Senate discusses campus election; addresses dining hall concerns

Senate discusses campus election; addresses dining hall concerns

The SGA senate meeting on Oct. 19 began with a land acknowledgement, read by Chair of Senate Shula Mathew ’22, in accordance with the new Mount Holyoke College policy. The Nonotuck, Nipmuc and Pocumtuc peoples were acknowledged, as they once occupied the land that is now Western Massachusetts, including the Mount Holyoke College campus. The land acknowledgement also included surrounding Indigenous nations such as the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, Mohegan, Eastern Pequot, Mohican and Abenaki peoples. Mathew asked for a brief moment of silence after the acknowledgement was read in order to give time for reflection.

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Antisemitism at Mount Holyoke: Community reacts to hate symbol

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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.

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College shortens Family & Friends Weekend

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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.

President Stephens announces new ‘climate action commitments’

President Stephens announces new ‘climate action commitments’

In an email shared with the Mount Holyoke community on Oct. 18, President Sonya Stephens announced several plans to increase progress towards the College’s sustainability goals. The letter featured updates to the goals previously outlined in the College’s Sustainability Task Report in 2018, while also introducing new commitments. Stephens discussed the College’s plan to “eliminate holdings in fossil fuel investment funds” in the next 10 years, a commitment that was announced by the Board of Trustees in March, adding that no new investments in fossil fuels have been made since 2017.

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College extends no-guest policy in residential halls

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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.

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Hate symbol found in 1837 Hall bathroom; Jewish Student Union calls for solidarity and action

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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

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.

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Theta Chi allegations spark protests across UMass Amherst’s campus

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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.

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