Observer Department: News
How students’ lives have changed without masks
On Wednesday, March 9 the presidents of Massachusetts’ fifteen community colleges released a statement announcing that the college campuses would transition to mask optional environments. NECC announced that as of March 21 its campuses would be mask optional. After almost two years of wearing masks, this transition was a big…
Training for the ‘real world’: Students say they would welcome life skills classes
It’s that time of year again when soon-to-be high school graduates eagerly send in their college applications and wait patiently for their dream schools to send back an acceptance letter. In times like these, parents lay solemn as they realize their kids will be off to school in just a…
Why are high school students choosing dual enrollment at NECC?
High school students in Newburyport, and other local communities, are now taking dual enrollment classes at Northern Essex Community College, however, they all seem to be doing it for different reasons, paving the way for their future. Whether it is to prepare, save money, stand out, or explore interests, becoming…
Crowd turns out for U-Knighted Fair
The first in-person U-Knighted Fair since February 2020 drew a sizable crowd in Haverhill’s Spurk building Feb. 23. The annual Student Life event aims to show the diverse extracurricular activities and resources NECC has to offer. The fair filled the first and second floors of the Spurk building with 30…
In-person Speechapalooza to return
Northern Essex Community College’s 8th annual Speechapalooza event will be held in person for the first time in two years! This comes as our community and world try to ease back into some sense of normalcy. The event will take place toward the final weeks of the semester on Thursday, …
COVID-19 and online learning leaves lasting mental health impacts
Massachusetts schools were ordered to be suspended from in-person learning by March 16, 2020, by Gov. Charles Baker. Now in 2022, after a year and a half of online learning students have finally returned to in-person school. But how has the last year and a half affected the mental health of students?…
Help available for students navigating FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid also known as FASFA is an application that the federal government uses to evaluate a student's financial status to know the loans and grants he/she can qualify for. FAFSA for the school year 2022-23 is currently open for students to fill out. It is…
Student leaders advocate for free college bill
Whether you’re into local politics or not – college students across Massachusetts are looking towards a particular bill heading to the State House soon. Student advocates say we have a very real possibility of passing “an act to guarantee debt-free public higher education.” This bill (H.1339) proposes exactly what it sounds…
Student Government Association seeking new members
Northern Essex's Student Government Association (SGA) needs new members for this semester, with several open positions that need applicants before elections at the end of the month. SGA is a student-run forum dedicated to listening to student concerns, raising discussions with senior administrators, and reviewing budget requests from NECC clubs…
Local parents, teachers and students see some silver linings in remote learning
The pandemic has transformed the way we live in almost every way imaginable. Communication, learning, socializing, and working are all aspects of our lives that have undergone drastic changes throughout the last couple of years. While many government and health officials have expressed that these times are unprecedented and the…
