As COVID-19 made its way from Wuhan, China to the United States, East Asians were strongly associated with the pandemic in the popular consciousness.
Broken glasses, missing electronics, mislabeled boxes and radio silence — several students reported that the University failed to responsibly pack, store and return their items from this past spring semester. At least two months since the first reported incident, Hopkins still has yet to communicate substantially with affected students.
Professors Hal Brands and Francis Gavin from the Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) discussed the future of U.S. political strategy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oct 15. The event also served as a preview for students interested in their upcoming spring course, Kissinger Seminar on American Grand Strategy.
The Political Science Steering Committee (PSSC) at Hopkins hosted Galen Druke, a Hopkins alum, and Micah Cohen of the political analysis website FiveThirtyEight on Oct. 13. Junior Leland Held, vice president of faculty outreach for PSSC, moderated the event.
The Student Government Association (SGA) unveiled a new resource for disseminating voting information at its weekly meeting on Oct. 13.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and Indienous Students at Hopkins (ISH) hosted Dennis E. Seymour to deliver a virtual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Evening Lecture on Oct. 12. Seymour is a former Dean Emeritus of the Community College of Baltimore County School of Business, Criminal Justice and Law.
Once the University decided that the fall semester would be entirely online, student service clubs had to rethink how they could continue helping their community partners. While the virtual format made it easier for some organizations to continue conducting their meetings and tasks over Zoom, others have not been as successful and have even had to put a pause on their club’s activities.
Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in universities that receive federal funds. In May the Department of Education issued changes to Title IX regulations, giving accused students more rights.
National Coming Out Day, observed annually on Oct. 11, is a day of awareness to support LGBTQ individuals. It also marks the anniversary of the second major National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Hoptoberfest, an annual festival by a student organization of the same name, was held virtually for the first time ever from Monday, Oct. 5 to Friday, Oct. 9. The events, intended to relieve stress and celebrate the start of autumn, featured activities including concerts, a baking class and a virtual zoo.
The Student Government Association (SGA) heard presentations on climate change and voter engagement at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The International Studies Leadership Council (ISLC) hosted former Maryland gubernatorial candidate Krish Vignarajah as part of its 2020 Election and Future of American Democracy series in an event titled “Women in Politics” on Oct. 6. ISLC members freshman Alison Bader and sophomore John Strezewski moderated the event.
The University announced the creation of the Innovation Fund for Community Safety on Sept. 30. This four-year, six-million-dollar fund will support community-based public safety programs and alternatives to policing in Baltimore.
The Center for Social Concern (CSC) hosted a virtual webinar titled “Baltimore History and Social Justice” as a part of its Civic Sessions on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The session was co-hosted by Gerrod Williamson, a student leadership specialist at the CSC, and Eli Lopatin, assistant director of civic leadership.
When the University announced that the fall semester would be entirely online, students lives were impacted in almost every way. Freshmen experienced a virtual orientation, students browsed extra-curricular activities in a virtual Student Involvement Fair and clubs and organizations adapted to online-only operations. Likewise, peer services have adjusted their operations to serve students remotely.
The Women’s Leadership Symposium (WLS) hosted its “Women in Media” conference featuring Emma Needell, a Hopkins alum and screenwriter, as the keynote speaker on Saturday, Oct. 3.
First-Year Mentors (FYMs) are being paid for the first time this year. The University made this decision in the spring after FYMs were accepted into the program.
The School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) featured retired Colonel and SAIS Chief of Staff Craig Osborne as part of its Dean’s Speaker Series on Sept. 30. The event was moderated by SAIS Dean Eliot A. Cohen.
The Student Government Association (SGA) inaugurated the Freshman Class Council and discussed changes to its caucuses at its weekly meeting on Sept. 29.
While all students are facing challenges adapting to a virtual semester, freshmen are in the unique position of adjusting to a new school without being there in person.
