In the early hours of Sept. 3, the monumental bronze sculptures Indian Hunter and Pronghorn Antelope in the Neuhoff Sculpture Court, adjacent to the Mead Art Museum, were toppled from their bases and broken in a wanton act of vandalism perpetrated by inebriated Amherst students. Produced by Paul Manship in 1917 and given to the College in 1945 by generous alumnus Herbert L. Pratt, class of 1895, these unique and valuable works were among the gems of the museum's renowned collection of American art. Both suffered serious damage, in some aspects irreparable. For a long time they will be unavailable for teaching purposes and any future exhibition or loan may never be possible. This brutal act has robbed our community of an art treasure, historic artifact and educational resource. On behalf of the Mead Art Museum, I am profoundly outraged by the senseless destruction of art and deeply saddened by the loss to us all.
Dr. Jill Meredith
Director, Mead Art Museum
Destruction sad and appalling
I was saddened to read that an individual or group of individuals would have such little respect for the College's art; and, for that matter, that he, she or they would have such little respect for Amherst itself. That any segment of the school's population would commit such an act is both infuriating and depressing. Any community-but more particularly, a community of this caliber-should be appalled by such happenings.
Jesse Freedman '03
Rosh Hashanah marred by classes
This time of year is my favorite season. It is not because the days are getting shorter or the leaves are falling or even that the weather is getting colder. The reason I love this season is the fact that Rosh Hashanah always falls around this time. Rosh Hashanah is a major Jewish holiday celebrating the start of a new year and a time when I get to see friends who do not attend services on a regular basis. The celebration of the new year is always a joyous occasion.
To ensure that the new year is sweet, it is traditional to dip apples in honey. This year, despite the sweetness of the honey, I have a bitter taste in my mouth. This lingering bitterness was caused by the decision of the administration of the College to schedule classes this past Saturday, Rosh Hashanah. The decision was made in response to the cancellation of classes on Sept. 2, Labor Day. As a result, most students who had classes scheduled on Monday would have to attend classes on Rosh Hashanah.
When some professors realized that Sept. 7 was Rosh Hashanah, they proceeded to cancel their classes on Saturday out of respect for the holiday. These professors should be highly commended for their judiciousness and compassion. Unfortunately, there were other professors who had classes and assignments due on Saturday. The uneven response to the holiday can be attributed to the administration's decision to hold classes on this important holiday and constitutes a major error in judgment. Making students choose between following their religious conviction and attending classes shows callousness and does not fit with the Amherst ideal of an open-minded, liberal institution.
As a first-year student, I am surprised by the College's response. Throughout orientation, I was constantly reminded about Amherst's diversity and the importance of respecting everyone no matter what religion, gender or ethnicity they were. Thus, I find it ironic that in my first week as an Amherst student, the administration has chosen to disregard my religious beliefs. I urge the administration to exhibit better judgment in the future and make Amherst a more tolerant community.
Melissa Sidman '06