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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.
Staff member receives violent and threatening hate letter at their home

Staff member receives violent and threatening hate letter at their home

Jack McGovern and Samuel Wolf October 29, 2020
On Thursday afternoon, a staff member of the College received a hate letter at their home. The letter communicated an explicit threat of violence, as well as racist and anti-LGBTQIA language, and targeted the racial identity, gender identity and sexual orientation of the staff member in graphic terms.
Conservative student group representative visits campus in violation of COVID-19 regulations

Conservative student group representative visits campus in violation of COVID-19 regulations

Samuel Wolf and Grady Short September 23, 2020
Last Thursday, in direct violation of the College’s COVID-19 regulations, a representative of a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) set up a table by Paresky Lawn –– at the edge of Rte. 2 –– for several hours. TPUSA’s intentions in setting up the table included to form a Williams chapter of the organization, according to the representative.
Record survey suggests most students plan to return to campus

Record survey suggests most students plan to return to campus

Jack McGovern, Haeon Yoon, and Samuel Wolf July 9, 2020
In response to an anonymous Record survey sent to the entire student body following President Maud S. Mandel’s email last week about reopening campus in the fall, 66 percent of the 685 students who completed the poll said that they would likely return to campus and live in on-campus housing.
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.
College considers trimester or three-semester calendar for 2020-2021 academic year

College considers trimester or three-semester calendar for 2020-2021 academic year

Samuel Wolf, Annie Lu, and Lucy Walker May 14, 2020

In an all-faculty meeting on Wednesday, President Maud S. Mandel announced that she is strongly considering adopting either a trimester or a three-semester model for the 2020-2021 academic calendar....

A letter from the editor: what to expect from the Record in the months to come

A letter from the editor: what to expect from the Record in the months to come

Samuel Wolf May 13, 2020

For us at the Record, as for the rest of the Williams community, the past several months have been tumultuous. Since we departed campus, scattering ourselves around the country and globe, the Record board...

Two in Two Thousand: Danny Jin '20 and Nicholas Goldrosen '20

Two in Two Thousand: Danny Jin ’20 and Nicholas Goldrosen ’20

Samuel Wolf May 13, 2020
Danny Jin ’20 and Nicholas Goldrosen ’20 served as editors-in-chief of the Record in 2019. For our last regular issue of the spring semester, current Editor-in-Chief Samuel Wolf ’21 sat down with them to discuss trustee resignations, sleepovers in Paresky and typos on the front page.
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.
Mandel mandates most students leave campus by Tuesday, announces transition to remote learning after spring break due to coronavirus pandemic

Mandel mandates most students leave campus by Tuesday, announces transition to remote learning after spring break due to coronavirus pandemic

For the first time in over 50 years, the College has decided to disrupt normal operations mid-semester in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. President of the College Maud S. Mandel announced in...

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...

Director of accessible education reports need for increased staff, resources

Director of accessible education reports need for increased staff, resources

Samuel Wolf November 20, 2019

Though the office of accessible education (OAE), the College’s designated office for students with disabilities and other special needs, was only created in 2016, Director G.L. Wallace already sees...

English department registration remains stable despite protest

English department registration remains stable despite protest

Samuel Wolf November 13, 2019

In the wake of a student-led protest which called for students to boycott all English classes that “do not engage substantially with race,” Chair and Professor of English Katie Kent ’88 reported...

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...

Students call for boycott of English department

Students call for boycott of English department

Danny Jin, Kevin Yang, and Samuel Wolf November 6, 2019
Professor of English John Kleiner’s use of the N-word in a class precipitates petition, website, broader conversations
Bearers of distinctive unixes reflect on their initials

Bearers of distinctive unixes reflect on their initials

Samuel Wolf November 6, 2019

“Are you seriously going to write an article about my biggest college insecurity, other than my general incompetence at most things?” Morgan Nelson ’21 asked when I first broached the topic of interviewing...

CC faces student criticism at contentious town hall

CC faces student criticism at contentious town hall

Irene Loewenson and Samuel Wolf October 30, 2019

Adam Jones ’21, among other students, took issue with College Council at its Oct. 22 town hall. (Photo Courtesy of Landon Marhant). College Council (CC) held a town hall in the Dodd House dining...

Greylock Dining Hall, closed since 2011, holds mystique

Greylock Dining Hall, closed since 2011, holds mystique

Samuel Wolf October 30, 2019

The semi-abandoned Greylock Dining Hall is home to a variety of strange spaces, including a room closed off with chicken wire. (Samuel Wolf/The Williams Record) Eight years ago, amidst a struggling...

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...

Conservative professors discuss life at the College

Conservative professors discuss life at the College

Samuel Wolf October 9, 2019

At a predominantly liberal institution, conservative faculty are in the minority OpenSecrets records reflect that College employees donate far more often to Democrats than Republicans. In 2016,...

Jason Stanley speaks on fascism's history, causes

Jason Stanley speaks on fascism’s history, causes

Samuel Wolf October 9, 2019

Jason Stanley, a professor of philosophy at Yale University, visited the College on Thursday to discuss his newest book, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Throughout his presentation...

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 exterior of the new Williams Inn from the driveway off of Spring Street. The inn has been open since August.

Photo courtesy of Joey Fox

Williams Inn reopens at new Spring Street location after $35.6 million project

Samuel Wolf September 11, 2019

With the opening of the new Williams Inn at the base of Spring Street on Aug. 15, the College completed a three-year, $35.6 million project in the making. The College owns the inn and was heavily involved...

