On Promises Left Unfinished

A pandemic, a civil rights movement, an election — amid a series of local, national and global upheavals, last year looked different at The Student. Besides our transition to an entirely digital distribution, we deepened our commitment to holding individuals and institutions accountable in order to build a more just and equitable Amherst. We were reminded of our responsibility of serving a diverse community and taking concrete steps to become a more accessible and inclusive space. We turned inwa

“Before We Are Scientists, We Are Humans”: Students, Faculty Learn to Navigate Identity in STEM Classrooms

When not teaching introductory chemistry and biochemistry, solving the puzzles of protein folding or checking in with students, Professor of Chemistry Sheila Jaswal, affectionately referred to as Dr. J by her students, strives to become a better human in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Her efforts coincide with those of the STEM departments at Amherst to diversify majors and faculty hires, where Black and Latinx students, first-generation and/or low-income students and women ar

Notes From Frost: Amherst Uprising, Five Years On

This past November marked the fifth anniversary of Amherst Uprising, a multi-day sit-in of Frost Library led by students who demanded attention and change surrounding racism on campus. Yet, for many, the Uprising didn’t begin — or end — in the confines of the library foyer five years ago. Rather, it marked just a moment in a centuries-long struggle for racial justice and Black equality within the institution. The activism bred by Amherst Uprising was not new or unprecedented but embodied tradit