Skidmore College

New Media and Film Studies Minor: In 2015, Skidmore launched a new interdisciplinary media and film studies minor. Its emphasis is on exploring written, aural, and visual forms of communication; gaining a theoretical and contextual grounding in media studies; and learning current and developing forms of communications technology. New Documentary Program: In 2015, Skidmore launched the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative to incubate visual, audio, and word-based documentary projects through academic-year courses, workshops, lectures, and faculty development opportunities, in addition to intensive summer programming. SEE-Beyond Internships: Each year approximately 25 Skidmore students from a variety of academic disciplines and programs are awarded SEE-Beyond grants of $4,000 to help them afford otherwise unpaid summer internships, apprenticeships, and other academically relevant hands-on experiences. An additional 50 funded internships are provided through Career Development, while more than 75 students stay on campus each summer to work with faculty members in intensive collaborative research. Off-Campus Study: With nearly 60% of students studying abroad at some point during their college years, Skidmore was recently ranked in the top five among the 40 baccalaureate institutions with the largest numbers of students studying abroad for a semester. Students can choose from 130 programs in nearly 40 countries, including four Skidmore-run programs. They can also choose from 200 campuses in the U.S. and its territories through National Student Exchange. Sustainability: In 2014, Skidmore installed a 2-megawatt solar array that meets 12% of Skidmore's electricity needs. An additional 18% of electricity needs are met through a micro-hydro facility. Also in 2014, the College installed five solar thermal systems, each providing 30% of the hot water needs for a particular building. Forty percent of Skidmore's heating and cooling needs are met with geothermal energy. Other green initiatives: an electric vehicle charging station, an automated bike-share program, and a recently expanded 6,500-square-foot community garden. Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery: Since 2000, Skidmore’s Tang Museum has involved faculty and students in curating shows to foster interdisciplinary thinking and studying, invite active and collaborative learning, and awaken the student and local community to the richness and diversity of the human experience through the medium of art. Arthur Zankel Music Center: Opened in 2010, the award-winning structure offers more than 50,000 square feet of teaching, practice, and performance space (including a glassed-walled, 600-seat, acoustically renowned recital hall). It is home to the college’s robust music department and summer programming, and has become an important cultural resource regionwide. Throughout the year, world-class musicians perform at Zankel and often work with students in master classes. New Science Center to Come: In 2014, Skidmore’s board approved the design and development plans for the Center for Integrated Sciences, to bring together nine academic departments and 90 faculty in interdisciplinary and shared spaces for research and learning, including the invention-incubating Idea Lab.