Faculty Approve Changes to Latin Honors Policy

The faculty voted to approve new criteria for the college-level determination of Latin honors, in a meeting on Feb. 7. The new criteria, which are based on a student’s median grade and the fulfillment of a breadth requirement, replace the previous criterion that awarded honors based on class rank.

Exit Letter: An Unforgettable Journey

For her last issue serving as editor-in-chief of The Student, Yee-Lynn Lee ’23 walks through the two and a half years she’s spent on the paper, and the meaning that it has had for her at each step.

Promoting Justice Through Architecture — Alumni Profile, Bryan Bradshaw ’13

An artist, designer, and activist, Bryan Bradshaw ’13 works to design spaces that center the needs and stories of historically marginalized groups.

Community Honors Memory and Legacy of Professor Franklin Odo

John Woodruff Simpson Lecturer Franklin Odo passed away on Sept. 28. A renowned scholar and inspiring teacher, he left his mark on both the field of Asian American studies and the lives of many students.

ACEMS Redoubles Efforts To Diversify Membership

In an effort to diversify its membership, the Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS) has made a number of changes to its recruitment and application process this semester, including expanded advertising and a reworking of its application.

New Covid Bathroom Policy Reversed Before Implemented

After announcing a plan for integrated residence hall bathroom use between Covid-positive and uninfected students, the college reversed its decision just hours later upon receiving substantial student backlash.

College Relaxes Covid Protocols Amid Uptick in Cases

Despite an increase in cases, the college has relaxed some of its Covid restrictions and opted not to reinstate surveillance testing at this time. The decision reflects a shift away from institutional management of community health to a reliance on personal responsibility, a Sept. 8 email stated.

The Return to Amherst: An Interview with President Michael Elliott

President Michael Elliott sat down with The Student to discuss his journey back to Amherst, and his plans at the college moving forward.

New Faculty Welcome Dinner Becomes Super-spreader Event

An Aug. 23 faculty dinner hosting about 60 people at the Inn at Boltwood led to about 25 faculty and staff — most of whom were faculty members — testing positive for Covid following the event. Several professors had to teach remotely or cancel class the first week due to contracting Covid.

College Files Amicus Brief in Harvard, UNC Supreme Court Affirmative Action Cases

The college filed an amicus curiae brief on Aug. 1 in support of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina in the upcoming Supreme Court cases challenging their use of race-conscious admissions practices. The brief was coordinated by the college and signed by 32 peer institutions.

False Active Shooter Alerts Disrupt First Day of Orientation

Multiple false AC Alerts warning of a possible active shooter on campus were sent out early Friday afternoon, inciting panic across the college community. The false alerts were due to a technical error on the part of one of the software companies that support the alert system.

Ryan Yu: Living Life on His Own Terms

While Ryan Yu has made a lasting impact on The Student, what’s most notable about him is his unwavering commitment to finding his own path.

Rebecca Picciotto: Stewarding Stories With Care and Perspective

Rebecca Picciotto has a deep passion for connecting with people through journalism. But she also understands just where journalism can fall short.

From the Red Room: April 18 AAS Meeting Updates

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) met for the 10th time this semester on April 18. The meeting covered funding requests, a public comment, and numerous AAS updates.

Following Petition, College Grants Fulbright Language Assistants’ Request for Compensation

The college has agreed to compensate three Spanish Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA) with room and board for the remote semesters of the 2020-2021 academic year. The decision comes after the three sent a petition to the administration last Wednesday requesting the payment.

Thoughts On Theses: Riku Kusumoto

Riku Kusumoto is a political science major. He is writing a political theory thesis on Ernesto Laclau’s work on populism. His thesis advisor is Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank ’55 Professor of International Relations Pavel Machala.

Fulbright Language Assistants Petition for Pandemic Compensation

This morning, March 30, three Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA) for the Spanish Department sent a petition with over 400 signatures to the administration, requesting room and board compensation for the 2020-2021 academic year.

“I Was Angry That People Were Going To Die”: Students Speak on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has thrown into turmoil the lives of Ukrainian and Russian students at the college. Ukrainian students have had to worry about the safety of their families and mobilize resources for their home country, all while being full-time students thousands of miles away.

