Bye Bye Biddy: A Presidential Exit Interview

As her last year at Amherst comes to a close, The Student sat down with President Biddy Martin to discuss her life of learning and the legacy of her tenure at the college.

From Nose to NoReply: Tracking the Journey of a PCR Test

The Student tracks the journey of an Amherst student’s Covid PCR test, from its collection at the Alumni House to its sequencing and result at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

College Announces Series of Retirements And Promotions

The college has announced a number of retirements from and promotions to prominent positions at the college. Jim Brassord, Jackie Alvarez, and Interim CEIO Allen Hart are phasing out of their roles. Darien McFadden will replace Alvarez, and Angie Tissi-Gassoway has filled Hart’s position.

Melissa Murray Discusses Racial and Reproductive Justice

The college hosted the third event of its Fall 2021 Point/Counterpoint Series on Nov. 30, featuring Melissa Murray, a professor of law at New York University, in a conversation on reproductive justice and the racist origins of laws.

Judiciary Hearing Addresses Constitutionality of Palestine-Aligning AAS Email

The Judiciary Council held two separate hearings to address an anonymous complaint filed against the Amherst Association of Students Senate questioning the constitutionality of an email they sent last May.

From the Red Room: Nov. 15 AAS Meeting Updates

On Monday, Nov. 15, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) held its eighth weekly meeting of the semester. Senators discussed policing at the college, presented Budgetary Committee (BC) requests, appointed committee members, and debated purchasing custom jackets for AAS members.

Embracing Questions, Pursuing Truth — Alumni Profile, Elena Boley ’92

A medical officer in the Division of Urology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology at the FDA, Dr. Elena Boley ’92 has learned to embrace the grey.

An Interview with Presidential Scholar Kwame Anthony Appiah

The Student had the privilege of interviewing Presidential Scholar Kwame Anthony Appiah, a renowned philosopher and author, to discuss his background, career as a writer and thinker, and hopes for the future of philosophy.

Resurgence of Party Culture Unleashes Rampant Vandalism

With the return to a fully populated college campus, students, administrators and campus safety officers have observed a dramatic shift in weekend culture. The resurgence of parties has coincided with an increase in reports of vandalism and alcohol overdose calls.

ACPD to Adopt Comfort Dog; Students Critique Motives

ACPD will adopt a comfort dog before the beginning of the spring semester in an attempt to improve mental health and the department’s relationship with students. Though they appreciate the sentiment, students are wary that it does not actually respond to demands surrounding campus safety.

AAS Responds to Racist Emails Sent to Black Student Groups at UMass

On Oct. 11, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) Senate issued a response to a series of hateful emails sent to Black student groups at UMass Amherst. The message criticized the college for its insufficient response to the incident.

Outbreak of “Amherst Flu” Sweeps Across Campus

A cold that students have termed the “Amherst flu” has spread across campus. Due to the many symptoms influenza shares with Covid-19, however, students have been wary to seek care from the Health Center out of fear of being quarantined.

In Light of UMass Outbreak, Administration Implores Students to Adhere to Covid Protocols

In the week of Sept. 8 to Sept. 14, UMass Amherst reported 371 positive Covid tests. The outbreak prompted Amherst College Chief of Police John Carter to send an email calling on the community to adhere to the college’s safety restrictions.

College Loosens Some Covid-19 Protocols but Urges Vigilance

On Sept. 11, the administration announced updated Covid protocols, including a limited return of indoor dining and an expansion of travel boundaries. While the changes were less far-reaching than some would have hoped, students generally found the update to be what they expected.

Changes in Dining Hall Options Bring Challenges for Students

In an effort to deter Covid-19 at the start of Spring 2020, Valentine Dining Hall (Val) transitioned from self-serve, buffet style to to-go meals, which has presented immense challenges for students with dietary restrictions and student athletes.

IT Loses Six Members in Department Staffing Exodus

The Information Technology (IT) Department has undergone a mass staffing exodus in the past year. Former Associate Chief Information Officer and Director of Support Services Luis Hernández Muñiz left the department in February, and was followed by five of his employees.

New Covid Protocols: Necessary or Nonsense? Students React.

