The physical collection includes literary, humor and news publications, largely written and edited by Amherst College students and alumni, but also including Five-College publications and publications edited by the college for students and alumni. Amherst College students have been creating and publishing their own work from the earliest years of the school. From the handwritten La Critique (1829) through the Student (the campus newspaper, published since 1869), on to Gaia (2015-2016), an environmentally-themed magazine, the student publications are extensive and eclectic. The collection also contains alumni publications, including the Amherst Graduates’ Quarterly (1911-1949) and Amherst, the current alumni magazine (1949-present). Five College publications include collaborative student-created publications written for the Five College community.

This large collection documents student and alumni experiences, creativity, news, and events throughout much of the college’s history. Most aspects of college life are reflected in one or more publications found here, no matter your interest—athletics, literature, social events, or political action. The digitized titles include: Amherst Literary Magazine, College Cucumber, In Other Words, the Muckrake, Sabrina, and Scrutiny, among others. The Amherst Student is digitally available as its own collection.