Amherst Wire

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Inside SmashUMA: the past, present and future of smash

Ethan Brayall-Brown, Writer May 7, 2021
SmashUMA is a university club that was approved by the Registered Student Organization back in 2013 with the intention of just getting a group to play some smash. But with COVID-19, arguably the most fun part of the game was taken away; the in-person couch play.
Was this the worst semester in UMass History?

Was this the worst semester in UMass History?

Julia Donohue, Managing Editor May 6, 2021
“I’ve been failing most of my classes since and the only outreach I’ve received is from my advisors telling me my grades suck."
The dos and donts of dating during a pandemic

The do’s and don’ts of dating during a pandemic

Taylor Lee, Writer May 6, 2021
These couples and individuals who are active in the dating scene help to shed light on what it is like to be dating, or in a relationship during the pandemic. From the obstacles they faced to learning what works, their experiences may help others looking to explore relationships.
Smartphones may be the new safety blanket

Smartphones may be the new safety blanket

Amanda Powers, Contributor May 5, 2021
With many social events either canceled, postponed, or relegated to Zoom, it is clear that spending more time on smartphones to stay connected with one’s social circles is quickly becoming the norm.
The correlation between social isolation and social distancing

The correlation between social isolation and social distancing

Julia Indursky, Contributor May 5, 2021
How do they relate to each other?
(Toms photo gallery / Flickr)

“Massachusetts 2050: A Warming State” Temperature changes in Massachusetts will affect the distribution and population of different insect species

Bella Damiecki, Contributor April 30, 2021
One aspect of climate change is that of native insect populations. In Massachusetts, two species that are facing a rapid decline are honey bees and monarch butterflies. However, there are several species that have seen increases in their populations such as southern pine beetles, deer ticks, cockroaches and mosquitoes.  
UMass community reacts to 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony announcement

UMass community reacts to 2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony announcement

Rebecca Duffy, Campus News Editor April 28, 2021
Commencement will feature four in-person ceremonies with two guests per graduate
SGA logo courtesy of Google Images

A conversation with Sonya Epstein, the former SGA president who didn’t rerun

Talia Heisey, Writer April 22, 2021
While the past academic year has been well known for its administrative failings, behind the scenes of the Student Government Association, now former President Sonya Epstein, experienced a difficult and tumultuous relationship with members of the SGA. The mental health difficulties of dealing with these confrontations, as well as SGA members spreading rumors about them, eventually led to their decision not to run again despite being only a junior.
Introspective Ramblings: BLACK FREEDOM

Introspective Ramblings: “BLACK FREEDOM”

Zach Steward, Writer April 21, 2021
In this week's poem, student poet Zach Steward, poignantly reflects on the Black Lives Matter movement as a student of color and poses the question; how can one process all the hate, the anger, the sense of injustice toward Black people in this country when it's so constant? The power of anti-Blackness is so deeply ingrained in our society there can be no way to undo it unless whiteness, capitalism, neoliberalism, settler-colonialism, elitism, neocapitalism and more are decentralized and the idea of white superiority is destroyed. Enough is enough. Black Lives Matter.
(Marc A. Hermann / Flickr)

UMass students share what it’s like to get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Ethan Brayall-Brown, Writer April 16, 2021
Getting vaccinated at UMass? Here is what you'll experience.
(Photo credit / Caeli Chesin)

“Massachusetts 2050: A Warming State” Where does our trash go?

Caeli Chesin, Writer April 16, 2021
According to the 2018 UMass Amherst Waste Management Report, UMass produced 8,103 tons of trash, with 4,889 of those tons being recyclable. Yet, we can not be sure if that amount actually ends up being recycled due to contamination in the recycling stream or a lack of demand from buyers.  
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: My Story

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: My Story

Aliana Liz Tavares, Contributor April 13, 2021
My partner knew I had no previous sexual experience and that I was nervous to explore that side of myself. I was naïve and so excited about the start of this relationship that I didn’t process what happened to me until much later.
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