If you ask many of Skidmore’s top administrators, they will tell you that the Center for Integrated Science (CIS) remains a top priority, in terms of construction projects. Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Mary Lou Bates, confirmed this, saying “the top priority is CIS.”
However, other building projects are currently in the works. One of these projects is a joint admissions and financial aid building on campus. Currently, the admissions house is located on North Broadway, across from campus. Although the CIS is the priority, the two projects might be congruent as the admissions and financial aid building is a much smaller project, said Bates.
“We are working on plans” with an architect, said Bates. A schematic of the building has also been presented to the trustees to examine because “you really need to have plans to get people to say oh okay I would like to donate,” Bates said.
This new building will bring the admissions office and the financial aid office together. Currently the two offices are in different locations, with admissions on North Broadway and financial aid in the Starbuck Center. “The plan now is as you drive in by the sign it will be straight ahead set back a little. Kinda where the flagpole and the library are” said Bates. The building will still allow for one to see the library as they enter campus.
“Three quarters of financial aid’s business is with the current students and then the visiting families. To have financial aid over here [with admissions] now it would be a pain for current students to get all the way over here,” said Bates.
Currently, the separation of the offices is not ideal for prospective families as when they “want to talk to some in financial aid we [at admissions] have to give them directions to Starbuck [and] they have to find parking over there,” said Bates. “Once we are on campus it will be a wonderful benefit for prospective students and families” said Bates.
Construction and renovation plans for Athletics are also being discussed and planned.