Amherst College
PA-6: Institutional Climate

Amherst's Student Accessibility Services arranges accommodations for students with all types of disabilities in an environment of mutual respect. Accessibility Services collaborates with faculty and staff across campus to support access and equity for all students.

Amherst's Community Resource Centers have also led a number initiatives related to disability justice:

1. The Woman and Gender Center (WGC) organized a program series called “Disability & Feminism: Communal Care as a Site of Resistance.” Part 1 of this series included a guided discussion on "Sick Woman Theory" by Johanna Hedva. Part 2 revolved around a talk by Johanna Hedva, the author of "Sick Woman Theory.” Part 3 was offered as a space for coalition building and allyship around disability politics and feminism. During this workshop, students developed the idea for establishing a disabled student RSO, later to be named the Disabled Neurodivergent Alliance (DNA).
2. The WGC collaborated with the Class Action and Resource Center (CARC) to lead a series of workshops at a student and staff retreat organized by the The Office of Identity and Cultural Resources (OICR). Prepared materials include the OICR Access Rider + Resource Guide, the Disability 101 training, and the Disability 102 workshop. The WGC also created and distributed a pamphlet highlighting the intersections of disability justice and feminism. 
3. The Queer Resource Center (QRC) works directly with the Disabled Neurodivergent Alliance and advises them throughout the academic year. 
4. The Class Action and Resource Center (CARC) has also collaborated the Disabled and Neurodivergent Alliance (DNA) on their end of spring semester study break event.
5. In Fall of 2023, Amherst's Center for Religious Student Life (RSL) held a panel of speakers on Sacred Bodies: Disability, Religion, and Environmental Care, offering reflections and discussion on these intersections.

Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) works to support students who identify as *people of color (POC) at Amherst College by providing a place for community building and resources to navigate institutional structures. Rooted in the framework of intersectionality, the MRC serves as a space where students of color can celebrate their identity and where the Amherst community can participate in conversations that expand our collective understanding of racialized experiences. The MRC works to interrogate systems of racial inequity, to promote racially just communities, and to honor the historic and present-day resilience of POC.

*we use people of color here as a collective term for individuals belonging to racially marginalized group(s) including Latinx/o/a/e, Black, Asian, Indigenous/First Nations, Pacific Islanders, and those racialized outside of whiteness. 

Center for International Student Engagement (CISE)

The Center for International Student Engagement (CISE) supports students of international experience through advocacy, centralized resources, and space for community building and critical reflection. At Amherst, international students comprise approximately 12% of Amherst's student body. International students of color often encounter unique racial dynamics and racism in the U.S. as they come from vastly different social contexts. In collaboration with the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), CISE facilitates a pre-orientation session focused on personal and social identity reflection. This prepares students to navigate their identities within both Amherst College and the broader U.S. context. Additionally, follow-up programs like “Racialization of International Students” are offered to address ongoing needs.

Queer Resource Center (QRC)

The Queer Resource Center (QRC) furthers conversations around gender and sexuality across campus by providing opportunities for leadership development, intentional programming, and space for community building that centers the support and empowerment of Amherst’s LGBTQ+ community. 

The QRC sponsors year-round educational, social and campus community-building programs. This includes: our weekly support group, Queer Talk with the Center for Counseling and Mental Health, mixers to help students build community; the Drag Show; the Gender Resource Fair; the Trans Empowerment Series; and the Trans Connection Project, which connects Trans*, Genderdiverse, and Genderqueer students with LGBTQ+ staff and faculty. During the 23-24 academic year, we also collaborated with the Women and Gender Center, CARC (InQueeries about Finance), MRC (Drag Show and QTPOC Study Hours), RSL (Astrology and Tarot Card Reading; Faithfully Queer, Faithfully Christian), and CISE (De-Americanizing Queerness) in our programming.

The QRC also provides gender affirming resources (binders, packers, gaffs, bra inserts, top surgery after care kits) and provides access to an extensive collection of books and DVDs concerning queer issues/topics.

Class & Access Resource Center (CARC)

The Class & Access Resource Center (CARC) provides education, advocacy, support, and community-building opportunities for first-generation and low-income (FLI) students. The CARC's annual programming includes:

• Hosting New Student Orientation programs to connect FLI students and families to campus resources. 

• Hosting “FLI chats,” where new FLI students can connect with peers over topics that help them navigate the “hidden curriculum” in elite higher ed institutions. 

• Running week-long programming to celebrate National First Generation Day, including social and educational events (2022 Schedule)

• Holding dinners to celebrate students, staff, and faculty around their First Generation/Low Income identity.

• Collaborating with the Financial Aid office to educate students on how to use the Access Grant and Emergency Fund. 

• Collaborating with the Loeb Career Center and its Meiklejohn Fellowship, where First Gen or Low Income students participate in a cohort and receive career development training.

Amherst offers a number of resources to support the success of undocumented and DACA-holding students enrolled at the college:

• The Office of Immigration Services provides guidance and resources for students seeking legal counsel regarding their immigration status, and works in collaboration with the Multicultural Resource Center to support students in fragile immigration statuses.
• The Offices of Immigration Services and Global Education Office work together to support undocumented and DACA-holding students interested in domestic exchange study options at other educational institutions within the U.S. and/or study away opportunities outside the U.S. (including assistance with the Advance Parole application process).
• Our Career Center, Office of Student Affairs, and Dean of Faculty Office offer stipends for students who apply and qualify for a select number of non-employment-based research opportunities and summer internships.

