Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
July 6, 2025
July 6, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

News & Features



COURTESY OF WILL KIRK
Pratt stressed the importance of improving the accessibility of the criminal justice system, especially with regard to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Judge Victoria Pratt reflects on her legal career and advocacy for criminal justice reform

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Judge Victoria Pratt headlined the first Hopkins Lecture Series event of the spring semester, focusing on criminal justice reform in the 21st century. The event was held in Shriver Hall. As Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court in Newark, New Jersey, Pratt also presides over Newark Community Solutions, an alternative sentencing program providing an alternative to jail and fines for low-level offenders. She has advocated for criminal justice reform across the United States and abroad, and has given a TED talk, guest lectures and keynote addresses on the matter. 


STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
The 2023 report by the Office of Institutional Equity highlighted a general rise in campus reporting and provided information that most reports did not become cases within OIE.

OIE's 2023 annual report highlights rise in campus reporting

In Dec. 2024, the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) released its 2023 annual report, overviewing all received complaints and actions taken related to discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as requests for disability or religious related accommodations. The report reflected a general rise in reporting from 2022 and provided information on the outcome of cases. 


COURTESY OF
Steeped in tradition and connection, the Hopkins Tea Club bridges campuses and cultures through a shared appreciation for tea.

Spilling the tea with Tea Club

Along with coffee and zero-calorie energy drinks, tea has now become a cherished beverage on campus. The Tea Club — founded in 2023 by Mengbo “Ben” Guan and Menghan “Rex” Jiang — attracts tea aficionados and beginners alike. More than hosting a scheduled time and place to sample different teas, Tea Club aims to foster connections among students from all Hopkins campuses united by a shared appreciation for advanced tea culture.



STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
HopTalks hosted a seminar-style discussion for members of the Hopkins community to share their perspectives on the Supreme Court’s reversal of affirmative action and impact on student demographics. 

Hop Talks event invites Hopkins community members to discuss affirmative action

On Wednesday, Feb.12, Hop Talks invited the Hopkins community to a seminar-style discussion titled “Hop Talks: Affirmative Action Impact at Johns Hopkins.” The focal topic of the event was how the recent Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action and race-conscious admissions have altered the demographics of the University’s first-year class.


STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
Following the Trump Administration’s recent orders and guidances pertaining to DEI and race in University activities, the impact on Hopkins remains unclear. 

Baltimore Judge blocks enforcement of Trump's executive orders related to DEI

On Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump issued two executive orders: “Initial Recessions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” and “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” Respectively, these orders revoked Biden-era protections for racial, gender, and sexual-orientation equity and terminated all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government. 


STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
The AMR 1 residence hall and Hopkins Cafe will be replaced by a new building. Construction on the project is expected to begin in summer 2026 and be completed in 2028.

AMR I residence hall and Hopkins cafe to be replaced

On Feb. 10, the University shared plans to replace the Alumni Residence Memorial (AMR) I and the Hopkins Café dining hall, with construction expected to begin in the summer of 2026 and be completed by 2028. The plans were announced 10 days in advance of the University’s meeting with the Baltimore Urban Design and Architecture Advisory Panel (UDAAP) on Feb. 20 . 


COURTESY OF LUNA MERCURI
The Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism hosted an event on migration and how the new administration’s policies may pose additional challenges.  

Hopkins launches Critical Diaspora Studies major with "From the Borderlands to Baltimore" event

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism hosted a panel "From the Borderlands to Baltimore: Meeting the Challenges for Refugees Today" in conjunction with the Center for Social Concern and the Program in Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies. A reception was held following the panel to celebrate the launch of the new Critical Diaspora Studies undergraduate major offered by the Chloe Center. 


COURTESY OF JOHN CINTRON

Life Design Lab hosts inaugural industry focused career fair

On Jan. 29, the University’s Integrative Learning and Life Design Lab hosted the first inaugural industry-specific career fair. The event consisted of two separate sessions on the same day, and aimed to connect students with employers in specific industries, ranging from engineering to business and more. 



STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
Hopkins paid $18.5 million to settle a lawsuit that accused it of violating a U.S. antitrust law in its admissions process. 

University agrees to pay $18.5 million lawsuit to resolve antitrust violation allegations

The University agreed to pay $18.5 million in a lawsuit to resolve claims that it favored wealthy applicants and limited financial aid on Jan.17. The lawsuit was filed in 2022 against 17 universities, suggesting that they violated a U.S. antitrust law by taking students’ finances into consideration while making admissions decisions. Hopkins — alongside the California Institute of Technology (which agreed to pay $16.7 million) — continues to deny the allegations, but chose to pay the settlement to avoid further litigation.


STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
The University signed a voluntary agreement with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights in response to an investigation by the Office regarding antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents on campus. 

Hopkins signs agreement with Department of Education regarding antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents

On Jan. 7 2024, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the United States Department of Education released a letter addressed to President Ronald J. Daniels, sharing the findings of its nearly year-long Title VI investigation into the University. The investigation was launched in February 2024 in response to allegations that the University failed to respond to harassment of Jewish students during the 2023–24 school year. 


COURTESY OF DAVID FANKHAUSER
David Fankhauser is a Hopkins alumnus who was involved in anti-Vietnam War student protests and the Freedom Rides. 

Humans of Hopkins: David Fankhauser

David Fankhauser ‘71 is an Hopkins alumnus, who graduated with a PhD in Molecular Biology and worked as a Professor of Biology and Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. At Hopkins, Fankhauser participated in anti-Vietnam war student demonstrations in May 1970. Fankhauser also participated as a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights Movement. In an interview with The News-Letter, Fankhauser reflected on his time at Hopkins, his experiences with activism and his advice for current students. 



The Trump Administration's restrictions on NIH operations and federal funding have rippling consequences

Following President Trump’s inauguration, the flurry of executive orders and funding freezes introduced uncertainty into the period of political transition. Researchers and health practitioners across the country faced questions about the availability of funding for new graduate students and research fellows, as well as the broader impact on their fields in the coming years.



COURTESY OF MYRA SAEED
In a collaborative event hosted by the Mu Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, OLÉ and the Black Student Union, students had the opportunity to discuss the impacts of the end of affirmative action on campus with leaders in administration. 

“New Year, Same Advocacy”: A discussion between students and administration on affirmative action and campus inclusion

The Mu Psi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Organización Latine Estudiantíl (OLÉ) Latinx Student Group, hosted an event titled “New Year, Same Advocacy” on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The event facilitated an open dialogue between students and leaders in the University administration regarding the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and its subsequent effects on student admissions and enrollment.



STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
The Public Interest Investment Advisory Committee declined the request by Hopkins Justice Collective for divestment of the University’s endowment from companies tied to the State of Israel. 

Public Interest Investment Advisory Committee rejects divestment from Israel

On Thursday, Jan. 16 the University’s Public Interest Investment Advisory Committee (PIIAC) released a report that declined a divestment proposal. The proposal, drafted by Hopkins Justice Collective,  an organization of Hopkins students, staff and alumni that has been vocal in its advocacy for Palestine,  requested that the University divest its endowment from companies affiliated with the state of Israel, specifically those involved in the production of weapons. HJC’s proposal also asked that Hopkins disclose the financial investments of its endowment, both now and in the future. 


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