Kijua Sanders-McMurtry joins Lowery Institute as board member; brings new opportunities to Mount Holyoke students

When Kijua Sanders-Murtry, Mount Holyoke College’s Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, was first invited to join the board of directors for The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights in Atlanta, GA, their first instinct was to decline the opportunity. They were afraid that this new position would interfere with their ability to connect students with opportunities at the Institute.

Amber Douglas named dean of the College

Amber Douglas named dean of the College

“The dean of the College position is, I think, a natural evolution of some of the success work that I’ve been doing and that my colleagues in Student Success and Advising have been doing over the last several years,” newly appointed Dean of the College Amber Douglas said.

COVID-19 sends 7 students into isolation

COVID-19 sends 7 students into isolation

When Mount Holyoke College announced its return to the first in-person semester since March 2020, they did so with substantial expansions to the Community Compact. Among other requirements, the College mandated that all students, staff and faculty receive a COVID-19 vaccination either on or before move-in day.

Indoor mask mandate will return on August 15

Indoor mask mandate will return on August 15

In the most recent MHC This Week newsletter email, sent out to students on July 22, the College announced once again that it is preparing to welcome students back to campus for a full residential experience this fall.

Plans include a reversion to the 15-week semester system and in-person instruction. This is a departure from the 7-week module system enrolled students participated in during the 2020-21 academic year.

College enacts vaccination mandate for community members

A COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all faculty, staff and students at Mount Holyoke College as of July 8, 2021. This mandate extends to those who work with or regularly interact with the College and its campus, according to the Mount Holyoke College web page “Opening the Gates.”

College to require employee vaccinations

College to require employee vaccinations

Mount Holyoke College will require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in fall 2021. The College announced this decision in a statement posted to the Mount Holyoke website on June 30, two months after its announcement that all students will be required to be vaccinated.

Career Development Center policy and practice changes begin Sept 1

Career Development Center policy and practice changes begin Sept 1

The Career Development Center will implement changes regarding its relationship with employers beginning Sept. 1. These new changes will include more opportunities for student feedback on their internships and employers, as well as how the CDC engages with employers.

College removes faculty status for coaches

College removes faculty status for coaches

After contract changes that removed faculty status and benefits from senior lecturers and coaches in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics were implemented, Athletics employees are requesting that the College reverse its decision and reinstate their faculty status.

College Cabinet holds open town hall meeting for student questions

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall and other members of the Mount Holyoke Cabinet held a town hall meeting open to students on Monday, April 26. In notifying students of the event, Hall wrote that the town hall would be “an opportunity for [students] to learn and ask questions about how the college works and about the present and future of Mount Holyoke.”

Mount Holyoke offers COVID-19 vaccine for students, requires vaccination for fall 2021

Mount Holyoke offers COVID-19 vaccine for students, requires vaccination for fall 2021

Hampshire County has received the lowest number of doses per capita of any county in Massachusetts, but the county has still managed to vaccinate a larger share of the population than many other counties. Hampshire has consistently had the lowest number of doses throughout the pandemic.