Shannon Gurek

College Cabinet holds open town hall meeting for student questions

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall and other members of the Mount Holyoke Cabinet held a town hall meeting open to students on Monday, April 26. In notifying students of the event, Hall wrote that the town hall would be “an opportunity for [students] to learn and ask questions about how the college works and about the present and future of Mount Holyoke.”

Physical Education Program and Equestrian Center Face External Review

Physical Education Program and Equestrian Center Face External Review

In a Sept. 17 financial update, College President Sonya Stephens and Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Shannon Gurek announced the discontinuation of the College’s varsity golf team and stated that the Equestrian Center and physical education program will be undergoing external reviews.

Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education Lori Hendricks said these external reviews are a normal procedure for academic departments, centers and other offices on campus, and they are typically held once a decade. The reviews aim “to assess the operations of the area and alignments with broader organizational priorities, identify future opportunities and needs and think about the strategic investment of resources.”

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

On Tuesday, April 7, the Mount Holyoke College community received an update from President of the College Sonya Stephens briefing community members on the College’s financial situation. “Over this time period, we have focused on our emergency response and continuity of operations,” Stephens wrote.

Following College closure, students voice financial concerns

Following College closure, students voice financial concerns

As students packed their dorms and made arrangements to leave campus, members of the College administration fast-tracked the finalization of an emergency fund, which Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall says was in progress for implementation later this year.

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. 

Campus community engages with newly appointed Chief of Police

Campus community engages with newly appointed Chief of Police

BY LIZ LEWIS ’22

The Blanchard Great Room hosted tension and tears on the evening of Thursday, March 19, as members of the Mount Holyoke administration held a forum for students to engage with the newly hired Chief of Campus Police, Daniel Hect. 

Senate reviews budget allocation

Senate reviews budget allocation

BY MELISSA JOHNSON ’20

To kick off the first senate meeting of the semester on Tuesday, Jan. 29, SGA held a town hall meeting with Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer Shannon Gurek and President Sonya Stephens. The meeting’s focus was on the distribution of Mount Holyoke’s budget on a yearly basis.

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.

College and town of South Hadley consider crosswalk safety

College and town of South Hadley consider crosswalk safety

BY ANNA HASSON ’21

Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Shannon D. Gurek sent the Mount Holyoke student body an update on the safety of the crosswalk on College Street on Oct. 31. Representatives of the Mount Holyoke administration “have met with Town and State officials regarding pedestrian and traffic safety on the section of College Street that runs in proximity to the College,” according to the email. The parties involved have agreed on preventative actions that will ensure the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.

Campus store to be replaced with Student Life Hub

BY MADELINE SKRAK '18

After this semester, the Blanchard Campus Store will be no more. After Reunion II — which falls during the last weekend of May — the store will be closed permanently and its space will be converted into a Student Life Hub as part of the new Community Center’s construction. The spirit apparel and Mount Holyoke- printed items will be sold at the Odyssey Bookstore in the Village Commons.