Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
June 17, 2025
June 17, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

News & Features



Omega Psi hosts first cognitive science conference

Omega Psi hosted Monkeys to Infants to Humans, a regional cognitive science conference, on Saturday in the Charles Commons Ballroom. Established at Hopkins in 2011, Omega Psi is the first undergraduate cognitive science honor society in America and Monkeys to Infants to Humans was the society’s first regional conference.


Class of 2020 visits campus for SOHOP

Prospective students and their families participated in the first day of the Spring Open House and Overnight Program (SOHOP) on Wednesday. SOHOP is an annual admitted student information and immersion event planned by the Hopkins Hosting Society to give prospective freshmen a glimpse into college life at Homewood.



 yildiz yazicioglu/CC-By-SA-3.0
Turks mourn the victims of the March 13 Ankara Kızılay bombing.

Turkish students respond to turmoil

Multiple terrorist attacks have struck Turkey this month. The most recent bombing on March 19 was the fourth major terrorist attack of the year. At least 42 people have been killed and 163 injured throughout the month in the attacks on Ankara, Turkey’s capital, and Istanbul, its largest city.


Biden unveils Hopkins cancer research center

A $125 million gift to create a new cancer center at the Hopkins Hospital was announced Tuesday by Vice President Joe Biden, former New York City Mayor and Hopkins alumnus Michael Bloomberg and University President Ronald J. Daniels.


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In the context of Israeli Apartheid Week, students painted Jay the Blue Jay.

Free speech debate erupts over statue

The phrase “End Israeli Apartheid,” recently painted on the Blue Jay sculpture outside of the Fresh Food Café (FFC), has sparked a debate over free speech on campus.


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Q&A with Greek Life Dir. Calvin Smith

Nearing the end of his first year as director of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), Calvin Smith has already made several changes to Hopkins Greek culture, from altering recruitment procedures to supporting the University’s new party registration policy. In an email interview with The News-Letter, he reflected on his performance this year, the current state of Greek life at Hopkins and his hopes for the future.


Hopkins labs allegedly violate Animal Welfare Act

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued the University an “Official Warning” for allegedly violating the Animal Welfare Act for its treatment of primate test subjects. The USDA had originally reported a detailed description of Hopkins’ repeated violations of animal care in October 2015, attempting to enforce animal rights regulations in research laboratories.


 ELLIE HALLENBORG/PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF
Law professor Eugene Kontorovich used comparative historical jurisprudence to justify Israel’s borders.

Visiting professors talk Israel through lens of international law

Eugene Kontorovich, a professor of law specializing in international law from Northwestern University, had a conversation with School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) professor and former UN official Ruth Wedgwood on Wednesday. They discussed the merits and faults of using a framework of international law to analyze Israel’s position in the world. The event was hosted by the Israel on Campus Coalition, Hopkins Hillel, StandWithUs and the Department of International Studies.


 COURTESY OF TASA
Members of TASA served food to students who learned about Taiwanese culture.

TASA celebrates traditional Taiwanese food

The Taiwanese Student Association (TASA) hosted “A Ramen-tic Night” in celebration of traditional Taiwanese cuisine on Saturday in Charles Commons. The free event featured chicken and vegetarian ramen, Taiwanese tea eggs and Chinese sausage as well as a raffle to win two tickets to TASA’s Night Market event in late April. The ramen was served with fish balls, tofu, eggs, bean sprouts, carrots and corn.


Md. Senate passes act to protect student press

The New Voices Act (Senate Bill 764) passed the Maryland Senate with amendments in a 36-10 vote on March 18 and has been moved to the House Ways and Means Committee. This new bill proposes extending rights of freedom of the press to high school and college student media.


SGA debates funding own tickets to FAS

The Student Government Association (SGA) discussed a bill for funding Foreign Affairs Symposium (FAS) seats at its weekly meeting on Tuesday in Charles Commons. Executive Treasurer Matthew Bee sponsored the bill, which proposed an allocation of $500 in support and sponsorship of SGA events in return for eight reserved seats at each event for SGA representatives.


 Kareem Osmun/Photography Editor
“Instructions Not Included” attracted students and Baltimore citizens.

TEDx speakers confront global and local issues

TEDxJHU hosted a series of Technology Entertainment and Design (TED) talks titled “Instructions Not Included” Saturday in Mudd. Seven speakers attracted an audience of faculty, students and members of the Baltimore community and was live-streamed on JHU’s Ustream channel.


BPD strives to improve community relations

In response to high-profile cases around the country that have brought police misconduct into the spotlight, including the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore, police departments have made efforts to improve relations with local communities and combat the growing mistrust in police.


Date set for 2016 SGA exec. board election

The Student Government Association (SGA) passed a bill requesting the approval and funding for the first annual Celebrity Kickball Tournament, introduced by Junior Class Senator Liam Haviv, at its weekly meeting on Tuesday. It also appointed a new sophomore class senator on Wednesday to fill a vacancy.


Europe mourns Brussels attacks

At least 31 people died and 300 were wounded in explosions that struck two Brussels locations on Tuesday. The Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station experienced explosions at the hands of four terrorists, two of whom were confirmed to be brothers and Belgian nationals. On Wednesday Brussels authorities determined that 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui, who had been linked to the November 2015 Paris attacks, was the second airport suicide bomber. The identity of the third airport bomber is unknown. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement released via the Amaq News Agency, a group that’s been linked to the militant extremists, according to NPR. The attacks forced Brussels into lockdown until about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.



 LEON SANTHAKUMAR/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Ross spoke to students in Charles Commons Salon C Monday.

Angelica Ross shares experience as trans woman

The Office for Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosted Angelica Ross, an African American transgender activist and businesswoman, on Monday. The talk, which was originally scheduled as a part of the Ethical Challenges of a Diverse Society speaker series for Black History Month was rescheduled due to snow. Ross, who is also an actor and author, spoke about her own life as a trans woman as well as the creative design firm which she founded, TransTech social enterprises, and her role in the TV series Her Story.


Students participate in national startup fair

The first annual Startup Nation Technology Fair, a technology and innovation trade show that provides college students with the opportunity to explore new startup technology, took place on Wednesday evening in Gilman Hall. Participants could meet innovators behind the latest designs and network for internship placement at these startup companies.


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