How the College Can Live Up to Its Mission

pale in comparison to the near $10 million Amherst would pay if all of its properties were taxed. The failure to live up to its mission notwithstanding, Amherst should not get to pick and choose how it supports its own locality. The college should monetarily support the town more in an effort to support the community that gave rise to it and continuously allows it to thrive.

Conclusion

Anyone who has read the Amherst insignia is familiar with the college’s motto: Terras Irradient, or “Let them give light to the world.” We should take these words to mean that Amherst and its students are here to substantially contribute to the common good. In the face of the failure of the college to meet its mission, and the excessive strains it places on the surrounding town, the least the college could do is double down on efforts to promote access, equity, and public service, and pay greater taxes.

After all, if Amherst is unwilling to live up to its mission educationally, why shouldn’t it have to commit to it monetarily?