• The Class & Access Resource Center (CARC) provides advocacy, support, and community-building opportunities for transfer and military veteran students. Every year, the CARC organizes a Transfer & Veteran Student Pre-Orientation, a Transfer & Veteran Graduation Celebration, and more programming to support Amherst's Transfer and Veteran students.
• The Center for International Student Engagement (CISE) supports students of international experience through advocacy, centralized resources, and space for community building and critical reflection. In addition to organizing the New International Student Pre-Orientation program and offering an array of single-stop resources, CISE organizes a series of annual events and programming for international students. 
• The Center for Religious & Spiritual Life (RSL) supports the religious, spiritual, and value-based lives of the Amherst community. RSL works to cultivate understanding and appreciation across diversities of belief and identity, and mobilizes these connections toward bettering our world. For detailed programming info, please refer to the RSL calendar.

• Digital Map and Signage – In 2023, we rolled out an updated and interactive version of our campus map that provides detailed explanations of each building and resources in each building, and highlights accessibility across campus (elevators, entrances, parking, restrooms) and areas under construction or that may result in blocked off sidewalks or roads.  Associated with this project, we have also begun placing physical signs with maps and resources across the campus.
• 504 Grievances Procedure – This process was developed to help the college community with options to resolve disability discrimination concerns including disagreements with accommodation decisions, possible discrimination based on ability, retaliation, and other issues that may be connected with one’s ability or disability.
• Digital Accessibility Taskforce – This interdepartmental taskforces meets regularly to improve the digital accessibility of digital content across the campus. This includes providing educational opportunities for creating digitally accessible content for staff and faculty, resources for enhancing and supporting accessibility, and assistive technology. 
• Campus Construction Contracts – To ensure that campus accessibility is a central priority, the College has made a requirement that all construction consultants sign contracts that no sidewalks or important walkways will be blocked or made inaccessible.
• Workshops – The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in collaboration with Human Resources, offers educational opportunity for staff and faculty to learn about creating an environment that supports disability inclusion. These include workshops on understanding universal design and understanding accommodations for employees and supervisors

• Racial History Steering Committee – The steering committee primarily focuses on identifying and supporting research projects focusing on local racial history, facilitate connections between stakeholders around Amherst’s racial history, provide information and support for faculty interested in integrating college and local history into their courses, and initiate and support public programming that fosters dialogue on the college’s racial history.

• Faculty and Staff of Color Mentorship Program – This program partners POC faculty and staff from different divisions and departments to help them build a community and navigate the college and campus environment. Participants in the program meet with their partner(s) throughout the an academic year to discuss their experiences, provide personal and professional resources, and develop a stronger community.

• People of Color Colleague Resource Group – The POC group provides a space for POC and POC supporting staff and faculty to connect with others across campus. The group holds monthly lunches in addition to collaborating with the Multicultural Resource Center to host campus events.

• Faculty of Color Collaborative – Twice a year this collaborative brings together faculty of all levels to provide an opportunity for people to network, learn about the teaching and research of others, and create a stronger faculty community. 

• Presidential Scholars on Race and Racism – This initiative brings some of the most distinguished voices of anti-racist scholarship and policies to the college for a short residency. During their visit, the scholars present a public lecture, hold seminars, and meet with students, faculty, and staff. 

• Black at Amherst – This group brings together Black faculty and staff in a variety of social events. The group holds a regular gatherings to network, socialize, and connect people with a variety of work happening across campus and in the larger community. 

• Workshops – Various offices across campus, including the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, etc., offer educational opportunity for staff and faculty to learn about a variety of topics related to race, ethnicity, and racism. These include educational opportunities focusing on the history of race and racism, practices and teaching approaches that support a diverse environment, microaggressions, etc. 

LGBTIQ+ Colleague Resource Group – The LGBTQ+ group provides a space for LGBTIQ+ and LGBTQ+ supporting staff and faculty to gather and connect with others across campus. In addition to holding regular meetings and lunches, they contribute to larger campus Pride events.

• First Generation Colleague Resource Group –  The First Generation group provides a space for those who identify as first generation in higher education. The group holds monthly gatherings where staff and faculty across campus come together over food and conversations, in addition to collaborating with the Class and Access Resource Center to host events that support first generation, low-income, and veteran students. 

• Restorative Practices in the Workplace – The Center for Restorative Practices offers a variety of trainings and circles to engage the campus community in meaningful, restorative dialogue around community and conflict. The trainings focus on understanding conflict and conflict transformation particularly when identities are involved, and teaching people how to hold restorative circles. Additionally, they offer mediation and circles on a variety of topics (e.g., community building, support for international students, women in higher education, etc.) that help the community understand their connections to one another and how to build stronger relationships. 

• Faculty Equity and Inclusion Officers - The Faculty Equity and Inclusion Officers serve as an advocate, resource, and additional support for all faculty, especially in regards to DEI related topics. This includes serving as partners in recruitment and retention of faculty, offering professional development opportunities, help coordinate opportunities for networking and socializing, and providing confidential consultations as needed. 

• Inclusive Hiring Programs for Faculty and Staff – Amherst College offers two inclusive hiring programs to support hiring managers and committees throughout the hiring process. This includes strategies for recruiting candidates, evaluating applications, holding interviews, and onboarding, as well as support on understanding the demographics of candidate pools and ways to diversify recruiting efforts. Because the program focuses on providing a wide range of representation, multiple factors and identities are incorporated in the program.