On March 7, Holyoke police officer Rafael Roca posted a video on YouTube alleging racism and corruption by the Holyoke Police Department. As of March 9, Roca has been suspended from the department due to his violation of a rule prohibiting officers from criticizing the department on social media platforms.
Ailey Rivkin FP ’22 and Gaby Barber ’23 began circulating a petition to reverse the College’s decision to raise tuition by $5,520 on the morning of Wednesday, April 7. As the authors of the petition, Barber and Rivkin wrote, “We … find it unacceptable that Mount Holyoke College has chosen, in the midst of a global pandemic, to raise the comprehensive fee — which consists of room and board, tuition, and the student activities fee — to $73,098.”
On March 22, graduating students and their families received an email informing them that the College would be holding a virtual Commencement ceremony for the class of 2021 on May 23 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The email explained that while some celebrations and traditions would occur between May 12 and May 15 and would be open to students living on and off campus, no graduating students would be permitted to be on campus during the May 23 Commencement ceremony.