College News - The Amherst Student

College News

Students Rally for Reproductive Justice Following Leaked Supreme Court Opinion

Students Rally for Reproductive Justice Following Leaked Supreme Court Opinion

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, approximately 400 Amherst college students participated in a class walkout and protest on the Amherst Town Common in response to a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion poised to overturn the 1973 landmark decision Roe v. Wade.

College Announces Changes to Covid Protocols Amid Rising Cases

Over a series of emails throughout the past week, the college announced heightened Covid protocols following a sharp uptick in cases. Changes include more restrictive masking policies and the implementation of in-place isolation.

Classes of 2022 and 2020 To Celebrate Commencement on Campus

Classes of 2022 and 2020 To Celebrate Commencement on Campus

Commencement will be held for the Class of 2022 on Sunday, May 29, following two years of drastically altered celebrations due to Covid. Members of the Class of 2020, originally only able to attend a virtual graduation ceremony, will also have an on-campus Commencement on Saturday, June 11.

From the Red Room: May 9 AAS Meeting Updates

On Monday, May 9, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) held their 13th and final meeting of the semester. They discussed Workday Student, campus safety, and committee elections.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: May 3 to May 10

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on notable campus news that occurred during the week. In this week’s installment: the Committee of Six splits into two, the Housing Innovation Project calls on the college to donate land, and architecture students call for change.

Campus Police Log: May 3 to May 9

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

College To Hire 3 New A/P/A Studies Professors

College To Hire 3 New A/P/A Studies Professors

The Committee on Educational Policy recently approved the hiring of three tenure-track professors with backgrounds and expertise in Asian American studies to the college. The new faculty are expected to arrive for the 2023-2024 academic year.

College Purchases 46 Sunset Avenue for New President’s House

College Purchases 46 Sunset Avenue for New President’s House

The college has purchased a new house to serve as the President’s House. The new house, located at 46 Sunset Avenue, is expected to be ready for the new president by late 2022.

College Raises Wages, Employees Reflect

On April 1, a compensation increase took effect for all college employees making under $85,000 a year. The Student calculated current costs of living and spoke with dining hall employees to better understand the impacts of the raise.

Student Letter Calls for Transparency in Hiring Practices

On April 22, students delivered a letter to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion calling for transparency in the college’s faculty hiring process. The letter, which describes current hiring practices as “performative,” garnered 117 signatures from students and alumni.

Community “Rewilds” Merrill Green With Native Plants

Community “Rewilds” Merrill Green With Native Plants

On April 29, a group of student and faculty volunteers planted native Western Massachusetts plants on the green between the Merrill Apartments and the tennis courts. The native pollinator garden project aims to bring native species back to campus.

College Provides Updates on Anti-racism Action Plan

In an email sent on April 26, President Biddy Martin provided an update on the college’s 2020 Anti-Racism Plan. The email detailed initiatives in a multitude of areas, including research on Amherst’s racial history, admissions, and faculty and staff diversity and development.

From the Red Room: May 2 AAS Meeting Updates

On Monday, May 2, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) met for the 12th time this semester. Agenda items included the induction of new AAS officials, a potential bylaw to mandate senator attendance, and a discussion of reparations.

AAS Delays Bylaw Paying AAS Officials

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) voted on Monday to delay the bylaw establishing salaries for AAS officials from taking effect until at least the next academic year, after senators learned from the administration about certain obstacles to implementing the bylaw.

Safety Committee Members Reflect on Report’s Impact

Safety Committee Members Reflect on Report’s Impact

Last week, President Biddy Martin announced the Board of Trustees’ decision to keep ACPD armed after consulting a report from the Campus Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC). The Student spoke with CSAC members to better understand the report’s creation and its relation to the trustees’ decision.

SuperFan App Aims To Boost Student Engagement

SuperFan, a new app brought to Amherst’s campus, was launched on April 16 with the aim to boost engagement with campus events by rewarding students for their participation. The app was funded by the AAS, the athletics department, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

College Observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

College Observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

All April, the Peer Advocates for Sexual Respect have held a series of events to promote prevention and awareness of sexual assault. They aim to actively address root causes of sexual violence’s harm, build skills around sexual violence prevention, and provide solidarity and support to survivors.

2022-2023 AAS Senate and Judiciary Council Candidate Statements

The Association of Amherst Students (AAS) will hold elections for senators and at-large Judiciary Council members on Thursday, April 28. The students below have announced their candidacies for these elections.

From the Red Room: April 25 AAS Meeting Updates

On Monday, April 25, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) met for the 11th time this semester. The meeting’s topics included a new Budgetary Committee (BC) policy, a motion to delay the recent bylaw to compensate AAS officials, and the recently released campus safety report.

Mammoth Moments in Miniature: April 19 to April 26

Mammoth Moments in Miniature provides quick updates on notable campus news that occurred during the week. In this week’s installment: a prom, Day of Giving, and more.

Board of Trustees Votes To Keep ACPD Armed

Board of Trustees Votes To Keep ACPD Armed

The board of trustees has voted to keep the Amherst College Police Department armed, President Biddy Martin announced on Monday, April 18. The announcement came after the release of the final report from the Campus Safety Advisory Committee.

Nearly 200 Rising Sophomores Waitlisted for Fall Housing

One hundred seventy-eight rising sophomores were not able to select housing as planned on April 14, as rooms ran out just over a couple hours into the designated five-hour selection block. Students expressed frustration at the lack of communication about the situation from the college.

“Nuestras Voces” Event Uplifts Bilingual Voices

“Nuestras Voces” Event Uplifts Bilingual Voices

On Wednesday, April 13, 16 students presented poetry, videos, and art for the inaugural “Nuestras Voces” (“Our Voices”) event. In both English and Spanish, students spoke about topics including connection to home, the value of names, and gentrification of neighborhoods.

Indigenous Art Exhibit “Boundless” To Open Fall 2023

Indigenous Art Exhibit “Boundless” To Open Fall 2023

A new exhibition, “Boundless,” is set to debut in Fall 2023, focusing on American art and literature and centering Indigenous and Native perspectives. The exhibition is a collaboration between Frost Library and the Mead Art Museum.

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.