View source for University of Massachusetts Amherst

{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Short description|Public research university in  Amherst, Massachusetts, US}}
{{Distinguish|Amherst College}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Massachusetts Amherst
 | native_name            = 
 | image_name             = UMass Seal Medium PMS 202.png
 | image_upright          = 0.7
 | caption                = 
 | motto                  = {{lang|la|[[Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem]]}} ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."
 | established            = {{start date and age|1863|04|29}}<ref name="GivingtoUMass">{{cite web |url=http://www.umass.edu/giving/news/article/29 |title=UMass Amherst Looks to the Past and the Future at Founders Day |publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |date=April 29, 2008 |access-date=August 2, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110092212/http://www.umass.edu/giving/news/article/29 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 }}</ref>
 | closed                 = 
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[land-grant university|land-grant]] [[research university]]<ref name="mass-land-grant" group="lower-alpha">University of Massachusetts Amherst is the sole public university which is a land grant university in the state of [[Massachusetts]]. It is one among two universities in Massachusetts which is a land grant university, the other being a private university – [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]. See [[List of land-grant universities]].</ref><ref name="NIFALG">{{cite web |url=https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/LGU-Map-03-18-19.pdf |title=NIFA Land grant colleges and universities |publisher=USDA NIFA - National Institute of Food and Agriculture|accessdate=June 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name="NIFALG2">{{cite web |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/605df266f0851c36e558f89e/t/648aa78e243dbd6c9bc808e8/1686808466435/List+of+Land+Grant+Colleges.pdf |title=Appendix. Land-Grant Institutions by State |publisher=USDA NIFA - National Institute of Food and Agriculture|accessdate=June 21, 2025}}</ref>
 | affiliation            = 
 | endowment              = $579 million ([[Fiscal year|FY]]2024)<br />(Amherst only)<ref name="UMass Endowment">As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web | url=https://www.umassfoundation.org/s/1355/22/interior.aspx?sid=1355&gid=1&pgid=6792 | title=The University of Massachusetts Foundation - Endowment Overview|publisher=[[University of Massachusetts]]}}</ref><br />$1.55 billion (FY2024)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=NACUBO>As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |url=https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |title=U.S. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student |date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) |access-date=February 12, 2025 |format=XLSX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212074654/https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/nacubo1-nacubo-prd-dc8b/media/Nacubo/Documents/EndowmentFiles/2024-NCSE-Endowment-Market-Values-for-US-and-Canadian-Institutions-FINAL-Feb-12-2025.xlsx |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | chancellor             = [[Javier Reyes]]
 | president              = [[Marty Meehan]] (system)
 | vice-president         = 
 | superintendent         = 
 | provost                = Fouad Abd-El-Khalick<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umass.edu/provost/about/directory/fouad-abd-el-khalick|title=Fouad Abd-El-Khalick : Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs|website=www.umass.edu}}</ref>
 | academic_staff         = 1,550 (2023)<ref name=about2023-24>{{Cite web |title=University of Massachusetts Amherst: At a Glance 2021–2022 |url=https://www.umass.edu/uair/sites/default/files/publications/glance/FS_gla_01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809230219/https://www.umass.edu/uair/sites/default/files/publications/glance/FS_gla_01.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2021 |url-status=live |publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref>
 | students               = 31,810 (2023)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=2023–2024 Common Data Set |url=https://www.umass.edu/uair/sites/default/files/publications/cds/common_data_set.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2024 |website=University of Massachusetts Amherst |publisher=[[University of Massachusetts]]}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 23,936 (2023)<ref name="auto"/>
 | postgrad               = 7,874 (2023)<ref name="auto"/>
 | city                   = [[Amherst, Massachusetts|Amherst]]
 | state                  = [[Massachusetts]]
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = {{Coord|42|23|20|N|72|31|40|W|type:edu_region:US-MA|display=title,inline}}
 | campus                 = [[suburban]]
 | campus_size            = {{Convert|1,463|acre|km2}}<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/umass-amherst-2221 | title=University of Massachusetts--Amherst | website=www.usnews.com}}</ref>
 | former_names           = Massachusetts Agricultural College (1863–1931)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umass.edu/umhome/about/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516101908/http://www.umass.edu/umhome/about/history.html|url-status=dead|title=UMass Amherst: History of UMass Amherst<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=May 16, 2006}}</ref><br />Massachusetts State College (1931–1947)
 | free_label             = Newspaper
 | free                   = ''[[The Massachusetts Daily Collegian]]''
 | accreditation          = [[New England Commission of Higher Education|NECHE]]
 | sporting_affiliations  = {{Hlist|[[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]] – [[Mid-American Conference|MAC]]|[[Hockey East]]|[[New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association|NEISA]]}}
 | colors                 = {{College color list|team=UMass Minutemen}} <!-- same as athletics -->
 | nickname               = [[UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen|Minutemen and Minutewomen]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umassathletics.com/trads/minuteman.html|title=University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site – Traditions|work=umassathletics.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112659/http://www.umassathletics.com/trads/minuteman.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
 | mascot                 = [[Sam the Minuteman]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patricksisson.com/mascots-talk-back-sam-the-minuteman/|title=Mascots Talk Back: Sam the Minuteman |publisher=PATRICK SISSON/patricksisson.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002618/http://patricksisson.com/mascots-talk-back-sam-the-minuteman/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.umass.edu}}
 | logo                   = University of Massachusetts Amherst wordmark.svg
 | logo_upright           = 1.1
 | footnotes              = 
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Five Colleges (Massachusetts)|Five Colleges]]
 | parent                 = [[University of Massachusetts]]
}}

