The College sent out an update on Oct. 20 about new COVID-19 policies. Effective on Oct. 25, Emeriti faculty and other retired staff members are allowed to enter and use the Williston Memorial Library and Kendall Sports and Dance Complex as long as they show proof of vaccination and get tested by the College regularly.
2021 LEAP Symposium showcases summer projects in hybrid format
Mount Holyoke College’s 2021 Learning from Application (LEAP) Symposium took place on Friday, Oct. 22, featuring presentations from over 150 students recounting their summer internships. Emerging from a completely virtual format in 2020, this year’s program was presented in a hybrid format that included 28 in-person panels and 14 panels exclusive to Zoom. The presentations took place over four sessions and were open to all members of the Mount Holyoke community, with in-person panels hosted in classrooms throughout the Science Center.
Antisemitism at Mount Holyoke: Community reacts to hate symbol
“I blink, and I still see my reflection in the mirror with a [Nazi] swastika on it,” a Jewish resident of 1837 Hall said. On Oct. 6, the student came face to face with the hate symbol while on a routine trip to the single stall bathroom on the third floor of 1837. The room, as they described it, was a pleasant “safe haven.” But while washing their hands, they looked up to see a “line” drawn on the mirror. At first, they were confused.
College shortens Family & Friends Weekend
Mount Holyoke College will be hosting “Family and Friends Weekend” on Oct. 23, with events truncated into a single day. This significant change is paired with the fact all visitors had to register by Wednesday, Oct. 20, something that, in previous years, was not required.
Despite keeping the indoor guest policy for students in place until the end of semester, visitors will be allowed indoors this coming Saturday. The school has put forth health policies in order to keep the campus COVID-19-free. These policies include a pre-arrival health checklist, proof of an FDA recognized vaccine and a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Rapid tests may be taken within 24 hours as an option for those who cannot access the prior.
Senate convenes to discuss dining options, Board of Trustees meeting
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.
Kijua Sanders-McMurtry joins Lowery Institute as board member; brings new opportunities to Mount Holyoke students
When Kijua Sanders-Murtry, Mount Holyoke College’s Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, was first invited to join the board of directors for The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights in Atlanta, GA, their first instinct was to decline the opportunity. They were afraid that this new position would interfere with their ability to connect students with opportunities at the Institute.
Amber Douglas named dean of the College
COVID-19 sends 7 students into isolation
When Mount Holyoke College announced its return to the first in-person semester since March 2020, they did so with substantial expansions to the Community Compact. Among other requirements, the College mandated that all students, staff and faculty receive a COVID-19 vaccination either on or before move-in day.