Student Spotlight: Oren Tirschwell ’25

Oren Tirschwell ’25 is a first-year student from Westchester, N.Y. After the college announced they would stop sending out daily Covid updates, Tirschwell took it upon himself to construct a replacement tool, which he made available to interested students on Feb. 20.

Historic Class of 2022E Approaches Graduation

Seventy-four seniors will graduate at the end of this semester as members of the Class of 2022E, one of the largest E classes in the college’s history. The Student sat down with seven graduating seniors to hear about their experiences and reflections on the nearing end to their time at Amherst.

College Converts Casual Staff to Benefited Positions

President Biddy Martin announced on Nov. 17 that the college will be converting some of its casual staff positions to benefited positions, an initiative that has been under discussion throughout the year. The announcement followed a student-led demonstration demanding for better pay for Val workers.

Town of Amherst Goes to Vote on Town Council Seats, Jones Library Renovation

The Town of Amherst held its biennial municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Positions on the Town Council, School Committee, and Housing Authority were on the ballot, among others. Voters also participated in a referendum on a proposed renovation of Jones Library.

Fresh Faculty: Ren Wiscons

Ren Wiscons is an assistant professor of chemistry. She received her bachelor’s degree at Oberlin College, and completed a master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

College Announces End of Legacy Admissions

In an email sent to the college community on Oct. 20, President Biddy Martin announced that starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, the college will end its legacy admission preference as well as implement an expanded and simplified financial aid program.

Administration Affirms Support for A/P/A Studies in AAAN Meeting

Leaders of the Amherst Asian Alumni Network (AAAN) met with members of the administration on Oct. 6 to discuss the open letter they published calling for A/P/A studies. The administration affirmed their support of pursuing an A/P/A studies major at the college.

Board Chair Updates College Community on Presidential Search

In an email sent on Oct. 7, Chair of the Board of Trustees Andrew Nussbaum ’85 updated the college community on the search and selection process for the next president of Amherst College, who will succeed President Biddy Martin after this academic year.

Harriet Washington Speaks on Racial Harm in Science and Medicine

Writer and medical ethicist Harriet Washington spoke in Johnson Chapel on Sept. 30 as the inaugural scholar in the college’s Presidential Scholars series. The conversation covered topics including racial health disparities and vaccine hesitancy.

OLs, CAs Frustrated by Delays in Receiving Pay

Nearly one month after orientation, Orientation Leaders (OL) have still not been paid for their work. The paychecks of several Community Advisors (CA) were also delayed. Students are frustrated by the disregard for student workers evident in the administration’s handling of the situation.

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.

Fresh Faculty: Christine Peralta

Christine Peralta is an assistant professor of history and sexuality, women and gender studies. She received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Q: How did you become interested in history? A: It's kind of funny. A lot of people who talk about history say they hated their history classes, but I was a total nerd when it came to my history classe

Staff Spotlight: Kevin Weinman

Kevin Weinman became Amherst’s Chief Financial Officer in 2013, overseeing the college’s financial planning, investments and Covid response. Weinman recently announced that he will be departing in early September to serve as president of Marist College.

CDSL Renamed as the Class & Access Resource Center

The center formerly known as the Center for Diversity & Student Leadership (CDSL) is now the Class & Access Resource Center (CARC) going forward. The new name was brought about by student advocacy for a name emphasizing the center's activities.

All Students Arrive for In-Person Semester on Campus

Almost 2000 students moved onto campus between Aug. 20 and Aug. 29. Even with continuing Covid restrictions, this pandemic semester has come the closest to achieving a pre-pandemic campus experience.

In Open Letter, Alumni Ramp Up Calls for Asian/Pacific/American Studies Major

The Amherst Asian Alumni Network (AAAN) wrote an open letter in early August to key administrators calling on them to commit to establishing a Asian/Pacific/American studies major. Though similar appeals have been ongoing for years, the recent wave of anti-Asian racism has redoubled the calls.

Amherst Approves Reparations for Black Residents. How is the College Involved?