The college announced on Aug. 24 that it had tightened its Covid rules until Sept. 13. The new restrictions prompted an open letter signed by over 400 students calling to relax the rules. In response, the college sent an email on Aug. 28 revising some protocols, though most remained in place.

As Delta Variant Surges, College Tightens Covid Rules in Spite of Student Protests

Amid concerns surrounding the Delta variant of Covid-19, the college announced on Tuesday that it has tightened its public health rules for the first two and a half weeks of the fall semester. The announcement has generated backlash among students who say the new rules are too restrictive.

Braxton Schuldt: A Future Neurosurgeon with a Runner’s Heart

Schuldt leaves behind a legacy in the lab and on the cross country and track programs. Photo courtesy of Braxton Schuldt ’21.Braxton Schuldt ’21 is the epitome of excellence and resilience. His intelligence, work ethic and drive to help others has molded him into an exceptional Amherst student-athlete. As a future physician, two-sport varsity captain, long-time Educational Director of Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS) and neuroscience major, his resume and accomplishments are tr

College Divulges Summer and "Hopeful" Fall Covid-19 Restrictions

Several Covid restrictions will continue over the summer, Dean of Students Liz Agosto told The Student. Notable restrictions include the continuation of a mask mandate while inside, a curfew and mandatory on-campus testing. Agosto relayed that fall guidelines will be officially determined closer to the start of the semester. The college’s restrictions contrast sharply with the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as nearby colleges like Williams. Following

Racial Epithet Discovered in Valentine Hall

On May 13, Dean of Students Liz Agosto sent an email announcing the discovery of the n-word scratched into a chalkboard in Valentine Hall. An individual found the racial epithet on the second floor near the balcony door and reported it to the Amherst College Police Department. The circumstances regarding its appearance are unknown at this time. In her message, Agosto asked students for assistance in gathering more information about the vandalism. She encouraged students to come forward with any

College Announces Modifications to Fall Housing Due to Over-Enrollment

On Thursday, May 6, the college updated students on housing plans for the fall semester. Because the administration anticipates an over-enrollment of 170 students this fall, it is planning to make significant modifications to housing stock. The increased enrollment is due to the return of students who elected to take a gap year or leave of absence during the 2020-2021 academic year due to the pandemic or other circumstances. To provide housing for the over-abundance of returning Mammoths, the c

Closing Out "Politics and Poetry" Series, Martin Baron Discusses Polarization and Truth in Journalism

On Thursday, April 29, Lewis-Sebring Professor of Humanities and Latin American and Latino Culture Ilan Stavans discussed ideological polarization in the American media with journalist Martin Baron in the final event of the college’s virtual “Politics and Poetry” series [https://www.amherst.edu/news/campus_community_events/virtual/politics-and-poetry] . The series was made possible by the Seminars on Opposing Views Fund, which was established by the Class of 1970. Baron has been the executive e

College Begins to Administer Covid Vaccines

Hantong Wu’23, receives his shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. Photos courtesy of Maria Stenzel © Amherst CollegeOn Wednesday, April 28, the college delivered the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine shot to 336 students and 42 staff and faculty members at no out-of-pocket cost in a pop-up clinic set up in Coolidge Cage. The vaccines were administered by Pelmeds Pharmacy (based out of Waltham, Massachusetts) the Health Center and Testing Center staff. The second dose will be administered on campus by

Covid Vaccinations Mandated for Students Returning in Fall 2021

The college will require all students to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before returning to campus for the Fall 2021 semester, the President’s Office announced on Friday, April 23. In the letter addressed to students, faculty and staff, President Biddy Martin relayed that more information will follow concerning how to request a medical or religious exemption and how to submit confirmation of vaccination. Martin also stated that the college is “very hopeful” that pandemic-related safety mea

College Increases Course Requirements for Fall 2021

In preparation for the fall 2021 pre-registration period, the college has increased registration requirements from three to four courses, signaling a shift back to pre-Covid academic requirements. Despite the reversion, the college plans to continue to offer January Term [https://amherststudent.com/article/students-look-back-on-inaugural-january-term-classes] classes. Students are glad to see college policy return to normal but worry that the abrupt transition will increase academic stress. Th

BSU Members Say College’s Response to #BlackMindsMatter Protest is “Reactionary and Performative”

