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Julia Goldberg, Executive Editor for News

Julia Goldberg ’25 is an English major from New York, N.Y. She is the executive editor for news, and she previously served as a section editor and a staff writer for the news section. 

Email: [email protected]

All content by Julia Goldberg
Cooper Desmond ’24 hung approximately 20 flyers advertising the Williams College Fundraiser for Palestinian Aid, which has raised over $3,000. (Photo courtesy of Cooper Desmond)

Community members raise over $3,000 for Palestinian aid

Julia Goldberg • November 15, 2023
Over 100 donors have given $3,069 to the Williams College Fundraiser for Palestinian Aid, a GoFundMe started by Cooper Desmond ’24 on Oct. 25. 
Part of the issue, the committee’s co-chair explained, is that AI tools like ChatGPT can be employed for many different parts of the writing process, and unspecific policies on syllabi makes it difficult to determine if a student has violated any rules. (Max Billick/The Williams Record)

Special Collections, Davis Center host Archives for Liberation

Julia Goldberg and Lindsay Wang • November 8, 2023
The Davis Center (DC) and Special Collections hosted the second session of Archives for Liberation, a year-long series of student-driven workshops highlighting the history of student activism at the College, on Nov. 1 in the Special Collections instruction room.
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a climate activist, holds a lecture on the Green New Deal.

Town releases CARES report on residents’ sense of safety, wellbeing

Julia Goldberg • October 25, 2023
The Williamstown Community Assessment Research (CARES) team published a qualitative report on Oct. 16 exploring Williamstown residents’ perceptions of their wellbeing and safety. The report sets forth concrete recommendations for the Town — though lead researchers expressed uncertainty that their initiatives would actually be implemented.
Students hang posters, painted copies of the Record following Oct. 18 op-ed

Students hang posters, painted copies of the Record following Oct. 18 op-ed

Julia Goldberg • October 25, 2023
Copies of the Oct. 18 issue of the Record, covered in dark red painted handprints, and signs with statements about the war in Israel and Palestine were hung throughout all three floors of Paresky Center and outside its lawn on the night of Oct. 18. The handprints specifically covered the page that included Jonah Garnick’s ’23 op-ed, “What the ‘Free Palestine’ movement gets wrong.”
Theo Duarte-Baird/The Williams Record

College removes supplemental essay from application, forms working group in wake of affirmative action ruling

Julia Goldberg and Izzy Polanco • October 18, 2023

The College has eliminated the supplemental essay from its application and formed the Working Group on Admissions Policies and Practices. These changes come in response to the Supreme Court’s decision...

Affinity-based TAPSI communities, such as La Casa and Eban House, will likely remain in their current locations for the next academic year. (Edan Zinn/The Williams Record)

College calls off TAPSI relocation to Greylock Quad, waives reapplication process for affinity houses next year

Julia Goldberg and Iman Shumburo • October 4, 2023
The College will not require this year’s affinity communities — Eban House, La Casa, International House, and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Space — to reapply for housing for the 2024–25 academic year. 
In a recent Record survey, longterm Dining Services employees described discontent with increased workload and stagnant pay. (Kiara Royer/The Williams Record)

Increased pay for new Dining Services employees alleviates staff shortage, frustrates longtime workers

Max Billick and Julia Goldberg • September 20, 2023
The College raised salaries for incoming Dining Services employees this summer, filling almost all of the department’s vacancies and reaching the highest staffing levels since 2019. Nevertheless, longtime employees of Dining Services reported dissatisfaction in a Record survey, voicing frustration about overwhelming workloads and a lack of pay significantly higher than that of newer coworkers.
Former professor withdraws from congressional race following misconduct allegations

Former professor withdraws from congressional race following misconduct allegations

Julia Goldberg • September 20, 2023
Former Visiting Professor in Economics Don Carlson ’83 dropped out of the Democratic primary race for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District on Aug. 27 after a local news station reported that he made an advance toward a student while working at the College in 2019.
(Ella Marx/The Williams Record)

Hogeland, Boyd win Williamstown Select Board election

Julia Goldberg and Lena Kerest • May 10, 2023
Andrew Hogeland ’76 and Stephanie Boyd defeated Andi Bryant and Paul Harsch ’69 for two seats on the Select Board in yesterday’s Town election.
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.
A Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) is an approximation of the resources required by the College to teach four classes in one year. A full-time tenured professor requires 1.0 FTE per year. (Quinn Casey/The Williams Record)

