The Common and Amherst Cinema Lose Federal Grants

On May 2, The Common and Amherst Cinema were among many arts organizations that lost National Endowment for the Arts grants.

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.

Local Libraries Facing Funding Cuts After Executive Order

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 14, targeting federal funding to libraries and museums through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Local libraries are feeling the effects of the order, including Forbes Library of Northampton, which lost a $7,500 grant.

Provost Discusses the Effects of AI on the College

In a virtual conversation open to students, Provost and Dean of the Faculty Martha Umphrey discussed the challenges artificial intelligence poses to the college while also highlighting the innovative pedagogical methods the current moment could produce.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: May 1 to May 8

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition includes a blood drive hosted by Amherst Hillel and Baystate Health, the drop-off of Boomerang storage boxes, and the annual Emily Dickinson Poetry Walk.

Campus Police Log: April 29 to May 4

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from April 29 to May 4, can be found here.

Elliott Outlines Priorities at “State of the College” Address

President Michael Elliott delivered his annual “State of the College” address at the AAS’ weekly meeting on Monday. Elliott discussed the pressure the college currently faces from the federal government while emphasizing the values he would like to see in the Amherst community.

Emily Dickinson Museum’s Federal Grant Revoked

The Emily Dickinson Museum announced that the Institute of Museum and Library Services revoked its $117,000 federal grant, which it was originally awarded in September 2023. The museum was using the grant to digitize its collections.

College Joins Amicus Brief Challenging Visa Revocations

Last week, the college announced it had joined 85 other institutions in filing an amicus brief in federal court challenging the visa revocations of various international students across the country.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: April 24 to April 30

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition includes the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony, a reading with Palestinian-American writer Sarah Aziza, and a talk on defunding science initiatives.

Campus Police Log: April 21 to April 28

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from April 21 to April 28, can be found here.

Former New York Times Lawyer Discusses Trump’s Attacks on the Press

Last week, Amherst Students for Democracy hosted former New York Times lawyer George Freeman ’71, who discussed the implications of the Trump Administration’s dealings with the press.

Val Changeup Lets Students Serve Themselves

Dining Services switched to self-serve for lunch and dinner last week to begin a four-week “pilot.” The change comes in preparation for the opening of the new student center, which will be fully self-serve.

Economics Professor Lectures on Lessons from Ethiopia

In the annual Lazerowitz Lecture, Assistant Professor of Economics Mesay Gebresilasse discussed the role agricultural productivity plays in the global economic gap between countries with high and low GDPs.

AAS Candidate Statements for 2025-2026 Senators

2025-2026 candidates for the Association of Amherst Students’ senate elections on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, have submitted their statements. Speech Night will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 8 p.m. in the Cole Assembly Room.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: April 17 to April 23

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition includes the annual City Streets Festival, the college’s signing of a joint statement condemning Trump, and a lecture on “Education and the World.”

Campus Police Log: April 14 to April 19

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from April 14 to April 19, can be found here.

New Meal Plan System Announced for Fall 2025

Dining Services is introducing five new meal plans for Fall 2025. The new options all have an increased number of guest swipes, the addition of Dining Dollars, five Grab & Go swipes, and a different number of meals per week.

Vote on New Honor Code Pushed Amid Controversy

After controversy arose over a planned vote to change the Student Honor Code, the College Council has decided to postpone the vote until the Fall 2025 semester.

Town Council Votes to Increase Regional Public Schools’ Budget

The Town Council voted to increase the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools (ARPS) and the elementary schools’ budgets after complaints about the proposed $3 million in budget cuts announced in March. The council’s recommendation must be approved by the Town Manager on May 1.

AAS E-Board Candidate Statements for 2025-2026 E-Board

Candidates for the Association of Amherst Students’ executive board elections on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, have submitted their statements. Speech Night will be held on Wednesday, April 16, at 8 p.m. in the Cole Assembly Room.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas Speaks on How “No Human is ‘Illegal’”

Last Wednesday, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas spoke about immigration in a conversation titled “No Human is ‘Illegal.’” Vargas emphasized the importance of storytelling that humanizes immigrants and spoke about his experience as a publicly undocumented immigrant.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: April 10 to April 16

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition includes the inaugural Rhonda Cobham-Sander Lecture, the 2025 AI in the Liberal Arts Conference, and an immigration update session.

Campus Police Log: April 8 to April 13

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from April 8 to April 13, can be found here.

Students to Vote on Update to Honor Code

The College Council, a committee composed of faculty, students, and staff, has proposed changes to the College’s Honor Code. The proposed updates are designed to make the code more “concise and digestible.”

Town of Amherst Participates in Nationwide “Hands Off!” Protest

On Saturday, hundreds of protesters gathered along South Pleasant Street to protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The protest was a part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” movement, which resulted in over 1,400 events in all 50 states on the same day.

