Amherst College’s Controversial Ceremony: First-Year Students Required to Attend

Amherst College, located in central Massachusetts, has a longstanding reputation as one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the United States. Founded over 200 years ago, it has evolved significantly, transitioning from its original mission to educate young Christian men for ministry to a campus culture intertwined with sexual expression and diverse sexual practices.

Controversial Orientation Ceremony for First-Year Students

The class of 2029 faced a particularly controversial orientation due to the event known as “Voices of the Class,” held on August 31, 2025. This ceremony mandates attendance from all incoming first-year students, where they are introduced to Amherst’s “code of conduct” through a theatrical performance.

Event Content and Student Reactions

The performance includes scripted excerpts from students’ admissions essays, dramatizing topics including sexuality. Held in Johnson Chapel, a significant venue for worship and campus events, the portrayal of sexual acts during the performance has ignited discomfort among attendees.

Many students expressed their unease regarding the explicit nature of the skits, which featured mock sexual acts and drug use. One incoming student shared that they felt deeply disturbed by the experience, and others reported similar feelings of shock and embarrassment. The performance, described as a “lighthearted tradition” by administration, has raised questions about the appropriateness of such explicit content during orientation.

Funding and Administration Involvement

The event, part of the New Student Orientation since its inception in 2007, is financed through the school’s orientation budget. The Office of Student Affairs claims that the script undergoes thorough review and approval before performance. However, many students were blindsided by how their personal writing would be utilized in such a graphic context.

In an online chat forum, over 35% of the student body expressed discontent over the performance, with some comments reflecting feelings of trauma stemming from the event.

Sexual Health Education on Campus

Amherst College continues its commitment to sexual health through year-round programming. Staff-driven initiatives focus on education regarding sexual respect and wellbeing, including mandatory skits that depict casual sexual encounters. These skits are meant to encourage conversations about sexual health but have drawn criticism from students who feel the presentations are too explicit.

Controversial Programming Initiatives

• “Sex in the Dark” – An event that encourages discussions about sexual topics in a dimly lit environment.
• Campus Drag Show – A yearly performance that features diverse acts, drawing attention for its provocative content.
• “Beyond Monogamy” Workshops – Sessions that discuss non-traditional relationship structures including polyamory.

Although these programs aim to demystify sexually related topics, student reactions indicate a potential backlash against the aggressive promotion of such ideals.

Student Voices on Polarizing Culture

A junior at Amherst remarked on the almost dystopian atmosphere surrounding the normalization of explicit sexual content. Many feel that the emphasis on sexual exploration overshadows the academic mission of the college, leading some students to hide their personal beliefs in such a liberal environment.

The ongoing debate among the student body reveals a campus divided on the appropriateness of sexual content and the direction of sexual education. As these practices continue, the institutional stance appears unyielding, prompting many students to question the implications for their educational experience and overall campus climate.