Nicole Villacres

Senator Elizabeth Warren announced as spring speaker

Senator Elizabeth Warren announced as spring speaker

BY NICOLE VILLACRÉS '18

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren will be visiting Mount Holyoke to discuss her book, “This Fight is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class” on Friday, April 21 in Chapin Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Northampton Police stops program with elementary schools

BY NICOLE VILLACRÉS

The Northampton Police Department has ended their “High Five Friday” program, in which a group of officers would rotate between the four elementary schools every Friday to welcome kids to school. The NPD initiated the program in December of 2016 to foster positive encounters between police and young children. The program was shut down due to parents’ concerns about the presence of officers and the effect it might have on their children, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Student government addresses ban in Senate

BY NICOLÉ VILLACRES '18

The Student Government Association hosted Jennifer Medina, immigration advisor for international students, and Donna Van Handle '74, dean of international students, at senate on Tuesday to address questions regarding the recent executive order. Students expressed concerns regarding the Trump administration's immigration policy and its possible effects on international students and parents of international students visiting for graduation. 

First Generation student concerns are being brought to forefront by conference, student groups

BY NICOLE VILLACRES '18 

Smith College hosted the first Five College First Generation Conference on Friday, Nov. 4 at its Conference Center. Helen Mayer, a senior at Smith, organized and directed the conference. 

Professor Kate Ballantine wins environmental award

BY NICOLE VILLACRES '18

Clean Water Action, a national environmental group, has awarded the Environmental Ground-Breaker Award to professor Kate Ballantine for her work with the Restoration Ecology Program. The program was created in 2012, when Ballantine and her environmental studies students noticed that Upper Lake had a severe problem with algae blooms caused by excessive nutrient pollution. One facet of the program is the Project Stream restoration site, which is focused on restoring the wetland and stream that feeds into Upper Lake, so that the nutrients would be naturally filtered out.