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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

Samuel Wolf

All content by Samuel Wolf
Professor of Mathematics Steven Miller issued a legal statement suggesting ballot irregularities in PA. (Samuel Wolf/The Williams Record)

Professor Steven Miller issues legal statement suggesting PA ballot irregularities; conclusions repudiated by statisticians, political scientists

Samuel Wolf November 25, 2020
Professor of Mathematics Steven Miller submitted a sworn court declaration on Nov. 21 that suggested the possibility of serious ballot irregularities in Pennsylvania. Over the previous week, Miller had written several iterations of the declaration, which first circulated on conservative media on Nov. 17. Since then, President Donald J. Trump amplified the statement in a tweet, the Chairman of the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) referenced the statement as indicative of fraud, and a conservative group prominently featured it in a legal brief seeking to overturn the Pennsylvania election results.
Letter from the Editor: The Senior Issue

Letter from the Editor: The Senior Issue

Samuel Wolf May 23, 2020
As I left campus in mid-March, packing up my belongings in a daze and scrambling to say goodbyes, there was one thought constantly circulating through my head: I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a senior right now.
A closer look into the reasoning and reactions to the recently-announced 2020-2021 academic calendar changes

A closer look into the reasoning and reactions to the recently-announced 2020-2021 academic calendar changes

In an all-community email sent yesterday, President Maud S. Mandel announced that the College would maintain a two-semester model for the upcoming academic year while lowering the minimum required number of courses per semester from four to three and eliminating Winter Study. These changes will take effect whether or not the College resumes in-person classes in the fall; Mandel has set a deadline of July 1 to determine whether or not classes will be held on campus.
Mandel announces reduction of required courses from four to three, elimination of Winter Study for 2020-2021 academic year

Mandel announces reduction of required courses from four to three, elimination of Winter Study for 2020-2021 academic year

In an all-campus email sent today, President Maud S. Mandel announced plans to adopt a revised version of the regular two-semester academic calendar for the 2020-21 academic year. Regardless of whether classes are in-person or remote, students will be required to take a minimum of three courses each semester rather than four. Winter Study will not take place in January 2021.
Letter from the editor

Letter from the editor

Samuel Wolf March 15, 2020
We believe it is critical to continue sharing our community’s stories. In doing so, we will seek to shine a spotlight on both the physical campus and the dispersed Williams community. We plan to report ethically and compassionately, both with the knowledge of our shared struggles and with the consistent goal of faithful and accurate journalism. As we continue to publish, we welcome any questions, comments or concerns regarding our coverage.
Berkshire County takes on the opioid crisis

Berkshire County takes on the opioid crisis

Samuel Wolf December 6, 2019

Over the past decade, Western Massachusetts has been devastated by a nationwide opioid crisis that has proved especially calamitous for the rural northeast. According to a study published by Brandeis...

Beyond the Bubble

Beyond the Bubble

Samuel Wolf November 13, 2019

English department boycott gains national attention On Oct. 30, a group of student activists called for a boycott of the English department, citing a curriculum that they saw as insufficiently...

Haben Girma speaks on Deafblind advocacy

Samuel Wolf October 23, 2019

Haben Girma, the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, spoke to the College at the ’62 Center for Theater and Dance on Monday. During the event, which was sponsored by the office...

Former prof faces misconduct allegations

Samuel Wolf October 22, 2019

A former professor at the College and prominent attorney has come under fire for an  inappropriate sexual relationship with a student while teaching at the College.  David Sanford, who at...

Bae '17 gets three years in prison

Bae ’17 gets three years in prison

Samuel Wolf September 18, 2019

On Monday, Judge Michael Callan of the Berkshire Superior Court sentenced Yoonsang Bae ’17 to not less than three years and no more than three years and a day in prison. Callan had previously convicted...

Judge Michael Callan found Bae guilty of sexually assaulting another student while Bae was a student at the College in 2014. 

Photo Courtesy of Mass.gov

College alum convicted of on-campus rape

Samuel Wolf September 11, 2019

Yoonsang Bae ’17, who was suspended from the College for a two year period, was convicted Friday in a bench trial Update, Monday Sept. 16 2:26 p.m.: Bae was sentenced today in Berkshire Superior...

The Williams Inn will be completed this summer after lengthy collaboration between College officials and town representatives. SABRINE BRISMEUR/PHOTO EDITOR

A closer look: Williams Inn approval

Samuel Wolf May 1, 2019

The Williams Inn will be completed this summer after lengthy collaboration between College officials and town representatives. SABRINE BRISMEUR/PHOTO EDITOR The construction of the new Williams Inn,...

Panelists address “Pluralism, Economy and the Public Sphere” as part of the conference on democracy and freedom. SABRINE BRISMEUR/PHOTO EDITOR

Conference explores democracy, freedom

Samuel Wolf April 17, 2019

Panelists address “Pluralism, Economy and the Public Sphere” as part of the conference on democracy and freedom. SABRINE BRISMEUR/PHOTO EDITOR On Saturday, the College hosted a conference, “Democracy...

In Other Ivory Towers

In Other Ivory Towers

Samuel Wolf March 13, 2019

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 50 parents, athletic coaches and college exam administrators yesterday in a nationwide fraud scheme that assisted students in gaining admission to...

“Popcorn” WSO thread turns 11

“Popcorn” WSO thread turns 11

Samuel Wolf February 20, 2019

“Popcorn..or is it,” as the classic saying goes. On Feb. 23, 2008, Elizabeth Schwartzman ’08 posted the phrase on Williams Students Online (WSO), plunging readers into a decade-long debate on the...

The theatre department hung posters around campus last week announcing the last-minute cancellation of its production of the play Beast Thing.
Photo courtesy of Williams College.

Theatre department cancels Beast Thing

Samuel Wolf November 7, 2018

On Thursday, the theatre department announced the cancellation of its production of the play Beast Thing. The show, written by Aleshea Harris and described by the department as a “play-in-progress,”...

Student forum discusses long-term planning

Student forum discusses long-term planning

Samuel Wolf October 31, 2018

On Monday, President Maud Mandel hosted a forum dedicated to discussing long-term planning at the College. In an email sent to the student body on Oct. 2, one of the few pieces of publicity for the event,...

Massachusetts to vote on initiatives

Massachusetts to vote on initiatives

Samuel Wolf October 24, 2018

On Nov. 6, Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote on three statewide ballot measures. The result of each measure has the potential to both alter Massachusetts policy and affect the College,...

LESLIE GARCIA/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

One in Two Thousand: Aidan Dunkelberg ’22

Samuel Wolf October 3, 2018

When I first met Aidan during his audition for Frosh Revue, I was instantly struck by his zaniness and his relentlessly positive energy. Last week, I caught up with him about his life in Mississippi,...

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