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March 23, 2026 March 23, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

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FILE PHOTO Around one-fifth of the student body voted in this year’s SGA elections.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor discusses present and future challenges to Africana studies

By JULIAN LASHER | January 31, 2022

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, professor of African-American studies at Princeton University, spoke on the past, present and future of Africana studies on Jan. 27 as part of the Center for Africana Studies’ ongoing lecture series “The Challenges of Africana Studies 50+ Years On.” The conversation was moderated by Minkah Makalani, associate professor of history and director of the Center. 

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE Students living on campus who tested positive during move-in were sent to quarantine at an external location. 

Students and volunteers navigate move-in during Omicron

By MARGERY CHEN | January 30, 2022

The University welcomed the majority of students back on campus during Move-In Weekend from Jan. 21 – 23. Due to a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases largely caused by the spread of the Omicron variant, the University moved Intersession online, with some exceptions granted for those engaged in research and select in-person programs.

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE The fraternity is suspended through the spring of 2025. 

Investigation of alleged drugging at Sigma Phi Epsilon leads to suspension on different violations

By ISHAN KALBURGE and MOLLY GAHAGEN | January 29, 2022

After an investigation launched in the wake of an alleged intentional drugging incident, the University announced the suspension of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity through the spring of 2025 in an email to affiliates on Jan. 27. According to the email, the group’s suspension did not result from the finding of a violation of the University’s policy regarding intentional drugging, but from other violations revealed in the Office of Student Conduct’s investigation. 

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE The donation will allow for the creation of three endowed faculty positions as well as new graduate research and postdoctoral fellowships.

Physics department to expand faculty, research with $50 million alum donation

By ISHAN KALBURGE | January 26, 2022

The Department of Physics & Astronomy received a $50 million donation from investor and Hopkins alum William H. “Bill” Miller III last month. This donation follows Miller’s 2018 gift of $75 million to the University’s philosophy department. According to an email sent to Hopkins affiliates by University President Ronald J. Daniels, this donation prompted two anonymous donations totaling an additional $25 million. 

Trans rights advocates push for progress on demands

By LUBNA AZMI and HELEN LACEY | January 26, 2022

As part of the campaign Stop Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Transphobia, trans students and allies have been demanding changes to certain University policies. Advocates held two protests for this cause last semester, one on Oct. 15 and the other on Nov. 18. In interviews with The News-Letter, advocates expanded on their goals for the upcoming semester. 

FILE PHOTO Some students expressed hope that the BHCST will be useful in responding to mental health crises. 

Students assess the launch of the Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team

By MIN-SEO KIM | December 11, 2021

Earlier this semester, the University announced the official launch of the Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team (BHCST). In an email to the student body on Nov. 9, administration stated that the initiative will begin with a pilot program on Homewood Campus and gradually expand to the entirety of the University.

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE The men's and women's tennis teams will practice indoors as usual at the beginning of the spring semester.

Ice rink to open on tennis courts

By AASHI MENDPARA | December 9, 2021

The University announced on plans to create an on-campus ice rink on Dec. 2. The ice rink, which will be available from Jan. 14 to Feb. 27, will be free for all participants. 

COURTESY OF CALEB CHERRY Students and faculty share challenges balancing their workload with the resumption of on-campus activities.

It's not just you: This was a hard semester

By ELLIE ROSE MATTOON and ACE VAN ATTA | December 7, 2021

Is this the fourth semester affected by COVID-19 or the first “post-COVID-19” semester? Students and faculty alike report feeling burned out as the University attempts to strike a balance between restoring a semblance of campus normalcy with taking appropriate public health measures in the face of an ongoing pandemic. 

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE The event brought together members of administration and outside consultants to discuss the draft of the plan. 

Town hall held to discuss University's vision for sustainability plan

By SHIRLENE JOHN | December 7, 2021

Members of the Sustainability Leadership Council held a town hall with Provost Sunil Kumar and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Laurent Heller on Dec. 2 to discuss the drafting of the University's sustainability plan, which will establish goals and initiatives through 2030. The initial vision of the plan is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, setting guidelines for building, and other priorities. 

JOHN D'CRUZ/GRAPHICS EDITOR Speakers discussed how to prevent HIV contraction. 

Students raise awareness about safe sex on World AIDS Day

By NICK CHARANJIVA | December 7, 2021

To celebrate this year’s World AIDS Day, the Rho Omega Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Sigma Chapter of Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted an awareness event on Dec. 1. 

COURTESY OF MIN-SEO KIM The Hostile Terrain 94 display uses toe tags to underline the human cost of America's immigration policies. 

Hostile Terrain 94 delivers harsh critique of America's immigration policies

By ANGELA CHEN | December 7, 2021

Installed earlier this fall, the Hostile Terrain 94 exhibition is on display in Q-level of the Milton S. Eisenhower (MSE) Library. Hostile Terrain 94 was launched by anthropologist Jason De León and aims to create a visual representation of the struggles that immigration policies regarding the U.S.-Mexico border pose to migrants. 

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