This summer, the Town of Amherst established a fund that will provide reparations to Black residents. The initiative intends to make amends for the town’s past harms as the community continues to grapple with its relationship to institutionalized racism.

Sirig Gurung: A Commitment to Curiosity, Compassion & Care

Gurung has drawn on his deep well of kindness and curiosity to touch the lives of those around him and uplift the communities of which he is a part. Photo courtesy of Sirig Gurung ’21.Sirig Gurung’s ’21 unassuming and humble disposition belies the large impact he has on those around him. Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Gurung is a beloved member of the international student community at Amherst, which he has actively contributed to through his work with the Center for International Student En

ResLife Modifies CA Position Description Following USWAC Campaign

Returning and prospective Community Advisors (CAs) received an updated position description for the 2021-2022 academic year on Wednesday, May 12, a week after the Office of Residential Life (ResLife) sent them the initial draft of the contract. The primary adjustments made included changes to and clarifications of the on-call system, as well as increased compensation for CAs with greater experience and those working on the first-year quad. While organizers of the Union of Student Workers at Amhe

New Student Workers' Union Demands Better for CAs

The Union of Student Workers at Amherst College (USWAC) [https://linktr.ee/Uswac1821] announced its official launch and inaugural campaign this past week in response to dissatisfaction among Community Advisors (CAs) with the position description for next year, which seemed to add significant demands on their time without any change in compensation or additional benefit to residents. In an effort to demand better working conditions and compensation from the Office of Residential Life (ResLife), U

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

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

College Community Shows Solidarity in Stop Asian Hate Rally

Header photo courtesy of Jess Li ’24. A Stop Asian Hate rally following the recent Atlanta spa shootings was held on Saturday, March 27 in front of Porter and Garman House. The gathering of Amherst students, staff and faculty was part of a larger public rally organized primarily by two graduate students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, which took place across the street in the Town Common. The rally was dedicated to  Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women who face racism a

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

In Response to Atlanta Spa Shootings, Asian Students Grieve, Mobilize and Call for Action

The killing of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, on March 16 in a series of three mass shootings in Atlanta, Georgia devastated the college’s Asian and Asian American community. In an email sent the following day, President Biddy Martin condemned the attacks, offering resources and support to community members. But with the letter coming almost a year after anti-Asian racism during the pandemic first made it to the forefront of campus consciousness [https://amherststudent.com/article/a

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

One Year In, Students Reflect on the Pandemic

It’s been a year since the college shut down and the Covid-19 pandemic became a visceral reality for everyone in the United States. Few anticipated then that the pandemic would still be continuing to this day. The Student sat down with several students virtually to ask how the past year has treated them.  Though challenges and hardships defined the pandemic, many students highlighted what they have done to make the most of the past twelve months. The pandemic has brought about tremendous loss i

Thoughts on Theses: Andrew Swenson

Q: What is your thesis about? A: My thesis is at the intersection of urban economics and industrial organization economics. What it’s looking at is competition between landowners who own retail centers. It’s essentially thinking about how the landowners’ choice[s] of retailers within the centers affect each other. At the start of [brainstorming for] my thesis, I identified two effects that the number of retailers within a center can have. The first [is that] if you have more retailers within yo

New Academic Building to Celebrate Humanistic Thinking and Inquiry

The college will build a new academic building named the Aliki Perroti & Seth Frank Lyceum. The Lyceum will be located just south of the President’s House and will contain the Center for Humanistic Inquiry (CHI) on the ground floor and the Department of History in the two floors above. Construction of the building is expected to begin in October 2021 and be completed by July 2023. A response to the dire shortage of faculty office space and academic space on campus, the Lyceum will be a renovate

Headlining Litfest 2021, Charles Yu, Megha Majumdar Spotlight Asian American Identity

LitFest 2021 featured 2020 National Book Award for Fiction winner Charles Yu and nominee Megha Majumdar in a virtual conversation moderated by Thirii Myo Kyaw Myint, a visiting writer at the college on Feb. 26. Responding to questions posed by Myint and audience members, Yu and Majumdar spoke about topics ranging from the surging anti-Asian racism in the U.S. to how they wrestle with such issues through their writing. LitFest commemorates the college’s literary tradition by hosting various arti

