College extends no-guest policy in residential halls
Mount Holyoke has decided to extend its no-guest policy in residential halls through the end of the fall semester. On Oct. 6, the Office of Residential Life sent an email to all residential students providing an update to their guest policy. In the email, a guest is defined as anyone who does not live on campus.
Hate symbol found in 1837 Hall bathroom; Jewish Student Union calls for solidarity and action
A Nazi swastika was found drawn across the bathroom mirror in the third floor single stall bathroom in 1837 Hall on Oct. 6, just after 6:30 p.m., according to a letter to the community from the Jewish Student Union board. Shortly after it was found, the symbol was removed by Public Safety and Services.
Pioneer Valley Women’s March protests Texas Heartbeat Bill
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the steps of Northampton City Hall this past Saturday for the Pioneer Valley Women’s March, a demonstration intended to promote reproductive rights ahead of the Supreme Court reconvening on Oct. 4. The Northampton march was just one of over 500 similar marches across the nation this past weekend held in response to the Texas Heartbeat Bill, which came into effect on Sept. 1.
Theta Chi allegations spark protests across UMass Amherst’s campus
Students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst led protests on their campus this weekend in response to allegations of sexual assault made against fraternity Theta Chi. A post on the anonymous social media app Yik Yak alleged a first-year student at the university had been drugged and assaulted by a member of the fraternity at a Theta Chi party on Saturday night, Sept. 18. The following Sunday, Sept. 19, around 300 people gathered outside the fraternity house to protest the member’s involvement in the sexual assault allegations.
Through flame and pestilence, The Odyssey Bookshop persists, living up to its name
25-swipe limit in dining hall
Dining at Mount Holyoke College has gone through several changes during the 2021-2022 school year. Unlike before the pandemic, food may now be carried out of the dining hall, and students have access to limited inside dining but are encouraged to eat outside in a tent on Skinner Green. There have also been several changes to the meal plan, including a switch from unlimited swipes to a limit of 25 swipes per week. Yet, despite common misconceptions, dining swipes remain unlimited for the time being, as Dining Services navigates a transitional state between indoor and outdoor dining.
College updates COVID-19 and fall break guidelines
The College announced changes to its COVID-19 and fall break guidelines in a Sept. 22 email detailing the recent shift in operating levels from “Semester Launch” to “Operating Level One.” This new operating level is described as “normal COVID-19 operations,” where transmission is controlled and cases are low on campus.
Mount Holyoke ranks high in college rankings
Students struggle to fill schedules after several courses were cancelled with little notice
As the start of the semester drew near, many students were left scrambling to find new courses after some classes were canceled within weeks or even days of the commencement of the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 30. At least one cancellation was directly related to Mount Holyoke’s return to in-person classes.