Students struggle to pay tuition as cost of attendance rises
The Mount Holyoke College Board of Trustee’s decision to significantly raise its cost of attendance for the 2023-2024 school year has inspired renewed conversations about how financial aid is calculated at the institution. Mount Holyoke News reached out to current students, staff members, parents and former students who transferred to other institutions, citing financial struggles as a significant factor in their decision to continue their studies elsewhere, to learn more about financial aid processes at Mount Holyoke College. Mount Holyoke News also spoke with several individuals who have interacted with Student Financial Services to understand better how the office responds to federal financial aid policies, which factors determine how much aid a student receives, and how the appeals process operates.
Senators meet to discuss end-of-semester events and deadline
Anti-Black slur discovered in Pearsons over Thanksgiving break
The discovery of anti-Black vandalism in a Mount Holyoke College residence hall at the beginning of the November Break period has prompted an investigation by the College. Around midnight on Nov. 22, residents on the third floor of Pearsons Hall found a racist message scrawled across a community bulletin board. The hate message reading “no [N-word]s” expressed that Black students are not welcome at Mount Holyoke.
Senate discusses decolonization, accessibility and religious accommodations
Senate invites dining officials to discuss sustainability, changes
A glimpse inside the ambitious and ready-for-action 2027 Class Board
Pronouns Day keynote features sexuality educator Ericka Hart
In honor of its annual Pronouns Day, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted a keynote event that featured sexuality educator Ericka Hart on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Ericka Hart is a queer, Black femme activist who received their master’s of education in human sexuality from Widener University. Afterward, they served as a sexuality educator, spending time in the Peace Corps as an HIV/AIDS volunteer based in Ethiopia. Hart has been engaging with youth as well as adults in New York for over 10 years.
Lily Rood '27 brings passion for social justice to class presidency
After running a successful campaign that connected with the student body’s desire for progress, Elle Rood ’27 was elected president of the Class of 2027 earlier this month.
With a wealth of political experience and a desire for change, Rood sees her presidency as “aligning [her] passions of politics and political organizing with [her] purpose of advancing social justice causes.”
'MHC Housekeepers' Wage Proposal' circulates the College's campus
A student-created petition advocating for a raise in wages for housekeepers at Mount Holyoke College has recently circulated around the community.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, Wilder Hall Residential Fellow Isha Chinniah ’24 posted a petition titled “Support MHC Housekeepers' Wage Proposal” to Change.org. The petition rapidly circulated on campus via student Instagram stories and social media pages, gaining the attention of hundreds in the community in just a few days. As of Oct. 20, the petition had over 500 of its desired 1000 signatures.