On Saturday, April 17, the President’s Office released a statement in response to the #BlackMindsMatter protest [https://www.amherststudent.com/article/students-walk-out-in-protest-after-police-killing-of-daunte-wright-aas-and-bsu-demand-abolition-of-acpd] organized by the Black Student Union (BSU). In an email to all students, President Biddy Martin responded to the BSU demands by urging professors to be lenient with extensions and absences, announcing the hiring of an additional counselor (wh

AAS E-Board Winners Shed Light on Campaigns and Plans for Office

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) announced the results of the 2021-2022 AAS Executive Board (E-Board) election [https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/aas/elections-2021-22] on April 18 at 12 a.m. EST. Presidential candidate Angelina Han ’22 came out on top with 64 percent of the vote. Basma Azzamok ’22, the Vice President elect and Jae Yun Ham ’22, the Treasurer elect, took 58 percent and 52 percent of the vote, respectively. Secretary candidate Lucas Romualdo ’24 and Judiciary Council Cha

Students Walk Out in Protest After Police Killing of Daunte Wright; AAS and BSU Demand Abolition of ACPD

At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13, hundreds of students, dressed in black, left their classes to gather on the First-Year Quad and participate in a #BlackMindsMatter walkout coordinated by the Black Students Union (BSU). They were spurred by the recent killing of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was shot by a Minnesota police officer on Sunday, April 11 — the latest of a series of national incidents highlighting the often fatal consequences of police brutality and anti-Black racism. Rem

College Announces Much-Anticipated Vaccination Policies

The college “is exploring transportation options” for students to receive vaccinations at off-campus locations, Dean of Students Liz Agosto informed students in an April 8 email. Agosto stated that the college will not be able to administer vaccines on campus as it has not been allocated any vaccines by the state, and it cannot make arrangements with local distribution sites due to state policies. As of Monday morning, April 12, over 120 additional students have completed the form seeking approv

Lack of College Transportation to Vaccination Sites Leaves Students Scrambling

Before the college provided guidance on Covid-19 vaccination appointments and transportation on April 8 [https://www.amherst.edu/news/covid-19/community-messages/messages-for-students/node/797952] , over 100 students had already received permission to attend off-campus Covid-19 vaccine appointments. These students had to navigate the process of scheduling appointments and coordinating transportation on their own, pooling resources and working together to secure and attend their appointments. Up

Board of Trustees Announces Divestment from Fossil Fuels by 2030

The college will not make any new investments in fossil fuel investment funds moving forward, Board of Trustees Chair Andrew J. Nussbaum ’85 announced in a letter [https://www.amherst.edu/amherst-story/facts/trustees/statements/node/797137] to the community on March 31. The college will also phase out its remaining investments in fossil fuel funds by 2030 and take a more proactive approach to relationships with investment managers. While recognizing that the announcement is a step in the right d

Musings of a Monarch: an Interview with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II

A photo of Prince Albert II and his mother Grace Kelly at Commencement Ceremony on May 30, 1981. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco is the 32nd hereditary ruler of the principality of Monaco. His reign began in 2005 and continues to this day. Prince Albert II was the only son of  Prince Rainier III, and his wife, Princess Grace Kelly. He was baptised on April 20, 1958 with Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain and Prince Louis de Polignac as godparents. The prince graduated from Amherst Co

As College Adjusts Protocols, Students Express Mixed Feelings on Quarantine

To contain the rapid-fire spread of the coronavirus in the fall and spring semesters, the college imposed strict Covid-19 precautionary measures and testing protocols. Perhaps the most complex problem that the college has faced, however, is how to respond to positive Covid-19 test results from on-campus students. For this, the college has resorted to an age-old infection control measure: quarantine. Unfortunately, when put into action, quarantine policies at the college have broken down, puttin

College Admits Eight Percent of Applicants for Class of 2025

The college released its admissions decisions for the class of 2025 on March 29, admitting eight percent of a record-breaking 14,000 applications, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Matthew McGann told The Student. The number of applicants for the 2020-21 admissions cycle increased by 32 percent compared to last year’s pool of 10,601, and the admit rate decreased by four percentage points. Decisions were released at 18:21 (i.e. 6:21 p.m.) Eastern Standard Time, a nod to Amherst’s founding in 18

