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The Student-Run Newspaper of Williams College Since 1887

The Williams Record

The Student-Run Newspaper of Williams College Since 1887

The Williams Record

The Student-Run Newspaper of Williams College Since 1887

The Williams Record

Hannah Marx, College News Editor

Hannah Marx ’27 is a prospective history and Arabic studies major from New York, N.Y. She is a college news editor for the news section. Previously, she served as a staff writer for the news section.

Email: [email protected]

All content by Hannah Marx, College news editor
The College’s donation processes have long been a subject of speculation. 
(Olivia Jo/The Williams Record)

Follow the money: Demystifying athletic donations at the College

Satya Kluth and Hannah Marx December 4, 2024
Athletic donations fall under a policy that the College introduced in 2012, which allows donors to designate their gifts to specific sectors: financial aid, “equity and inclusion,” faculty support, athletic teams, and a variety of academic programs. Donors can also donate to the College’s “highest priorities,” essentially leaving their gifts undesignated. 
Olivia Jo/The Williams Record

Prof. Bernhardsson presents findings on refugees in Iceland

Hannah Marx November 20, 2024
Magnús Bernhardsson, professor of history and chair of global studies, presented the initial findings of his three-year research project at a presentation in Schapiro Hall on Nov. 14. The project — a study of refugee families from Syria and Iraq who resettled in Iceland between 2016 and 2021 — is a collaboration between Bernhardsson and Hanna Ragnarsdóttir, a professor of multicultural studies at the University of Iceland’s School of Education.
College to charge Williams tuition for study away programs beginning in 2027

College to charge Williams tuition for study away programs beginning in 2027

Hannah Marx November 13, 2024
Students will be required to pay tuition to the College for semesters spent studying away beginning in the 2027–28 academic year. Once the new policy is implemented, the College will pay a study away program’s tuition — which is often significantly less than the College’s comprehensive fee — and collect the rest as an effort to contend with recent financial pressures, Provost Eiko Siniawer and Vice President for Finance and Operations Mike Wagner said at the Nov. 6 faculty meeting. 
Gramercy Bistro closes its doors after 23 years

Gramercy Bistro closes its doors after 23 years

Hannah Marx November 13, 2024
Gramercy Bistro, a farm-to-table restaurant on Water Street, permanently closed on Oct. 6 after 23 years in business. According to Alexander “Sandy” Smith, the chef and owner of the restaurant, the property’s landlord declined to renew his lease, forcing him out of the space. 
(Photo courtesy of Valentina Cohen.)

One in Two Thousand: Valentina Cohen ’26

Hannah Marx October 29, 2024
This week, Valentina Cohen ’26 discussed her plans to study abroad in Paris, her passion for learning languages, and how she adjusted moving from Miami to Williamstown.
In Other Ivory Towers: First-year enrollment declines nationwide for first time since 2020

In Other Ivory Towers: First-year enrollment declines nationwide for first time since 2020

Hannah Marx October 29, 2024
First-year enrollment dropped by over 5 percent across American colleges and universities this academic year, according to data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) on Oct. 23.
Williamstown Apothecary to close, College plans new prescription delivery service

Williamstown Apothecary to close, College plans new prescription delivery service

Haley Zimmerman and Hannah Marx October 23, 2024
The Williamstown Apothecary — the only pharmacy within a mile of campus — will close on Nov. 14 due to major financial challenges. Its closure will pose accessibility challenges for students seeking over-the-counter medications, prescriptions, and toiletries. In response, the College is working to provide new services that will replace gaps created by the Apothecary’s closure.
This election cycle, the vast majority of College employees’ political donations went to Democrats. (Phoebe Pallesen/ The Williams Record)

College employees gave thousands of dollars to political campaigns this election cycle. Here’s where they donated.

Lena Kerest, Hannah Marx, and Phoebe Pallesen October 22, 2024

Employees of the College donated at least $81,488.45 to political organizations this past year, according to public data from the Federal Election Committee (FEC). Of the reported data, 99.5 percent,...

Karren, then co-captain of men’s basketball, hit the buzzer-beater shot against Trinity last year.(Photo courtesy of Sports Information.)

Nate Karren ’23.5 jumpstarts professional basketball career in Ireland

Satya Kluth and Hannah Marx October 8, 2024
After wrapping the 2023–24 season as co-captain of men’s basketball, Nate Karren ’23.5 signed a one-year contract with the Ulster University Basketball club to play professional basketball in Belfast, Ireland.
(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)

From the Purple Valley to purple states: Ephs organize for the Harris-Walz campaign

Maya Prakash and Hannah Marx October 8, 2024
With the presidential election rapidly approaching, Ephs discuss their experiences working for the Harris-Walz campaign.
Attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the “Teddy Sandoval” exhibition. (Olivia Jo/The Williams Record.)

