Photo courtesy of Skidmore College Website
Since I became the Student Government Association (SGA) President earlier this year, I have consistently met with students who are frustrated with the laundry services provided on our campus. The cost of the cycles, the frequently broken machines, and the lengthy repair times are some of the most prominent recurring issues experienced by the Skidmore students I have spoken with. On November 21, 2022, SGA released a survey to the student body to collect data on these concerns, asking students to identify the top laundry problems they have experienced at Skidmore. The survey received 387 responses.
The responses revealed the student body’s overwhelming disapproval of the current laundry system, citing issues with quality, cost, and efficiency. Furthermore, students emphasized how each flawed aspect has a substantial impact on their overall campus experience.
SGA Laundry Concerns Report: Graph created from responses to SGA Laundry Concerns Survey
SGA has used the results from this survey to develop recommendations that staff, SGA, and the student body can work on together to address laundry expenses, educational materials on campus, and laundry machine maintenance.
On February 7, 2023, the SGA Senate passed, and I signed, Resolution 33-27: Laundry Services Reform Act, submitting the following recommendations to the Skidmore College Institutional Policy and Planning Subcommittee on Student Affairs:
The Student Government Association recommends Skidmore College eliminate per cycle laundry fees and institute a tuition-based laundry fee.
The Student Government Association recommends Skidmore College adopt uniform laundry etiquette signage in all laundry rooms and implement educational programming within the FYE to help inform students of laundry practices and institutional policies.
The Student Government Association recommends Skidmore College work with Facilities and Statewide Machinery Inc. to ensure routine maintenance and cleanliness checks on laundry machines.
On February 10, 2023, the Skidmore College Institutional Policy and Planning Subcommittee on Student Affairs submitted these recommendations and the SGA Laundry Concerns Report to President Conner and the College Cabinet for review.
While the majority of our peer institutions have not yet instituted a tuition-based laundry model, an increasing number of colleges and universities across the nation are providing this to students. Two of our fellow NY6 institutions, Hamilton College and St. Lawrence University, have already moved on this issue.
Skidmore College has been at the forefront of change in many ways in recent years. This year alone, SGA has partnered with the College to begin the process of installing free tampon and pad dispensers in all academic bathrooms on campus, make Skidmore-sold emergency contraceptives free to all students, and increase access to break shuttle transportation services. Progress has been made, but there is still much left to do. Laundry once again offers an opportunity for Skidmore to push the boundaries in higher education while showing it takes students’ repeatedly expressed concerns seriously.
Our current system is placing an unnecessary financial burden on students that disproportionately impacts low-income students. This money could be kept in students' pockets and used for school supplies, groceries, or other daily needs. Continuing to charge students for this service needlessly constrains their financial growth and adds an unfair income loss dependent on machine efficiency.
A tuition-based model would address disparities in access to laundry services for students who receive financial aid from the College by providing direct relief. A tuition-based model would not financially punish students for having to use multiple cycles on low-quality machines. A tuition-based service would enable students to no longer waste hundreds of dollars in their four years at Skidmore on simply washing their dirty clothes.
Skidmore students should not have to pay for something that is free at so many peer institutions across the nation. It is time we eliminate laundry cycle fees and implement a laundry system that is equitable, reliable, and consistent for all.
I want to thank all of you who took the time to fill out SGA’s laundry concerns survey last semester. I also want to commend SGA Senator Tess Malloy and all those in the College administration who have helped with this initiative so far. Throughout the coming weeks, I will continue working with the College and shared governance leaders in advocating to make these recommendations a reality.
SGA will continue fighting and advocating for student interests across campus. If you have any ideas for what SGA needs to focus on moving forward or want to get involved yourself, do not hesitate to email SGA President Lowell at sga_prez@skidmore.edu or set up a time to meet during his office hours at https://president-lowell.youcanbook.me.
Nathaniel Lowell ‘24 (he/him) is the Student Government Association President for the 2022-2023 academic year.