A Story 200 Years In The Making: The College Celebrates its Bicentennial

On Feb. 24, President Biddy Martin officially launched the Amherst College Bicentennial. She emphasized the twofold commitment of the bicentennial in a prerecorded video: celebration of the past and an ongoing commitment to the central tenets of the liberal arts education. Originally slated to kick off in-person last fall, most of the Bicentennial celebrations were adjusted for a later start because of the Covid-19 pandemic. More recently, the college celebrated its 200th anniversary with a “Ma

Cornel West Discusses Higher Education, Racial Justice in Virtual Event

On March 18, the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OSDEI) celebrated its official launch by hosting a virtual conversation between Cornel West and Assistant Professor of Black Studies and History Mary Hicks. The event was co-sponsored by the Black studies, American studies and political science departments. During the discussion, West spoke about the role and limitations of higher education in the pursuit of justice, the self-reflection that cultivates true leadership and the se

As Mississippi and Texas Repeal Covid-19 Restrictions, Amherst Students Express Concern

On Tuesday, the governors of Texas and Mississippi announced that they had lifted state-wide mask mandates and rolled back a substantial number of Covid-19 health mandates. The announcements, which came merely a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned against the ongoing dangers of Covid-19, have raised significant concerns for Amherst students and alumni who hail from Texas and Mississippi. In Texas and Mississippi, which have both been ranked within the top 10 [h

David Brooks Discusses Inspirations, Shortcomings and the American Dream in Virtual Lecture

On Thursday, March 11, the college hosted its first event in a new virtual series titled “Politics and Poetry.” The six-part edition [https://www.amherst.edu/news/campus_community_events/virtual/politics-and-poetry] of the Point/Counterpoint series was a conversation between Lewis-Sebring Professor of Humanities and Latin American and Latino Culture Ilan Stavans and David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, political commentator for the PBS NewsHour and former professor at Yale U

A Sit-Down with Senior Presidential Speechwriter Dan Cluchey ’08

Dan Cluchey ’08 is one of three Senior Presidential Speechwriters for President Joe Biden and a former speechwriter and advisor for the Obama administration. He graduated from Amherst College in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in political science with honors. Cluchey was elected by his class to serve as the student commencement speaker and was a recipient of the Densmore Berry Collins Prize for best honors thesis in political science. He earned a doctor of law degree from Harvard Law School, wher

One Year Since the College Shutdown, Local Businesses Are Struggling but Hopeful

Two people walking on an empty street in the center of the Town of Amherst. Photo courtesy of Blake Nissan.In a single year, the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders have transformed the face of the town of Amherst. At its peak, the unemployment rate for Amherst was 39.6 percent [https://www.wwlp.com/news/health/coronavirus-local-impact/interactive-map-shows-high-unemployment-rate-in-western-massachusetts/] . The number of registered businesses decreased from 1505 to 1415 [https://pioneerinstit

College Sees Uptick in Covid-19 Cases in Second Week of Spring Semester

The college has had an uptick in coronavirus cases during the second week of Spring 2021 semester, with a total of 19 students in quarantine and four in isolation. In the week of Feb. 21, there have also been five staff cases and one faculty case. Across the nation flagship universities — such as the University of Massachusetts, University of Maryland, University of Virginia and Providence College — have tracked alarming spikes in the number of viral on-campus cases, and Amherst is no different

Dickinson Museum Undergoing $2 Million Renovation During Coronavirus Closure

On Feb. 17, The Emily Dickinson Homestead, purchased by the college in 1965, announced [https://conta.cc/2NEzFut]that it will be embarking on its most significant restoration project to date. The $2 million project aims to revert the museum’s home and ground to the way it looked when the namesake poet was alive in the mid-nineteenth century. The museum will close its doors to the public until the project’s expected completion date in March 2022. The Dickinson property was the birthplace and ho

Black Female Religious Leaders Underscore the Importance of Interfaith Solidarity

On Feb. 18, Black leaders of the Muslim, Buddhist and Christian traditions spoke about their intersectional experiences with race and religion on a virtual panel. The event, which featured Lutheran theologian Rozella Haydee White, civil rights and domestic lawyer Tahira Amatul-Wadud and co-editor of Black and Buddhist Magazine Pamela Ayo Yetunde, was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Council, Black Students Union (BSU) and Multicultural Resource Center. It was moderated by former BSU President Joel

