access for all students. We provide individualized academic accommodations for qualified students to ensure they can fully participate in college life. To have accommodations in place by the start of the semester, we encourage students to submit their application and documentation by August 1. While requests are accepted throughout the academic year, early submission allows time for a collaborative, thoughtful process and a smooth start to the semester. Visit our website for details on the application process, documentation requirements, and FAQs — including information for parents. Questions? Call us at (518) 580-8150 — we’re happy to help.
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.
The courses are:
- Alcohol Wise
- Cannabis Wise
- Consent & Respect
- Hazing and Hosting
The courses will become available to you on August 1. The deadline for completion is August 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, please contact Kim Golemboski, director of health promotion, by email or at 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.
join the Class of 2029 on discord
The Class of 2029 server is a great space to jump into conversations about everything from academics to pets. Student moderators will be online all summer to help answer your questions.
Storage Scholars (Partner Organization)
Move-in day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be memorable and stress-free. is a partner organization that allows you to ship items to their facility over the summer. They will receive your packages, notify you, and deliver everything to your room before you arrive on campus. You don't have to lift a finger!