Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
August 13, 2026 August 13, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

News & Features

COURTESY OF ISHAN KALBURGE With construction of the new student center underway, students can no longer access campus through the Mattin Center. 

Students report challenges amid construction of new student center

By CLAIRE GOUDREAU | September 22, 2021

Demolition of the Mattin Center has begun, making room for the construction of the new student center, which is expected to be completed by fall 2024. The Mattin Center had been home to the University’s arts scene since 2001, hosting Swirnow Theater, the Digital Media Center, music and dance spaces, art studios and more. The resources that were once housed in Mattin Center have been scattered across Homewood Campus. 

Students react in the wake of anti-Asian hate crime

By MOLLY GAHAGEN and YANA MULANI | September 21, 2021

In an email sent to the Hopkins community on Sept. 3, University leadership informed the community of an assault against an Asian American student that occurred on Sept. 2. The victim was pushed to the ground and was, along with her companion, subjected to violent anti-Asian language. According to the email, the perpetrator was detained but not arrested and appeared to be having a behavioral health crisis. 

COURTESY OF MICHELLE LIMPE Attendees at the Speak Out Now event discussed how capitalism creates inequities and violence.

Speak Out Now calls for a reimagining of society

By MICHELLE LIMPE | September 20, 2021

A year and a half after George Floyd protests began, a socialist organization called Speak Out Now hosted a discussion about police brutality at Keyser Quad on Sept. 16. At the event, club members examined the idea of capitalism as the root cause of the inequities in society, arguing that socialism is the solution.

FILE PHOTO A representative of Real Food Hopkins presented before SGA ideas on how to make food at Hopkins more sustainable. 

SGA discusses proposals to improve University sustainability

By ARIJIT NUKALA | September 19, 2021

The Student Government Association (SGA) held its weekly general board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to discuss a potential partnership with Real Food Hopkins, a sustainability bill initiative and a survey polling students’ thoughts on the University’s mandate to obtain COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

NEHA SANGANA/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR  Currently, the Ralph O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being is still under construction. 

Recreation Center opens amid construction

By IRIS LEE | September 12, 2021

The Ralph O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being is scheduled for completion by Oct. 4 and will open at full capacity by mid-October. The University announced plans to expand the Recreation (Rec) Center in 2020.

COURTESY OF MIN-SEO KIM Students expressed excitement over the prospect of in-person events later in the semester. 

University hosts virtual Student Involvement Fair

By NICK CHARANJIVA | September 11, 2021

Leadership, Engagement & Experiential Development (LEED), formerly Student Leadership and Involvement, hosted the annual Student Involvement Fair (SIF) on Sept. 3. The event allows Hopkins students to engage with the over 400 student-run organizations and departments on campus.

COURTESY OF LAURA WADSTEN Each new student is assigned to an FYM, who supports them throughout their first year.

New students reflect on in-person Orientation

By JULIA CHOE | September 5, 2021

The University held Orientation Week for incoming first-years, international students and transfer students between August 22 and August 29. In contrast with last year’s virtual Orientation Week, this year’s event consisted of both virtual and in-person programs.

FILE PHOTO The policy changes represent the far-reaching impacts of the recent variant-driven spike in COVID-19 cases.

Hopkins announces increased testing protocols for fully vaccinated students

By MICHELLE LIMPE | August 30, 2021

The University announced in an email to the student body on August 27 that all fully vaccinated undergraduate students living both on and off-campus will need to be tested once a week. Previously, fully vaccinated students living off-campus were not required to be tested. Those with approved exemptions to the vaccine regulations will still need to be tested twice a week. 

COURTESY OF LAURA WADSTEN University leaders plan on expanding asymptomatic COVID-19 requirements in the coming days. 

University to only accept FDA-approved vaccines

By MIN-SEO KIM | August 20, 2021

In a reversal from previously declared policy, the University announced in an email on August 19 that it will only accept COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently includes the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines. 

FILE PHOTO The University cited worsening COVID-19 numbers in Maryland as the reason for reimposing its indoor mask mandate. 

Hopkins will require masks when indoors for all

By MIN-SEO KIM | August 4, 2021

In a reversal from previous fall semester masking guidelines, the University announced earlier today that it will reimpose the indoor masking mandate and reinstate social distancing requirements for indoor dining. 

COURTESY OF BRANVILLE BARD JR. According to Branville Bard Jr., his experiences growing up and during his career shaped his opinion that policing should be accountable to the people.

Cambridge police commissioner to start as vice president for public safety

By MOLLY GAHAGEN | July 28, 2021

The University announced in an email on July 27 that it has appointed Branville Bard, Jr. as vice president for public safety. Bard will assume the position on August 30 and will be responsible for overseeing public safety operations for the University and its medical campuses and facilities, excluding the Applied Physics Laboratory.

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