By Lily Reavis '21
Editor-in-Chief
“I don’t want people to have to fight for a while,” said Michael Eason, a parent of a Gorse student. After Mount Holyoke extended Gorse Children’s Center’s contract by one year, Eason attended a demonstration at the College gates, calling for a long-term plan for childcare beyond the one-year timeline.
The event, named “March to the Arch” by organizers, took place on Monday evening. About 150 protestors marched from Gorse to the College’s front gates, chanting in support of keeping the childcare facility open along the way.
“I'm hoping that Mount Holyoke will extend the contract even further than a year, and/or offer some type of picture of continuity of care,” said Jessica Serrano, another Gorse parent who attended the march.
“We're hoping to get a firm commitment from President Stephens and the college leadership for a long-term investment in the Center,” Allie Lepper said. Lepper is a Gorse parent who participated in organizing the protest and petition to reverse Gorse’s closure. “We're hoping to get some continuous inclusive care. And we'd like… some representation in the committees that are making those decisions both now and sort of in an ongoing way — so this doesn't happen again.”