Fresh Faculty: Will Rosenbaum

Will Rosenbaum is an assistant professor of computer science. He received a bachelor’s degree from Reed College. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a master’s degree and doctorate. Q: How did you become interested in computer science? A: I kind of came to computer science by accident through math. So, my undergraduate degree is in math, and actually, my Ph.D. is in math as well. When I was a graduate student at UCLA, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to sp

ACEMS To Resume EMT Services on March 1

Amherst College Emergency Medical Services (ACEMS) recently announced that ACEMS will be resuming service starting on March 1 after a fall semester off-service due to inadequate resources and staff. Armed with new protocols developed for Covid-19 safety, ACEMS hopes to address the gap left without them in the student experience and allow students to feel safer on campus. ACEMS is a student-run and student-staffed volunteer organization that provides 24/7 basic life support in response to medica

As Students Settle to a Second Covid Semester, Counseling Center Adapts Mental Health Resources

Although the counseling center cannot offer services to out-of-state students, it still offers counseling for on-campus students and students in Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Emma Swislow ’20.Throughout the year, the college has grappled with the difficulties of serving the needs of a student body that is scattered across the country, and even across the world. The same is true with regards to providing mental health support for students. The college has worked to offer an array of mental hea

APU Hosts Former Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang in Discussion of American Politics

The Amherst Political Union (APU) hosted a virtual conversation with 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang, moderated by APU co-presidents Witter Swanson ’21 and Rebecca Wistreich ’21, on Nov. 13. The livestream was attended by over 200 students, alumni and other members of the college community. Responding to questions posed by Swanson and Wistreich, as well as other students and audience members, Yang spoke about topics including his bid for presidency, policy views and goals moving forward.

Fresh Faculty: Rebecca Stephens Falcasantos

Rebecca Stephens Falcasantos is an assistant professor of religion. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Creighton University, a master’s from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Brown University. Q: What inspired you to become a scholar of religion? A: When I started college, I thought I was going to be a math major. And then I took an anthropology course, which got me really interested in the way that different people and different groups act and behave. And, so, I toyed with the

Students on Leave Take Up Important Causes from Social to Scientific

As many students have opted to take an academic leave this fall rather than enroll in an unprecedented semester of restricted campus life or remote learning, some have found different ways to occupy their time away from Amherst, notably by working on important causes ranging from the pandemic to the election. Between internships, campaign work and other activities, they have also had to deal with the challenges of being separated from friends and campus life. After the college announced their r

Thoughts on Theses: Ben Gilsdorf

Ben Gilsdorf is a history major. He is writing his thesis on the history of voting rights in Hawaii. His thesis advisor is Professor of History and Environmental Studies Ted Melillo. Q: What is your thesis about? A: Broadly, I’m looking at the history of voting rights in Hawaii and how it relates to U.S. colonialism, specifically looking first at the way in which democracy and voting rights [were] conceived in the 19th century as a way for the U.S. colonizers to legitimate their presence in g

Local Restaurants See Uptick in Business as College Enters Delivery Express Partnership

Amherst residents stroll through the town on an afternoon before the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.In an email to on-campus students on Sept. 11, Chief Student Affairs Officer Karu Kozuma announced that the college would launch a new partnership with Delivery Express, a local food delivery service akin to Uber Eats, DoorDash and other competitors. Apart from expanding dining options for students, the program has bolstered business for restaurants in town, many of which have experienced a

Will He Go?: Professor Lawrence Douglas Questions Trump Election Fallout

Laura Jarrett ’07 (left) moderated an talk with Professor Lawrence Douglas (right), who recently published a book exploring whether President Donald Trump would leave office if he loses the 2020 presidential election. Photo courtesy of Ryan Yu ’22.What would happen if President Donald Trump were to refuse to accept the 2020 presidential election results? In a Zoom webinar with nearly 600 attendees on Sept. 10, James J. Grosfeld Professor of Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought Lawrence Douglas