Exit Letter: Ethan Exits

Managing News Editor Ethan Neuschwander ’25 reflects on his time working for The Student and how the newspaper helped him find his community on campus.

Amherst College Store Celebrates a Soft Opening

The new store, housed in the old A.J. Hastings storefront on South Pleasant Street, primarily offers college merchandise, including a number of new designs. It also sells school supplies, snacks, and even printers.

College Announces New Director of Dining Services

The college will welcome Bill Connor, former director of acclaimed dining programs at Westfield State University and Johns Hopkins University, as the new director of dining services, effective March 29.

Northampton’s Iron Horse Music Hall to Reopen in May

The Iron Horse, long one of the Pioneer Valley’s most popular music halls, will be reopening for the first time in four years on May 1.

Hampshire College Opens Its Doors to Florida Students

Hampshire College is immediately accepting all transfers from New College of Florida, a school with a similarly exploratory approach to education, after Governor Ron DeSantis upended the school’s leadership.

Trustees Begin Publishing Meeting Summaries

Summaries of the Board of Trustees’ meetings will be publicly available from this point forward. The change comes as a compromise amid a push to elect a student representative to the board.

Siddhartha V. Shah Begins Tenure as New Mead Director

Siddhartha V. Shah assumed the position of John Wieland 1958 director of the Mead Art Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 15. In addition to overseeing the typical duties of a museum director, Shah hopes to create a welcoming and diverse space that reflects the community it serves.

Protecting the Rights of the Incarcerated — Alumni Profile, Kyle Mitchell Virgien ’08

A physics major, jazz pianist, and now civil rights attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, Kyle Mitchell Virgien ’08 has dedicated his life to seeking justice for the incarcerated and bringing awareness to their lived experiences.

College Highlights Latinx History in La Causa, LLAS Anniversary Celebration

An all-day event celebrating the 50th anniversary of La Causa and the fifth anniversary of the Latinx and Latin American studies department was held in the Eighty Powerhouse on Thursday, Sept. 15. The event featured a host of alumni panelists, whose class years ranged from 1974 to 2020.

What To Know About Biden’s Student Debt Cancellation

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced that it would be forgiving up to $20,000 of student debt for current and former students. Here’s what that might mean for Amherst students.

Alexis Scalese: Asserting Indigeneity at Amherst and Beyond

A dedicated researcher, thoughtful friend, and driven activist, Alexis Scalese has been an instrumental force in the creation of an assertive Native American presence on campus.

Indigenous Art Exhibit “Boundless” To Open Fall 2023

A new exhibition, “Boundless,” is set to debut in Fall 2023, focusing on American art and literature and centering Indigenous and Native perspectives. The exhibition is a collaboration between Frost Library and the Mead Art Museum.

Town of Amherst Soon To Break Ground on Affordable Housing Project

The town of Amherst is set to break ground on a new affordable housing project, East Gables, this spring. The project is being built in response to the town’s lack of affordable housing.

Food Justice Alliance Puts Extra Val Food to Use

The Food Justice Alliance instituted a new program relying on student volunteers to reduce food waste. The extra food from Val is donated to Craig’s Doors, a local homeless shelter in the town of Amherst.

Thoughts on Theses: Jade DuVal

Jade DuVal is an English major. Her thesis looks at how three primary sources use Black girls and Black girlhood as methods of empowerment and community building. Her thesis advisor is Professor of English Christopher Grobe.

The Option Revitalizes Through New Initiatives

The Option, Amherst College’s student-run used bookstore, reopened in the fall after a year-long pandemic-induced closure. This semester, the store introduced a number of changes, including the introduction of a public catalog of the store’s inventory and new marketing techniques.

From the Red Room: Feb. 14 AAS Meeting Updates

The AAS held its second meeting of the spring semester on Monday, Feb. 14. Senators discussed Budgetary Committee funding recommendations, the selection of senators for committee assignments, and the creation of a task force to address sexual violence on campus.

Presidential Search Committee Releases Position Profile

The Presidential Search Committee released a finalized position profile on Jan. 12 for potential candidates to succeed the outgoing President Biddy Martin. The profile, compiled with community input, describes desired qualities and the work that lies ahead for the new president.

From the Red Room: Dec. 6 AAS Meeting Updates

The AAS held its final meeting of the fall semester on Monday, Dec. 6. Senators discussed Budgetary Committee (BC) funding recommendations, upcoming Senate projects, and student housing during J-Term.

Thoughts on Theses: Sage Innerarity

Sage Innerarity is a double major in English and American studies. She is writing her thesis on Indigenous creation stories and tribal histories from her home community. Her thesis advisor is Professor of English and American Studies Lisa Brooks.