What’s In This Issue?

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ANALYTICS
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Numbers in parentheses indicate change from the previous week.

Number of Unique Page Views:
Last 30 days: 65,941 (+10,353)
Last Week: 19,032 (-1,278)
Number of Unique Sessions
Last 30 days: 30,565 (+4743)
Last Week: 9204 (+179)

TOP FIVE MOST-READ ARTICLES LAST WEEK
1. Report on the Meeting Between Student Negotiators and UMass Amherst Administration, May 7, 2024 by Kevin A. Young
2. Town Manager to Explore Moving $53M Library Project Forward by Jeff Lee
3.. Opinion: I Was Present at the UMass Police Action and It Was Disgraceful by Amber Cano-Martin
4. Updated: UMass Faculty and Librarians Call for the Resignation of Chancellor Javier Reyes by Art Keene
5. Cuppa Joe: Public Asks About Jones Library and Wildwood.  New CRESS Director Offers Update by Maura Keene

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE?

BUDGET
Jones Library Treasurer: Expansion Project’s Risks to Town No Longer Acceptable by Art Keene
Jones Library Trustees Reject Project Bids by Maria Kopicki
School Budgets Remain Unsettled by Maura Keene
School Committee Approves Three Track and Field Options. More Funding to Be Sought by Maria Kopicki
Estimates for New Elementary School $2.5 Million Under Budget by Maura Keene

CAMPUS
Updated: UMass Faculty and Librarians Call for the Resignation of Chancellor Javier Reyes by Art Keene
Area Labor Federation Condemns Police Violence and Mass Arrests at UMass
Public Advised to Plan Ahead for Heavy Traffic During UMass Commencement and Move-out
Memorial Tribute in Honor of Professor Bill Strickland Planned for June 1
Opinion: UMass Chancellor Reyes’ Police Action Was Unnecessary and Unprecedented. A Brief History of Dissent At UMass Amherst by Art Keene
Opinion: Why Send Police to Halt a Peaceful Protest at UMass? by Laura Briggs
The Becoming Human Zine: Student Reflections on a Campus in Crisis by Abby Brooks and The Mutual Aid Project
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst: This Week, Local News Roundup and The Free Speech Crisis on Campus by Art Keene

CLIMATE / ENERGY / ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Public Comment: It’s Time to Move Forward with Waste Hauler Reform by Darcy DuMont
Opinion: Water Terminators by Laura MacLeod
Opinion: Carrots and Sticks by Russ Vernon-Jones

EVENTS
Public Advised to Plan Ahead for Heavy Traffic During UMass Commencement and Move-out
Garden Club of Amherst Annual Plant Sale This Weekend
Young Feminists Plan Walkout For Abortion Rights, May 24
Memorial Tribute in Honor of Professor Bill Strickland Planned for June 1
What’s Happening in Amherst? by Art and Maura Keene

FEATURES
The Becoming Human Zine: Student Reflections on a Campus in Crisis by Abby Brooks and The Mutual Aid Project
Twenty Years of Marriage Equality: Three Couples’ Stories by Nick Grabbe
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst: This Week, Local News Roundup and The Free Speech Crisis on Campus by Art Keene
Photo of the Week: Coffee at Esselon by Deborah Keisch

HOUSING
Should Amherst Create a Student Housing District on University Drive? by Maura Keene

HISTORY
Memorial Tribute in Honor of Professor Bill Strickland Planned for June 1
Opinion: UMass Chancellor Reyes’ Police Action Was Unnecessary and Unprecedented. A Brief History of Dissent At UMass Amherst by Art Keene
Opinion: With Malice Toward None… by MIchael Greenbaum
Twenty Years of Marriage Equality: Three Couples’ Stories by Nick Grabbe

ISSUES & ANALYSES
Opinion: UMass Chancellor Reyes’ Police Action Was Unnecessary and Unprecedented. A Brief History of Dissent At UMass Amherst by Art Keene

