Amherst College has reported its first case of COVID-19 on campus. On April 23, President Biddy Martin sent a message informing students, staff, faculty and others in the area that a custodial staff member had tested positive for the virus. Martin said the last time the staff member was on campus was on April 18, but that they had no contact with students remaining on campus, had worn a face mask and had no symptoms at the time.
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.
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.
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.
On April 16, the Mount Holyoke College administration hosted a virtual town hall meeting for students, focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on the College and the broader campus community. Students who signed up to attend the virtual meeting were able to submit questions beforehand as well as during the meeting.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is taking a global toll, with now just a handful of countries around the world not reporting any confirmed cases. Originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019, it was not until early January that a case was first reported outside of China. By March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
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.
