Exit Letter: What it Means to Love a Place

Reminiscing on her time at The Student, Senior Managing Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 writes about how working on the paper helped her express her love for Amherst and thanks the people integral to her experience.

Old News: This Week in 1938

In her final edition of Old News, Senior Managing Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 explores the April 29, 1938 edition of the Student, filled with stories about Spring Prom, unbelievable pranks, and the threat of an impending World War.

President Elliott Addresses Trump’s Orders at Faculty Meeting

At the Feb. 7 faculty meeting, President Michael Elliott struck a defiant tone when outlining the college’s response to Trump’s executive orders. The meeting also included a faculty vote to change the academic course schedule for next fall.

Old News: Five Historic Election Days on Campus

From widespread protests in 1968 to raucous celebrations in 2008, this Election Day edition of Old News explores how The Student reported on five different elections across three centuries.

Operating with Openness and Spirit — Alumni Profile, Shazi Lyle ’15

A verve for learning and people has guided Shazi Lyle ’15 in her journey at Amherst, as a camp counselor, and throughout her career, where she’s followed a passion for operations and sexual health.

State Voting Laws Vary Greatly — So Do Student Voters’ Experiences

With just 20 days until the 2024 presidential election, differences in state voting laws have led to widely varying experiences for student voters on campus — most of whom vote by mail. Some states’ laws enable smooth, straightforward processes, while others’ present major roadblocks.

Old News: This Week in 2002

In this week’s Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 explores the Oct. 9, 2002 edition of The Student, which covered a statement on antisemitism, a lack of gender diversity in AAS, and custodial cleanup post-dorm parties. Sound familiar?

Palestinian-Israeli Organizations Offer Visions of Peace

Representatives from two organizations that foster conversation between Israelis and Palestinians visited campus last week. They shared their experiences in bringing people together over shared grief and art.

College Reviewed Protest Policy Over the Summer, Amid National Reckoning on Campus Speech

After a spring defined by political action, many campuses tightened protest restrictions over the summer. Amherst's administration also updated their protest policies, though changes were more minimal. The process still offers insight into complex campus dynamics.

Community Reflects on Native and Indigenous Studies Symposium

This year's Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Symposium, “Gathering at the Crossroads: Abya Yala & Activism,” drew upon and generated academic and cultural community on campus.

Old News: This Week in 1947

In this edition of Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 explores a 1947 Amherst, in which echoes of World War II permeated all parts of campus life.

From Flowers to Forests: Research in Practice — Alumni Profile, Jessica Wright ’94

As a researcher for the US Forest Service, Jessica Wright ’94 now helps make the nation’s forests more resilient. But her path began more humbly, in a greenhouse overlooking Memorial Hill.

“Our Grief is the Needle Which Sews the Wound”: Reflections on Mourning and Action

Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 and Contributing Writer Amelia Cogan ’26 reflect on their experiences holding collective Jewish grief amid an urgency to act against atrocities in Gaza.

Old News: This Week in 1920

Working with local unions on a new Labor College, a 40-gallon barrel of cider, dodgy admissions practices, and more. In this edition of Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ‘25 probes the October 4, 1920 edition of The Student.

Old News: This Week in 1957

This week in Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 takes a look at how national issues like integration and McCarthyism came up on campus in 1957.

Old News: This Week in 1988

In this week’s Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 sums up a 1988 edition of The Amherst Student — a time of new meal plans, record-breaking diversity rates, and purple ice cream — showing how an ’80s Amherst is different (and strikingly similar) to the school we know today.

Sterling Kee: A Passion for People, Onstage and Off

Sterling Kee has blossomed at Amherst as both a dynamic performer and an attentive friend, well-known for his thoughtfulness and quiet power.

Old News: This Week in 1996

In this edition of Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 delves into the May 8, 1996 edition of The Student, which dealt with the fallouts of a violent student altercation and a homophobic hate crime, among other campus events.

Old News: This Week in 1898

Touring performances, alumni visits, and a whopping 107 advertisements: In this edition of Old News, Managing Features Editor and Columnist Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 probes the April 23, 1898 edition of The Student.

Fresh Faculty: Rebecca Hewitt

Rebecca “Becky” Hewitt is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies who researches the impacts of climate change on arctic ecosystems, focusing on forests and belowground fungi. Hewitt received a B.A. from Middlebury College in 2005 and a Ph.D. from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2014.

Old News: 55 Years Since Dr. King’s Assassination

This April 4, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 revisits issues of The Amherst Student from the weeks surrounding Dr. King’s murder to explore the campus’ varied responses: from urgency and mourning, to fear and hope.

