Letter From the Editor: Happy Fall!

By Maddi Achtyl 

Dear Skyhawks, 

Happy Fall, Stonehill! It is finally starting to get colder, and the leaves have begun to change colors and fall off the trees. This is the best time of year on campus, in my opinion. Whether you’re sipping a coffee from Ace’s Place, enjoying a walk across the quad, or catching up with friends at the Commons, I hope you’re taking a moment to appreciate this beautiful season before winter sneaks up on us. 

September flew by, and we are just over a month into the semester. It feels like move-in day was yesterday, but mid-semester assessments were just released, and professors keep piling on assignments. This is a stressful time of year for students, so remember to take care of yourself and reach out if you need support, whether that’s from professors, friends, or campus resources. 

The month's paper features a variety of stories. Head to the Sports section to read about how club sports teams foster community on campus while also maintaining a competitive environment for members. We also have some great opinion pieces in this edition discussing voting participation among young adults and how every day of junior year can feel like the “Sunday scaries.” 

In our Features section, you’ll find coverage of True Crime author Chuck Hogan’s recent talk on campus, a fascinating discussion that offered insight into how true crime writing can shape public perception and empathy. One of our reporters covered the different travel seminars being offered for credit next semester and the benefit of signing up for one. In News, be sure to read Paige Martin’s article about how the College’s rape reports decreased in 2024 by more than fifty percent, with only two being reported in 2024 from the five reported in 2023. Read more in this month's edition and on our website. 

Last week, SGA hosted an important open event titled “State of the Hill: The 3Rs of Safety — Report, Response, Resources,” following three Title IX incidents reported in September. The event aimed to answer students' questions about the reporting process, including what happens after a report is filed, how investigations are handled, and what resources are available to those affected. Campus Police, the Office of Student Affairs, and several advocacy groups attended to provide transparency and clarity. While timely warning emails are sent when incidents occur, many students expressed that understanding what happens after those alerts is just as important. Be sure to read more about what was discussed at the event in this issue and on our website. 

The next edition of The Summit comes out on Nov. 19. Until then, we will keep posting articles on our website at summitnews.org and on social media. Be sure to follow us @thesummitnews on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X. As always, you can contact us with questions, concerns, or tips on a story. You can also reach out to me directly at machtyl@students.stonehill.edu.   

On behalf of the staff, I hope you enjoy this edition of The Summit. Have a wonderful October. 

Maddi Achtyl  

Editor in Chief 

The Summit News