MHC Faculty Recommends Module-Style Learning Plan for 2020-2021 Academic Year

MHC Faculty Recommends Module-Style Learning Plan for 2020-2021 Academic Year

On Thursday, May 14, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Jon Western announced in a campus-wide email that the faculty decided to recommend a module-style learning plan for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Colleges across the U.S. brace for 2020 economic instability due to coronavirus closures

Colleges across the U.S. brace for 2020 economic instability due to coronavirus closures

For private liberal arts colleges like Mount Holyoke, tuition and room and board fees make up a significant portion of annual operating revenues. The potential of continued distance learning into the 2020-2021 academic year calls the economic stability of these institutions into question.

Five Colleges announce plans for financial fallout of COVID-19

Five Colleges announce plans for financial fallout of COVID-19

As colleges face increasing financial pressure due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount Holyoke announced cost-saving measures totaling $6.5 million for the next fiscal year on March 29. The budget changes are expected to bridge Mount Holyoke’s $7.6 million deficit due to the pandemic.

Entering college in the age of remote learning: how the coronavirus pandemic has affected admitted and prospective students

Entering college in the age of remote learning: how the coronavirus pandemic has affected admitted and prospective students

National College Decision Day is May 1 — an occasion which usually marks the deadline for incoming first-year students to commit to a college or university. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, over 400 colleges nationwide extended this deadline, including the Universities of Massachusetts Lowell and Boston.

Proposed four-course module system sparks mixed reactions from faculty and students

Proposed four-course module system sparks mixed reactions from faculty and students

As remote learning ends for the current academic year, colleges across the U.S. are considering their options regarding the novel coronavirus pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. On April 29, Mount Holyoke announced new planning measures being taken in preparation.

Administration and faculty present “module-style” learning proposal for fall 2020

Administration and faculty present “module-style” learning proposal for fall 2020

After weeks of planning, consulting and researching options, college administrators have put forward a proposal for fall semester contingency planning to faculty and small student focus groups. Following a virtual town hall in which administrators presented the College’s proposal on Thursday, April 30, multiple professors confirmed that a module plan was in the works.

In the wake of COVID-19, international students struggle to make their way home

In the wake of COVID-19, international students struggle to make their way home

As U.S. colleges shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19, countries around the world limited international travel, leaving international students with increasing barriers to make it home. The Mount Holyoke News talked to international students from India about their journeys home after the country imposed their travel ban.

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

College loses $7.6 million in COVID-19 pandemic response

On Tuesday, April 7, the Mount Holyoke College community received an update from President of the College Sonya Stephens briefing community members on the College’s financial situation. “Over this time period, we have focused on our emergency response and continuity of operations,” Stephens wrote.

Community Advisors fired due to COVID-19 raise concerns over employment contracts

On Wednesday, March 11, the day after Mount Holyoke announced its plans to close due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Office of Residential Life held a routine meeting with Senior Community Advisors (SCAs) and Community Advisors (CAs). But with the mood of the campus and uncertainty many students faced, it was anything but routine.

Payment complications strike controversy among student workers

Since Mount Holyoke officially closed its campus for the academic year, roughly 800 student employment positions have been lost. Of the over 400 student jobs that remain, most positions — including those in Admissions, Student Financial Services, Library Information and Technology Services (LITS) or academic departments — have begun operating remotely and with a limit of 4.5 hours per week.