Senate coordinates response to PVTA budget cuts, hears reports from Be Well Steering Committee and several working groups
BY ANNA KANE ’20
The Feb. 20 Student Government Association (SGA) senate meeting included a continuation of the discussion of proposed scheduling changes for the PVTA, a presentation by the Be Well steering committee and updates from working groups. Chair of Senate Liz Brown ’20 spoke first, encouraging senators to sign petitions supporting an increase in funding for the PVTA and the bill H.2998, which has recently been introduced to the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee.
South Hadley Rep. Scibak will not run for re-election, launching race for seat in Massachusetts State House
BY ALLYSON HUNTOON ’19
“It’s the best job in the world,” said Representative John Scibak (D) of South Hadley, “but you need to understand what it entails.” Scibak currently represents Hampshire County’s Second District, which includes the towns of South Hadley, Granby, Hadley and Easthampton in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The House is composed of 160 members elected from districts within the state’s 12 counties. Representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. The next general election is Nov. 6, 2018.
Class of 2019 J-Show cancelled due to lack of interest
BY EMMA RUBIN ’20
Junior Show, or J-Show, is a Mount Holyoke tradition that dates back to the early 20th century. Typical performances are entirely student-led and intertwine both comedy and student talent in a performance to both entertain the Mount Holyoke community and fundraise for the junior class. This year, however, the tradition was cancelled.
Mount Holyoke students advocate for state-wide sexual assault bill
Health Center to open new wellness space for meditation, relaxation
BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
A new wellness space will open in the Pattie J. Groves Health Center on Feb. 26. The wellness space is a part of Mount Holyoke’s Be Well initiative, a student-focused and community-based program made up of 15 members of faculty, staff and student representatives who are in charge of promoting well-being on campus.
Senate announces proposed cuts on Five-College PVTA bus services
BY MERYL PHAIR ’20
This week’s SGA Senate included discussion of PVTA schedule changes, increasing campus sustainability and use of locally sourced food. Camille Gladieux ’18, executive board president, spoke first. She announced a future increase in fresh smoothies at the Dining Commons once there is more staff available, as well as a grab-and-go station coming soon to the Dining Commons. She then explained proposed changes to the PVTA schedule.
Prospect Dining Hall set to be converted into Makerspace Lab
BY EMMA RUBIN ’20
Unoccupied rows of tables and chairs line what was formerly Prospect Dining Hall. Locked doors and an air of vacancy contrast starkly with the previous bustling environment and ever-changing culinary showcase the dining hall once held. However, as was announced Feb. 2, the 7,000 square-foot space will not stay empty for long.
Proposed tobacco ban stirs controversy on campus
BY ANNA KANE ’20
When Maddie Desfosses ’21 and Lili Paxton ’21 arrived on campus in the fall, they were immediately struck by how prevalent smoking and tobacco-use are on campus. They felt that the campus policy of maintaining a distance of 20 feet from buildings while smoking was ignored and inadequate.
Weissman Center for Leadership announces new semester in Washington, D.C. program
BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
This week, The Weissman Center for Leadership announced a pilot program in which students may spend a semester in Washington D.C. The program will begin fall 2018, and it is coordinated by Associate Director Janet Lansbury with Calvin Chen, Associate Professor of Politics, serving as the faculty director.