Art-Less at the Davis

The Davis Museum generated a huge amount of press—coverage ranging from Forbes to ARTnews to the Financial Times—with its Art-Less initiative in February. Aiming to demonstrate the critical role that immigrants to the United States have played in the arts, the Museum de-installed or shrouded works in the permanent collections galleries that were created by or given to Wellesley’s art collection by immigrants to the U.S. Roughly 20 percent—120 works from a portrait of George Washington to much of the African art collection—was removed from the galleries or covered in black cloth. The initiative, which spanned a week, was in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration in January.

Photo courtesy of the Davis Museum

Athletic Champion

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics named Bridget Belgiovine—Wellesley’s director of athletics and chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics—as one of 28 recipients of its Under Armour AD of the Year Award for 2017. The award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses, and their surrounding communities.

“In her 10 years as our AD,” says Provost Andrew Shennan, “Bridget has had a truly transformational impact—boosting the quality of Wellesley’s athletic programs, dramatically increasing participation in recreational sports and fitness, and championing the cause of student wellness across our campus.”

Wellesley’s Comprehensive Fee

At its February meeting, the Wellesley College Board of Trustees set the 2017–18 comprehensive fee at $66,984, an increase of 4.8 percent over last year. Given Wellesley’s need-blind admissions policy, students who receive financial aid will not be affected. The College’s 2017–18 operating budget will include a 5.2 percent increase in funding for financial aid. The actual cost to the College to educate a single student for a year is $96,110; no student pays the full expense of her education.