Old News: This Week in 1921

In this edition of Old News, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 peruses the March 21, 1921, issue, which includes a talk from a dorm’s namesake, Student Editorial Board updates, and more.

Old News: This Week in 1976

In a new series, Managing Features Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 uses a random number generator to look back on this week in Amherst’s history, through the lens of The Student. This week, she peruses the March 4, 1976 issue, with headlines eerily similar to 2023.

From Eggshells to Energy: Tracking the College’s Compost

The college produces a staggering amount of food waste which, thanks to a new contract, is processed by Vanguard Renewables into low-carbon fertilizer and renewable natural gas. The new composting program is part of a broader reassessment of food systems and food waste at the college.

Taking a Closer Look: Introducing the New Features Section

A note from your new managing Features editors.

Joelle Crichlow: Leading the Charge to Make Change

Guided by a passion for changemaking and a commitment to making Amherst a better place, Joelle Crichlow has done just that — and she will continue to effect positive change wherever her path takes her.

Accessing Amherst: Stories of Current Admissions Pathways

In the second installment of this series, The Student explores how diversity initiatives have constructed today’s student body. Several student stories shine light on the way that students and their experiences with the college process relate to the institution’s changes in access over time.

Accessing Amherst: Tracing Historical Admissions Changes

In the first of a two-part series exploring Amherst’s initiatives to reach students and communities with less historic access to higher education, The Student examines the historic buildup of Amherst’s efforts to diversify, particularly in the late 1960s.

Safety Committee Members Reflect on Report’s Impact

Last week, President Biddy Martin announced the Board of Trustees’ decision to keep ACPD armed after consulting a report from the Campus Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Student spoke with CSAC members to better understand the report’s creation and its relation to the trustees’ decision.

Board of Trustees Votes To Keep ACPD Armed

The board of trustees has voted to keep the Amherst College Police Department armed, President Biddy Martin announced on Monday, April 18. The announcement came after the release of the final report from the Campus Safety Advisory Committee.

ACPD Responds About Vehicle Unmarking, Community Reacts

In an April 1 email, Chief of Police John Carter responded to criticism over the decision to unmark all ACPD vehicles, expressing regret and requesting input. Students expressed frustration with his response, linking it to the broader trend of the department’s response to calls for change.

ACPD Unmarks Vehicles, Prompting Student Concern

The Amherst College Police Department (ACPD) recently made its fleet of five vehicles entirely unmarked. While the department states that this choice was an attempt to reduce police presence on campus, students report feeling increased fear and uncertainty from the change.

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.

‘Time Stopped’: Amherst Reflects on Two Years of Covid

On this day, March 9, two years ago, the college announced it would switch to remote learning due to Covid-19. The Student asked members of the college community to reflect on what they’ve learned through the pandemic, what has changed in their lives, and how they see the world differently now.

Students Rally Support for Prison Moratorium Bill

Alongside students at other Massachusetts colleges, Amherst students are mobilizing to garner support for a Massachusetts state legislature bill that would place a five-year moratorium on prison construction. They are advocating for the funding of community programs instead of prisons.

Lipstadt Talk Prompts Students To Ponder Antisemitism, Jewish Community

Deborah E. Lipstadt, President Biden’s nominee for Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, gave a talk on Feb. 10 titled “Antisemitism: The Ubiquitous Hatred.” She explained the ideology behind antisemitism, leading students to express concerns about antisemitism at the college.

College Loosens Initial Spring Covid Protocols

The college has loosened some of its initial Covid restrictions following the success of its protocols for move-in and the first week of classes. Students and professors expressed understanding for the initially stricter protocols, while yearning for a return to near-normalcy.

Quarantine Reflections from the Rodeway Inn

The Student interviewed several students who have been quarantined this semester after testing positive for Covid about their time in isolation. Students reported a variety of experiences, ranging from satisfaction with the resources provided to social and academic isolation.

College Comments on Generous Budget of Bicentennial Party

The college has not disclosed its spending on the Oct. 15 Bicentennial Party, which featured several extravagant amusements, from a ferris wheel to a performance by Grammy award-winning artist Common. The Student investigated the motivation behind the celebration, as well as the source of the funds.

College Celebrates Bicentennial with Blowout Bash

The college held a lavish Bicentennial Party for the campus community on Oct. 15. The celebration served an array of New England foods, boasted a Ferris wheel and 100-foot slide, and featured a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Common.

Students Plan Off-Campus Travel Over Fall Break

Off-campus travel will not be restricted during Fall Break (Oct. 9-12), although the college strongly encourages students to stay on campus. Students expressed excitement over the opportunity for a change in routine and scenery, as well as gratitude for the college’s return testing protocol.