STEM, economics departments stretch to meet rising course enrollment

Julia Goldberg and David Wignall • April 19, 2023
More students than ever are enrolling in STEM and economics courses. Though growing popularity in these departments has delighted professors, it has posed its own challenges. Now, departments must balance surging demand for their classes with limited resources and a desire to preserve the small, intimate atmosphere that defines a liberal arts education.
College reckons with declining interest in the humanities

College reckons with declining interest in the humanities

David Wignall and Julia Goldberg • April 12, 2023
Across the country, institutions of higher education have struggled to adjust to sky-high demand for STEM courses and weakening interest in the humanities. Williams — with its $3.5 billion endowment and traditional focus on the liberal arts — has been relatively insulated. But the College is not immune, prompting academic departments on both sides of Route 2 to consider their circumstances and what the future might hold.
College increases comprehensive fee to $81,160 for 2023-2024 school year

College increases comprehensive fee to $81,160 for 2023-2024 school year

Safiyah Anwar-Chuku and Julia Goldberg • March 15, 2023
The comprehensive fee for the 2023-2024 academic year will be $81,160, a five-percent increase from this year’s fee of $77,300.
The majority of entries in first-year dorms will have two JAs next year, one fewer than most entries this year. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Shan).

Number of JAs drops from years past, incoming cohort remains optimistic

Julia Goldberg • March 8, 2023
The Junior Advisor (JA) Selection Committee (SelCom) released a list of 43 JAs to the Class of 2027, marking an ongoing decrease in participation in the program.
Town voters approve $22.5 million fire station

Town voters approve $22.5 million fire station

Julia Goldberg • March 1, 2023
Williamstown residents passed a proposal to build a new fire station at 562-580 Main Street in a 509-32 vote during yesterday’s special Town Meeting at the Williamstown Elementary School. The building will replace the Town’s 73-year-old station, which falls short of numerous Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Fire Protection Association standards.
Quinn Casey/The Williams Record

Students collect over $5,000, supplies for Turkey-Syria earthquake relief

Julia Goldberg • February 15, 2023
The International Students Organization (ISA), Muslim Student Union (MSU), International Student Services (ISS), and the chaplain’s office have raised over $5,000 for Turkey-Syria earthquake relief through tabling that began on Feb. 8 and will end tomorrow, Feb. 16. The organizations are also collecting winter clothes, blankets, and supplies such as women’s hygiene products that Associate Dean of Students and Director of ISS Ninah Pretto will deliver to a Turkish cultural center in Albany.

College to contribute $5 million to construction of new fire station, pending proposal’s approval

Ella Marx and Julia Goldberg • February 8, 2023
The College’s Board of Trustees voted on Jan. 20 to contribute $5 million, at a rate of $1 million per year for the next five years, to the construction of Williamstown’s new fire station — if Town voters approve the proposal to build the station.
In Other Ivory Towers: Amid controversy, Yale alters leave policies

In Other Ivory Towers: Amid controversy, Yale alters leave policies

Julia Goldberg and Megan Lin • January 25, 2023
On Jan. 18, Yale University revealed updates to its policies regarding leaves of absence and withdrawals, following a year-long review of its mental health policies by the Yale College Dean’s Office.
Faculty votes to approve Asian American studies program

Faculty votes to approve Asian American studies program

Tali Natter, Cameron Pugh, and Julia Goldberg • December 7, 2022
At the Dec. 7 faculty meeting, faculty voted to approve the creation of an Asian American studies (AAS) program that establishes a concentration beginning fall 2023, with 81 voting in favor, five voting against, and three abstaining.
Williamstown police officers unanimously support the use of body cameras.

WPD to implement body cameras

Julia Goldberg • December 7, 2022
The Williamstown Police Department (WPD) will equip all of its officers with body-worn cameras after the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security awarded it an $18,941 grant.
Record approval ratings survey shows increased approval of IWS, COVID policies

Record approval ratings survey shows increased approval of IWS, COVID policies

Gabe Miller and Julia Goldberg • December 7, 2022
The Record sent its biannual survey to 500 randomly selected unixes last week to gauge students’ approval of College policies and institutions.
The Spring Street Market and Cafe recently raised the prices of its sandwiches by $1 in response to inflation. (Photo courtesy of Shirley Lin.)

Inflation hits Spring Street restaurants

Skylar Yarter and Julia Goldberg • November 30, 2022
Businesses on Spring Street have experienced shortages and increases in supply costs due to inflation.
The office of the president is located on the second floor of Hopkins Hall.

