Campus Updates

Visit the campus updates page for information on Mount Holyoke's response to the global pandemic. The Opening the Gates site also contains details about the fall semester. 

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Letters and Speeches

Solar panels on the roof of Creighton Hall

Climate action commitments

President Stephens writes to clarify Mount Holyoke College’s climate commitments, including investment strategies, greening the campus and climate justice.
Photo of Mary Lyon Hall

Swastika discovered on campus

A swastika was found in a Mount Holyoke residence hall. President Stephens discusses both the ongoing investigation and resources for the community.
Black Lives Matter Banner displayed on campus

Racist messages in the community & on campus

President Stephens denounces racist messages sent to Black students, faculty and staff at UMass Amherst and Patriot Front stickers on the MHC campus.
A photo of a row of trees along the lake on campus

Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester

President Stephens shares her message of welcome for the new academic year and the return to an in-person educational and community experience
President Sonya Stephens delivers a welcome address during Convocation 2021

Convocation 2021

Celebrating the return of students to a fully-reopened campus, President Stephens welcomed all with a speech on the importance of interconnectedness.
Students wearing masks while talking to each other on campus

Campus updates for the fall 2021 semester

In light of the surge of the delta variant of COVID-19, President Sonya Stephens has updated health and safety plans for students and employees.
Mead Hall

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.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus showing the clock on Mary Lyon Hall

COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees

Mount Holyoke College will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees as of August 13, 2021.
Photo of Acting President Sonya Stephens giving the 2016 Convocation speech

Welcome to Commencement 2021

Empathy, the connective experience, underpins friendships and fuels advocacy and collective action, says President Stephens. It begins with curiosity.
Two adirondack charis with the overlay of the MHC seal

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.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus showing the clock on Mary Lyon Hall

Honorary degree recipients and Commencement

President Sonya Stephens shares news about Commencement 2021, including the three honorary degree recipients.
Black Lives Matter Banner displayed on campus

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.
Photo of Mary Lyon Hall

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.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus with an overlay of the College seal

Continuity of care at Gorse Children’s Center

Mount Holyoke has secured a one-year extension of the current contract with Bright Horizons.
A photo of a row of trees along the lake on campus

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.
Photo of the top of the gate by Mary Lyon Hall

Welcome to the Spring 2021 Semester

President Stephens shares a message for the new semester.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus showing the clock on Mary Lyon Hall

The Siege of the United States Capitol

President Stephens shares a message of hope in light of this attack on democracy.
Miniature buildings made by the Fimbel Maker and Innovation Lab

Stronger together

President Sonya Stephens celebrates the resilience of our community and the promise of a new year with this message.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus with an overlay of the College seal

Progress on the Mount Holyoke anti-racism act

A December 2020 progress report on the anti-racism action plan made during the fall semester.
Photo of Mary Lyon Hall

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.
Aerial photo of the Mount Holyoke campus showing the clock on Mary Lyon Hall

Preliminary information on spring 2021

President Stephens provides preliminary information about Mount Holyoke College’s plan for spring 2021.
A photo of a row of trees along the lake on campus

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.