News

Activists Gather at UMass to Chart Newly-Balanced Vision for U.S. Economy

AMHERST, Mass. – Hedrick Smith, author of “Who Stole the American Dream,” along with a special pre-recorded video address by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, will kick off a three-day summit conference on corporate “rules change” on Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
 
“Rules Change: Resetting the Playing Field for Corporations, People and Democracy,” is a three-day gathering organized by the UMass Donahue Institute at the request of U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern and four other non-profit policy groups.

UMass Amherst Launches New Online Training to Help Students Make Good Decisions When Moving Off Campus

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst has launched a new online training program for students who are moving into off-campus housing to help them become more responsible and successful tenants. The program emphasizes personal finances, rental rules and regulations, and information about responsible behavior and how to be good neighbors.
 
The Moving Off Campus OWL (Online Web-based Learning) training began operation April 5 and is available to UMass Amherst students and local landlords.

UMass Amherst Launches Year-Long Celebration of 150th Birthday with Series of Sesquicentennial Events April 22-29

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will kick off a year-long sesquicentennial celebration of its founding in 1863 with Founders Week, April 22 -29, an expansion of the university’s annual Founders Day celebration.
 
Students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to a healthy, sustainable campus on Earth Day, April 22. The full day of activities celebrating Earth Day features an afternoon student fair and concert on Goodell Lawn, a Trashion Show featuring student-designed outfits made from recycled materials, and an evening keynote

UMass Amherst Programs to Participate in National YWCA Take a Stand against Racism Day on April 26

AMHERST, Mass. – As part of National YWCA Take a Stand Against Racism Day on Friday, April 26, several University of Massachusetts Amherst programs are sponsoring campus events focused on civil rights, the legal system and social justice.
 
The program opens at noon with a Stand Against Racism Walk starting at Haigis Mall in front of the Fine Arts Center.
 
From 1-6 p.m. in 201 Wilder Hall, there will be series of presentations, including speakers, a film screening, media gallery, student testimonials and performances.
 
Shelley Perdomo, director of the Center for Multicultural Advancement

UMass Amherst Alumnae Recovering from Bomb Injuries; Recovery Fund Established

AMHERST, Mass. – Two University of Massachusetts Amherst alumnae are recovering from injuries sustained during the April 15 terrorist bombing in Boston.
 
Brittany A. Loring of Ayer, a 2006 graduate, remains hospitalized but her condition has been upgraded from critical to serious, according to the Ayer News. Longmeadow native Ryan C. McMahon, 33, of Boston, a 2002 graduate, received a fractured vertebra and two broken arms when she fell as the crowd in the viewing stand fled the scene after the blasts, according to the Republican.
 
A recovery fund has been established for Loring.

UMass Amherst to Test Emergency Notification System April 24

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst will conduct a routine test of its Emergency Notification System on Wednesday, April 24 after 10:30 a.m.
 
The test will include emergency text messaging, broadcast e-mail and outdoor warning sirens.
 
The drill will help test, evaluate and improve the campus’s ability to disseminate timely and effective notifications and warnings to students, faculty and staff during an emergency. Tests are conducted each semester and during the summer.

Terror Suspect Not a UMass Amherst Student

AMHERST, Mass. – Media reports today incorrectly identified one of the Boston Marathon terror suspects as a University of Massachusetts Amherst student. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is not a UMass Amherst student and was never a UMass Amherst student. The university is notifying media outlets about the error to clarify the situation for the public and the campus community.

UMass Amherst Earth Day Activities to Feature Student Models in 'Trashion Show' and Library T-shirt Offer

 
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
 
 
DATE:       Monday, April 22
TIME:        2 to 2:45 p.m.
WHAT:      Student-designed outfits made from recycled materials
WHERE:   Lawn of Goodell Hall, UMass Amherst campus
 
Highlights of this year’s Earth Day Festival at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will include a “Trashion Show” on Monday, April 22 from about 2 to 2:45 p.m. on the lawn in front of Goodell Hall. Students who designed clothing made from materials that would be considered trash or recyclables will model their creations and compete for a prize.

UMass Amherst Student Organizes Community Run to Benefit Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing

AMHERST, Mass. – A sport management student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is organizing a 2.62-mile run on the Amherst campus to raise money for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The event is being held tonight, April 18. The runners are to gather at 6 p.m. on the plaza between the Mullins Center and the practice skating rink with the run starting off at 6:30 p.m.
 
Lead organizer Christopher J.

'The Story of Stuff' Filmmaker to Offer UMass Amherst Earth Day Keynote Address

 
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
 
DATE:           Monday, April 22
TIME:            Media availability 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHAT:          Filmmaker and author Annie Leonard, “The Story of Stuff”
WHERE:       UMass Amherst Bowker Auditorium
 
Environmental and health activist filmmaker Annie Leonard is the keynote speaker for Earth Day on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus on Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium. She is the creator of the animated short documentary film, “The Story of Stuff,” which has been viewed over 10 million times worldwide.

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