College to create anti-racist task force

Gabe Miller and Julia Goldberg • November 16, 2022
President Maud S. Mandel and Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leticia S.E. Haynes ’99 will form an anti-racist task force to address race-based bias at the College.
Global studies program to launch Global Scholars Initiative

Global studies program to launch Global Scholars Initiative

Julia Goldberg and Emily Zas • November 2, 2022
The global studies program will kickstart the Global Scholars Initiative this spring, encouraging a small cohort of students to develop greater international awareness by studying global issues and traveling together.
Students gathered in Baxter to learn about the campus plan.

College hosts open houses to gather feedback on campus plan

Julia Goldberg • October 26, 2022
The College hosted open houses for students and faculty to review and share their feedback on its long-term campus plan, a set of projects that would reimagine the College’s physical space. 
At eight stations spread across the room, attendees could read about a specific topic from the Town’s Existing Conditions Report.

Town solicits residents’ input for upcoming comprehensive plan

Julia Goldberg • October 19, 2022
Williamstown residents gathered at an interactive open house on Thursday to share thoughts and concerns that will inform Envisioning Williamstown 2035, a long-term comprehensive plan for the Town. The plan, to be released by May 2023, will serve as the Town’s “official blueprint” for action “related to land use, infrastructure, and community development” over the next 10 years, according to its website.
The median home price in Williamstown, which has risen over 40 percent in the past year, is now $492,000. (Sam Riley/The Williams Record)

Town releases Existing Conditions Analysis, takes steps towards completing comprehensive plan

Julia Goldberg • October 5, 2022
The Williamstown Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee has released its Existing Conditions Analysis, a report that will aid the committee’s development of Envisioning Williamstown 2035, a comprehensive plan set to outline a community-driven vision of the Town’s physical development.
In 2014, high school students founded the global nonprofit PERIOD. (Samuel Riley/The Williams Record)

PERIOD. to host fundraiser with Pera, install pads in campus bathrooms

Julia Goldberg and Inés Garcia • October 5, 2022
PERIOD. @ Williams College, a new Registered Student Organization (RSO), will host a fundraiser at Pera and stock pads in bathrooms across campus.
Shoppers at the Williamstown Farmers Market can purchase bright red tomatoes — among a wide selection of local produce. (_____/The Williams Record)

Williamstown Farmers Market provides hub for local vendors, Town residents, students

Julia Goldberg and Tali Natter • September 28, 2022
On Saturday mornings from May through October, the Spring Street parking lot bustles with chatter and music. The sweet smells of flowers, fresh vegetables, and baked goods surround attendees at the Williamstown Farmers Market. 
The office of the president is located on the second floor of Hopkins Hall.

For the first time, president, provost, deans of college and faculty positions are all held by women

Julia Goldberg • September 21, 2022
For the first time in the College’s history, all four academic members of the senior staff — the president, provost, and deans of the faculty and the college — are women. 
Convocation began with an annual academic procession. (Photo courtesy of Williams College.)

Academic year commences with Class of 2023 Convocation

Julia Goldberg • September 15, 2022
The College held its annual convocation for the Classes of 2023, 2022.5, and graduate students in the final year of their programs on Sept. 10 in Chapin Hall, marking the official start to the 2022-23 school year.
Williams joins Supreme Court amicus brief supporting use of race in college admissions

Williams joins Supreme Court amicus brief supporting use of race in college admissions

Julia Goldberg and Ella Marx • August 27, 2022
When the Supreme Court hears concurrent cases Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina this fall, the respondents will count the College among their supporters.
(Kira Hernandez/The Williams Record)

After reversal of Roe v. Wade, activists, College leaders renew commitment to abortion access

Justin Zen, Kitt Urdang, Izzy Polanco, and Julia Goldberg • July 15, 2022
On June 24, the Supreme Court overturned the precedent it set in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1973 and 1992 cases that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion. Student and local organizers, alums who work in abortion access, and College administrators must now reckon with a new political reality. 
The student-led event took place on the front steps of the Paresky Center. (Kitt Urdang/The Williams Record)

Community responds to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade

Kitt Urdang and Julia Goldberg • May 11, 2022
On Friday afternoon, a group of around 50 students and Town residents gathered on the steps of Paresky Center to demonstrate support for abortion rights and take action to protect reproductive freedoms.
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a climate activist, holds a lecture on the Green New Deal.

Alumni Relations, Alumni Fund merge into Office of Alumni Engagement

Julia Goldberg and Charlotte Staudenmayer • April 20, 2022
The Alumni Relations and Alumni Fund offices merged into one Office of Alumni Engagement, Vice President of the Office of College Relations (OCR) Megan Morey announced in an email to the OCR on April 6, stating that the change would be effective immediately.
Former Williams President Morty Schapiro returns for guest lecture

Former Williams President Morty Schapiro returns for guest lecture

Julia Goldberg • April 20, 2022
Former President of the College Morton “Morty” Schapiro delivered a guest lecture to the College community about the economics of higher education on April 12.
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.
The facilitated dialogue event on Saturday took place at Mount Greylock Regional High School.