As Texas Freezes, Amherst Students Struggle to Weather The Storm

Photo of a barren grocery store in Houston. Courtesy of Eli Maierson ’23.As the temperature dropped and blizzards engulfed the area, Amherst students in Texas shivered in their dark, cold homes this past week, unable to turn on the lights or access water. The unprecedented snow storm that began on Sunday, Feb. 14, devastated the state’s power grid and ground natural gas production to a halt. For Amherst students and their families, snow, ice, water-shortages and major power outages have posed i

Workday Begins Replacing ACData, Modernizing College’s Business Processes

The college transitioned from ACData to the digital Workday system for human resources, finance and shared services business processes in early January. Workday is a cloud-based application software that was designed to centralize the storage and organization of Amherst workplace information. The process of moving from the decades-old ACData HR system to the Workday platform has been a monumental, two-year undertaking for the college administration, including the physical transfer of years of pe

Staff Spotlight: Victoria Wilson

Victoria M. Wilson is the associate director for internship programs at the Loeb Center. She specializes in career exploration and coaching students through the internship applicant process. Before joining the Loeb Center, Wilson worked at Paul Quinn College as the special assistant to the president and then as the dean of the work program. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s in public policy from Duke University. Q: W

Driven by Calls for Racial Justice, Faculty Votes to Amend Statement of Academic Freedom

A majority of the faculty voted to approve an amendment to the Statement of Academic and Expressive Freedom on Dec. 15, 2020. The impetus for the revision came from members of the Black Student Union (BSU) who had appealed to President Biddy Martin at the end of the summer as part of the Integrate Amherst and Reclaim Amherst movements. The amendment, passed with a vote of 137-25, resulted in the following addition to the statement first published in May of 2016 [https://www.amherst.edu/system/fi

“Before We Are Scientists, We Are Humans”: Students, Faculty Learn to Navigate Identity in STEM Classrooms

When not teaching introductory chemistry and biochemistry, solving the puzzles of protein folding or checking in with students, Professor of Chemistry Sheila Jaswal, affectionately referred to as Dr. J by her students, strives to become a better human in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Her efforts coincide with those of the STEM departments at Amherst to diversify majors and faculty hires, where Black and Latinx students, first-generation and/or low-income students and women ar

Activists and Alumni Commemorate the Fifth Anniversary of Amherst Uprising in Series

President Biddy Martin review the events of Amherst Uprising on its fifth anniversary with alumni. Photo courtesy of Sophie Wolmer ’23.President Martin hosted a virtual panel as part of a series commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Amherst Uprising on Nov. 12. The dialogue was moderated by Lola Fadulu ’17 and featured Martin, Katyana Dandridge ‘18, Christine Croasdaile ’17, Amir Hall ’17, Andrew Smith ’18 and Bella Edo ’21. The origins of the Uprising can be traced back to October 2012,

New Covid-19 Mass. Mandates Affect Amherst Community Beyond the Bubble

On Nov. 2 and Nov. 6, Governor Charlie Baker rolled out two sets of restrictions in an effort to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases in Massachusetts. The orders took effect on Friday, Nov. 2 and include a stay-at-home advisory, an order for restaurants and other businesses to stop their services at 9:30 p.m. and a curfew from 10 p.m to 5 a.m., among others. There are exceptions for individuals that must  travel to work, seek medical care or pick up food during the curfew. Baker’s orders have altere

Days Before the Election, Political Science Professors Emphasize "Why Democracy Matters"

Professor Corrales (center) presents his concluding remarks and thanks the attendees of the zoom panel. Photo courtesy of Sophia Wolmer.On Oct. 28, the political science department hosted “Why Democracy Matters,” a panel as part of a series of events related to the U.S. 2020 election. This followed earlier lectures in the series on the same topic, and took place a week out from election day. At the event, three panelists — Professors of Political Science Kerry Ratigan, Javier Corrales and Jonath