The '''University of Massachusetts Amherst''' ('''UMass Amherst''') is a [[Public university|public]] [[land-grant university|land-grant]]<ref name="mass-land-grant" group="lower-alpha"/> [[research university]] in [[Amherst, Massachusetts]], United States. It is the [[Flagship university|flagship campus]] of the [[University of Massachusetts|University of Massachusetts system]] and was founded in 1863 as the '''Massachusetts Agricultural College'''. It is also a member of the [[Five Colleges (Massachusetts)|Five College Consortium]], along with four other colleges in the [[Pioneer Valley]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fivecolleges.edu/about-five-college-consortium |title=About the Five College Consortium |publisher= [[Five Colleges (Massachusetts)]]|access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>

UMass Amherst has the largest undergraduate population in Massachusetts with roughly 24,000 enrolled undergraduates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Sean |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Largest Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/subscriber-only/2023/03/09/largest-colleges--universities-in-massachusetts.html |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=[[Boston Business Journal]]}}</ref> The university offers academic degrees in 109 undergraduate, 77 master's, and 48 doctoral programs in nine schools and colleges.<ref name=about>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umass.edu/gateway/about/umass-glance |title=UMass at a Glance |publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |access-date=April 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419073305/http://www.umass.edu/gateway/about/umass-glance |archive-date=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=166629|title=Carnegie Foundation Classifications|work=carnegiefoundation.org|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913040211/http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=166629|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[National Science Foundation]], the university spent $211 million on research and development in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Table 20. Higher education R&D expenditures, ranked by FY 2018 R&D expenditures: FYs 2009–18 |url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |website=ncsesdata.nsf.gov |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |access-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930141919/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=about/>

The university's 21 varsity athletic teams compete in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] and are collectively known as the [[UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen|Minutemen and Minutewomen]]. The university is a member of the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] while playing ice hockey in [[Hockey East]] and football as an [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|FBS independent school]].  In 2025, UMass joined the [[Mid American Conference]] as a full member.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.umass.edu/news/article/university-massachusetts-accepts-invitation-join-mid-american-conference-full-member |title=Massachusetts to join Mid-American Conference|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |access-date=May 15, 2025 }}</ref>

