Oren Tirschwell: Cultivating Community through Cello, Calculation, and Collaboration

Whether it’s his interdisciplinary research on gun violence, his incredible cello performances, or even his efforts in bringing Tandem Bagels back to Val, Oren Tirschwell’s presence has been invaluable in improving Amherst’s community.

Faculty Vote to Amend Statement of Academic and Expressive Freedom

In the wake of recent threats from the executive branch to colleges across the country, the faculty voted last Friday to amend the college’s statement on Academic and Expressive Freedom by emphasizing the college’s commitment to protecting these rights in the midst of governmental threats.

Thoughts on Theses: Sonia Chajet Wides

In her history thesis, Senior Managing Editor Sonia Chajet Wides ’25 explored the little-known 19th century Christian nationalist society dedicated to converting Jews and displacing them to a colony in upstate New York, with members ranging from John Quincy Adams to Amherst College students.

Satire: Star Trek: One Small Step for Mammoth, One Giant Leap for MammothKind

Starting in the spring semester of 2026, the Loeb Center will debut its newest trek. Eight eligible students will be propelled into the sky and tasked with learning amongst the stars in the new space-based program: Star Trek.

LA to Amherst: Students Reflect on January Fires

Since Jan. 7, relentless fires have ravaged the Los Angeles community, forcing many to evacuate to safety. Assistant Features Editors Mira Wilde ’28 and Talia Ehrenberg ’28 highlighted the experiences of two students from LA and their transitions back to Amherst.

Town of Amherst Celebrates Large Improvement in LGBTQ+ Rights Score

The town’s near-perfect score of 99/100 from the Human Rights Campaign represents a one-third increase over last year’s showing. The largest improvement came in the area of equality in the workplace, after the rollout of transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits.

Jones Library Receives First Under-Budget Bid for Renovation Project

The bid clears the way for the project to move forward, but a new wrinkle in the project’s historic review process could lead to additional delays.

Sis’s Place: Student Founds Housing Nonprofit

Aletheia Woodford ’26E is a full-time student and the founder and executive director of Sis’s Place Inc., a nonprofit which will provide immediate housing to domestic violence survivors in the Pioneer Valley.

Professors Plan Syllabi, Class Discussions Around Election

In light of Tuesday’s election, some professors have altered their syllabi. Staff Writer Talia Ehrenberg ’28 and Assistant Features Editor Nife Joshua ’26 spoke with two Amherst professors about how they plan to approach the election in their classes.

Amherst Earns Gold Star in Sustainability

The Office of Sustainability announced that the college has achieved a Gold rating in AASHE’s STARS program, which focuses on a holistic assessment of campus sustainability practices.