LIBRARY
Jones Library Treasurer: Expansion Project’s Risks to Town No Longer Acceptable by Art Keene
Jones Library Trustees Reject Project Bids by Maria Kopicki

MEDIA
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst: This Week, Local News Roundup and The Free Speech Crisis on Campus by Art Keene

MEMORIAL
Memorial Tribute in Honor of Professor Bill Strickland Planned for June 1

OPINION
Public Comment: It’s Time to Move Forward with Waste Hauler Reform by Darcy DuMont
Letter: Why Were Amherst Police Present at a Violent Police Action? by Josna Rege
Opinion: UMass Chancellor Reyes’ Police Action Was Unnecessary and Unprecedented. A Brief History of Dissent At UMass Amherst by Art Keene
Opinion: Why Send Police to Halt a Peaceful Protest at UMass? by Laura Briggs
Opinion: Joint Committees Approve Superintendent Contract for E. Xiomara Herman by Jennifer Shiao
Opinion: With Malice Toward None… by Michael Greenbaum
Opinion: Water Terminators by Laura MacLeod
Opinion: Carrots and Sticks by Russ Vernon-Jones

PROTEST
Updated: UMass Faculty and Librarians Call for the Resignation of Chancellor Javier Reyes by Art Keene
Area Labor Federation Condemns Police Violence and Mass Arrests at UMass
Opinion: UMass Chancellor Reyes’ Police Action Was Unnecessary and Unprecedented. A Brief History of Dissent At UMass Amherst by Art Keene
Opinion: Why Send Police to Halt a Peaceful Protest at UMass? by Laura Briggs
From Other Sources: News for and About Amherst: This Week, Local News Roundup and The Free Speech Crisis on Campus by Art Keene

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
Letter: Why Were Amherst Police Present at a Violent Police Action? by Josna Rege
Opinion: Why Send Police to Halt a Peaceful Protest at UMass? by LAura Briggs

RECREATION
School Committee Approves Three Track and Field Options. More Funding to Be Sought by Maria Kopicki

SCHOOLS
School Budgets Remain Unsettled by Maura Keene
School Committee Approves Three Track and Field Options. More Funding to Be Sought by Maria Kopicki
Estimates for New Elementary School $2.5 Million Under Budget by Maura Keene
Opinion: Joint Committees Approve Superintendent Contract for E. Xiomara Herman by Jennifer Shiao
Defamation Specialists Join Lawsuit Against Regional School District by Art Keene

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Updated: UMass Faculty and Librarians Call for the Resignation of Chancellor Javier Reyes by Art Keene
Area Labor Federation Condemns Police Violence and Mass Arrests at UMass
Young Feminists Plan Walkout For Abortion Rights, May 24
The Becoming Human Zine: Student Reflections on a Campus in Crisis by Abby Brooks and The Mutual Aid Project
Twenty Years of Marriage Equality: Three Couples’ Stories by Nick Grabbe
Defamation Specialists Join Lawsuit Against Regional School District by Art Keene

SOLID WASTE
Public Comment: It’s Time to Move Forward with Waste Hauler Reform by Darcy DuMont

TOWN GOVERNMENT
Jones Library Treasurer: Expansion Project’s Risks to Town No Longer Acceptable by Art Keene
Jones Library Trustees Reject Project Bids by Maria Kopicki
School Budgets Remain Unsettled by Maura Keene
Estimates for New Elementary School $2.5 Million Under Budget by Maura Keene
Should Amherst Create a Student Housing District on University Drive? by Maura Keene
Heatherstone Redesign with Mini-roundabouts Praised by Some Residents by Maura Keene
Public Comment: It’s Time to Move Forward with Waste Hauler Reform by Darcy DuMont
Letter: Why Were Amherst Police Present at a Violent Police Action? by Josna Rege
Defamation Specialists Join Lawsuit Against Regional School District by Art Keene