Jane Wald discusses work in the world of Emily Dickinson

Jane Wald discusses work in the world of Emily Dickinson

BY MIMI HUCKINS ’21

On the third floor of a historic house in Amherst, Massachusetts, sits Jane Wald, the executive director of the Emily Dickinson Museum. She wears a cream sweater with a crisp blue vest, her glasses carefully balanced on her nose.

A personal perspective on Californian wildfires

A week ago, I opened up my laptop and waited for Facebook to load. As posts popped up on my screen, I began to laugh. My friends looked over to see what meme or status update I found so funny; instead, they found me scrolling through updates of my friends at home marking themselves safe from various wildfires. Of course, I don’t find the destruction of my state funny. But to me, there was something disturbingly humorous about opening a page, expecting it to be filled with lighthearted content and instead finding reminder upon reminder that climate change was once again showing its ugly face back at home.

Room inspections introduce new policy

Room inspections introduce new policy

Over the past weeks, students at Mount Holyoke have received emails from members of the Residential Life staff about upcoming health and safety room checks. The emails included basic time and date information, as well as a lengthy list of items not allowed in the residence halls or apartments. Inspections took place between Nov. 7 and Nov. 15.

Merging film studies and theatre arts majors prompts discussion amongst department members

Merging film studies and theatre arts majors prompts discussion amongst department members

In spring 2019, the film studies and theatre arts departments announced a tentative merger to create a new major. Faculty and students gathered to discuss concerns with the majors and ideas for a new path of study. This semester, the two departments announced that the plan is in the works and awaiting final approval from the faculty board.

Rhonda Saletnik finds joy in housekeeping at Mount Holyoke

Rhonda Saletnik finds joy in housekeeping at Mount Holyoke

Outside the door of each housekeeping closet is a whiteboard on which students write welcoming, encouraging and grateful messages to acknowledge Mount Holyoke housekeepers. For one housekeeper, Rhonda Saletnik, her life involves much more than cleaning up after students.

Administration grapples with diversity recognition: what is a “women’s college”?

Administration grapples with diversity recognition: what is a “women’s college”?

The title of a “women’s college” is heavily debated. On its website, Mount Holyoke uses the term “women’s college.” Most prominently, it is found on the College’s “About” page, where the College describes itself as “a women’s College that is gender diverse,” going on to say, “we welcome application from female, transgender and nonbinary students.”

No Waste, No Problem

This summer, I started to feel a bit hypocritical about my environmental footprint. I was having immense anxiety about climate change and was preaching that action needs to be taken to stop it, but was still supporting fast fashion and throwing away three single-use plastic water bottles a day. It’s not just about personally producing less waste; it’s also about not supporting the companies that function to pollute and produce mass amounts of plastic.

Altered tradition creates recognition for graduate students

Altered tradition creates recognition for graduate students

“Convocation is a moment to celebrate affinities, including class year identity,” said President Sonya Stephens, promoting applause from the tightly packed amphitheater. This year’s convocation came with the announcement of an addition to a century-old Mount Holyoke tradition.

Five College dance instructor Marilyn Sylla retires

Five College dance instructor Marilyn Sylla retires

On a spring Thursday morning, Five College dance instructor Marilyn Sylla sat on a Smith College piano bench moments after finishing her Dance in the Community class, a course she spearheaded. After a 25-year career within the Five Colleges and a lifetime of working in the arts, Sylla is finishing her final semester teaching.

Multicultural Night creates space for community and culture

Multicultural Night creates space for community and culture

A group of community advisors from Wilder Hall gathered in the Great Room of Blanchard Campus Center to set up for Multicultural Night on Thursday, April 11. The CAs planned the event in accordance with the College’s Living Learning Communities, (LLCs) including the Arts, Mi Gente, Mosaic and Shirley Chisholm floors, among others.