The Student-Run Newspaper of Williams College Since 1887

The Williams Record

Menu

Luke Chinman, Features Executive Editor

Luke Chinman ’25 is an American studies major, and an Africana studies and environmental studies concentrator, from Pittsburgh, Pa. He is an executive editor for features. He previously served as a section editor and staff writer for features.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @lukechinman

All content by Luke Chinman
Williamstown community members gathered in front of the First Congregational Church to voice their demands for climate action. (Edan Zinn/The Williams Record)

Town residents, students rally for climate action

Luke Chinman • September 27, 2023

Community members from the College and Town gathered at a rally in front of the First Congregational Church (FCC) on Sept. 20 to call for global climate action. The FCC organized the event in solidarity...

After an escapade to Toronto International Film Festival, Images Cinema directors talk fall film lineup

After an escapade to Toronto International Film Festival, Images Cinema directors talk fall film lineup

Luke Chinman • September 20, 2023
Images Cinema directors discuss favorite films seen at Toronto International Film Festival that they hope to bring to Williamstown this fall.
Students in “B25: Will We Survive?!” hike during their backpacking trip. (Photo courtesy of Claire McDonald.)

Leaders, first-years, feel effects of shortened WOOLF trips

Luke Chinman and Aluna Brogdon • September 20, 2023

When the directors and leaders of Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years (WOOLF) learned that this year’s program would be shortened from four days to three, many felt frustrated. “I...

The College’s 2024 fiscal year budget, explained

The College’s 2024 fiscal year budget, explained

Luke Chinman and Izzy Polanco • July 1, 2023
The College’s 2024 fiscal year began on July 1. The Record explains five takeaways from the this year’s budget.
The Honor and Discipline Committee is looking to formalize its internal norms to provide greater consistency. (Samuel Riley/The Williams Record)

Honor and Discipline Committee votes on bylaws to formalize procedures

Past and current members voice broader concerns about lack of sanction consistency
Luke Chinman • May 10, 2023
Voting is underway for members of the Honor and Discipline Committee to adopt a set of bylaws intended to formalize the committee’s internal processes. While the committee already follows a set of procedures to enforce the College’s Honor Code, the proposed bylaws will help ensure year-to-year consistency by putting the procedures in writing, said Simon Kent ’23, a member of the Honor and Discipline Committee who spearheaded a working group to write the document. 
College to use Dorm Room Movers, Connors Brothers services for summer storage

College to use Dorm Room Movers, Connors Brothers services for summer storage

Luke Chinman • May 10, 2023
The College will partner with Dorm Room Movers to provide storage services for students this summer. Dorm Room Movers — a national company that coordinates storage for students around the country — will contract with the College’s longtime storage partner Connors Brothers to manage moving and storing student possessions on site. Connors Brothers will manage moving and storing items, while Dorm Room Movers will manage customer service and billing, Assistant Director of Housing Operations Heather McCarthy told the Record.
Dean of the College Gretchen Long forms ad hoc committee to study academic integrity

Dean of the College Gretchen Long forms ad hoc committee to study academic integrity

Luke Chinman and Julia Goldberg • May 3, 2023
Dean of the College Gretchen Long has established a committee that will consider academic integrity at the College. The Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Integrity, which Long will chair, will comprise faculty members from every division. It will convene for the first time in the coming weeks and meet regularly for roughly a year, after which Long expects to share the committee’s findings with the community.
The College will provide more information about department-level changes in the budget at the faculty meeting on May 10. (Olivia Jo/The Williams Record)

Board of Trustees approves budget, operating expenses increase by 3.4 percent

Luke Chinman and Izzy Polanco • April 26, 2023
The Board of Trustees approved the College’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year at its quarterly meeting last week, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an email to the College community on Thursday.
The chemistry curriculum at the College will change for the next academic year (Photo courtesy of Christopher Rodriguez)

Faculty approve changes to chemistry major intended to increase accessibility

Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023
Faculty approved changes to the chemistry major’s four-course introductory sequence — with 61 voting in favor, zero not in favor, and one abstaining — during the faculty meeting on April 12. The changes, which will be implemented for the 2023-2024 academic year, are designed to better accommodate incoming students with a minimal chemistry background.
The Cawamayday Cups, which have the engraved names of previous winners, are stored in the OCL. (Emily Zas/The Williams Record)

Last in the housing lottery, first in OCL’s heart: The history of the Cawamayday Award

Emily Zas and Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023
In 2003, four students established the "Cawamayday Cup" — an award given to the group of students assigned the last pick number in the housing lottery. Though the prize has been discontinued in recent years, previous recipients remember it fondly.
Stars — they’re (named) just like us: Celebrity name-sharers at the College

Stars — they’re (named) just like us: Celebrity name-sharers at the College

Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023
The Record spoke to three students who share names with celebrities; each wrote a statement about their experiences holding high-profile names on campus.
The Price twins kept their college lists private, but both chose Williams. (Photo courtesy of Phoebe Price.)

Twins at the College discuss not-so-identical experiences

Luke Chinman • April 12, 2023
Identical twins Phoebe Price ’25 and Zoe Price ’25 did not tell each other where they were applying throughout the college application process — until admission decisions were announced and they realized that they shared a first choice school. The Price twins’ story is not unlike those of other twins at the College.
Cecilia Aldarondo answered questions after her film’s screening. (Photo Courtesy of WCMA.)

Prof. Aldarondo revisits adolescence in documentary You Were My First Boyfriend

Luke Chinman • April 12, 2023
Cecilia Aldarondo shared the meaning and process behind her documentary You Were My First Boyfriend, which screened at Images on Thursday, April 6.
Hannah Bernhardt/The Williams Record

Two-sport athletes describe unique recruitment, balancing schedules, dual community

Luke Chinman • March 15, 2023
Two-sport athletes spoke to the Record about their experiences being on two varsity teams at the College.
Luke Chinman/The Williams Record

Professor Julie Cassiday lectures on Russian masculinities, connection to war in Ukraine

Safiyah Anwar-Chuku and Luke Chinman • March 8, 2023
Professor of Russian Julie Cassiday delivered a lecture last Thursday that connected shifting cultural trends of Russian gender and sexuality to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Cassiday presented research from her book Russian Style: Performing Gender in Putin’s Russia, which is slated to come out this November.
Tropical Edge explores colonial histories in the Philippines

Tropical Edge explores colonial histories in the Philippines

Luke Chinman and Margaux Kanamori • March 8, 2023
Original student-written play will premiere on March 9, featuring an all-Asian cast and crew.
Cat caretakers clash with College over future for feral felines

Cat caretakers clash with College over future for feral felines

Luke Chinman • March 1, 2023
For seven years, former Town Clerk Mary Kennedy has looked after 10 feral cats living behind Jesup Hall. When the College asked her to relocate the felines, Kennedy sprang into action, campaigning for the cats to stay.
Moo-ved for the winter: Uncovering the mystery of the Stone Hill cows

Moo-ved for the winter: Uncovering the mystery of the Stone Hill cows

Luke Chinman and Ella Askew • February 22, 2023
For the majority of the year, a herd of roughly 20 cows grazes the fields behind the Clark Art Institute at Stone Hill. These cows, who spend the warmer months roaming the meadow, are well known throughout the Williamstown community.
Which water fountains on campus have filled the most water bottles?

Which water fountains on campus have filled the most water bottles?

Luke Chinman, Emily Zas, and Haley Zimmerman • February 22, 2023
The Record surveyed the on-campus water bottle fillers that display the number of bottles filled and ranked the most and least used by their counts as of Feb. 21.
In Other Ivory Towers: Stanford newspaper alleges president committed scientific misconduct

In Other Ivory Towers: Stanford newspaper alleges president committed scientific misconduct

Luke Chinman • February 22, 2023
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, the president of Stanford University, is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of scientific misconduct. According to a series of reports by The Stanford Daily, the university’s student newspaper, multiple scientific journals are investigating Tessier-Lavigne for altering images in his research and members of a biotechnology company have accused him of covering up previous allegations of fraud.
In Other Ivory Towers: Conn. College students call for president’s resignation after controversial fundraiser

In Other Ivory Towers: Conn. College students call for president’s resignation after controversial fundraiser

Luke Chinman • February 15, 2023
Students at Connecticut College are calling for President Katherine Bergeron’s resignation following a week of contention over the college’s plans to hold a fundraiser at a controversial private country club. Rodmon King, the Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, resigned on Feb. 7, the day before the fundraiser was scheduled.
Lines, vouchers, and textbooks: The history of the book grant

Lines, vouchers, and textbooks: The history of the book grant

Luke Chinman and Emily Zas • February 8, 2023
While some students today pay full price for their textbooks, many others receive a book grant from the College that covers the full cost of all necessary course materials. The Record reports on the history of the book grant — from the 1914 Memorial Library, to a book voucher system, and then a final shift to the grant system as it exists today.

Arshay Cooper gives morning Claiming Williams Keynote

Luke Chinman and Lena Kerest • February 8, 2023
Arshay Cooper, a rower, author, and motivational speaker, as well as the subject of the documentary A Most Beautiful Thing, presented the morning keynote for Claiming Williams on Feb. 3. This year, the event's theme was “Justice & Institutional Power,” and the morning keynote was co-sponsored by the College’s Athletic Department, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Allyship in Athletics (AIA) committee.
Students reflect on a semester in new TAPSI housing communities

Students reflect on a semester in new TAPSI housing communities

Luke Chinman • January 25, 2023
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the College approved four Theme/Affinity/Program/Special Interest (TAPSI) housing proposals. After a semester, the Record spoke to students living in the Williams Interfaith Dialogue House, the International House, the Sustainable Living Community, the Eban House — which is for Black affinity housing — about their experiences.
One in Two Thousand: Tommy Goodwin ’25

One in Two Thousand: Tommy Goodwin ’25

Luke Chinman • January 25, 2023
This week, Tommy Goodwin ’25 discussed Where Am I?!, the wrestling team, and his love for Mariah Carey.
The cast of Cap & Bells’ Next to Normal performed on the CenterStage. (Photo courtesy of Sari Klainberg.)

Cap & Bells presents Next to Normal

Luke Chinman • December 7, 2022
Last weekend Cap & Bells presented Next to Normal. The rock-musical follows a mother with a worsening case of bipolar disorder and details the effects of her mental illness on her immediate family.
QSU, nonbinary students react to new gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, call for more trans inclusion

QSU, nonbinary students react to new gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, call for more trans inclusion

Luke Chinman and Emily Swope • November 16, 2022
As a result of conversations with Queer Student Union last year, the College has changed the designation of some bathrooms on campus from gendered to gender-neutral.
Transfer students reflect on creating community at the College

Transfer students reflect on creating community at the College

Luke Chinman and Catherine Debenham • November 9, 2022
The Record spoke to four students who transferred last year about their experiences before Williams, their transitions to life at the College, and how they’ve found community despite their nontraditional college paths.
Windows On Williams: Prospective students engage with College community through fly-in program

Windows On Williams: Prospective students engage with College community through fly-in program

Luke Chinman and Safiyah Anwar-Chuku • November 2, 2022
Windows on Williams is a three-day fly-in program for low-income students to shadow current students by sleeping in their dorms, attending classes, and engaging with the College community. The Record spoke with WOW students, hosts, and administration about their experiences.
Large banners that together read “VOTE” were placed on Chapin Hall’s columns as part of efforts by EphVotes to encourage higher voter turnout among students at the College. (Luke Chinman/The Williams Record)

Student organizations mobilize ahead of midterm elections

Luke Chinman • October 26, 2022
Various student organizations, including EphVotes, a nonpartisan voter-outreach organization, have mobilized ahead of the upcoming midterm election to promote student participation in local and state government.
One in Two Thousand: Grace Reynolds ’22.5

One in Two Thousand: Grace Reynolds ’22.5

Luke Chinman • October 19, 2022
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, Grace Reynolds ’22.5 discussed her neuroscience thesis, her plans after graduation, and how she likes to spend her time outside in Williamstown. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The College hopes the new program will reduce its carbon footprint. (Luke Chinman/The Williams Record)

College launches carbon emissions information program for air travel

Luke Chinman • October 5, 2022
The College implemented the Air Travel Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information & Reduction Program, an initiative directed at reducing carbon emissions from College-related air travel, on Oct. 1. Travelers who have booked air travel using College funds will now receive monthly emails from the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives with information about the greenhouse gas emissions from their flights, estimated climate damages as a result of the emissions, and strategies to reduce future emissions due to air travel.
New York State Teacher of the Year Billy Green ’03 reflects on time at the College, transformational teachers

New York State Teacher of the Year Billy Green ’03 reflects on time at the College, transformational teachers

Luke Chinman • October 5, 2022
Williams alum Billy Green ’03 was recently named the 2023 New York State Teacher of the Year. He spoke to the Record about his experience at the College and the teachers who guided him throughout his education.
Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling opened at Images Cinema on Friday. (Luke Chinman/The Williams Record)

We’re laughing too hard to worry, darling: Drama drives Images crowd

Luke Chinman • September 28, 2022
Campus was already abuzz with discussion and anticipation before the lights dimmed for the 7:30 p.m. showing of Don’t Worry Darling at Images Cinema on Friday night. Plagued by controversy ahead of its release, Olivia Wilde’s latest psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles drew more laughs than gasps from an audience of College students entrenched in the film’s pre-release drama.
Michael Ma ’26 (center back) poses with his BASE CAMPus group while canoeing on Grafton Lake. (Amina Naidjate/ The Williams Record).

‘Best of both worlds’: BASE CAMPus gives WOOLFies an alternate orientation experience to overnight camping

Luke Chinman • September 28, 2022
Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years, known more commonly as WOOLF, is the College’s oldest and most popular EphVenture program, typically a backpacking and overnight camping trip through the Berkshires wilderness. Last year, however, the Williams Outing Club (WOC) added a new option to the EphVenture: BASE CAMPus, where students sleep in their dorms and hike with their fellow first-years over four days.
Despite the unofficial nature of their program, “What Am I Doing?” participants decorated their own t-shirts to commemorate the group. Photo courtesy of Aaron Schroen.

‘What Am I Doing?’: Behind the makeshift orientation for 17 EphVenture-less frosh

Luke Chinman • September 21, 2022
A small cohort of first-years arrived to campus this year with no EphVenture assignment, and a makeshift program — which would lovingly be named “What Am I Doing?” by its leaders and participants — was born.
This week in Williams history: An end to compulsory chapel service, College welcomes women, students embark on first WOOLF trips

This week in Williams history: An end to compulsory chapel service, College welcomes women, students embark on first WOOLF trips

Grady Short and Luke Chinman • September 21, 2022
This week in Williams history: The Trustees of the College decided to make daily chapel services voluntary rather than mandatory. Male students reacted to the onset of coeducation. And the newly arrived Class of 1981 returned from trips in the Berkshire, Taconic, and Green Mountains on the first-ever WOOLF trips.
Williams Ballroom co-presidents Sophia Trone ’24 (left) and Isabel Bushway ’23 (center) teach students with board member Emma Neil ’23 (right) how to dance at Ballroom meetings. Photo courtesy of Lillie Bushway.

Clubs make comeback after pandemic year

Luke Chinman • May 11, 2022
While the College's COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings caused many clubs to stop meeting all together, these clubs were able to make a comeback this year.
Students and faculty discussed future sustainability goals for the College. (Luke Chinman/The Williams Record)

Students create environmental time capsule, host discussion about future of climate change

Luke Chinman • May 4, 2022
On Thursday, students and professors gathered on the steps of the Class of ’66 Environmental Center to discuss the future of climate change and fill a time capsule with students’ personal statements, quotations from the event, and other climate-related materials. Organized by Sabrine Brismeur ’22.5 and Isabel Kelly ’23 for their environmental studies course, “Communicating Climate Change,” the event brought together faculty from the environmental studies, theatre, and classics departments for an interdisciplinary conversation.
The prospectus, if approved, will centralize AAS in its own department and hire two new faculty members — one junior and one senior — both with Full Time Equivalents (FTE) solely in AAS. (Samuel Riley/The Williams Record)

From an idea to the classroom: The making of the annual course catalog

Luke Chinman • May 4, 2022
Professors and administrators provide an inside look at the inception, development, and approval of the new courses that populate the Williams course catalog.
Members of Ephskate can often be found in the parking lot behind the First Congregational Church, where there is plenty of room to do laps on skates. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Liang.)

