The Case for Mask-optional Classrooms at Amherst

Poler Family Professor of Psychology Catherine A. Sanderson argues that the college’s current mask policy for classes makes little scientific sense and calls for in-class masking requirements to end.

Letter to the Editor: “Every Person for Themselves”

In a letter to the editor, Chair of Psychology Catherine Sanderson criticizes the new housing process, arguing that it only puts stress on close relationships in a time when students are most in need of social support.

Letter to the Editor

Catherine A. Sanderson is a professor of Psychology at Amherst College. The lengthy article in last week’s Student on Carleen Basler’s resignation thoroughly conveyed the range of reactions, including shock, disappointment and sadness, that students, faculty and administrators have had to learning of the apparently widespread plagiarism in Basler’s scholarly work. The reasons attributed for such mistakes, at least by some students and faculty, focused on the pressures of the Amherst (and presum