Mass. Insider: We Desperately Need West-East Rail

Mass. Insider Columnist Shane Dillon ’26 reviews the statewide struggle for a high-speed rail line running from the east to the west in Massachusetts.

Rants and Raves: Peering Out of the Fishbowl

Prospective student tours are a more than slightly annoying disruption to campus life, rants Senior Managing Editor Liam Archacki ’24.

I Delete Emails Every Day

Contributing writer Pho Vu ’23 reflects on the necessary inconvenience of deleting your emails.

Red Herring: Marriage Pact Statistics

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 pokes fun at unsurprising similarities among the Amherst student body.

Fall in Love With the Pioneer Valley

The Editorial Board offers suggestions on fun fall-themed activities and places to visit in the Pioneer Valley.

The Problem With the Bruce Bogtrotter Competition

In light of the cancellation of the women’s sports teams’ annual Bruce Bogtrotter cake-eating competition, contributing writers Nina Krasnoff ’23 and Emma Strawbridge ’25 call for public recognition of how the competition dangerously promotes disordered eating behaviors.

Mass. Insider: Our Politics Are Weird, But Changing

Mass. Insider Columnist Shane Dillon ’26 attempts to make sense of a central paradox of Massachusetts politics.

Rants and Raves: Frost Findings

Managing Arts and Living Editor Madeline Lawson ’25 raves about the abundance of resources at Frost Library.

Three Stories Down: Reflections From the Catacombs

Senior Managing Editor Liam Archacki ’24 shares a piece he wrote during one of his long study sessions in the bottom level of Frost, which makes the case for C-level as, improbably, the best place to work on campus.

Mass. Insider: Maura Healey’s Bid For Governor

Columnist Shane Dillon ’26 begins his new column with a discussion of upcoming Massachusetts general election and the Democratic nominee Maura Healey, who, unusually for a Democratic candidate, may be poised to win.

Caring About the Queen Is Fun: A Hong Kong Story

Contributing Writer Priscilla Lee ’25 reflects on the cultural impact the royal family has had both in her life and in her hometown of Hong Kong in the aftermath of Elizabeth II’s death.

Red Herring: You’ve Got Mail!

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 implores the student body to check their mailboxes more frequently.

“The Spread of Covid-Lite”

Cartoonist Miles Garcia ’25 illustrates the precautions taken by many students when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of the campus at large.

The First-year’s Survival Guide

The Editorial Board offers the Class of 2026 advice on how to navigate Amherst.

Meet Jules: Trailblazer, Educator, and Val Worker

Contributing writer Jeanyna Garcia ’23 profiles a Val worker, documenting their life and challenges, and reflects upon her time in the Amherst Labor Alliance.

Tractor Drivin’ Man Experiences Book & Plow

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland '25 reflects on a summer spent as a simple farm-hand at Amherst's own Book and Plow.

A Duty to Reproductive Justice

The Editorial Board calls for the college to make a statement on the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade, asserting that abortion rights is an issue of education access and must therefore be considered pertinent to colleges.

Who’s Really Running Amherst College?

Contributing writer Phoebe Neilsen ’25 argues that the Board of Trustees is ill-equipped to make decisions on campus, calling for abolition of the board.

Seeing Double: Who Won?

Seeing Double Columnists Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 and Thomas Brodey ’22 close out their long-running column with a debate of who is the better fledgling columnist.

Red Herring: Bigfoot Sighting

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Strieff ’24 reacts to the recent UMass Amherst Alert of a suspicious firearm-carrying individual.

Standing Against AAPI Erasure

Contributing writers Karen Lee ’25 and Eleanor Lee ’25 call for solidarity in the fight for A/P/A studies and against the erasure of the work of AAPI student activists.

Title IX Blind: How Amherst Mishandles Sexual Misconduct

Contributing writer Jared Kim ’23 protests the college’s attitude toward sexual misconduct on campus, urging the college to stop its over-reliance on the Title IX office and create a true culture of care for survivors.

