Black bear recently spotted wandering near Upper Lake
BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
On Monday, Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m., Cayley Evans ’20 was making her way along the wooded path off the Upper Lake loop at Mount Holyoke College, concentrating on an observation lab for her biology class. She was passing through a ferny area by a stream when a loud crashing noise caused her to temporarily lose her bearings.
Remembering Mika McKinney ’18
BY ALLYSON HUNTOON ’19
“She believed she could, so she did!” This was the quote painted in gold letters on Mika McKinney ’18’s graduation cap last spring. Despite the many challenges she faced, this phrase became representative of the way Mika lived her life as her resilience and strength inspired those around her.
New dining plan introduced for juniors and seniors
BY FIONA HINDS ’22
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life Rachel Alldis introduced a new meal plan as an option for juniors and seniors in an email to seniors on Sept. 20. As opposed to the original meal plan available for all students, which has unlimited swipes, 30 Dining Dollars and three guest swipes, the new plan would give upperclassmen 19 swipes per week with 200 Dining Dollars with the three standard guest swipes.
John Kerry discusses new book with community
BY EMMA RUBIN ’20
Mount Holyoke students, faculty, staff and neighboring community members gathered in Chapin Auditorium on Sept. 25 for a conversation between former secretary of state and Massachusetts senator John Kerry and Dean of Faculty Jon Western. Western facilitated a relaxed discussion with Kerry about his new autobiography, “Every Day is Extra.”
Shattuck elevator breaks, prompting accessibility concerns
BY MERYL PHAIR ’21
On Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 2:50 p.m., smoke rose from beneath the elevator door in Shattuck Hall. The smoke triggered a fire alarm and Campus Police arrived on the scene. When the reporting officers entered the elevator machine room, located to the right of the elevator door on the ground floor of Shattuck, they noticed something that concerned them on many levels, according to Director of Facilities Management and Planning Paul Breen.
Rao’s closes in wake of management controversy
BY ANNA SHORTRIDGE ’19 AND ALLYSON HUNTOON ’19
The Rao’s Coffee Shop located inside Williston Library closed their doors indefinitely on Monday, Sept. 17. The disruption of service is due to an alleged incident in which the cafe’s manager used racially insensitive language when speaking to cafe employees.
Community weathers the heat to welcome incoming students
Cochary Pub & Kitchen and Grab 'n Go open in Blanchard Hall
New Title IX Coordinator joins Mount Holyoke
BY ANNA KANE ’20
On April 18, President-elect Sonya Stephens announced the appointment of Shannon Da Silva as Mount Holyoke’s new Title IX and Section 504 coordinator. After a national search headed by Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall and Five College Director of Compliance and Risk Management Stacie Kroll, Da Silva began her term at Mount Holyoke on April 19.