College Hosts Event to Discuss Student-Athlete Divide

On Sunday, students gathered for a discussion on the causes of the divide between student-athletes and non-athletes and ideas on how to bridge the gap.

Five UMass International Students’ Visas Revoked

In a statement written to UMass Amherst students, Chancellor Javier Reyes alerted the campus community that five international students’ visas had been revoked by the federal government but maintained that the university did not play any role in the administration’s actions.

Town Celebrates Cultural Diversity with Global Village Festival

Last Saturday, town locals gathered at Amherst Regional Middle School to celebrate the inaugural Global Village Festival. The event was designed to celebrate Amherst’s cultural diversity and promote inclusivity within the community.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: April 2 to April 9

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week's edition includes an update on the regional schools budget, a symposium honoring Professor of Black Studies Rhonda Cobham-Sander, and a talk on President Donald Trump's policies targeting higher education.

Campus Police Log: April 1 to April 7

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from April 1 to April 7, can be found here.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office in Hadley Faces Closure

The proposed closure of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast Regional Headquarters in Hadley has drawn criticism from politicians and prompted concern for the welfare of local federal employees.

Amherst Community Protests to “Stand up for Democracy”

On Friday, approximately 50 students, faculty and staff, and town members gathered at the intersection of South Pleasant Street, College Road, and Northampton Road, to “stand up for democracy.”

Hadley Farmers Protest Trump’s Federal Funding Cuts

On March 23, approximately 300 farmers demonstrated against Trump’s recent federal funding cuts in front of the Hadley Farm Museum. Demonstrators were joined by several policymakers, including U.S. House Representative Jim McGovern.

College Reacts to Department of Education Executive Order

On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order beginning the shutdown of the Department of Education, which could impact the college’s funding for faculty research and financial aid processes.

Faculty Vote to Separate the Mathematics and Statistics Department

On Friday, the faculty voted unanimously to separate the math and statistics department into two. The two departments are currently housed in the same department but have separate majors and faculty meetings.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: March 26 to April 2

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features Spring Concert Opener auditions, a talk by Associate Professor of Law at Columbia University Mala Chatterjee, and a CAB event featuring a hypnotist.

Campus Police Log: March 24 to March 30

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from March 24 to March 30, can be found here.

College Publishes Admissions Statistics for Class of 2029

Amherst received a record-high 15,818 applications and admitted 1,175 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 7%. Final enrollment statistics will be released in the fall.

Amherst Regional Public Schools Superintendent Cleared of Misconduct Allegations

Members of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee and the Union 26 School Committee received an anonymous letter in November 2024 accusing superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman of misconduct. An outside investigation cleared Herman of the allegations.

Amherst Cinema Announces Various Cost-Cutting Measures

Amherst Cinema is shuttering its Studio Theater, discontinuing certain showtimes, cutting four screens to three, and reducing staffers. This comes after a drop in memberships to 85% of pre-pandemic levels.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: March 12 to March 26

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features a talk by University of California Berkeley History Professor and alumnus Ethan Katz ’02, the college’s second annual Hackathon, and the launch of a volunteer opportunity database.

Campus Police Log: March. 12 to March 25

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from March 12 to March 25, can be found here.

Students Express Frustration with Changes to Theme Housing

Community leaders aired objections to the new lottery system for theme housing selection, saying the system removes student voices from the selection process while undermining the goal of creating safe spaces.

College Concerned Over Potential Erasure of Education Department

Members of the Amherst administration expressed concern over the news of President Donald Trump’s potential elimination of the Education Department. Even if the department remains intact, widespread staffing cuts could be dangerous, college officials warned.

Town Residents Pack Common to Protest Trump

On the afternoon of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress last week, town residents rallied against the administration’s foreign policy actions and termination of federal employees.

Proposed Town Budget Estimates $3 Million in Cuts for Public Schools

Budget cuts are expected for the town’s public schools in the wake of declining enrollment and rising costs. 17 teaching positions are expected to be eliminated as a result of the cuts.

Panel Discusses Student Activism in the Midst of Trump Presidency

In the second iteration of the series “What Democracy’s Demise Would Mean for You,” professors from across the college addressed the effects of President Donald Trump’s actions on American democracy while calling on students to take on pro-democracy activism.

Campus Police Log: March 3 to March 9

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from March 3 to March 9, can be found here.

Faculty Vote to End Triple Majors

Last December, the faculty voted to end triple majors starting with the class of 2029. The decision was made to prioritize breadth in every student’s curriculum and out of concern over the use of faculty time.

Town Members Protest Proposed Amherst Public School Budget Cuts

Support Our Schools (SOS) Amherst, a group of parents and volunteers, protested in town on Saturday over $3 million in proposed budget cuts to Amherst public schools.