Go Plant-based: For Yourself, for the Environment, for the Animals

Contributing writer Tim Carroll ’25 outlines the tangible reasons and ethical philosophies of why we should convert to plant-based diets.

Seeing Double: Tradition, Tradition!

Seeing Double Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 reflects on his four years at Amherst, concluding his last solo column with a claim that the college is in need of more student traditions.

Rants and Raves: Stop Whining About Amherst Dining

Columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 claims that Amherst students should discard their privileged complaints about Val food in favor of more substantial topics of conversation.

In Students We Trust

The Editorial Board questions the Board of Trustees’ authority in the recent campus safety decision, calling for the prioritization of student experience and a more collaborative process for making decisions regarding campus life.

Seeing Double: Escaping the Rat Race

Seeing Double Columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 discusses pressure for career advancement, noting that it is in fact possible to romanticize the mundane.

The Amherst to Wall Street Pipeline

Staff writer Andrew Rosin ’25 addresses the culture of selling out into finance, reminding students of their potential to bring Amherst’s interdisciplinary principles to Wall Street.

Coping With Campus: I Rave About Val

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 raves about Val in this crossover column, a miniature ode to the ideal of a single unifying dining hall — especially a particular corner table in it.

It’s Not Working

The Editorial Board calls for Amherst to end the work-study component of financial aid packages.

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.

Seeing Double: Getting Involved in Town

Seeing Double Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 discusses his positive experiences working with the greater Amherst town community, and encourages students to join town committees.

Amherst Needs an Intro Econ Course for Non-majors

Staff writer Andrew Rosin ’25 outlines why Amherst needs to have an introductory economics course for non-majors, claiming that it would be more accessible to the larger community.

Who Makes History?

Contributing writers Zane Khiry ’25 and Isaiah Doble ’25 criticize how history is sometimes taught using the “Great Figures Approach,” which views major historical events as the result of a few highly distinguished individuals rather than the collective work of many.

Red Herring: Sophomore Housing

Red Herring cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 comments on last week’s housing process, where housing ran out for rising sophomores.

A Precedent for Pay

The Editorial Board commends AAS’ decision to pay its members for the potential it creates for increased accessibility across student organizations.

Seeing Double: How to Make Challah

Seeing Double Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 reflects on his Jewish identity, his connections to the Amherst community, and a very special loaf of bread.

Coping With Campus: Rodeway Hospital-ity

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 contemplates familiarity in designed spaces and how repurposing a building might create dissonances in its use.

Rants and Raves: Imagine You’re a Sea Turtle

In this week’s “Rants and Raves,” Managing Arts and Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener ’23 raves about his love for sea turtles.

Missing the Mark

The Editorial Board calls for ACPD to not only re-mark their police vehicles, but also initiate greater communication and transparency toward the student body and larger community.

Who Are “Climate Refugees”?

Contributing writers Tara Alahakoon ’25 and Mohamed Ramy ’18 discuss the importance of recognizing “climate refugees,” people who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to the increasingly negative effects of climate change.

Seeing Double: I Will Never Donate to Amherst

Seeing Double Columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 explains why he doesn’t intend on donating to Amherst after graduation.

Rants and Raves: Elevator Etiquette

In this week’s “Rants and Raves,” Managing Design Editor Brianne LaBare ’25 hopes for the Amherst community to observe better elevator etiquette.

Red Herring: On ACPD

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 humorously comments on the ACPD’s belief that unmarked police vehicles would help students feel safer.

Rethinking the Open Curriculum

Managing Podcast Editor Sam Spratford ’24 points out the flaws of the open curriculum and argues for more distribution requirements.

Coping With Campus: Dam Good Builders

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 takes a jaunt off of campus, finding tranquility and engineering in the local beaver population.

Seeing Double: The Adventures of Tom and Dick

Seeing Double Columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 recounts his positive experience conversing with an alumnus to showcase why students should build better relationships with alumni.

Rants and Raves: “Scrape Your F — king Plates”

Contributing Writer Priscilla Lee ’25 discusses her friend’s negative experiences working with Val due to people’s lack of communal responsibility for the space.

