Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
July 21, 2026 July 21, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

News & Features

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

By MYRA SAEED | February 18, 2025

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

By NAOMI MAO | February 18, 2025

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

By LUNA MERCURI | February 17, 2025

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

By JOHN CINTRON | February 17, 2025

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

By LANA SWINDLE | February 14, 2025

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

By SAMHI BOPPANA | February 6, 2025

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

By MAYA BRITTO | February 6, 2025

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

By SHREYA TIWARI | February 4, 2025

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

By MYRA SAEED | February 4, 2025

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

By LANA SWINDLE | January 24, 2025

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. 

STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR SGA met for its first meeting of the semester on Jan. 21 to discuss a Valentines Day funding bill as well as updates on construction.

SGA discusses SIF, construction update and Valentine's Day event

By LANA SWINDLE | January 24, 2025

The Student Government Association (SGA) convened for their first meeting of the spring semester. Members reviewed plans for the upcoming Student Involvement Fair (SIF) and discussed semester goals, construction updates and a Valentine’s Day Tabling event on Tuesday, Jan. 21. 

COURTESY OF JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY  In an exclusive interview with The News-Letter on Dec. 10, President Ronald J. Daniels discussed major campus developments, including diversity in college admissions and the University’s commitment to free expression.

Interview with President Ronald J. Daniels: freedom of expression, diversity in admissions, policing and more

By MAYA BRITTO and LANA SWINDLE | December 21, 2024

Ronald J. Daniels is the President of Johns Hopkins University. On Dec. 10, President Daniels spoke with The News-Letter in an exclusive interview discussing expression and protest on campus, the drop in racial diversity in incoming classes following the Supreme Court reversal of affirmative action, the implementation of the Johns Hopkins Police Department and more. 

COURTESY OF SHIRLENE JOHN In interviews with The News-Letter, Hopkins Dining employees expressed frustration with management and dining operations. 

Hopkins Dining Workers raise concerns about management and temporary workers

By BUSE KOLDAS | December 19, 2024

In interviews with The News-Letter, five dining workers described the challenges facing their work. They drew attention to understaffing, and concerns about temporary workers being able to sign up for shifts before employees. The identities of these personnel will remain anonymous, as The News-Letter grants anonymity to individuals who are at risk of losing their jobs by disclosing information.

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