WCMA event celebrates Latinx, queer art communities

Hannah Marx October 1, 2024
The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) hosted a daylong event, “Play and Inquiry: Celebrating Latinx and Queer Art Communities,” on Saturday to celebrate its latest exhibition, “Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art."
STATE Food + Drink replaces The Break Room at Greylock WORKS

STATE Food + Drink replaces The Break Room at Greylock WORKS

Hannah Marx September 24, 2024
STATE Food + Drink opened on Sept. 20, replacing The Break Room at Greylock WORKS, which was last open to the public on Sept. 1. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch, six days a week, as well with a full dinner menu beginning on Oct. 10. 
Andy Hogeland reflects on departure from Williamstown Select Board

Andy Hogeland reflects on departure from Williamstown Select Board

Hannah Marx September 24, 2024
Andy Hogeland ’76 stepped down from his position on the Williamstown Select Board after nearly two decades in the role. He announced his decision on Facebook on Aug. 8, writing that he is planning to move to Connecticut to be closer to his family.
A survey sent to 500 randomly selected students reveals student opinions on institutions such as the faculty, the Record, the College, and the JA system. (Hannah Marx/The Williams Record)

Spring approval ratings survey shows increased approval of Record, decreased approval of Dean’s Office

Hannah Marx and Lena Kerest May 7, 2024
Last week, the Record sent its biannual approval ratings survey to 500 randomly selected students using a script in R. The survey asked students to indicate their approval, disapproval, or neutrality on many campus institutions, including the Junior Advisor (JA) system, the Davis Center, and President of the College Maud S. Mandel.
Thesis by Josh Picoult ’24 preserves institutional memory of WCFM

Thesis by Josh Picoult ’24 preserves institutional memory of WCFM

Hannah Marx May 7, 2024
Senior Josh Picoult wrote his honors history thesis about the storied history of WCFM.
bbno$, student bands perform at Spring Fling

bbno$, student bands perform at Spring Fling

Hannah Marx April 30, 2024
It would be hard for anyone at the College to miss the excitement of giant inflatables, food trucks, and loud music that radiated from Science Quad last Saturday. Rapper bbno$ headlined the event — All Campus Entertainment (ACE)’s Spring Fling concert — which also featured performances by several student bands.
College to break ground on Multipurpose Recreation Center, conduct year-long study on wellness

College to break ground on Multipurpose Recreation Center, conduct year-long study on wellness

Hannah Marx April 30, 2024
The College will begin the construction process for the Multipurpose Recreation Center (MRC) on May 8, when the contractor for the project, Suffolk Construction, is scheduled to arrive at the site. The College plans to break ground in late spring with an anticipated opening in winter 2025, the Office of Communications announced on April 8.
(Photo courtesy of Anika Kakarla.)

One in Two Thousand: Anika Kakarla ’27

Hannah Marx April 16, 2024
Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Anika Kakarla ’27 discussed playing on the squash team, being pre-med, and learning Indian classical dance.
Photo courtesy of Theresa Sawyer.

College unveils $4.7 million permanent boathouse for crew program

Hannah Marx April 9, 2024
Men’s and women’s crew moved into their newly constructed boathouse, located on the Lake Onota waterfront, on March 28. The new boathouse has twice the boat storage of the previous boathouse and features a team room equipped with a television, a room to gather in before and after practice, heated spaces for boat storage, and bathrooms with showers.
Photo courtesy of Zack Sheppard.

Community remembers Professor Stephen Sheppard

Hannah Marx March 12, 2024
Professor of Economics Stephen Sheppard died on March 2 at the age of 69. He taught at the College from 2000 until the 2023 fall semester. Students and faculty remember Sheppard as a deeply curious and passionate man and an integral part of both the economics department and the larger College community.
Shane Stackpole/The Williams Record

Actresses Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht discuss arts careers, education at student film screening

Hannah Marx and Emily Zas February 21, 2024
On Sunday, Feb. 18, actresses Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht spoke to a packed Paresky Auditorium about their careers, the importance of the arts to a liberal arts education, and the changing landscape of creative fields. The event culminated Hecht’s Winter Study filmmaking course, featuring a screening of six student-produced short films
Keli Gail to retire as Secretary of the College in July

Keli Gail to retire as Secretary of the College in July

Hannah Marx February 14, 2024
After 30 years at the College, Assistant to the President and Secretary of the College Keli Gail will retire this July, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an all-campus email on Feb. 6. A search committee, led by Mandel, will hire Gail’s successor. 
Tatiana Geroulanou/The Williams Record

New tea and boba café to open as Spring Street businesses shuffle

Elizabeth Cheng and Hannah Marx January 24, 2024
Following the long-awaited opening of Crust pizzeria, Spring Street will see a shuffle of its businesses. A new café, Tea and Boba Lounge, will open at 76 Spring St. on Feb. 2. The A Better Community Clothing Sale (ABC), the previous occupant of the space, moved to 30 Spring St.
Smoothie Spot to close on Oct. 29

Smoothie Spot to close on Oct. 29

Hannah Marx October 24, 2023

The Smoothie Spot, a Spring Street establishment that sells smoothies, smoothie bowls, and toasts, will close on Oct. 29. The café is part of Nature’s Closet, an outdoor specialty retailer, and has...

The College adopted more electric vehicles after working with Alhambra.

College partners with student-run consulting group to electrify vehicle fleet

Hannah Marx and Becky Walker October 3, 2023
The College will transition its rideshare fleet to electric vehicles in partnership with the student-run Alhambra Consulting Group.
Joey Fox/The Williams Record

WSU announces fall election results, voter turnout decreases

Inés Garcia and Hannah Marx September 26, 2023
Students elected 11 candidates to the Williams Student Union (WSU) this semester, seven of which are returning representatives. Only the Class of 2027 had enough candidates for a contested election, and only two students from the Class of 2025 ran, leaving one of the governing body’s 12 spots unfilled. 
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