==History==
===Foundation and early years===
[[File:The 1728 Stockbridge House, (as of 2019) the oldest house in Amherst, Massachusetts, on the campus of the University of Massachu, by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019, from the Library of Congress - master-pnp-highsm-57600-57651a.tif|left|thumb|The Stockbridge House on the campus of the university is the oldest house in the city of Amherst, built in 1728.]]
The university was founded in 1863 under the provisions of the [[Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act|Federal Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act]] to provide instruction to Massachusetts citizens in "agricultural, mechanical, and military arts."<ref name="UMass HistoryU">{{cite web|title=Land Acknowledgement - University of Massachusetts Amherst|url=https://www.umass.edu/recwell/about|access-date=1 February 2025|work=University of Massachusetts Amherst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201181737/https://www.umass.edu/recwell/about |archive-date=February 1, 2025 }}</ref> Accordingly, the university was initially named the '''Massachusetts Agricultural College'''.<ref name="UMass HistoryU"/> In 1867, the college had yet to admit any students and had not completed any buildings but had been through two presidents. That same year, [[William S. Clark]] was appointed president of the college and professor of botany.<ref name="UMass William Clark">{{cite web|title=Biography inoand Profile - Clark, William Smith, 1826-1886|url=http://scua.library.umass.edu/clark-william-smith/|access-date=1 February 2025|work=University of Massachusetts Amherst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201182727/http://scua.library.umass.edu/clark-william-smith/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 }}</ref> He appointed a faculty, coordinated the completion of construction, and, in the fall of 1867, welcomed the first class of approximately 50 students. Clark became the first president to serve long-term after the school's opening.<ref>Frank Prentice Rand, ''Yesterdays at Massachusetts State College,'' (Amherst: The Associate Alumni of Massachusetts State College, 1933), pp. 17–19.</ref> Of the school's founding figures, there are a traditional "founding four" – Clark, [[Levi Stockbridge]], [[Charles Goessmann]], and [[:wikiquote:Henry H. Goodell|Henry Hill Goodell]].<ref>{{cite speech |title=Goodell – I Knew Him, [Dedication of the Goodell Library] |last=Hill |first=Joseph L. |date=November 7, 1935 |location=Amherst, Mass.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Western New England|volume=1|pages=85–86|title=The College that the Bay State Built|date= March 1911|number=4|last=Neal|first=Robert Wilson|quote=To nearly all graduates up to 1900, or possibly 1905, the names of four such men especially (omitting even reference to trustees) were living names: Clark, Stockbridge, Goessmann, and Goodell. These were the most prominent of the faculty leaders who, by making the old M.A.C. from year to year, made possible the new M.A.C. Each had his characteristic part ... Clark, the dashing soldier, in the spectacular campaigns that accompanied the founding of the college; Stockbridge, of shrewd mother-wit and stubborn will, an embattled farmer is the cause of more popular education in carrying forward the institution at a time when it seemed to have lost all vitality and to live only from day to day as its saviors breathed upon it; Goessmann, scientist and German, in forming within the college the standards of exact scientific investigation. Last of the "Big Four" was President [[:wikiquote:Henry H. Goodell|Henry H. Goodell]]—classicist, modern thinker, lover of literature and the arts, disciplinarian, sympathizer, self-forgetter.}}</ref>{{multiple image
| total_width       = 250
| image1            = UMASeal100.svg
| alt1              = The University's Centennial Seal
| image2            = Roscoe W. Thatcher of N.Y., 11-13-24 LCCN2016838854 (cropped).jpg
| alt2              = Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher
| footer            = The University's Centennial Seal and [[Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher]] who was president when Massachusetts Agricultural College changed its name to Massachusetts State College in 1931.<ref name="PastPrez">{{cite web |title=Past Presidents |url=https://www.umassp.edu/about/past-presidents |publisher=Office of the President, University of Massachusetts Amherst |access-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721225149/https://www.umassp.edu/about/past-presidents |url-status=live }}</ref>
| align             = left
}}The original buildings consisted of Old South College, North College, the Chemistry Laboratory, the Boarding House, the Botanic Museum, and the Durfee Plant House.<ref>Rand, p. 21.</ref>

The fledgling college grew under the leadership of President [[:wikiquote:Henry H. Goodell|Henry Hill Goodell]].<ref name="UMass Henry Hill Goodell">{{cite web|title=Henry Hill Goodell; the story of his life, with letters and a few of his addresses|url=https://archive.org/details/henryhillgoodell00good|access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> In the 1880s, Goodell implemented an expansion plan, adding the College Drill Hall in 1883, the [[The Old Chapel (University of Massachusetts)|Old Chapel Library]] in 1885, and the East and West Experiment Stations in 1886 and 1890.

