Catherine Hurley

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — Six months ago, I was cautious to embrace the University of Massachusetts' promise to "return to normal" for the fall 2021 semester. I didn't believe it was possible to bring the entire student population back to campus without strict COVID-19 restrictions and large outbreaks. I was wrong, and I'm glad.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — The University of Massachusetts is embracing its Brutalist architecture with a two-day symposium and on-campus art exhibits this semester. The Whitmore Administration Building, Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts, Campus Center, Herter and Tobin Halls, W.E.B. Du Bois Library and Southwest Residential Area feature the Brutalist style, famous for its rough, geometric exteriors made from concrete and brick.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — Nearly 10 student protests occurred at the University of Massachusetts during the first two months of the fall 2021 semester. Students gathered on campus against cases of sexual assault, racial injustice and animal abuse with varying turnout and success rates, and many continue to push for a more forceful response from the University.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — The University of Massachusetts closed on Monday, Oct. 11 to recognize a Massachusetts legal holiday. On campus, classes were canceled for Columbus Day, but step foot in the town of Amherst and your long weekend commemorated Indigenous Peoples' Day. Like many American universities, UMass has profited from the exploitation of Indigenous peoples and failed to...

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — One month into their time at the University of Massachusetts, three freshmen have found themselves balancing humor, activism and newfound popularity on campus. Katie Robertson, a physics and astronomy major, Sohaila Ammar, a political science major and Nicola Wood, an accounting and economics major, are the administrators of the Instagram page @umassaffirmations.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — Students at the University of Massachusetts, who are required to wear a face covering during class, may be surprised to find out their professors are not held to the same standard. In an August 20 message to faculty, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John McCarthy wrote, "A vaccinated instructor can choose to...

DigBoston — Inspired by class discussions and formative election cycles, Boston's youth organizers will spend their summer canvassing, phone banking, and tweeting for the candidate they hope will be the next mayor of Boston. Addison Walsh and Zoe Vittori-Koch are high school students and facilitators of Youth4Wu, a group of young people organizing around Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu for mayor.

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian — Everyone has heard the news. The University of Massachusetts plans to "return to normal operations in fall 2021." This means students can expect to take classes in-person, live in full capacity residence halls and participate in events and activities. UMass plans to offer students a "full college experience."