Pioneer Valley sees Massachusetts’ largest fatal outbreak of COVID-19 yet

Pioneer Valley sees Massachusetts’ largest fatal outbreak of COVID-19 yet

As of April 16, the U.S. has recorded the highest-known number of cases of the novel coronavirus per country in the world. According to The New York Times, more than 30,000 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have died, and at least 662,441 have confirmed cases of the virus as of April 15.

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

On Tuesday, April 7, the Mount Holyoke College community received an update from President of the College Sonya Stephens briefing community members on the College’s financial situation. “Over this time period, we have focused on our emergency response and continuity of operations,” Stephens wrote.

Australia and Singapore respond to COVID-19

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is taking a global toll, with now just a handful of countries around the world not reporting any confirmed cases. Originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019, it was not until early January that a case was first reported outside of China. By March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Community Advisors fired due to COVID-19 raise concerns over employment contracts

On Wednesday, March 11, the day after Mount Holyoke announced its plans to close due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Office of Residential Life held a routine meeting with Senior Community Advisors (SCAs) and Community Advisors (CAs). But with the mood of the campus and uncertainty many students faced, it was anything but routine.

Payment complications strike controversy among student workers

Since Mount Holyoke officially closed its campus for the academic year, roughly 800 student employment positions have been lost. Of the over 400 student jobs that remain, most positions — including those in Admissions, Student Financial Services, Library Information and Technology Services (LITS) or academic departments — have begun operating remotely and with a limit of 4.5 hours per week.

New COVID-19 cases emerge in Mount Holyoke community

New COVID-19 cases emerge in Mount Holyoke community

Mount Holyoke informed the College community of its first reported case presumed to be the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, on Wednesday, April 8. In a statement sent to the entire student body, Associate Vice President of Human Resources Heidi Friedman and Director of Health Services Karen Engell said that the College was alerted of a community member’s presumed positive test for COVID-19 on April 7. According to the email, the individual was not in contact with anyone when last on campus, nor were they experiencing symptoms at that time.

Faculty and students grapple with online learning, grading

Faculty and students grapple with online learning, grading

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Jon Western announced a new grading scheme for the remainder of the semester via a student-wide email on March 17.

Senior class of 2020 says goodbye to campus two months early

Senior class of 2020 says goodbye to campus two months early

During the transition period following the announcement of Mount Holyoke’s campus closure, alums and class board members worked to put on a mock Laurel Parade and graduation ceremony for members of the class of 2020, who were denied many of the spring semester traditions by the pandemic.

Following College closure, students voice financial concerns

Following College closure, students voice financial concerns

As students packed their dorms and made arrangements to leave campus, members of the College administration fast-tracked the finalization of an emergency fund, which Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall says was in progress for implementation later this year.

Mount Holyoke evacuates campus due to COVID-19 pandemic

Mount Holyoke evacuates campus due to COVID-19 pandemic

“All students must move out of their on-campus housing beginning on Saturday, March 14, and must be moved out by Friday, March 20, at the latest,” read a campus-wide email sent from College President Sonya Stephens on Tuesday, March 10. “Students should not expect to live on campus for the remainder of this semester.”