Staff Spotlight: Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips is a Cash Operations Supervisor who currently works at Grab-n-Go. She spoke on her 30 years working at Amherst, Pride, birdhouses, coaching sports, and her advice for Amherst students.
Features
Quick Questions: How Much Does Dorm Damage Cost?
Last December, The Student reported on the impact of repeated instances of dorm damage on custodial staff and the facilities department. In this edition of Quick Questions, we totaled the monetary cost of those damages.
Birding at Amherst: Crows, Coops, and Cameras
This past year, birding at Amherst has seen a rise in popularity. Staff writer Fahim Zaman ’25 reflects on the beauty of birding through the stories of three Amherst students involved in bird-related activities.
Thoughts on Theses: Meenakshi Jani
Meenakshi Jani (she/her) is an environmental studies and history major writing a thesis about colonial forestry in India and the Philippines. Her thesis looks into the role of forest officers and forest department employees in the larger colonial project in these places.
From Eggshells to Energy: Tracking the College’s Compost
The college produces a staggering amount of food waste which, thanks to a new contract, is processed by Vanguard Renewables into low-carbon fertilizer and renewable natural gas. The new composting program is part of a broader reassessment of food systems and food waste at the college.
What Happens After Dorm Damage?
On the other side of every weekend, there’s someone cleaning up the mess —and the damage — left behind by parties. The Student spoke to custodial staff, supervisors, and directors to understand how repeated dorm damage has impacted them.
Thoughts on Theses: Melanie Schwimmer
Melanie Schwimmer is an American studies major who is writing a thesis on fatness and fatphobia throughout history. Her thesis advisor is L. Stanton Williams 1941 Professor of American Studies and English Karen J. Sánchez-Eppeler.