South Hadley School District Prepares for Reopening
In late January, the South Hadley School Committee approved a phased-in learning process set to begin on Feb. 22. On this date, high needs students, or middle and high school students whose parents are essential workers or need critical child care, will start to return to school for four days a week.
Senate Votes To Acquit Trump in Second Impeachment Trial
Former President Donald Trump faced the Senate trial as a part of his second impeachment charges on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Trump, the first U.S. president to be impeached twice, was accused of inciting the attempted insurrection on Jan. 6 and was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives on Jan. 13. In January, Trump's defense team and Senate Republicans attempted to dismiss the trial, claiming that it would be unconstitutional to impeach a president that has left office. But the Senate voted 56-44 in favor of proceeding with the impeachment trials.
UMass Students Self-Sequester After Campus COVID-19 Outbreak
After a rise in community and student COVID-19 cases, with 393 active positive cases as of Feb. 18, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has declared a “high risk” operational level, implementing the most restrictive measures outlined in the university’s virus safety protocols. At the Feb. 8 Amherst Town Council meeting, representatives of the administration announced that the university would implement measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including transitioning to entirely online classes, canceling athletic practices and competitions and instituting a self-isolation order for the student body.
Kathleen Hicks ’91 Sworn in as Deputy Defense Secretary for Biden Administration
In-Person and Hybrid Classes Commence at Mount Holyoke
While the majority of course offerings this spring remain entirely online, Mount Holyoke began some in-person teaching this past week. According to Elizabeth Markovits, associate dean of faculty, the College is offering 17 hybrid courses, four courses with in-person meetings outside of normal hours and 29 that “occasionally” meet in person. Physical education classes, laboratory courses and independent studies also may offer in-person components depending on individual situations.
In-Person Sports Practices Resume Within COVID-19 Guidelines
Mount Holyoke College’s varsity and club sports began in-person practices on Feb. 1. Only student-athletes currently on campus can attend in-person practices run by the coaches. To stay within the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NCAA, several changes have been made to usual team practice protocol.
PossePlus Retreat Online
This year, the Mount Holyoke Posse community held its annual PossePlus Retreat virtually. The Posse Foundation “identifies, recruits and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential.” Posse Scholars from various chapters throughout the country receive full-tuition scholarships from Posse’s partner colleges and universities, including Mount Holyoke.
Remembering Karen Lewis ’74, a Champion for Public Schools
Karen Jennings Lewis ’74 told the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association in 2012 that her education at Mount Holyoke “taught me you can do anything.” Later that year, Lewis went on to lead the Chicago Teachers Union through their first strike in over 25 years. During her tenure as president of the CTU, Lewis advocated on behalf of 30,000 teachers across nearly 650 public schools that serve over 350,000 students. As a result, she revolutionized union organizing and cultivated an environment that promoted activism over corporate interests.
Rise in Positive COVID-19 Cases on Campus Leads To Residence Hall Lockdown
After a number of students tested positive for COVID-19 in North Rockefeller Hall, the College placed one floor — and then the entire building — under temporary quarantine lockdown.
According to several students, one floor of North Rockefeller was put under modified quarantine last week. When further test results showed cases on a different floor of the residence hall, the entire building was locked down — though students were still permitted to leave for normal to-go meals at the Dining Commons. During the quarantine period, Health Services visited the dorm to administer COVID-19 test swabs to students each day. The initial full-building quarantine period, which began on Jan. 31, was extended twice, once on Feb. 2 and again on Feb. 4.