College’s Anti-Discrimination Policies Not Affected by “Dear Colleague” Letter, Elliott Says

President Michael Elliott said that a Department of Education letter the college received last month instructing Amherst to end race-based policies does not have the force of law and has not caused the college to change any of its policies.

College Reverts Back to 2020 Title IX Regulations

In compliance with recent federal orders, the College announced that it would revert back to its 2020 Title IX regulations. The current interim policy has a narrower definition of sexual harassment and no longer covers discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Panel Discusses Effects of Trump Presidency on Amherst Students

An interdisciplinary panel addressed how Trump’s presidency will impact the lives of Amherst students throughout college and after graduation. Speakers focused on the future of the job market, everyday life choices, and individual freedoms.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Feb. 26 to March 5

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features the Asian Alumni Weekend, a talk by New York University Professor Liam Murphy, and a candlelight vigil at Town Hall.

Campus Police Log: Feb. 24 to March 3

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Feb. 24 to March 3, can be found here.

New Town Liberatory Visioning Project Aims to Make Community More Inclusive

The Town of Amherst will be rolling out its Liberatory Visioning Project over the next month. The initiative features multiple dialogue sessions and aims to make the community more inclusive.

Plan to Connect Rail Trail to Boston Gains Steam

The Town of Hadley recently formalized its support to complete the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail. The completed build-out will connect the local Norwottuck trail with 104 miles of trail across Massachusetts.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature Feb. 19 to Feb. 26

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features the 10th annual LitFest, maple syrup boiling at Book & Plow, and a book talk by University of Göttingen Professor Srirupa Roy.

Campus Police Log: Feb. 17 to Feb. 24

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Feb. 17 to Feb. 24, can be found here.

Housing Creates New “Herd Housing” System

Housing & Operations announced that the process of selecting triples and suites is now being replaced by the “Herd Housing” system, including a “Pod Housing” application where students can request to be placed in neighboring rooms.

College Honors MLK with Day of Service Events

Members of the Amherst community gathered last week to volunteer for the college’s MLK Day of Service and Action, an event aimed at celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision of social justice.

Journalist Gershom Gorenberg Discusses Crisis of Israeli Democracy

The Israeli journalist discussed the history of his country’s institutions to trace the roots of its democratic crisis.

Local Immigration Attorney Counsels International Students

Last week, the college hosted local attorney Dan Berger to address the anxieties expressed by many international students after Trump’s election. While he provided practical advice to students, Berger also assured the crowd that there were no immediate concerns over the administration’s policies.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Feb. 13 to Feb. 19

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features Professor Amelia Worsley’s new book launch, the college’s annual Winter Festival, and the annual Rappaport Lecture in Contemporary Art.

Campus Police Log: Feb. 11 to Feb. 16

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Feb. 11 to Feb. 16 can be found here.

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.

Faculty Votes to Alter Course Schedule

On Friday, Amherst faculty approved a new course schedule that will include shorter courses and more available class times throughout the day. The changes aim to make better use of available classrooms while making certain courses more accessible to students.

College Makes $2.5 Million Donation to the Town of Amherst

On Thursday, the college made its largest donation to the Town of Amherst in recent years. Funds will be distributed to fire and police services, infrastructure, and the public school system, along with the construction of a new building.

AAS Votes to Dissolve Non-Profit Status

At the AAS meeting last week, senators passed a resolution that seeks to end the group’s status as a non-profit corporation. The resolution promises to ease the legal burden on senators while improving the group’s efficiency.

Plimpton Residents Receive Mandatory Move-Out Order

Plimpton House residents received an email on Wednesday informing them of mandatory move-outs between now and March 21, the result of unusual mid-semester renovations.

College Does Not Plan to Adjust DEI Policies to Trump’s Orders

In the midst of Trump’s onslaught on DEI initiatives across the country, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) stated that they believe the college is fully compliant with federal law and that they do not plan on changing their current policies.

Genealogist Discusses Early Amherst Trustee’s Connection to Slavery

On Tuesday, Nicka Sewell-Smith, a renowned documentarian and genealogist, lectured on the financial ties to slavery of one of the college’s early founders.

AAS Candidate Statements for Vacant Spring 2025 Senators

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) will hold elections for seven senators for the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 from Friday, Feb. 14 at 12 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 15 at 12 p.m.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Feb. 6 to Feb. 12

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features Immigration Update Sessions, the “It’s On Us” men’s basketball game, and a free concert performed by pianist Nadia Shpachenko.

Campus Police Log: Feb. 3 to Feb. 10

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Feb. 3 to Feb. 10, can be found here.

