The Amherst Student

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.

News

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.

News

Denial of Remote Learning Prompts Accessibility Concerns

Although many students have welcomed the college’s return to fully in-person learning, some students have requested to learn remotely due to personal circumstances. The college has denied all such requests, however, citing the importance of residential experiences to an Amherst education.

News

From the Red Room: Nov. 29 AAS Meeting Updates

The AAS held its second to last meeting of the semester on Monday, Nov. 29. Senators discussed Budgetary Committee recommendations, concerns about the Omicron variant, and the possibility of providing Grammarly for free to all students.

Arts and Living

The Amherst Student Editorial Board Wrapped: 2021

With Spotify Wrapped rapidly approaching, our editorial staff decided to share some of our top tracks and favorite finds of late. From Indie to Pop, our collective playlist has no shortage of repeat-worthy songs for you to explore!

Crossword

Restaurant Races - Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021

Play the new Amherst Student Crossword!

Opinion

Is It Bussin'?

The Editorial Board reflects on Amherst’s campus-wide group chat, considering its powerful potential as well as its negative ramifications.

2021-2022

The Lyceum Project Brings the Humanities Out of the Basement

Assistant Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 shares his excitement for the Lyceum Project, which has just broken ground on Amherst’s campus.

News

Thoughts on Theses: Sage Innerarity

Sage Innerarity is a double major in English and American studies. She is writing her thesis on Indigenous creation stories and tribal histories from her home community. Her thesis advisor is Professor of English and American Studies Lisa Brooks.

News

Campus Police Log: Nov. 18 to Nov. 28

The latest installment of the Police Log, from Nov. 18 to Nov. 28, can be found here.

Opinion

Satire: Students Return from Break No More Motivated Than Before

Satire columnist Andrew Rosin ’25 comments on student burnout and jokes about students’ desire for another break.

Sports

Swimming and Diving Team Makes a Splash in First Competitions

Over the November break, both the women’s and men’s swim and dive teams blew Colby out of the water in their season opener. Then successfully defended their Little Three supremacy against Wesleyan just two days later.

Opinion

Seeing Double: Auditions, To Do or Not To Do?

Seeing Double columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 considers how to balance equity with beauty and access with skill in an article inspired by recent AAS rulings on auditions and funding.

Opinion

Satire: Students Rally Around New Alcoholic Pledge

Managing Sports Editor Ethan Samuels ’23 shares a satirical take on the COP26 climate summit, imagining students making similar pledges to curb drinking.

Sports

Men's Soccer Reaches National Semifinals

Men’s soccer continued its hot streak with wins over SUNY Cortland and Middlebury, landing the team a spot in the NCAA Division III Final Four for the second straight year. Key forward German Giammattei ’22 led the way, scoring four goals for the Mammoths.

Sports

Vera Highlights Women’s Basketball's Excellent Start

Led by Anling Vera ’25, who was named NESCAC Player of the Week last week for her performance, Amherst put together a 2-0 stretch, beating Gordon College and Bates College in non-conference bouts.

Sports

Women’s Ice Hockey Begins Season With a Tied Record

Over the Thanksgiving Break, the defending NESCAC champions opened their season at 2-2, falling twice to Hamilton College before decisive wins against Manhattanville College and Johnson & Wales University, writes Maya Reiner '25.

Sports

Men’s Basketball Off to Dominant Start, Undefeated in First Five Games

The men’s basketball team is off to a red-hot start, handily winning their first six games by an average of 32 points per game, Alex Noga '23 writes.

Sports

Squash’s Depth Across the Ladders Proves Essential for Opening Weekend Success

Highlighted by the women's team's 5-4 win against Stanford University, both squash teams went 2-1 in their first weekend of play.

Sports

Men's Hockey Falls to 1-3 After Opening-Week Play

While most Amherst students were celebrating Thanksgiving — and time off from classes — men’s hockey made its return to competition for the first time in almost two years. Although there were successes, Amherst stumbled to a 1-3 record in the four-game stretch.

Arts and Living

Painstaking Precision: Detangling Hidden Meaning in "The Power of the Dog"

In "The Power of the Dog," Academy Award-winning director Jane Campion turns her focus to the '20s American West. Staff Writer Miles Garcia '25 analyzes the hyper-detailed film and its insights into toxic masculinity and lingering traumas.

