Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 28, 2025
April 28, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

News & Features



COURTESY OF RUDY MALCOM
Beginning Saturday, Marylanders will be required to cover their faces in retail establishments.

Hogan orders masks be worn in stores and on public transit

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced on Wednesday, April 15 that in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, residents must wear face coverings when using public transportation or inside retail establishments, such as grocery stores. This executive order enters into effect on Saturday, April 18 at 7 a.m.




University appoints John Toscano as new interim dean of KSAS

In an email sent to Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) affiliates on Monday, Dean Beverly Wendland announced that John Toscano will serve as the interim dean of KSAS starting July 1. Toscano, who is currently a Chemistry professor and the vice dean for natural sciences, will hold this position until Wendland’s official successor is appointed. 


Student workers discuss effects of campus closure

In an email to the student body on March 14, the University announced that it would pay all on-campus student workers their average weekly wages until April 12, in response to the shutdown of campus due to the coronavirus pandemic. 


COURTESY OF ARIELLA SHUA
Connect to Protect intends to promote inclusivity at Hopkins.

Students host Zoom trivia to reduce targeted violence

Connect to Protect is a digital integrated marketing campaign aimed at reducing targeted violence in the Hopkins community by creating an inclusive and positive environment for students. The campaign held its first trivia game through video conference service Zoom on Thursday, April 2 and the second on April 9. 


FILE PHOTO
SGA debated two letters written by students from several universities in response to COVID-19. 

SGA endorses interstate practice of mental-health counselors

The Student Government Association (SGA) debated whether to endorse two letters written by student representatives from several universities at its weekly meeting. The letters, written in respond to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, address graduate school admissions policies and the interstate practices of mental-health-care providers. 


COURTESY OF ELI WASSERMAN
Peabody will implement an opt-out S/U grading system for the spring semester.

What challenges have Peabody students faced amid COVID-19?

Students at the Peabody Institute were informed on March 27 that Peabody would be implementing an opt-out satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading policy for the spring semester. By contrast, the deans of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences (KSAS) and the Whiting School of Engineering adopted a universal S/U grading system for Homewood Campus the same day. 


FILE PHOTO
Administrators explained the rationale behind decisions related to packing residential students’ belongings.

Hopkins packs select dorms for health-care workers

For the residential students who had to vacate their dorms from March 13-15 due to coronavirus (COVID-19), moving out was a stressful experience. Days before, when announcing the suspension of in-person classes, the University had notified students that they had the option to stay. Then some students no longer had a place to stay. Many were forced to leave their belongings. 


COURTESY OF SALLY LU
This month, SARU is planning virtual events to promote consent culture.

SARU aims to support survivors of sexual violence during month of awareness

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), observed in April, is an annual campaign to educate the public on how to prevent sexual violence. For the Sexual Assault Resource Unit (SARU), a student group that seeks to support survivors of sexual violence and dismantle rape culture, SAAM is an important opportunity to educate the student body.


Student groups respond to COVID-19 challenges

Following the cancellation of in-person classes through the rest of the semester as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, student organizations have been forced to adapt their processes. Members of these student groups spoke with The News-Letter to explain how they have handled the pandemic.





Off-campus residents reflect on their decision to stay

On March 19, the University recommended that all undergraduate students consider moving back to their permanent address due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This followed an earlier announcement that students would not be allowed to remain in on-campus housing after March 15. 


EDA INCEKARA/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has issued an order for all Maryland residents to stay at home.

Hogan orders Marylanders to stay home

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an order this morning directing all Maryland residents to stay in their residences beginning at 8 p.m. tonight. This order also closed all non-essential businesses — including senior centers, restaurants and bars, fitness centers, theaters and malls — to the public. 



Study abroad student stranded in Peru returns home

By Wednesday, March 25, only six undergraduate participants in Spring 2020 abroad programs remained abroad. Five of those students had chosen to do so. The sixth was junior Ally Bartell, who until the morning of March 25 had been stranded in Peru with her study abroad program. 



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