Letters and Speeches
Damage to Mead Hall
Lightning struck Mead Hall July 17, 2021. President Stephens writes with a detailed update on the damage to the building and the cleanup efforts underway.
COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees
Mount Holyoke College will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees as of August 13, 2021.
Welcome to Commencement 2021
Empathy, the connective experience, underpins friendships and fuels advocacy and collective action, says President Stephens. It begins with curiosity.
Fall 2021 detailed information
As the College moves toward a full undergraduate residential experience for fall 2021, updated information for students and employees can be found here.
Honorary degree recipients and Commencement
President Sonya Stephens shares news about Commencement 2021, including the three honorary degree recipients.
The Derek Chauvin trial
The verdict in the Derek Chauvin killing of George Floyd has many of us feeling a keen awareness that there is so much more yet to be done.
Regarding the Atlanta-area shooting
The tragic attack in Atlanta has brought to the fore yet further evidence of racism, anti-Asian sentiment and gender-based violence.
Continuity of care at Gorse Children’s Center
Mount Holyoke has secured a one-year extension of the current contract with Bright Horizons.
Update regarding on-campus early education
President Stephens discusses efforts to assure some level of continuity of care related to the announcement to suspend on-campus care at Gorse.
The Siege of the United States Capitol
President Stephens shares a message of hope in light of this attack on democracy.
Stronger together
President Sonya Stephens celebrates the resilience of our community and the promise of a new year with this message.
Progress on the Mount Holyoke anti-racism act
A December 2020 progress report on the anti-racism action plan made during the fall semester.
A message about the presidential election
President Stephens addresses the Mount Holyoke community in the face of an uncertain outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Preliminary information on spring 2021
President Stephens provides preliminary information about Mount Holyoke College’s plan for spring 2021.
Incident at Wellesley College
President Stephens expresses our support of the Jewish community after a symbol resembling a swastika was found on the Wellesley campus.
Opposing all forms of prejudice & oppression
Information and commitments addressing all forms of oppression in our community.
Update on the College’s financial situation
An update on Mount Holyoke’s financial situation and identifying permanent, structural changes.
Convocation 2020 Welcome Address
President Stephens acknowledges the difference in Convocation this year, but invites students to engage creatively and see oppoortunities for the future.
Affirming our core values and campus safety
President Stephens affirms the College’s commitment to core values, freedom of expression and the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community.
Resources for caregivers
Mount Holyoke College is identifying ways to support the needs of caregivers in our community and have taken preliminary steps to provide resources.
Mount Holyoke’s anti-racism action plan
The College worked through the summer of 2020 to develop an action plan to begin the vital work building an anti-racist Mount Holyoke.
- Welcome to the Fall 2020 Semester, August 2, 2020
- Fall 2020 Financial Update, August 19, 2020
- The College’s decision for a remote fall semester, August 10, 2020
- An important message about fall 2020, August 7, 2020
- Regarding the ICE guidance of July 6, 2020
- The Plan to Open the Gates, June 30, 2020
- Black lives matter, June 2, 2020
- In solidarity with victims of racial violence, May 15, 2020
- An update on Commencement 2020, May 4, 2020
- COVID-19 Planning, April 29, 2020
- Planning for the Consequences of COVID-19, April 7, 2020
- COVID-19 Update, March 23, 2020
- Welcome back: Spring 2020
- Fall 2019 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary, October 28, 2019
- Swastikas Discovered on the Smith College Campus, October 25, 2019
- The President's Response on Mountain Day and Rosh Hashanah, October 2, 2019
- Convocation 2019 Welcome Address
- Welcome back: Fall 2019
- Update on Campus Police, April 11, 2019
- College convenes a Hiring Practice Task Force, March 14, 2019
- February 2019 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary, March 7, 2019
- VP for Enrollment named, February 22, 2019
- Mount Holyoke: A Smoke-Free Campus
- Mount Holyoke's response to Hampshire news, January 15, 2019
- Fall 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary
- In sorrow at the hateful act in Pittsburgh, October 27, 2018
- Continuing the #MeToo conversation, October 21, 2018
- Standing with Trans & Non-Binary Individuals
- Inaugural Address
- Convocation 2018 Welcome Address
- President's Report 2017–2018
- Spring 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting, June 8, 2018
- Commencement 2018 Welcome Address, May, 2018
- In anticipation of the future
- MHC: An Inclusive Community
- Welcome Back Letter: Spring 2018, January 23, 2018
- Letter to Congressman Neal: Tax on endowment income threatens financial aid opportunities, November 6, 2017
- Update on NEASC site visit, October 30, 2017
- Mount Holyoke stands with #MeToo, October 23, 2017
- Fall 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary, October 20, 2017
- Statement on Title VII, October 5, 2017
- Statement on Title IX, September 25, 2017
- Response to DACA decision, September 5, 2017
- Remarks from the 2017 Convocation Ceremony, September 5, 2017
- Reaffirming support for DACA, August 31, 2017
- Statement on the violence in Charlottesville, August 15, 2017
- Spring 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary, March 1, 2017
- A letter to President Trump regarding the executive order concerning immigrants from majority-Muslim countries, February 2, 2017
- Response to recent executive actions, January 30, 2017
- Immigration Pollicy following Executive Order, January 29, 2017
- Two New College-wide Initiatives in the areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Sustainability, January 20, 2017
- Response to Petitions on DACA, November 22, 2016
- Embracing Difference as We Embrace Challenge, November 21, 2016
- An Open Letter to Stephen Bannon, November 21, 2016
- Letter from Presidents to President-elect Trump, November 18, 2016
- Fall 2016 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary
- Remarks from the 2016 Convocation Ceremony, September 6, 2016