The Sophian

Campus Life

Letter to the Editor: They Will Have to Come Through Us, a Love Letter to Our Students

By Christen Mucher, Erin Pineda and colleagues

You are the reason we are here. You are the reason we stay. All of you — The trans students; DACA students; the first gens. The cis students; the US citizens; the international students; the third-generation Smithies

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Narcan Trainings, NaloxBoxes and Harm Reduction Bags: The Schacht Center’s Newest Wellness Resources

By Lyda Martin

Starting in the fall of 2023, the Schacht Center began a program aimed at providing harm reduction resources to Smith students, including Narcan trainings, NaloxBoxes and personalized Harm Reduction bags.

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What Smith Doesn’t Understand About Diversity

By Poorvi Sarkar

This article was originally published in the October 2024 print edition. What does true diversity look like in an era of systemic inequality? At a recent Smith College training conference, I encountered a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. The conference focused on refining our leadership skills, but what struck me as most compelling was the presentation of a “power wheel” that ranked marginalized identities based on their proximity to power. This graphic illustrated a profoundly outdated and two-dimensional understanding of diversity, reducing complex experiences to a hierarchy defined by race, class, sexuality and more.

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Students Gather to Celebrate Cromwell Day

By Mary McGrath

On Nov. 12, Smith students gathered to celebrate Cromwell Day. Classes were canceled so that students could participate in educational activities about racism, inclusivity and...

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Estudiantes de Smith expresan frustraciones con la nueva política de la libertad de expresión

By Olivia Sarno

Estudiantes de Smith salieron de sus clases respectivas en protesta a los cambios hechos a la “Política de gobernar tiempo, lugar, y manera de actividad expresiva” por la Presidenta Sarah Willie-LeBreton y otros colegas de la administración de la universidad el 24 de octubre. La manifestación sucedió después de que se filtró un borrador de la política el 23 de octubre.

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Megan Bowles ’15Sports Editor Last Sunday, Smith students from various houses across campus gathered in front of their televisions to watch as the Baltimore Ravens…

Local News

Massachusetts Voters Split on Legalizing Psychedelics, Preparing to Vote

By Catherine Nichols

Do the mental health benefits of psychedelics outweigh their potential risks? The most closely contested Massachusetts ballot initiative up for a vote on Election Day...

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Cushing/Emerson Dining Closure Brings Mixed Reactions to Campus

By Jada Wordlaw

This article was originally published in the September 2024 print edition. Smith College announced the closing of Cushing/Emerson dining hall on April 25, 2024, effective in the 2024-25 academic year, which has led to dissatisfaction and complaints among students and staff. The decision resulted from a routine assessment in Dining Services that primarily focused on evaluating student dining experiences and usage levels.

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Tax Smith College, Fund UMass and Northampton Public Schools

By Karen Colmán Martínez

In 2020, Smith College President Kathleen McCartney had “extraordinary news” to share with the Smith College community — the institution had received a $50 million gift from an anonymous alumna, with $40 million designated for student financial aid and $10 million for “re-envision[ing] [Smith’s] career development programs.”

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Students Hold 34th Annual Celebrations on the Quad

By Kaeli Bennett

On Thursday, April 25, students gathered on the Smith College Quadrangle for the 34th Annual Celebrations. The event began in 1991 as a candlelight vigil in response to an uptick in homophobic and transphobic graffiti and sentiment on campus. Over the years, it has evolved into a celebration of queer love and acceptance.

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Smith College Botanic Garden Prepares for Removal of Beloved Swing Tree

By Jada Wordlaw

On Jan. 16, the Botanic Garden of Smith College announced that five trees on campus will be removed early this year, including the long-standing sugar...

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Smith Students Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday