Mount Holyoke commits to land acknowledgment, repatriation

Mount Holyoke commits to land acknowledgment, repatriation

Content warning: this article discusses anti-Indigenous violence.

Beginning this semester, a land acknowledgment recognizing the Indigenous nations which once occupied the land currently owned by Mount Holyoke College must be given before every public event at Mount Holyoke. As the College takes steps to repair its relationship to Indigenous communities both on and off campus, the institution’s history of anti-Indigenous acts has resurfaced. Earlier this month, the College repatriated Indigenous remains that had previously been in their possession. As the College reckons with this and other past violences this National Indigenous Heritage Month, some members of the Mount Holyoke community are calling for further action and accountability.

Senate discusses November break testing, menstrual products in res halls

Senate discusses November break testing, menstrual products in res halls

Before Senate started on Tuesday, Nov. 9, senators were asked to sit with their commission groups so they could work together towards the end of the meeting. Kim Kindred FP ’24, the senator for the Western Equestrian Team, read the land acknowledgement before the meeting began with updates from the E-Board.

EJ Jankovic ’23, the chair of halls, updated senators on a few requests made in previous meetings. There will now be gluten free dessert options available at the Dining Commons classics station by request. Additionally, lawn care and facilities work will begin at 9:00 a.m. when possible, instead of the previous time of 8:00 a.m.

Commuter students disadvantaged by inactive credit card terminals

“The College has removed the credit card terminals out of an abundance of caution while possible security issues are resolved by the provider,” Alex Wirth-Cauchon, CIO and executive director of Library, Information and Technology Services wrote in an email to the College Community.

,

Student raises concerns over false positive COVID-19 tests

,

Oct. 23 started as a regular day for Tate Durand ’23. They woke up, attended a friend’s birthday breakfast, then returned to their on-campus residence for a nap. However, when they rose to several missed calls from the health services center, they immediately had a strong suspicion that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

Commuter students disadvantaged by inactive credit card terminals

“The College has removed the credit card terminals out of an abundance of caution while possible security issues are resolved by the provider,” Alex Wirth-Cauchon, CIO and executive director of Library, Information and Technology Services wrote in an email to the College Community.

On Oct. 28, Wirth-Cauchon sent an all-campus email stating that credit card terminals have been temporarily removed from the Dining Commons and the Frances Perk Cafe. This has inconvenienced many students without a meal plan, such as Frances Perkins Scholars and commuter students.

Student raises concerns over false positive COVID-19 tests

Oct. 23 started as a regular day for Tate Durand ’23. They woke up, attended a friend’s birthday breakfast, then returned to their on-campus residence for a nap. However, when they rose to several missed calls from the health services center, they immediately had a strong suspicion that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Durand, when they returned the missed calls, they were told that, due to the fact that they live in close proximity to the College, they were offered the chance to pack their belongings and quarantine at home. Alternatively, they could choose to stay in Mount Holyoke’s designated student isolation housing.

,

UMass Amherst sends out alert after call from armed man

,

Members of the campus community at the University of Massachusetts Amherst were sent an alert on Tuesday, Oct. 26, that said, “Hostile armed person reported near UHS [University Health Services]. Shelter in place and stay indoors. Wait for all clear signal.”

Mount Holyoke hosts 12th annual Hortense Parker Celebration

Mount Holyoke hosts 12th annual Hortense Parker Celebration

The 12th annual Hortense Parker Celebration was held on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 7-9 p.m. in the Great Room. The event was organized by the SGA Students of Color Committee, the Division of Student Life, the Office of Community and Belonging, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Weissman Center for Leadership, the Alumni Associations and the Office of Advancement. At the event the “Hortense Parker Museum … Rewind and Reconnect” exhibit was unveiled in the Blanchard Student Art Gallery in lieu of the usual Hortense Parker Essay Contest. The museum was on display until Nov. 4th.

Senate talks Tranquility Room updates, early morning leaf blowers

Senate talks Tranquility Room updates, early morning leaf blowers

Big changes are coming to the Tranquility Room following Tuesday’s senate meeting. On Friday Oct. 29, the E-Board’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer, Maille Romulus ’23 and Earl Wren ’24 met with Richard Perna, executive director of Auxiliary Services and Aaron Ferguson, senior accessibility coordinator. The Tranquility Room will now be a no-talking zone and students will no longer be allowed to use it as a cut-through anymore.

Cart (0)