NORTH ADAMS — When minority students at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts felt they were too outnumbered to have an influence on student life — and that racial prejudices were in evidence at the college — they took their concerns to the press last February.
Since then, among other efforts, MCLA has launched an drive to increase minority enrollment, which is now slightly under 10 percent.
Faculty member John Lopes, coordinator of ALANA (the African-American, Latino, Asian and Native American student organization ) and international affairs, said the college has made progress.
“Absolutely, things are coming together,†Lopes said yesterday. “Yes, the college is taking steps to increase numbers of multicultural students. Once we get the numbers up, things will swing into balance, I suspect.â€
He added, “At convocation, we were informed that the college has hired a consultant who is developing a multicultural recruitment plan for the college.â€
In addition, the college is filling positions in its admissions office with an eye to recruiting multicultural students.
“I’m sure the plan is well thought out,†he said. “It’s everybody’s responsibility.â€
The efforts have pleased the minority students who had voiced their discontent last February, he said. The college set up a diversity committee last year, which has met several times and reconvened this semester, he said, plus established a multicultural/diversity task force. Lopes is a member of both.“We’re excited about the ongoing conversations and about the plans to hold a series of events,†he said.
President Mary Grant made supporting remarks at the college’s opening breakfast, underlining that MCLA is to be welcoming to all faculty and students.
Lopes said a keynote speaker, yet to be confirmed, is planned for an event in late October, with other events to be scheduled throughout the year. One suggestion is a “day of conversation†involving students, staff and faculty.†Lopes said he was pleased, too, at the response of the wider college community.
“A number of majority students want to be a part of this. When the silent majority decides to speak, it’s very refreshing and heartwarming,†he said. “So many people who had been quiet have decided to take a position.â€
Unlike the current controversy at Williams College, no specific incident sparked last February’s call for greater minority enrollment and other issues, Lopes said.
“Students felt it was time to bring conversation about multiculturalism and diversity to the fore,†he said. “This committee isn’t the only group looking at being more inclusive. And our committee is intended to be ongoing.â€
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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