The early 20th century saw expansion in enrollment and curriculum. The first female student was admitted in 1875 on a part-time basis and the first full-time female student was admitted in 1892. In 1903, Draper Hall was constructed for the dual purpose of a dining hall and female housing. The first female students graduated with the class of 1905. The first dedicated female dormitory, the Abigail Adams House (on the site of today's Lederle Tower), was built in 1920.<ref>Rand, p. 147</ref>

===Modern era===
By the 1970s, the University continued to grow and gave rise to a shuttle bus service on campus as well as many other architectural additions; this included the [[Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center]] complete with a hotel, office space, fine dining restaurant, campus store, and passageway to the parking garage, the [[W. E. B. Du Bois Library]], and the Fine Arts Center.<ref name="UMass HistoryUM">{{cite web|title=History - University of Massachusetts Amherst|url=http://findingaids.library.umass.edu/ead/umassarchives|access-date=1 February 2025|work=University of Massachusetts Amherst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201184543/http://findingaids.library.umass.edu/ead/umassarchives |archive-date=February 1, 2025 }}</ref>

Over the next two decades, the [[John W. Lederle Graduate Research Center]] and the Conte National Polymer Research Center were built and UMass Amherst emerged as a major research facility. The Robsham Memorial Center for Visitors welcomed thousands of guests to campus after its dedication in 1989. For athletic and other large events, the [[Mullins Center]] was opened in 1993.

===21st century===
In 2003, [[Massachusetts General Court|Massachusetts State Legislature]] designated the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a research university and the "flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system".<ref name="UMass Amherst History Timeline">{{cite web|title=150 Years of UMass Amherst History|url=https://www.umass.edu/150/timeline|access-date=February 5, 2023|work=University of Massachusetts Amherst|archive-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130072418/https://www.umass.edu/150/timeline|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="UMass Amherst History Timeline2">{{cite web|title=Amherst is now legally the flagship of UMass system|url=https://dailycollegian.com/2003/09/amherst-is-now-legally-the-flagship-of-umass-system/|access-date=September 18, 2003|work=[[The Massachusetts Daily Collegian]]}}</ref> The university was named a top producer of [[Fulbright Award]] winners in the 2008–2009 academic year. Additionally, in 2010, it was named one of the "Top Colleges and Universities Contributing to [[Teach For America]]'s 2010 Teaching Corps."<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.teachforamerica.org/assets/documents/Top.Contributors_2010.pdf | title=Top Colleges and Universities Contributing to Teach For America’s 2010 Teaching Corps | access-date=August 17, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011024955/http://www.teachforamerica.org/assets/documents/Top.Contributors_2010.pdf | archive-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref>

From [[World War II]] to 2023, the imagery on the official seal of the university was nearly identical to the state flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.<ref name="UMass New Seal1">{{cite web|date=October 31, 2022|title=UMass soliciting ideas to change flagship's seal|url=https://www.gazettenet.com/University-of-Massachusetts-contemplating-revised-seal-and-brand-mark-48625021|access-date=February 5, 2023|work=gazettenet.com|archive-date=February 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205012410/https://www.gazettenet.com/University-of-Massachusetts-contemplating-revised-seal-and-brand-mark-48625021|url-status=live}}</ref> That image of the seal has been slowly removed starting in 2011, until March 2023 when a new image of the seal, featuring a profile of the Old Chapel spire, was ratified by the campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.umass.edu/news/article/new-university-seal-and-brand-mark-unveiled-umass-amherst-providing-distinctive |title=New University Seal and Brand Mark Unveiled by UMass Amherst, Providing Distinctive Additions to University's Visual Identity System : UMass Amherst |access-date=March 30, 2023 }}</ref>

==Organization and administration==
{{See also|List of chancellors of the University of Massachusetts Amherst}}