The incident in Hollander Hall highlighted concerns of structural racism in the department. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE FLICKR.

Professor Kent berates Professor Wang, sparking broader concerns over racism in English department

Jeongyoon Han and Samuel Wolf May 8, 2019

The incident in Hollander Hall highlighted concerns of structural racism in the department. PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE FLICKR. On April 17, two students saw Chair and Professor of English Katie...

Yearbooks give insight into the College’s complicated past

Yearbooks give insight into the College’s complicated past

Samuel Wolf May 8, 2019

In old copies of the Gulielmensian are reminders of the ways the College has changed – and the ways it has remained much the same. SAMUEL WOLF/EXECUTIVE EDITOR. Starting in 1856, and continuing since...

A closer look at departures of College faculty of color

A closer look at departures of College faculty of color

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf May 8, 2019

An increased number of faculty of color are going on temporary leave or departing from the College this year compared to recent years. These faculty cite multiple reasons for leaving, ranging from professional...

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,...

Frank Doelger ’75, the executive producer of Game of Thrones, studied English at the College and participated in theatre at Oxford. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Reporter

Frank Doelger ’75: from Williamstown to Westeros

Samuel Wolf May 1, 2019

Frank Doelger ’75, the executive producer of Game of Thrones, studied English at the College and participated in theatre at Oxford. Photo courtesy of Hollywood Reporter Frank Doelger ’75, executive...

CARE Now sends open letter to President Mandel

CARE Now sends open letter to President Mandel

Samuel Wolf April 24, 2019

Following its letter to the Board of Trustees on April 12, the Coalition Against Racist Education (CARE Now) released an expanded petition to President of the College Maud Mandel last Wednesday, stating...

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...

Student input, new leadership help ‘Judas Iscariot’ impress

Student input, new leadership help ‘Judas Iscariot’ impress

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf March 13, 2019

COURTESY OF KEITH FOREMAN In The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, witnesses ranging from Sigmund Freud to Pontius Pilate are called to testify on whether Judas Iscariot should go to heaven.  Last...

The science center’s North Building will open in 2021 and house geosciences, psychology and math and statistics. ANIAH PRICE/PHOTO EDITOR

Some construction projects near completion as others drag on

Samuel Wolf March 6, 2019

The science center’s North Building will open in 2021 and house geosciences, psychology and math and statistics. ANIAH PRICE/PHOTO EDITOR The Williams Inn, the new Garfield dormitory and the Towne...

Asian American studies staffing requests submitted by religion, American studies

Asian American studies staffing requests submitted by religion, American studies

Samuel Wolf March 6, 2019

Two staffing requests for tenure-track faculty in Asian American studies (AAS) were submitted on Friday, marking a key step toward the creation of an AAS program at the College. These requests, submitted...

“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...

CPC working group declares  immediate need for two hires for Asian American studies program

CPC working group declares immediate need for two hires for Asian American studies program

Samuel Wolf February 13, 2019

A decades-long push for an Asian American studies (AAS) program made significant inroads on Thursday, when a working group formed by the Curricular Planning Committee (CPC) announced its recommendation...

Members for ad hoc free speech committee announced

Samuel Wolf February 6, 2019

On Jan. 30, President Maud Mandel released the list of members on the committee formed in the wake of last semester’s campus conversation around free expression, hateful speech and the Chicago Principles.  Mandel...

Students, faculty discuss free speech

Students, faculty discuss free speech

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf December 5, 2018

On Oct. 29, several members of the faculty sent out a petition calling for the College to adopt the Chicago Statement on Principles of Free Expression, originally released by the University of Chicago...

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,”...

Ballot Questions 2 and 3 pass, 1 fails,  incumbents reelected

Ballot Questions 2 and 3 pass, 1 fails, incumbents reelected

Samuel Wolf November 7, 2018

Yesterday, Massachusetts voters decided on three ballot initiatives that appeared on their ballots alongside candidates for governor, senator and congressperson, among other offices. With 27 percent reporting,...

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,...

JAs react to new  system, larger entries

JAs react to new system, larger entries

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf October 3, 2018

Last year, the Junior Advisor (JA) system underwent significant changes. Due to gradual decreases in both applications and in students accepting the position, the Junior Advisor Advisory Board (JAAB) changed...

Alicia Garza, Reza Aslan and moderator Jamelle Bouie discussed free speech and intolerance. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Visitors debate free speech at roundtable

Samuel Wolf October 3, 2018

      On Sept. 27, the College invited several prominent speakers to campus for a roundtable discussion on free speech and intolerance in the ’62 Center for Theatre...

Beyond the Bubble: News across Berkshire County

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf October 3, 2018

Job action in local School District ends On Sept. 26, Mount Greylock Regional School District Superintendent Kimberly Grady announced the end of the job action by teachers against the newly merged school...

“Unofficial guide” to navigating College life released in email

Rebecca Tauber and Samuel Wolf September 26, 2018

On Sept. 7, the student body was sent an email containing an “unofficial resource guide” to life on campus. This guide, which was spearheaded by Eli Cytrynbaum ’20 and Katie Manning ’20 and included...

In his lecture, Keating discussed his physics research and critiqued the Nobel Prize selection process.

Photo courtesy of USCD library.

Brian Keating speaks on losing the Nobel Prize

Samuel Wolf September 19, 2018

  On Friday, physicist and University of California San Diego professor Brian Keating visited the College to discuss his recently published book, Losing the Nobel Prize, about his attempts to...

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