News Briefs 11/1: DEI initiatives, dishwasher malfunction, racist graffiti

On Oct. 9, the Mount Holyoke community received an email update on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiative (DEI) from Kijua Sanders-McMurtry, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion.

Smith College votes in favor of fossil fuel divestment

Smith College votes in favor of fossil fuel divestment

Smith College recently committed to completely divest from the fossil fuel industry in the next 15 years, a major step towards sustainability on their campus. 

Campus Police concerns continue into new school year

Campus Police concerns continue into new school year

Beginning in July 2020, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges will operate separate campus police departments. The change was announced to the Mount Holyoke community in an email statement by Shannon Gurek, Mount Holyoke Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer. 

Hampshire College sees decline in enrollment, problems continue

Hampshire College continues its grapple with serious internal administrative and financial issues. Hampshire’s dire financial situation sparked conversations about whether or not to admit a new class in Fall 2019. 

Five Colleges respond to recent campus sexual assaults

BY LIZ LEWIS ’22

Former Mount Holyoke staff member Sean Mulveyhill, according to a Boston Globe article published on April 11, is facing allegations of sexual assault against a Mount Holyoke student.  He was fired from his position in Dining Services on March 22 after being placed on administrative leave for several weeks. 

Hampshire College begins layoffs, tensions rise in community

BY MERYL PHAIR ’21

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, Hampshire College announced that nine employees from their admissions and advancement offices would be let go, effective April 19, 2019. 

Community protests Hampshire administration’s lack of transparency

Community protests Hampshire administration’s lack of transparency

BY MELISSA JOHNSON ’20

In light of recent events, the Hampshire College Board of Trustees released information regarding the admittance of a limited Fall 2019 class on Feb. 1. The Board voted to authorize the College to admit two distinct categories of applicants this fall: students who accepted Hampshire’s offer to enroll through Early Decision I and students who accepted Hampshire’s offer of admission last year but chose to take a gap year and defer their enrollment to Fall 2019. The Board also announced that Hampshire will not enroll any other applicants for Fall 2019 or Spring 2020. 

Hampshire College seeks strategic future partner

Hampshire College seeks strategic future partner

BY ELIZABETH LEWIS ’22

President Miriam Nelson of Hampshire College announced the school’s decision to seek out a long-term partner to ensure their financial sustainability on Tuesday, Jan. 15. Hampshire’s leadership is also “carefully considering whether to enroll an incoming class this fall,” according to the official statement released by their senior administration. Nelson insisted that while change is underfoot, Hampshire has no intention of closing its doors.