ACTS Program Adjustments lead to Decreases in Wait Times and Frustrations

After a challenge-laden rollout, the Amherst College Textbooks (ACTS) program initiated a variety of changes for this semester. As a result, students described acquiring course materials and textbooks this week as a far more efficient experience than in the fall.

Sitze, Elliott, Discuss Academic Freedom in the Wake of Trump’s Inauguration

In a webinar open to students on Monday, Professor of Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought Adam Sitze defined academic freedom, explored its history, and discussed the ways in which it can be protected in today’s political age.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Jan. 29 to Feb. 5

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features signing panels for the New Student Center, Maple Tree Tapping at Book & Plow, and National Girls & Women in Sports Day.

Campus Police Log: Jan. 27 to Feb. 3

>> Jan. 27, 2025 6:31 a.m., Power/Co-Gen Plant ACPD responded to a fire alarm. Cause of activation was confirmed to be accidental by a contractor. 11:20 a.m., Converse Hall An individual reports being illegally audio recorded. Investigation is open. >> Jan. 28, 2025 10:27 a.m., Northampton Road Amherst Police Department arrested the operator of a motor vehicle. 10:41 a.m., South Pleasant Street ACPD arrested the operator of a motor vehicle and they were charged with operating under the infl

College Sued by Former Employees Over Wage Dispute

Two former Amherst College employees are suing the college for alleged violations of the Massachusetts Wage Act — paying exempt employees monthly without offering other payroll options, according to the complaint.

Construction to Begin on New Town Elementary School

Two elementary schools in Amherst are set to be replaced by the new Fort River Elementary School, which contractors will begin construction on this month.

Town of Amherst Updates Housing Production Plan to Address Affordable Housing Needs

The Town of Amherst is updating its Housing Production Plan as a tool to increase deed-restricted affordable housing in response to residents’ concerns about high housing costs.

Campus Police Log: Dec. 10 to Jan. 26

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Dec. 10 to Jan. 26, can be found here.

New AAS Initiative Helps Students Carpool

In response to student difficulties getting rides from campus for breaks, the AAS has rolled out a new rideshare spreadsheet this semester. The initiative aims to connect students and allow them to carpool to nearby airports.

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.

UMass Scholar Discusses Islamophobia in Higher Education and Beyond

Musbah Shaheen, an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, lectured on the many incarnations of Islamophobia at U.S. colleges, government institutions, and culture more broadly.

Amherst Reaffirms Its Sanctuary City Status Ahead of Trump’s Term

After the town restated its commitment to not sharing the immigration status of detainees with federal officials, The Student spoke with Assistant Professor of Religion Lloyd Barba and students from his class on the history of the sanctuary movement.

Campus Police Log: Dec. 3 to Dec. 9

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, can be found here.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Dec. 4 to Dec. 10

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features Emily Dickinson's birthday celebration, The Indicator launch party, and festive Hanukkah treats.

Elliott and Tissi-Gassoway Field AAS Questions on Preparations for Trump’s Term

At the AAS’ weekly meeting, Elliott and Tissi-Gassoway answered senators’ questions about the College’s positioning for potential new policies under the Trump administration.

Economist Juliet Schor Speaks on Benefits of Four-Day Workweek in Second Point/Counterpoint Event

Schor connected ideas from her research linking work culture and climate change to advocate for a four-day workweek at the second iteration of the semester's Point/Counterpoint series.

Conservative Historian Sir Niall Ferguson Discusses Trump, Information Networks in Final Point/Counterpoint Event

The eminent historian discussed themes from his most recent books about networks and catastrophes while arguing that portrayals of Trump as a fascist are mistaken.

College Hosts Panel on Implications of Trump’s Immigration Policies

Experts from inside and outside the college gathered to advise international students on the incoming changes to the immigration landscape under Trump.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: Nov. 20 to Dec. 3

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on campus happenings. This week’s edition features a campus ping pong tournament, a town tree lighting ceremony, and the second CHI seminar.

Campus Police Log: Nov. 19 to Dec. 2

The latest installment of the Campus Police Log, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 2, can be found here.

Ross Douthat Kicks Off Point/Counterpoint Series

The conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat discussed the factors that swung the election towards Trump and decried the lack of intellectual diversity on college campuses.

Winter Break Housing Policy Revised Over International Student Complaints

The college reversed a recent winter break housing policy change that would have left many international students scrambling for a place to stay over the break.

Trump’s Election Sparks Visa Concerns for International Students

Students expressed fears that the new administration could make it harder to obtain the visas that allow them to study and work in the U.S. after graduation, and the college encouraged them to return for the Spring semester before Trump’s inauguration over fears of day-one travel restrictions.

Students Fear for Abortion Rights Post-Election

After Trump’s election, the college is monitoring abortion laws as students and the Reproductive Justice Alliance worry about a national abortion ban and restrictions on contraceptives.