Karla Cortes
Staff Reporter
karla.cortes@yale.edu
Karla Cortes is the Director of Affairs at the News. She previously covered Student Policy and Affairs at Yale under the University Desk. From Woodstock, Georgia, she is a junior in Silliman majoring in political science and history.
Author Archive
YOLANDA WANG, NORA MOSES & KARLA CORTES
Pro-Palestinian protesters disperse after promising overnight encampment

Around 200 protesters erected eight tents Tuesday night on Beinecke Plaza to protest an upcoming talk by far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

April 22, 2025

KARLA CORTES & ISOBEL MCCLURE
Avocados smash their way into dining halls this semester

Starting April 7, Yale Hospitality introduced “Avocado Pulp” in Breakfast Express dining halls and will eventually expand it to all dining halls.

April 10, 2025

KARLA CORTES & NORA MOSES
Yale reduces summer storage support for low-income students

For this upcoming summer, Yale College will reduce the financial support for summer storage from 75 percent reimbursement to 50 percent. Low-income students expressed concerns about this decision.

April 4, 2025

KARLA CORTES
MENA community celebrates first annual heritage month at dedicated cultural suite

In its first dedicated campus space, Yale’s Middle Eastern and North African community launched MENA Heritage Month celebrations with student performances and remarks about the importance of the month.

April 4, 2025

KARLA CORTES & ISOBEL MCCLURE
Branford dining hall tangoes with new mango sorbet

After Branford’s soft serve was replaced with pomegranate raspberry and chocolate due to supply chain issues, Yale Hospitality has rotated the previous fruit sorbet with a new mango flavor.

April 1, 2025

ARIELA LOPEZ, KARLA CORTES & JAEHA JANG
Yale refutes ICE presence rumors but releases law enforcement guide, restricts building access

The University and the NHPD said they were not aware of immigration enforcement presence on Friday, though rumors of ICE sightings circulated among Yalies. On Saturday, Yale Public Safety announced that campus building access will be restricted to ID holders.

March 29, 2025

KARLA CORTES & NORA MOSES
Yalies express mixed reactions to new menu changes

The majority of students interviewed by the News feel positive or neutral about the implemented changes, which ignited controversy when first announced. Concerns remain over nutritious breakfast options.

March 28, 2025

KARLA CORTES
Department of Education investigates Yale over antisemitism claims

The Department of Education sent letters to Yale and 59 other universities, warning them of “potential enforcement actions” for failing to address antisemitic discrimination and harassment on campus.

March 11, 2025

KARLA CORTES & NORA MOSES
Trump’s anti-DEI order won’t affect cultural centers, Dean Lewis says

Yale’s race-conscious practices remain safe despite the Department of Education’s letter, Yale College Dean Pericles Lewis said, but race-based groups still express concerns.

February 20, 2025

KARLA CORTES & ISOBEL MCCLURE
Yale Hospitality to host three Black History Month dinners

In a reduction from nine dinners in 2023 and four in 2024, Yale Hospitality will host three dinners this year commemorating Black History Month.

February 12, 2025

KARLA CORTES
Yale to increase undergraduate class size

Yale College will increase its incoming class size by 100 students to a total of 1,650 students per class and invest in support for the expanded student body.

February 4, 2025