FILE PHOTO
Henrietta Lacks' cells, which were taken without her consent by the Hopkins Hospital, spurred many medical breakthroughs.

Hopkins honors Henrietta Lacks' 100th birthday

By JULIA CHOE | October 28, 2020

The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) screened a video lecture honoring Henrietta Lacks and the impact of her cells titled “Henrietta Lacks Memorial Lecture: 100 years of Henrietta Lacks” on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event addressed the widespread reach and complexity of Lacks and her cells, both biomedically and ethically, and aimed to provide insight into the past, present and future of clinical research conduct.

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
Students voice concerns about how dropping temperatures will impact socially distanced outdoor gatherings.

Concerns loom about COVID-19 precautions as winter approaches

By CHRIS H. PARK and JACKIE RITTENHOUSE | October 28, 2020

The United States is entering a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases surging across the country. The seven-day moving average of new cases is at its third peak since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 83,000 new cases were added Friday and Saturday, marking the two highest numbers of new cases added in a single day.

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
At last week’s meeting, SGA invited students to share questions about the upcoming semester.

SGA hosts public forum to hear student concerns

By CLAIRE GOUDREAU | October 27, 2020

The Student Government Association (SGA) held a public input forum at its weekly meeting on Oct. 20. During the forum, students asked questions about topics including the spring semester, grading and the virtual freshman experience.

COURTESY OF TEACHERS AND RESEARCHERS UNITED
Graduate students call for an end to the austerity measures in light of the latest financial update from the University.

Austerity measures will be kept, despite budget surplus

By MICHELLE LIMPE | October 24, 2020

University President Ronald J. Daniels reported on Oct. 15 that the University ended the FY20 fiscal year with a surplus of $75 million due to mitigation efforts. These efforts, which include salary and hiring freezes, will be kept in place until the end of the school year.

PUBLIC DOMAIN
During the third event of this year’s MSE Symposium, Salaam detailed how the Central Park Five case changed his life and discussed the faults in the criminal justice system.

MSE hosts Central Park Five member Yusef Salaam

By GRETA MARAS | October 23, 2020

The Milton S. Eisenhower (MSE) Symposium hosted Yusef Salaam during its third speaker event in the “Living Through History” series on Oct. 20.

COURTESY OF ARIELLA SHUA
On Saturday, 200 protesters gathered in Baltimore for the annual Women’s March.

Baltimore Women’s March protesters stress the importance of voting

By ARIELLA SHUA | October 22, 2020

Baltimore Women United along with a number of other women’s rights and progressive organizations hosted the 2020 Baltimore Women’s March on Saturday, Oct. 17. The event, which coincided with nearly 400 other Women’s Marches across the country, used the slogan “March. Dissent. Vote.”

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
Students report that COVID-19 pandemic has increased stigma against the Asian-American community.

How has COVID-19 impacted the mental health of Asians and Asian Americans?

By CYNTHIA HU | October 20, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
Many students reported that Hopkins could not locate their belongings.

Lost but not found: Housing has yet to present a plan for missing student belongings

By CHRIS H. PARK and ELIZA BOWMAN | October 20, 2020

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.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

SAIS professors discuss the impacts of the pandemic on U.S. relations with other countries.

SAIS professors discuss how the pandemic will shape U.S. foreign policy

By JENNIFER JIANG | October 19, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
Micah Cohen and Hopkins alum Galen Druke explained the mechanics of FiveThirtyEight's election forecasting model.

FiveThirtyEight’s Micah Cohen and Galen Druke explain election forecasting

By ARIELLA SHUA | October 18, 2020

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.

TIM EVANSON/CC BY-SA 2.0
SGA recently launched its Hopkins Votes ambassador program to encourage voter registration.

SGA launches Voter Guide 101 website

By MICHELLE LIMPE | October 18, 2020

The Student Government Association (SGA) unveiled a new resource for disseminating voting information at its weekly meeting on Oct. 13.

COURTESY OF LEELA GEBO
The University celebrated its third annual Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 12.

Hopkins celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

By LEELA GEBO | October 16, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE

Service club leaders discuss the challenges and advantages of operating during a virtual semester.

Service organizations get creative to continue helping their communities

By MICHELLE LIMPE | October 16, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF LEELA GEBO
In May the U.S. Department of Education announced changes to Title IX requirements. Under the new rules, OIE is working to provide students the same services as last year.

Office of Institutional Equity clarifies changes to sexual misconduct policies

By LEELA GEBO | October 16, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF CHRIS BEALL
The Love is Love street mural adorns North Curly Street in Patterson Park.

LGBTQ Life celebrates National Coming Out Day

By GRETA MARAS | October 15, 2020

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.

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In past years, Hoptoberfest featured a week of in-person events and activities.

Students experience first virtual Hoptoberfest

By JULIA CHOE | October 12, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF CHRIS H. PARK
SGA debated signing a letter encouraging Maryland universities to achieve carbon neutrality.

SGA discusses Maryland universities' carbon emissions

By CLARA TRUONG | October 12, 2020

The Student Government Association (SGA) heard presentations on climate change and voter engagement at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

COURTESY OF CHRIS PARK
Former Maryland gubernatorial candidate Krish Vignarajah shared her experience as a female politician.

Former gubernatorial candidate discusses female leadership in politics

By MOLLY GAHAGEN | October 10, 2020

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.

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The Innovation Fund for Community Safety will host listening sessions on Oct. 12, 15, 19 and 26 to answer questions and gather input.

University fund will support community-based alternatives to policing

By CLAIRE GOUDREAU | October 10, 2020

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.

COURTESY OF LEELA GEBO
The Center for Social Concern holds Civic Sessions to introduce students to the Baltimore community.

CSC webinar chronicles Baltimore's history of racism and activism

By ELIZABETH RAPHAEL | October 9, 2020

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.

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