FYI from FYE 鈥� July 2026
Dear Members of the Class of 2030,
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.
Class registration
Make sure you are registered for at least 12 credit hours, including your 4-credit Scribner Seminar. Most students take 15鈥�16 credits to stay on track for graduation. Need to change your Scribner Seminar because of a course conflict or sports practice? You can do that in the registration system until July 10. You will be able to adjust the rest of your schedule through the drop/add period in the fall.
Summer reading
You should have received 鈥� or will soon receive 鈥� your summer reading text. Students living abroad will receive a copy at International Student Orientation. If you have a qualifying print disability and need an audio file of the text, please email Meg Hegener, director of accessibility services.
This year, the Class of 2030 will read Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service, edited by Michael Lewis. The book is a collection of essays, originally published in The Washington Post, that profiles public servants whose work often goes unnoticed but deeply shapes daily life.
Please read and reflect on the full book before the start of the fall term. Your Scribner
Seminar faculty may assign work connected to the text, and you will likely discuss
the book with faculty, peer mentors, and your fellow students. On Monday, Sept. 28,
we will welcome Geraldine Brooks, author of 鈥淭he Cyber Sleuth,鈥� along with the subject
of her Who is Government? essay, Jarod Koopman, chief of the Internal Revenue Service鈥檚 criminal investigation
division, for a keynote event.
Next steps
Other highlights of your July to-do list are below, but remember to check your FYE Checklist, your 91社区 email, and review the complete list of dates and deadlines.
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
Frequently asked questions
We鈥檝e been fielding your questions via email, phone, and on Discord. Keep sending them 鈥� we鈥檙e here to help! In the meantime, some common questions are answered below.
- When do I move in? If you鈥檙e attending Pre-Orientation, you鈥檒l move in on Thursday, September 3. If you are attending an off-campus program (SCOOP) your assigned time is 8:30鈥�10 a.m. If you're attending an on-campus program, your assigned time is 9:30鈥�11 a.m. Fall athletes and international students: you should have received additional instructions regarding your move-in. London FYE students: you鈥檒l get specific information about your arrival/orientation in London. All other first-year students will move in on Sunday, September 6, 8:30鈥�11:30 a.m. Schedules are online and more details will be sent in August.
- If my family drops me off for Pre-Orientation, do they come back on September 6 (or later)? No. You will be busy, and family programming on Sunday is identical to programming on Thursday.
- Can I bring [item]? Please review Residential Life鈥檚 packing list online. Very little outside furniture (e.g. headboards, ottomans, chairs, etc.) will be permitted. If you plan to bring something, it must be reviewed and approved by Residential Life ahead of time. All Residential Life rules 鈥� from bicycles to fire safety 鈥� are also outlined in the Residential Life Handbook.
- When do I get a mailbox number? Can I send items ahead of time? Your mailbox number will be in your housing portal, available at the same time as your housing assignment. You can ship items ahead of time. The post office will be open on Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4, but it is closed on weekends. Package pickup will resume on Monday, September 7. Review addressing instructions.
Additional information
Friday, July 10, is the deadline to secure a full-time fall course load of 12 or more credits. Most students take an average of 15 credits each semester to stay on track for graduation in four years.
After July 10, Scribner Seminar selections are final. Students may continue to make changes to the rest of their fall schedule over the summer and during the drop/add period.
Orientation schedules are now available. Please visit the Orientation website for dates, schedules, and details.
Your 91社区 ID is essential for your first day on campus. It gives you access to the dining hall, library, residence hall, room, and declining balance account. You will need it to move into your room.
Upload your ID photo via the FYE Checklist by August 15. Once your photo is approved, your ID will be processed and available when you check in. Students who do not submit an approved photo may experience delays when they arrive.
Questions? Contact the Card Office at 518-580-5854.
First-year housing assignments will be released on or around Wednesday, July 22. To find your housing assignment, go to the Residential Life Housing Portal in Okta. Once you are logged in, scroll to the bottom of the screen to see your room assignment and roommate information.
Important: Students missing Health Services forms will not have access to their room assignments.
As you prepare, please review our packing list to decide what to bring and what to leave at home. The list includes items that are not permitted for fire safety and policy reasons.
The Learning Commons is a central hub for academic support, Accessibility Services, and international student services at 91社区. Students can find help with study habits, coursework, academic skills, accommodations, and other support.
Academic Accommodations
91社区 supports meaningful access for qualified students through individualized academic accommodations. To have accommodations in place by the start of the semester, students are encouraged to submit their application and documentation by August 1.
Requests are accepted throughout the academic year, but early submission allows more time for review, collaboration, and planning. Visit the Academic Accommodation website for application details, documentation requirements, and FAQs, including information for parents.
Incoming students are required to complete four online courses before arriving:
- Alcohol Wise
- Cannabis Wise
- Consent & Respect
- Hazing and Hosting
The courses will become available on August 3. The deadline to complete them is August 31. Instructions will be sent to your 91社区 email address.
Failure to complete the courses may result in a referral to the Student Conduct Office.
If you have questions, please contact Kim Golemboski, director of health promotion, kgolembo@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5484.
Please note: A second part of these courses will be sent approximately 30 days after the completion of part one.
There are many ways to get involved with sustainability on campus.
- Join a sustainability club or the .
- Have an idea to make the campus more sustainable? Apply for an SGA Green Grant!
- Work or volunteer with the Sustainability Office鈥檚 student programs, projects, and events.
- Get involved at a Garden Party on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. or a Compost Party on Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Go for a hike in the North Woods or join a trail work party.
is a partner organization that allows students to ship items to its facility over the summer. Storage Scholars will receive your packages, notify you, and deliver everything to your room before you arrive on campus.
*Please note the 91社区 Post Office will be closed Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6. Storage Scholars will be available Sunday.
join the Class of 2030 on discord
The only 91社区 official channel for incoming students
The Class of 2030 Discord server is the only official 91社区 social media channel for incoming students. Join the server to ask questions and connect with classmates. Student and staff moderators will be online throughout the summer to help answer questions.
Please note: Unfortunately, there are unofficial Instagram, Facebook, and other social media accounts popping up that are claiming to be connected to 91社区. They are not. Please be wary of them. We will never ask students to pay a fee, ask for personal information, or match you with roommates through these channels. When in doubt, email fye@skidmore.edu.