Entrymates skate into spring, forming new student group

Luke Chinman • April 20, 2022
As a Williamstown winter melts into spring, some students have found a creative way to enjoy the warm weather. One such group is Ephskate, the College’s new roller-skating group.
YDSA organizers hosted a celebration outside Paresky. (Julia Goldberg/The Williams Record)

Mandel releases public statement on fossil fuel investment plan, divestment organizers celebrate

Julia Goldberg and Luke Chinman • April 13, 2022
The College plans to end all indirect investments tied to the fossil fuel industry by 2033, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an all-campus email on Friday, prompting celebration from divestment organizers and confusion from some other students.
Purplexity had their first rehearsal as an entire group on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Molly Arts.)

Introducing Purplexity: The College’s new a capella group

Luke Chinman • March 16, 2022

Throughout their first year at the College, Molly Arts ’24 and Sarah Lindeman ’24 discussed starting a new a cappella group on campus. “We always loved singing and would go down to the Mission...

The Hopkins Memorial Forest hosted its first community-wide Maplefest after a three-year hiatus, with activities ranging from maple sap boiling in the sugar house to tree-tapping demonstrations. (Luke Chinman/The Williams Record.)

After three years, Maplefest returns in full to Hopkins Forest

Luke Chinman and Amina Naidjate • March 16, 2022
Maplefest, which has been open to the Berkshire community nearly every March since its conception, was canceled in 2020 and restricted to only students in 2021 because of the ongoing pandemic. This year, Maplefest made its full return on Sunday, March 13.
‘A tribute to winter’: Winter Carnival’s century-long history

‘A tribute to winter’: Winter Carnival’s century-long history

Luke Chinman • February 16, 2022
The annual Winter Carnival was first held in 1915 and has since then hosted a slew of Williams traditions, ranging from ice sculpture competitions to residential house banquets.
(Photo courtesy of Joel Bishop.)

One in Two Thousand: Rika Yahashiri ’25

Luke Chinman • February 9, 2022
This week, the computer (using a script in R) chose Rika Yahashiri ’25, who discussed her role as social calendar writer, the swim and dive team, and her semester abroad in Japan.
Astronomy professor, students view eclipse over Antarctica

Astronomy professor, students view eclipse over Antarctica

Luke Chinman • January 26, 2022
In the early morning of Dec. 4, 2021, Chair and Professor of Astronomy Jay Pasachoff, along with students Peter Knowlton ’21.5 and Anna Tosolini ’23, flew over Antarctica in a chartered Boeing 787. For just under two tense minutes, they took photos out of the plane windows with borrowed Nikon cameras from the College library, capturing a total solar eclipse.
Anne Peale works as the Special Collections librarian in Sawyer. (Photo courtesy of Anne Peale.)

Staff Spotlight: Special Collections Librarian Anne Peale shares love of book history

Luke Chinman • December 8, 2021
Anne Peale works as the Special Collections librarian in Sawyer. As Special Collections librarian — a role she has held for nearly five years — her responsibilities include cataloguing new sources acquired by the College, helping classes access documents, answering reference questions related to the collection, and reshelving books.
‘Underdog’ Williams debate team garners attention, awards in standout season

‘Underdog’ Williams debate team garners attention, awards in standout season

Luke Chinman • November 3, 2021
Now attending competitions on Discord, the Williams College Debate Union is having its best season in decades. The Record spoke with students on the team about what this recent success has meant to them.
Six first-years and one senior, all named Sasha, came together to form the unofficial Sasha Student Union. (Photo courtesy of Jack Simon.)

Seven Sashas start Sasha Student Union

Luke Chinman and Lamia Haque • October 27, 2021
The Sasha Student Union (SSU) is an unofficial club at the College and has seven members — six first-years named Sasha and one senior named Sasha.
Load More Stories

Comments (0)

All The Williams Record Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest