Rehat Thussu

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Student Residential Staff Share Their Experiences in Pandemic Campus Life

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Student Residential Staff Share Their Experiences in Pandemic Campus Life


Last fall, Residential Life adapted its student staff to fit the new pandemic setting of both Mount Holyoke’s remote and in-person communities. Employees, formerly senior community advisors and community advisors, are now known as resident fellows and community assistants. This change came with an adaptation in responsibility for ResLife employees. RFs and community assistants are now responsible for both cultivating community and enforcing the student compact, both integral to the success of Mount Holyoke’s COVID-19 reopening plan.

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Kathleen Hicks ’91 Sworn in as Deputy Defense Secretary for Biden Administration

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Kathleen Hicks ’91 Sworn in as Deputy Defense Secretary for Biden Administration

Dr. Kathleen Hicks ’91 recently solidified her place among Mount Holyoke alumni to be appointed to a leadership position in the federal government. On Feb. 9, 2021, Hicks was sworn in as the 35th deputy secretary of defense. She is the first woman to serve in this position.

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In-Person and Hybrid Classes Commence at Mount Holyoke

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While the majority of course offerings this spring remain entirely online, Mount Holyoke began some in-person teaching this past week. According to Elizabeth Markovits, associate dean of faculty, the College is offering 17 hybrid courses, four courses with in-person meetings outside of normal hours and 29 that “occasionally” meet in person. Physical education classes, laboratory courses and independent studies also may offer in-person components depending on individual situations.

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College Creates Community Compact and Dining Restrictions for COVID-19 Residential Life

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College Creates Community Compact and Dining Restrictions for COVID-19 Residential Life

It has been 10 months since Mount Holyoke announced its campus shutdown. This spring, the College reopened its doors to nearly 700 students across 12 residence halls and one apartment building, which is reserved for Frances Perkins scholars.

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Biden Selects Key Members for Incoming Administration

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By Soleil Doering ’24 & Rehat Thussu ’23

Staff Writers

The U.S. presidential transition between President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden may have lasting political implications. Biden’s victory and Trump’s refusal to concede has led to an especially volatile transfer of power. Election results have been contested before, such as in the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, but according to Assistant Professor of Politics Adam Hilton, the 2020 election brings new sentiments.

Brief: Board of Trustees October Meeting

The Mount Holyoke Board of Trustees met virtually between Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 to discuss the College’s endowment, enrollment and non-discrimination policy.

On Oct. 28, the College released an update via email from Chair of Trustees Karena Strella ’90 about the Board’s recent virtual meeting. According to the update, “a Mount Holyoke graduate and trustee and her family have committed a $10 million lead gift for the College’s upcoming financial aid fundraising initiative.” This donation is the largest gift in support of financial aid that Mount Holyoke has ever received. The update expressed gratitude for this “extraordinary generosity, which ensures that now more than ever students have access to the distinctive, 21st-century liberal arts education offered at Mount Holyoke, and, in turn, give rise to a better world for all.”

Mountain Day 2020 To Be Held Virtually During Module Break

On Sept. 30, Mount Holyoke announced that Mountain Day, a tradition nearly as old as the College itself, would be held during the fall break between Module 1 and Module 2. This decision was taken by the administration to “best maximize the academic schedule for curricular content and the break for time to rest and rejuvenate,” according to the College webpage. This year, like with all of the challenges of remote school, the much-awaited tradition will look different.

Guneet Moihdeen ’21 expressed sadness about how her last Mountain Day is happening during the module break. “I’m kinda sad. The whole point [of Mountain Day] for me is dropping everything and having fun or self-care,” Moihdeen said.

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