New Amherst Superintendent Reaffirms Agenda After Anonymous Complaint

School board members received an anonymous letter alleging misconduct on the part of superintendent Dr. Xiomara Herman earlier this month. Herman, who started her term July 1, reaffirmed her priorities of transparency and healing in the face of backlash.

Anxious Campus Awaits Consequential Election Day

Students and faculty expressed deep anxiety about the result of Tuesday’s contest. Many also spoke to a sense that the problems facing American democracy will persist, no matter who wins.

From Klingon to E-Commerce — Alumni Profile, Artie Moffa ’00

Artie Moffa ’00 has always been into wordplay. He crafted extravagant fictions for his Amherst application and remains engaged in the poetic arts.

Town Kicks Off Housing Production Plan

The town of Amherst started gathering community data for the first phase of its housing production plan. Residents said they desired attainable housing for the workforce, seniors, and young families at a meeting last Tuesday. They remained concerned about a competing student market.

Students and Administrators Reckon with a Less Racially Diverse First-Year Class

The class of 2028 was the first to be admitted following last summer’s Supreme Court ruling banning the use of race-based affirmative action in admissions. The Student spoke to students and administrators about the large demographic change.

Differing Definitions: Making Sense of the Demographic Data

Following the collapse of affirmative action, selective colleges have released racial statistics for their first-year classes — how are these demographics collected and reported?

Chantal Kordula ’94 Begins Term as Chair of the Board of Trustees

Kordula, who has been a member of the board for five years, aims to support the mission of the college and engage in open communication with students, faculty and staff during her six-year term as chair.

Isaac Bindman: A Quirky Academic and Biddy Martin’s Doppelganger

From his tea drinking habits to his academic interests, Isaac Bindman draws a lot from his heritage as a German, British Jew. But he owes his intelligent sense of humor, meticulousness, and genuine care for others to none other than himself.

President Addresses Protests and Police at Faculty Meeting

At the April 26 faculty meeting, Elliott said he could not commit to ruling out police presence at future protests, but said it would always be a last resort. He also announced this year’s honorary degree recipients.

Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools Recently Amended

Amherst educator Lamikco Magee filed a federal lawsuit against the district and its former and current leaders alleging retaliation and discrimination. The lawsuit comes after a wave of resignations and a district-wide Title IX investigation.

Resource Center Staff Protest Israel/Palestine Censorship

After the Women’s and Gender Center didn't publish a student employee’s column about reproductive health in Gaza, employees staged a walkout condemning censorship and demanding that the college investigate its financial ties to Israel and call for a ceasefire.

Yiddish Book Center President To Step Down After 45 Years

Aaron Lansky founded the Yiddish Book Center in 1980, after realizing the literature was endangered. He will be stepping down as president in June 2025, but will still stay on two more years as a senior adviser. Susan Bronson, executive director, will assume the presidency.

Amherst for Palestine Demands Divestment Outside Trustee Dinner

Students protested outside a trustee dinner at the Inn on Boltwood, criticizing the college’s stance on the war and demanding divestment from companies profiting from Israeli violence.

Spanish Dual-Immersion Program Continues on Path Despite Losing Grant

Amherst’s successful dual immersion program, Caminantes, has lost an important state grant. Five years after its founding, Caminantes has improved students’ proficiency in both Spanish and English and increased pride in their heritage.

Remembering the Life of Spencer Williams ’24

Spencer Williams ’24 made his mark on the college as a friend, a student, and a writer. Amid lengthy cancer treatments, Williams found solace in connections with others.

Official College Store to Open at Former A.J. Hastings Lot

The college will be opening a physical store in downtown Amherst this spring, filling the space formerly occupied by A.J. Hastings. In addition to distributing course materials, the store will also sell merchandise, supplementing Schwemm’s Cafe and The Wheely Mammoth.

Incumbents Dominate Town Elections

District 5, the district that includes Amherst College, will be represented by Ana Devlin Gauthier and Bob Hegner following an uncontested election.

‘With Privilege Comes Responsibility’: Governor Covers How to Face Challenges to Democracy

President Elliott reaffirmed the college’s commitment to democracy in conversation with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey last Wednesday, Nov. 1. The conversation marks 60 years after President John F. Kennedy’s dedication of Frost Library.

What Is Something Only Laurence Can Say? — Alumni Profile, Laurence Pevsner ’14

Even while serving as a speechwriter for ambassadors, celebrities, politicians, and CEOs of big companies, Laurence Pevsner ’14 makes space to exercise his own voice.

Town Election To Center on Housing, Schools, and DEI

The town of Amherst is preparing for its biennial election, which will usher in new city councilors, school committee members, library trustees, and Housing Authority representatives. Currently, only three Amherst students are registered to vote in the town of Amherst.

