On Tuesday, May 13, the Service Employees International Union – also known as SEIU – 32BJ labor union held two back-to-back rallies to bring community awareness to the current negotiations with the College’s administration. This is the second rally held by the union this year, as the first rally was held on April 24. There have been five negotiation sessions as of May 13.
Worker rally draws campus attention as contract negotiations continue
Students and professors joined staff from Dining Services and Residential Life outside the main campus gate of Mount Holyoke College on Thursday, April 24, in support of the Service Employees International Union — also known as SEIU — 32BJ labor union and the group’s current contract negotiations with the College’s administration.
What to know: The Trump administration's immigration actions and Mount Holyoke
On April 14, 2025, members of the Mount Holyoke College community gathered for a closed forum to discuss recent federal actions on immigration, travel and more. The event was held in response to a recent string of executive orders and federal decisions that have directly impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of students studying in the United States.
What to know: Trump’s executive orders and Mount Holyoke
Shirley Chisholm LLC celebrates namesake’s 100th birthday
The residents of the Shirley Chisholm Living Learning Community celebrated the 100th birthday of the community’s namesake, previous Mount Holyoke College Professor of Anthropology and Sociology Shirley Chisholm, on Nov. 22. Chisholm, who died in 2005, would have turned 100 years old on Nov. 30. To honor her legacy and importance to the College, the community’s many residents of the third and fourth floor of North Rockefeller Hall gathered at the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center for a community dinner organized by Shirley Chisholm LLC Resident Advisors Karoline Bastien ’27 and Madoussou Dem ’27.
The Betty Shabazz Cultural Center celebrates its 55th birthday
“It is a milestone that the Betty [Shabazz Cultural Center] has survived … the essence of the Betty has survived. Even though it has changed bodies, the essence still remains,” Dani Darku ’27 said as she walked across campus on Oct. 30, on her way to celebrate the 55th birthday of the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center. “We have to keep in mind that the school did not have the Betty in mind when it was being built. [The school] didn’t have the identities of Black students when it was being built, so we need to keep that in mind and come to the Betty because it is not about the distance, it's about the Betty being a home for us.”
Small brush fire in woods results in Prospect Hall evacuation
A small brush fire broke out in the wooded area behind 1837 Hall and Prospect Hall on Mount Holyoke College’s campus on Tuesday afternoon. While no flames were visible at time of reporting, a large plume of smoke could be seen emerging from above the trees. Students were evacuated from Prospect Hall and the neighboring Fimbel Maker and Innovation Lab. No injuries have been reported. There appears to be no damage to any residence halls or academic buildings. An MHC Emergency Alert from Public Safety & Services at 1:13 p.m. stated that the fire is “contained.”
Mount Holyoke hosts panel on potential outcomes of 2024 US elections
For the past few months, the 2024 United States presidential election has been a highly anticipated event nationwide and across the globe. Since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic candidate after current President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July, many have been curious to see how the election will pan out with the nation’s first female presidency being a possible outcome.
Betty Shabazz Cultural Center celebrates homecoming weekend
Remembering those who came before us, who paved the way, who put in the work and fought for the right for Black students to be on this campus: these ideas were the sentiment of the weekend homecoming event celebrated by Black students at the Betty Shabazz Cultural Center from Sept. 21 to 22. The house was filled with students from all different class years and backgrounds with the common desire to interact and be in community with fellow Black students. The center, often referred to as the “Betty,” is described by the College as assisting and supporting students from the African diaspora through interactive programming.
Convocation speakers celebrate TGNC10 announcement
Pom-poms in hand and gowns zipped up, the graduating class of 2025 marched down the steps of Gettell Amphitheater while the Five College West African Music Ensemble played energetic music. This processional marked the beginning of the 2024 Convocation ceremony held on Sept. 3, this time at 10 a.m. instead of the usual 12 p.m.