AmherstMaskin’

With an increasing number of colleges ending their mask mandates, the Editorial Board calls for increased community respect for one another whether masks go or not.

Seeing Double: For More than Zero Gazebos

Seeing Double Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 discusses why Amherst should build a gazebo (or multiple) on campus.

Nuclear Power Really Is the Future

Contributing Writer Diego Rao ’23 responds to Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell's ’22 previously published article decrying nuclear power, arguing that it is necessary for a sustainable future.

The Key to a Constructive Contra

Editor-at-Large Scott Brasesco ’22 critiques certain aspects of Amherst’s newest opinion publication, The Contra.

Satire: The Bowdoin Orient Staff Bathroom

Reflecting on Two Years of Covid

The Editorial Board reflects on the two year anniversary of Covid on campus, acknowledging the nostalgia for a pre-pandemic Amherst, but expressing hope about the future of adapting to the pandemic.

Seeing Double: Nuclear Power Isn’t the Future

Seeing Double Columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 argues that using nuclear power as an energy source has more negative consequences than positive.

Coping With Campus: Style Over Substance

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 discusses the potential impact of the pandemic on the future of architecture, which he hopes is full of love and ventilation.

Rants and Raves: Crunchy Mom Hates Sumo Oranges

In the debut installment of the new series “Rants and Raves,” Managing Opinion Editor Kei Lim ’25 points out the offensive undertones of the phrase “no offense.”

Secret Admirer

Cartoonist Emi Eliason ’23 satirizes the impact of the financial aid process on students.

Red Herring: Snow Day

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 comments on how students usually spend their snow days.

A Better Amherst: A ‘New Curriculum’

Tessa Levenstein ’23 and Mason Quintero ’23 advocate for more service-oriented learning at the college, arguing for community to become a central tenet of an Amherst education.

To Support Ukrainian Students, Support Ukraine

The Editorial Board urges the college community to support its Ukrainian students by supporting Ukraine itself.

Seeing Double: Reflections on Amherst Activism

Seeing Double Columnists Cole Graber-Mitchell ’22 and Thomas Brodey ’22 discuss what it means to participate in activism.

Satire: Amherst Mantra Advocates for Canceling Students

Managing Editor Liam Archacki ’24 investigates surprisingly uncontroversial takes published in a mysterious new paper circulating around campus.

A Clarification

Cartoonist Emi Eliason ’23 clears up a misconception about a not-so-realistic part of her illustrations.

Red Herring: Windy Day

Red Herring Cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 memorializes their experience of heavy winds last weekend.

A Better Amherst: Careers of Consequence

Contributing writers Charles Sutherby ’23E and Mason Quintero ’23 discuss the ways in which Amherst fails graduates pursuing public service, in the second of a three-part series for The Student.

Coping With Campus: Harmony in Purpose and Use

Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ‘25 writes on the lack of social spaces on campus, focusing specifically on Cohan Dormitory. 

Seeing Double: Administrators Should Talk to Students

Seeing Double columnist Cole Graber-Mitchell ‘22 outlines why the administration needs to consult students before making certain decisions.

Expanding Equity in Admissions

The Editorial Board calls for a continuing equitable admissions process at Amherst as affirmative action’s existence becomes increasingly threatened.

Satire: FAQs About the New Residence Hall Reservation Policy

Staff writer Andrew Rosin ’25 covers the new Student Hosted Events Policy, showcasing its unintentionally humorous aspects.

Red Herring: Add/Drop Game

Cartoonist Isaac Streiff '24 comments on Amherst's more "competitive" classes as the add/drop period comes to a close.

A Better Amherst: Amherst Isn't Doing Its Job

Charles Sutherby ’23E and Mason Quintero ’23 discuss the tiny percentage of Amherst graduates pursuing public service in the first of a three-part series.

Seeing Double: Stop Pretending AAS Is Democratic

Seeing Double Columnist Thomas Brodey '22 argues that the Association of Amherst Students fails to live up to its democratic image.

