The Amherst Student

College Converts Casual Staff to Benefited Positions

President Biddy Martin announced on Nov. 17 that the college will be converting some of its casual staff positions to benefited positions, an initiative that has been under discussion throughout the year. The announcement followed a student-led demonstration demanding for better pay for Val workers.

News

Judiciary Hearing Addresses Constitutionality of Palestine-Aligning AAS Email

The Judiciary Council held two separate hearings to address an anonymous complaint filed against the Amherst Association of Students Senate questioning the constitutionality of an email they sent last May.

News

The Deadly Stretch: Students and Faculty Report Intense Burnout

As the college community counts down the days until November break begins, students and faculty report feeling notably overstressed and tired. Some attribute these increased feelings of burnout to the adjustment back to in-person learning.

Opinion

Burnout: Reigniting the Flame

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

Opinion

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.

Cartoon

Red Herring: Hallow-Christmas

Red Herring cartoonist Isaac Streiff ’24 pokes fun at those who celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving by envisioning beloved horror scenes in a more festive light.

Opinion

Satire: Attendance Rate Increases by Zero Percent After Daylight Savings

Satire columnist Andrew Rosin ’25 notes that the recent shift from daylight savings is not going to be much help in getting students to class on time.

Arts and Living

WAMH × The Student: Reflecting on Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

Joni Mitchell's birthday on Nov. 7 provides a perfect chance to look back on the varied, introspective, and moving music she created. WAMH host Olive Amdur '23 reflects on "Blue," one of her favorite albums, finding both newness and memories in each of its songs.

Arts and Living

Val Hacks: "Tikka Masala"

Whether its lasagna or kalbi short ribs, everybody has a Val meal they'd rather avoid. Staff Columnist Audrey Rosevear ’22 presents “Val Hacks,” a column dedicated to exploring the alternative culinary possibilities available at Val. Up first, her Tikka Masala recipe.

Arts and Living

Nostalgia and Nothing More: ABBA’s Comeback Falls Short

Abba's "Voyage" is the Swedish group's first album since 1981. Staff Writer Sarah Weiner '24 argues that it might also be the group's worst. Still, she finds a few songs that manage to stand out from the surrounding mess, retaining the groups signature high-energy style.

Arts and Living

Richard Powers Perfects his Craft With "The Overstory" and "Bewilderment"

From his postmodern origins to his recent string of bestsellers, Richard Powers has had a fascinating career. Staff Writer Joe Sweeney '25 discusses Powers' newest novel "Bewilderment," which mixes devastatingly brutal plot points with a hopeful message.

Arts and Living

"Florence" Stands Out As a Decent Digital Distraction

Mobile games don't have a good reputation. While most are shoddily designed and packed with microtransactions and addictive features, a few gems do manage to stand out. Staff writer Ross Kilpatrick 24E highlights one of these, 2018's "Florence," a movingly simple game.

Arts and Living

Taylor Swift Re-records and Reclaims "Red"

With the release of "Red (Taylor's Version)" last Friday, Nov. 12, Taylor Swift ignited her fan base and redefined standards in the music industry. This week, Staff Writer Brianne LaBare '25 discusses Swift's monumental re-recording of her beloved album "Red."

Sports

Women’s Soccer Eliminated From NCAA Tournament in Thriller

After pulling out a win against Lesley University in the NCAA tournament, the women's soccer team faced a devastating end to their season this weekend with a well-fought loss to Johns Hopkins University.

News

Staff Spotlight: David Ke

David Ke is a CDC responsible for supervising the CA's in Appleton, South, North, and Williston Halls. David is perhaps most known on campus for his Instagram-famous dog, Potato, who provides joy and delight to countless members of the campus community.

Sports

Second Half Surge Not Enough as Football Falls Short

On Saturday, Nov. 13, the "Biggest Little Game in America" returned to Pratt Field as Amherst looked to spoil Williams’ undefeated season. Down 24-6 early in the third quarter, the Mammoths’ comeback fell just short, as the team wound up losing 24-19.

Sports

The Jack Eichel Chronicles: As Told by a Disgruntled Sabres Fan

Hockey fans thought Jack Eichel was fated to be the savior of the historically awful Buffalo Sabres. But the Eichel era has officially ended — and it was simply another 21st century failure for the doomed franchise, writes Alex Noga ’23.

Sports

Mammoth Runners Qualify for NCAA Championships

The Mammoths are continuing to have an outstanding postseason, finishing with some of their best performances to date, with both teams qualifying for the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships.

Sports

Men's Soccer Returns to Winning Ways, Rolls to Sweet 16

In a pair of NCAA tournament games this past weekend, men’s soccer kept up their defensive dominance while showcasing their depth and a newfound offensive prowess. The Mammoths scored eight goals and conceded none, advancing to their 11th-straight sweet sixteen.

Sports

Women’s Basketball Starts 2021 Season with Three Big Wins

The 16th-ranked Amherst women’s basketball team returned to the court for the first time in two years this past week, going 3-0 in three opening weekend contests against Oglethorpe University, The United States Coast Guard Academy, and Rhode Island College.

Sports

Men's Basketball Opens Season With Dominant Win

The men’s basketball team dominated in the season-opener, defeating Rosemont College by a score of 92-56 on their own court, as Head Coach Marlon Spears made his first appearance as the leader of the Mammoths.

Crossword

Val's Vagaries - Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021

Play the new Amherst Student Crossword!

News

Continuing Covid Restrictions Frustrate Student Musicians

Covid safety protocols have caused music students to report difficulty with the bureaucratic process of reserving practice space in the Music Department. The department is planning to change its protocols for the spring semester in hopes of better accommodation.

News

Campus Police Log: Nov. 2 to Nov. 16

The latest installment of the Police Log, from Nov. 2 to Nov. 16, can be found here.

News

From the Red Room: Nov. 15 AAS Meeting Updates

On Monday, Nov. 15, the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) held its eighth weekly meeting of the semester. Senators discussed policing at the college, presented Budgetary Committee (BC) requests, appointed committee members, and debated purchasing custom jackets for AAS members.