Amherst Alumnus Awarded Genius Grant for Work Remedying Racial Wage Gap

Thomas Wilson Mitchell ’87 was named a recipient of the 2020 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship for his work concerning property law reform on Oct. 6. Mitchell, who is a law professor at Texas A&M University, was recognized for his efforts to address long-standing legal doctrines that deprive Black families and other marginalized groups of land ownership and real estate wealth. Mitchell is the eighth Amherst alum to receive the award and the second in the past two consecutive years; Andrea Dutt

Two Weeks Before Election, Danielle Allen H’18 Underscores “Why Democracy Matters”

On Oct. 19, the college hosted “Why Democracy Matters,” a virtual lecture part of the Amherst Conversations Spotlight Series. At the event, Danielle Allen H’18 was interviewed by three students particularly interested in Law Jurisprudence and Social Thought, Bella Edo ’21, Ryan Kyle ’23 and Jeremy Thomas ’21, during which Allen expressed her thoughts on the definition of democracy and the compatibility of democracy and justice, as well as democracy’s importance in the contemporary political clim

“These Attacks Happen Everyday”: As War Erupts in Armenia and Azerbaijian, Remote Students Grapple With an Upended World

On Sept. 27, ethnic and territorial tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted into full-fledged combat. The fighting, which is a result of deep-rooted historical grievances concerning the occupation of the independently-governed Nagorno-Karabakh region, known to Armenians as Artsakh, has brought hardship to both Armenians and Azerbaijanis alike. As the college has transitioned to remote learning, students who live in these countries have shown resilience as they complete their coursework i

UMass Opens Feinberg Series, With a Focus on Indigenous Knowledge Systems

On Sept. 30, Robin Wall Kimmerer, an author and founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, kicked off the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst 2020-21 Feinberg Series. The free virtual seminar, which was promoted by the Amherst Environmental Studies Program, was the first of nine planned public events. This event was jointly hosted by the Creative Women Leading Climate Action Symposium, and was financially backed by the AES Entrepreneurship Initiative, Massach

With Abundance of Cartons, Campus Questions ‘Is Boxed Water Really Better?’

To keep students hydrated and Covid-free in the fall semester, the college has turned to an out-of-the-box alternative: Boxed Water. The switch to packaged water was made concurrently with the college’s shift to a grab-and-go dining model last spring. However, the proliferation of Boxed Water has been met with mixed reactions from students and staff due to its taste and disposable nature. Boxed Water is produced by Boxed Water is Better LLC, a Michigan-based company founded in 2009, and was con

In Partnership With Five Other Colleges, Admissions Goes Virtual

At a time when in-person campus tours and other college application norms have been stifled by pandemic restrictions, the Office of Admission and Financial Aid has joined forces with five other liberal arts colleges — Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore and Williams —  in an unprecedented and coordinated effort to communicate with prospective students, parents and guidance counselors. The transformations, launched under an initiative called the “Six Colleges,” are intended to make information

Fresh Faculty: Jallicia Jolly

Jallicia A. Jolly is a postdoctoral fellow and visiting assistant professor in American studies and Black studies. Before assuming her current positions, she earned an undergraduate degree from Williams College, went on to receive a Ph.D. in the American culture department at the University of Michigan and became a predoctoral fellow at both Amherst College and Yale University. Read her profile in The Student about a lecture Jolly gave on her forthcoming book last spring. [https://amherststuden

For Amherst Restaurants, COVID-19 Has Presented Remarkable Challenges

Amherst restaurants, like Antonio’s, have had to shift their practices to account for the loss in profits felt by restaurants across the country and for the significant dip in local clientele as the town emptied of its student population this March. Photo courtesy of Flickr.For restaurants in the town of Amherst, spring is typically a lucrative time. In years past, local Amherst restaurants have been flooded with orders for graduation parties and conferences in addition to the daily traffic. Wit

Ten Amherst-Themed Things to Do While Stuck Inside

As most of us have been quarantined in our homes for at least two weeks, it is no surprise that a few of us are going a bit stir crazy. For many, unfortunately, the necessity of staying inside can lead to an unavoidable sense of boredom. To bring a little Amherst back into our lives, I have come up with 10 Amherst-themed ideas that you can accomplish from the comfort of your own home. Feel free to try one or all of the options listed below: 1. Go for a walk or jog that is exactly 1821 steps