Arts and Living

Mitski: Mixing Music and Mental Health

After a four-year hiatus, Mitski has released two singles for her upcoming sixth album "Laurel Hell." Staff Writer Yasmin Hamilton '24 reflects on what these singles might mean for the new album's direction.

Arts and Living

Netflix Crowned the Colossus of Christmas

The days of the Hallmark Channel's monopoly over holiday films are a thing of the past, Staff Writer Madeline Lawson '25 notes that Netflix has emerged as a legitimate competitor, with franchises like "The Princess Switch" bringing in big bucks.

Arts and Living

No Time to Die: Craig's Final Feature Falls Flat

Staff Writer Davis Renella '24 reviews "No Times to Die," Daniel Craig's final performance as James Bond. Marred by unemotional acting, overcomplicated plot points, too many characters, and weak writing, it's a disappointing finale.

Podcast

The Student Sums it Up: Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Today, we discuss the student quarantine experience and the unfolding debate over whether or not the college should maintain a remote learning option. Produced by Sam Spratford '24 and Maggie McNamara '23; edited by Spencer Michaels '24.

News

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.

News

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.

News

The Deadly Stretch: Students and Faculty Report Intense Burnout

As the college community counts down the days until November break begins, students and faculty report feeling notably overstressed and tired. Some attribute these increased feelings of burnout to the adjustment back to in-person learning.

Opinion

Burnout: Reigniting the Flame

The Editorial Board addresses student burnout, arguing that collaboration between professors and students may be the best way forward.

Opinion

Seeing Double: “What Is Amherst Uprising?”

Seeing Double columnists Thomas Brodey ’22 and Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 look back at the Amherst Uprising and question how the student body can maintain movements’ memories when their time on campus is so short.

Cartoon

Red Herring: Hallow-Christmas

Red Herring cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 pokes fun at those who celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving by envisioning beloved horror scenes in a more festive light.

Opinion

Satire: Attendance Rate Increases by Zero Percent After Daylight Savings

Satire columnist Andrew Rosin ’25 notes that the recent shift from daylight savings is not going to be much help in getting students to class on time.

Arts and Living

WAMH × The Student: Reflecting on Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

Joni Mitchell's birthday on Nov. 7 provides a perfect chance to look back on the varied, introspective, and moving music she created. WAMH host Olive Amdur '23 reflects on "Blue," one of her favorite albums, finding both newness and memories in each of its songs.

Arts and Living

Val Hacks: "Tikka Masala"

Whether its lasagna or kalbi short ribs, everybody has a Val meal they'd rather avoid. Staff Columnist Audrey Rosevear ’22 presents “Val Hacks,” a column dedicated to exploring the alternative culinary possibilities available at Val. Up first, her Tikka Masala recipe.

Arts and Living

Nostalgia and Nothing More: ABBA’s Comeback Falls Short

Abba's "Voyage" is the Swedish group's first album since 1981. Staff Writer Sarah Weiner '24 argues that it might also be the group's worst. Still, she finds a few songs that manage to stand out from the surrounding mess, retaining the groups signature high-energy style.

Arts and Living

Richard Powers Perfects his Craft With "The Overstory" and "Bewilderment"

From his postmodern origins to his recent string of bestsellers, Richard Powers has had a fascinating career. Staff Writer Joe Sweeney '25 discusses Powers' newest novel "Bewilderment," which mixes devastatingly brutal plot points with a hopeful message.

Arts and Living

"Florence" Stands Out As a Decent Digital Distraction

Mobile games don't have a good reputation. While most are shoddily designed and packed with microtransactions and addictive features, a few gems do manage to stand out. Staff writer Ross Kilpatrick 24E highlights one of these, 2018's "Florence," a movingly simple game.

Arts and Living

Taylor Swift Re-records and Reclaims "Red"

With the release of "Red (Taylor's Version)" last Friday, Nov. 12, Taylor Swift ignited her fan base and redefined standards in the music industry. This week, Staff Writer Brianne LaBare '25 discusses Swift's monumental re-recording of her beloved album "Red."

Sports

Women’s Soccer Eliminated From NCAA Tournament in Thriller

After pulling out a win against Lesley University in the NCAA tournament, the women's soccer team faced a devastating end to their season this weekend with a well-fought loss to Johns Hopkins University.

News

Staff Spotlight: David Ke

David Ke is a CDC responsible for supervising the CA's in Appleton, South, North, and Williston Halls. David is perhaps most known on campus for his Instagram-famous dog, Potato, who provides joy and delight to countless members of the campus community.