The Arts Are Instrumental

The Editorial Board calls for a considered and consistent consideration of the arts on campus when it comes to the allocation of extracurricular space.

A New Fitness Center, At the Expense of Dancers

Sarah Weiner '24 shares her perspective on the proposed conversion of the Nicholls Biondi dance studio into a fitness center. Without a space to rehearse, Weiner argues that the Amherst dancers and RSOs that rely on the space would suffer incalculably without it.

In Defense of Democracy, a Response to The Contra

Tylar Matsuo '24 defends the ideal of the democratic state in response to an article published in the intentionally divisive Amherst Contra.

Satire: What to Know About the Winter Olympics

Andrew Rosin ’25 presents a non-comprehensive guide to understanding the Winter Olympic Games.

Preventing Sexual Misconduct

The Editorial Board discusses @amherstshareyourstory and the value of the accounts shared by students, while considering the difficulty, but necessity, of creating change.

How Structural Differences Disadvantage International Students

Contributing writer Isaiah Doble ‘25 details a set of deep discrepancies between the experiences of domestic and international students, drawing from conversations and interviews conducted over the past semester.

Coping With Campus: The Isolationism of the Quad

In the first installment of his column, Coping With Campus, Managing Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 takes a brief look at the quadrangle as a tool in the myth-building of “college life.”

Seeing Double: Amherst’s Diversity Mirage

Seeing Double columnist Thomas Brodey ‘22 argues that Amherst’s commitment to diversity is meaningless without the application of a fuller definition of the word.

Difficulty Over Artistry: The Evolution of Women's Figure Skating

In anticipation of forthcoming Olympic events, contributing writer Olivia Lynch ‘25 explores the effect that changes in the scoring system have had on competitive figure skating.

Wordle for Credit

Cartoonist Emi Eliason ’23 satirizes the rise of Wordle as a potential avenue for college credit.

Red Herring: Time Flies

Red Herring cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 reflects "optimistically" on the beginning of classes in the new semester.

Move the CES Out of the Police Building

In a public letter, a coalition of student groups comes together to call on members of the administration to relocate the Center for Sustainability from the Amherst College police department to a more centralized, inclusive campus location.

Exit Letter: Making Sense of the Miracle

Writing from the late-night newsroom for his last issue, editor-in-chief Ryan Yu '22 pauses to take stock of his tenure and the chaos that has come with transitioning back to in-person journalism. He is proud of the work of The Student, even if it might still look different than pre-pandemic.

An Ode to Morrow

Assistant Opinion Editor Dustin Copeland ’25 pays tribute to The Student’s home base with a brief description of its architectural history.

The Elephant in the Zoom

Seeing Double columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 argues that Zoom classes should continue to be an option for students who need to be remote.

Letter to the Editor: Prof. Picq Deserves to Stay

Contributing writers Diana Daniels ’22, Libertad Aguilar ’22 and Lisa Zheutlin ’22 advocate for the administration to keep Professor Manuela Picq’s position after her contract’s forced termination.

Satire: AAS Votes to Buy All Senators Horses

Columnist Thomas Brodey ’22 satirically comments on AAS’s recent expenditure vote to fund AAS jackets and jokes about President Martin’s iconic equestrian entrance on Bicentennial Day.

A Study on Student Perceptions of ACPD and Changemaking

Contributing writers Olivia Fajardo ’23 and Sydney Ireland ’23 recap their study about student perceptions of the Amherst College Police Department and the effectiveness of student activism in creating change.

Exit Letter: Scott's Exitorial

As he phases out of his current role on The Student, Managing Opinion Editor Scott Brasesco '22 takes stock of where the Opinion section has been over the past year and a half, along with where it's going. He remarks on the grueling but fulfilling experience that is The Amherst Student.

Exit Letter: Becca Says Bye

Editor-in-chief Rebecca Picciotto '22 reflects on her year at the helm of The Student with all of its highs and very real lows. In her last issue of The Student, she bids goodbye to a job that has challenged her sleep schedule but enriched her Amherst career.

Is It Bussin'?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Burnout: Reigniting the Flame

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

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.