Town community engages in facilitated dialogue about police-community relationships

Ella Marx and Julia Goldberg • March 16, 2022
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service and the Williamstown Police Department (WPD) implemented the DOJ’s Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships (SPCP) program for the Town this Saturday.
Students share mixed feelings on communitys use of anonymous apps

Students share mixed feelings on community’s use of anonymous apps

Megan Lin, Lindsay Wang, and Julia Goldberg • March 2, 2022
As anonymous apps like Yik Yak and Unmasked gain traction at the College, students reflect on their complicated relationships with the useful — but often dangerous — platforms.
Antisemitic, racist flyers found in books in Sawyer

Antisemitic, racist flyers found in books in Sawyer

Bellamy Richardson and Julia Goldberg • February 23, 2022
Copies of an antisemitic and racist flyer were found in history books in Sawyer Library on Feb. 15. After consulting the Libraries leadership team as well as Campus Safety Services (CSS) and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (OIDEI), Director of Libraries Jonathan Miller posted a sign in the Sawyer Library entrance condemning the flyers, which were made to look like Confederate States of America currency, and asking members of the College community to bring them to the library’s Access Services Desk if found.
(DEVIKA GOEL/ THE WILLIAMS RECORD) The group, founded this spring, has a roster of around 60 members.

Students form mental health advocacy club

Julia Goldberg • February 16, 2022
Three students — Cooper Desmond ’24, Andrew Williams ’24, and Sam Riley ’23 — founded the Mental Wellness Advocacy Group this semester to communicate the state of student mental health to the College’s administration.
Editors Julia Goldberg and Ella Marx attended one of the Log’s weekly trivia nights, where they competed among members of the College and Town communities for a first, second, or third place title. (Photo courtesy of Nigel Jaffe.)

An inside look: Student hosts and technicians present Thursday night trivia at the Log

Julia Goldberg and Ella Marx • February 9, 2022
Student hosts and technicians of Log Trivia take the Record behind the scenes of this beloved Williams tradition.
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a climate activist, holds a lecture on the Green New Deal.

College receives 25 misconduct reports

Julia Goldberg • February 9, 2022
The College received 25 reports of misconduct committed against members of the College community — 13 of sexual misconduct, four of relationship abuse, five of stalking, and three of verbal sexual harassment — over the past two academic years.
Though the JA role will become a paid position, JAs will not become mandatory reporters.

[Photo] Residential life leaders to receive compensation

Ella Marx • February 9, 2022

Though the JA role will become a paid position, JAs will not become mandatory reporters.

Professors Long, Siniawer to serve as next Dean, Provost

Professors Long, Siniawer to serve as next Dean, Provost

Megan Lin, Julia Goldberg, and David Wignall • January 26, 2022
Professors of History Gretchen Long and Eiko Maruko Siniawer ’97 will assume the roles of Dean and Provost of the College, respectively, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an all-campus email on Tuesday.
(Devika Goel/The Williams Record)

Students report difficulties accessing psychiatric medication

Julia Goldberg • January 26, 2022
Students are struggling to access consistent and reliable psychiatric resources at the College, according to several student interviews with the Record. An increase in demand for mental health services this fall has contributed to a months-long waitlist to see the only psychiatrist currently at the College, Dr. Susan Mahler.
College changes masking policy for some student performances, athletic practices

College changes masking policy for some student performances, athletic practices

Julia Goldberg and Beatrice Moyers • December 8, 2021
Masks are no longer universally required for athletes and performers in certain venues. While some students welcomed the change, others have questioned perceived inconsistencies in the policy. 
The Williams Students Union meets in The Peoples Office. (Bellamy Richardson/The Williams Record)

Williams Student Union contends with student apathy

Nelson Del Tufo and Julia Goldberg • November 17, 2021
Four terms into the creation of the Williams Student Union, lingering distrust of student government and general confusion over the three-pillars model have left many upperclassmen hesitant to run for office or even to vote.
Macksey said she will propose an investment plan geared towards the city’s infrastructure needs within her first 100 days of office. (Photo courtesy of Haley Winchell.)

Jennifer Macksey to become North Adams’ first female mayor

Julia Goldberg • November 10, 2021
Democrat Jennifer Macksey will become the first female mayor of North Adams in January after defeating opponent Lynette Bond by 200 votes in the Nov. 2 election. 
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