Author and feminist philosopher Judith Butler spoke to a crowd of about 200 members of the WashU community about their most recent book, “Who’s Afraid of Gender?” and the future of world democracy in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall, Feb. 3. 

Missouri Attorney General and former WashU board of trustees member, Catherine Hanaway, participated in a moderated conversation with WashU Law School Dean, Stephanie Lindquist, in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom to discuss her recent appointment as Attorney General, Jan. 29.

A study from WashU’s Brown School has identified gaps in St. Louis’ emergency preparedness and response, including a lack of funding and a disconnect between community organizers and government. 

A man has been charged with 15 counts of invasion of privacy after allegedly photographing more than a dozen people inside women’s restroom stalls at John M. Olin Library.

Following continued student advocacy, the American Culture Studies (AMCS) program at WashU has created a “focus area” for Native American Studies. 

Noah Cohan, assistant director of AMCS, said that Native American Studies (NAS) will be available as a subject focus area alongside pre-existing focus areas in American Culture Studies (AMCS) such as Race & Ethnicity, Gender & Sexuality, and Ability & the Body. Students will be able to add the focus area to their AMCS major or minor by taking three courses in the field, two of them above the 300-level.

The Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Hotline (S.A.R.A.H.) at WashU is ceasing 24/7 service after almost 10 years, citing decreased staff capacity. The peer hotline will now only be available from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m starting Feb. 6 and through to the end of the semester.

The Engineering Communication Center (ECC) at the McKelvey School of Engineering will be phased out by May 2028, Dean Aaron Bobick wrote in an email to the school’s faculty, staff, and students on Feb. 3.

The Burning Kumquat, a student-run garden on the South 40, faces potential displacement due to the construction of new dorm buildings. The garden has more than 40 beds and has been around since 2007. Student volunteers take care of the garden and receive free vegetables in return. 

Tishaura Jones, St. Louis’ 47th mayor from 2021 to 2025, reflected on her controversial mayoral term through a discussion held by the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE²), Jan. 27. The civic leadership event is the first in a series of events hosted by the CRE²’s Program for Civic Leaders and Scholars, and it introduced Jones’ new role as the inaugural Visiting Distinguished Fellow in Residence. 

Workers at the Kaldi’s Coffee location on Skinker Boulevard have voted to unionize with UNITE HERE Local 74, but the final outcome of the election remains unresolved as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) investigates a set of challenged ballots that could determine certification of the results.