Town Reparations Assembly Releases Final Report After Two Years of Discussion

After becoming the second town in the nation to announce a fund dedicated to reparation, the Town of Amherst’s reparations assembly released its final report at the end of September. It includes findings about past and current racial disparities and plans for allocating the $2 million fund.

First-year Senator Resigns During His Impeachment Trial

AAS Senator Oscar Gosling '27 resigned during his impeachment trial Wednesday. The proceeding was initiated after an associate used the AAS’ whole-class e-mail list to share a message about Gosling’s candidacy, which is prohibited by the AAS constitution.

East Gables Housing Project Hosts Community Open House

An open house Sunday marked the first public viewing of 28 sustainable affordable housing units located on Northampton Road, adjacent to Pratt Field, with statements from state congresspeople, funders, and town partners.

College Restricts Gender Redesignation of Dorm Bathrooms

Residential Engagement and Wellbeing reinforced that changes to the gender designations of dorm bathrooms will be prohibited this year, creating difficulties for students who now must travel across or between floors to access gender-neutral bathrooms.

Former Amherst Schools Superintendent Michael Morris ’00 Reflects on Resignation

Michael Morris ’00 resigned from his role as superintendent of Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools following reported mistreatment of LGBTQ students in the district. After seven years in the position, Morris reflected on his tenure in an interview with The Student.

Ellis Phillips-Gallucci: A Track Star and Philosopher Energizing Education

With a voracity for philosophical texts, and an excitement to share them with others, Ellis Phillips-Gallucci is poised to leap into a teaching fellowship on Capitol Hill.

Town Community Approves Construction of New Elementary School

The town of Amherst’s citizens voted on May 2 to fund the creation of a new public elementary school, with construction beginning in 2024. The decision comes in the wake of deteriorating physical conditions and declining enrollment in the district.

Researchers Lay Out Amherst History of Racial Exploitation, Slaveholding

At a panel event on April 11, four researchers shared insights into Amherst's racially exploitative past. Topics of discussion included the college's connections to slavery, the town of Amherst's reparations, and the generational impact on descendants of Black ancestors.

Speaker Outlines Difficulties of Defining Antisemitism

Kenneth S. Stern, a lawyer and expert on hatred and antisemitism, spoke at the college on Wednesday, March 29. Stern discussed the relationship between antisemitism and hate in general, conspiratorial thinking, and the problem of defining antisemitism.

Fizz Captures Attention, Draws Criticism

The arrival of Fizz, a college-oriented and anonymous social-media app, has garnered praise for its community-building potential, but some are concerned by its failure to moderate objectionable content.

Panel Sheds Light on Refugees in Western Mass.

On Feb. 7, the college hosted an event titled "Refugee Settlement in the Pioneer Valley." Panelists spoke on the global refugee crisis and explained the process of resettlement in the Pioneer Valley.

Students Mourn Loss of Professor Tanya Leise

Tanya Leise, Brian E. Boyle professor in mathematics and computer science and the first woman mathematician tenured at the college, died on Jan. 18 after persevering through a cancer diagnosis. Several students shared remembrances of her impact at the college and in their own lives.

John Mikhail ’91 Discusses Constitution’s Relationship to Slavery

On Nov. 17, professor of jurisprudence, author, and alumnus John Mikhail ’91 spoke at the Amherst Political Union’s first talk of the year, entitled “Was Frederick Douglass Right?” Mikhail discussed the “federal consensus,” arguing that the original constitution allowed for the abolition of slavery.

Brazilian Students Celebrate Reelection of Former President Lula da Silva

Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was reelected by the Brazilian people on Oct. 30, ousting incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilian students on campus celebrated Bolsonaro’s ouster and reflected on what da Silva’s reelection means for the country.

Student Activities Sees Upswing in Campus RSOs

Following a drop in approved RSOs due to the pandemic, this semester has seen a significant rise in new affinity groups and organizations sponsored by academic departments. The Student spoke with leaders of four new RSOs to learn about the clubs’ origins and goals.

Reporting the World: An Unexpected Journey — Alumni Profile, Sarah DiLorenzo ’03

Sarah DiLorenzo ’03 values knowledge gained from meandering, which she said is particularly valuable in a career as a journalist.

An Inside Look Into This Year’s Pandemic Protocol Shifts

Several community members perceived this fall's relaxed Covid protocols as a large shift in college policy following two years of restrictions. The Student explores the administration’s reasoning behind the shift.

Access to Amherst Makes Successful Return in Person Following Scramble for Hosts

Access to Amherst, a free fly-in program which introduces prospective applicants to the college’s campus, student body, faculty, and classes, took place in person for the first time since fall 2019 this past weekend, despite challenges in recruiting student hosts to accommodate the attendees.