Timeline: The Coronavirus Pandemic at Amherst College

Between January and March, COVID-19 transformed from a distant concern to a community-devastating epidemic for many Amherst students. The coronavirus has brought rapid change to the lives of students, faculty and staff in a matter of weeks. In an attempt to help the Amherst community process recent events, The Student has crafted the following timeline. Dec. 31, 2019 The government of Wuhan, China confirms that it is treating several cases of a pneumonia-like illness. The illness would be ide

Thoughts on Theses: Luz Lim

Luz Lim is a geology major. Her thesis involves analysis of the grain texture and structure of 1.8-billion year-old rocks from the Rocky Mountain range of southwest Montana. Her advisor is Chair of geology and Massachusetts Professor in Chemistry and Natural History Tekla Harms. Q: What is your thesis about?A: My thesis began with a trip to Montana. I went with my advisor and collected rocks that are nearly 1.8 billion years old. Essentially, my project entails analyzing the different grain tex

Staff Spotlight: Joshua Baum

Joshua Baum is the manager of the Fayerweather Cage photo, video and film equipment collection. He has coordinated the production equipment for the art and history of art department since 2017. Baum also oversees the darkroom, digital lab and black box studio spaces. Q: What do you do as the film, video and photography coordinator?A: I manage the film, photography and video equipment for the art department. I am in charge of the cameras, tripods, lighting equipment and sound equipment for all t

A Guide to the Top 10 Vending Machines on Our Campus

Picture this: you arrive at Schwemm’s with a grumbling stomach and a craving for salt. Sadly, upon looking at your watch, you realize that it is 2:01 a.m. Though delicious fries and a shake are no longer in the cards, have no fear! To assist students in their late night snacking endeavors, I compiled Amherst’s top 10 vending machine locations and ranked them. The locations were rated on a scale of one to ten in terms of drink selection, snack selection and overall caliber. Rosa Gomes, the manage

Fresh Faculty: Joshua Hyman

Joshua Hyman is an assistant professor of economics. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University and earned his doctorate in economics and public policy from the University of Michigan. He previously taught in the Department of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. Q: What was your first encounter with economics and what drew you to the subject?A: I first encountered economics as an undergraduate student at Tufts. I was interested in quantitative fields and so

Staff Spotlight: Joan Slocombe

Joan Slocombe is a card checker at Valentine Dining Hall. She previously worked at the Clarke School for Hearing and Speech in Northampton, Massachusetts. Additionally, Slocombe was elected as an honorary classmate by the 2019 graduating class. Q: How long have you worked at Valentine Dining Hall?A: I’ve worked at Valentine Dining Hall for four years and counting. Q: What is the role you perform in Val?A: They call us checkers, but I like to think of us as cashiers! My job entails checking IDs

Protesters Pressure Cargill CEO and College Trustee to Extend Rainforest Protections

Dozens of students, led by the Food Justice Alliance (FJA), gathered in front of the Mead Art Museum on the evening of Oct. 18 to protest trustee and Cargill CEO David MacLennan ’81 for his company’s record of impact on the environment. Demonstrators stood outside of the museum while the board met inside from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Cargill is a company that acts as an intermediary between farmers and food-based companies, trading grain and other agricultural commodities. In 2006, after it was revea

Fresh Faculty: Ivan Contreras

Ivan Contreras is an assistant professor of mathematics. He received a bachelor’s degree from Universidad de los Andes, a master’s degree from the University of Utrecht and a doctoral degree in mathematics at the University of Zürich. Q: What was your first encounter with mathematics and what drew you to this subject?A: When I was a little kid going to school in Colombia, the teachers taught us multiplication. I can clearly picture them pointing out that there were right answers and wrong ones.

Gooding and Hills Fields to Undergo Renovations

Gooding and Hills Fields, which serve as practice and game spaces for multiple varsity, club and intramural athletic teams, will undergo extensive renovations beginning in late March. Affected student groups will include varsity field hockey, varsity men’s and women’s lacrosse, varsity men’s and women’s track and field, ultimate Frisbee and other intramural sports. The project, which will conclude just before the start of the fall of 2020, will be conducted in two parts. First, upgraded turf wi