On April 27, 2022, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Catherine Epstein announced Amherst College purchased a new "President's House."

 

The home in which president Biddy Martin currently resides boasts 14,000 square feet. When the incoming president moves into the new estate, the 14,000 square-foot home will be vacant. 

 

178 rising sophomores do not have housing. According to The Student, an additional 29 rising seniors and 61 rising juniors are unhoused as well.

 

The administration has presented no plan for students without housing. Instead, these students have been informed that they will be placed on a "summer waitlist." Students are considering living off-campus rather than endure forced-doubles and long walking commutes to class. Others are considering applying for Community Advisor positions such that their housing will be guaranteed. This situation is untenable.

 

President Biddy Martin says that she plans to recommend to the board that the 14,000 square-foot building be converted to a new faculty "meeting space."

 

Why should a 14,000 square-foot building be used for sporadic meetings when over 250 students are currently unhoused?

Senior Associate Dean of Students, Dean Gendron, stated that there are 79 beds available for CA's and 74 beds available in themed dorms. But where does that leave the other 100 students?

 

We believe the 14,000 square-foot building should be converted to student housing. 

 

With this year's freshman spillover into Greenways, forced-doubles in the microscopic Cohan rooms, and forced triples (without the same financial compensation as previous years), it is evident this trend of insufficient housing will continue. 

 

Amherst College is one of the most renowned and prestigious institutions in the world. However, the living conditions and administrative actions are substandard.

 

If it is the administration's position that it is not possible to convert the 14,000 square-foot building to student housing, we request to be fully informed of all available information and analysis supporting this position.