===Colleges and schools===
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:90%; line-height:1.4em; width:350px;"
|-
| '''College/School''' || style="text-align: center;" | '''Year founded'''
|-
| [[Stockbridge School of Agriculture]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1870
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Education|College of Education]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1907
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Humanities and Fine Arts|College of Humanities & Fine Arts]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1915
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences|School of Public Health and Health Sciences]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1937
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Social and Behavioral Sciences|College of Social and Behavioral Sciences]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1938
|-
| [[Isenberg School of Management]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1947
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Engineering|Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering]]<ref name="Engineering Amherst UMass">{{cite web|title=Retired Apple exec Daniel Riccio gives $50 million to UMass Amherst, its largest-ever donation|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2025/09/15/apple-leader-gives-largest-umass-gift-in-history.html|access-date=September 15, 2025|work=Boston Business Journal|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250915084601/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/15/business/daniel-riccio-umass-amherst-donation/ |archive-date=September 15, 2025 }}</ref> || style="text-align: center;" | 1947
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing|Elaine N. Marieb College of Nursing]] || style="text-align: center;" | 1953
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Natural Sciences|College of Natural Sciences]] || style="text-align: center;" | 2009
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Information and Computer Sciences|Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences]] || style="text-align: center;" | 2015
|-
| [[University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Policy|School of Public Policy]] || style="text-align: center;" | 2016
|}
Since the University of Massachusetts Amherst was founded as the Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1863, 25 individuals have been at the helm of the institution.<ref>University of Massachusetts, Office of the Chancellor, ''Former Chancellors and Presidents of the Amherst Campus'' [http://www.umass.edu/chancellor/formerchancellors.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523233433/http://www.umass.edu/chancellor/formerchancellors.html|date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Originally, the chief executive of UMass Amherst was a president. When UMass Boston was founded in 1963, it was initially reckoned as an off-site department of the Amherst campus and was headed by a chancellor who reported to the president. A 1970 reorganization transferred day-to-day responsibility for UMass Amherst to a chancellor as well, with both chancellors reporting on an equal basis to the president. The title "President of the University of Massachusetts" now refers to the chief executive of the entire five-campus University of Massachusetts system.

The current Chancellor of the Amherst campus is Javier Reyes.<ref name="REYES23" />  The Chancellor resides in Hillside, the campus residence for chancellors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/youmass/doku.php?id=buildings:h:hillsidehouse |title=Hillside House &#91;YouMass &#93; |access-date=July 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009114448/http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/youmass/doku.php?id=buildings:h:hillsidehouse |archive-date=October 9, 2012}} ''Hillside House'' Last Updated: 2012. Accessed: July 9, 2012.</ref> Reyes is the first person of Hispanic descent to serve as Chancellor of the university.<ref name="REYES23">{{cite web| url=https://www.umass.edu/news/article/dr-javier-reyes-appointed-chancellor-umass-amherst| title=Dr. Javier Reyes appointed Chancellor of UMass Amherst| date=February 16, 2023| website=University of Massachusetts Amherst}}</ref>

There are approximately 1,300 full-time faculty at the university.<ref name="about" /> The university is organized into nine schools and colleges and offers 111 [[bachelor's degrees]], 75 [[master's degrees]], and 47 [[doctoral degrees]].<ref name="about" />

==Academics==
===Rankings and reputation===
{{Infobox US university ranking
| QS_W = =247
| THE_WSJ = 139
| USNWR_NU = 64 (tie)
| USNWR_W = 162
| THES_W = =84
| Wamo_NU = 63
| Forbes = 152
| ARWU_W = 201–300
}}

''[[U.S. News & World Report]]''{{'}}s 2026 edition of America's Best Colleges ranked UMass Amherst tied for 64th on their list of "Best National Universities", and tied for 29th among 225 public universities in the U.S.<ref name="USNWR">{{cite magazine |title=U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings: University of Massachusetts—Amherst |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/umass-amherst-2221 |access-date=September 23, 2025}}</ref> UMass Amherst is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[New England Commission of Higher Education]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Massachusetts Institutions – NECHE|publisher=[[New England Commission of Higher Education]]|url=https://www.neche.org/institutions/ma/|access-date=May 26, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009082139/https://www.neche.org/institutions/ma/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Commonwealth Honors College===
Commonwealth Honors College at UMass provides students the opportunity to intensify their UMass academic curriculum. Membership in the honors college is not required to graduate from the University with designations such as [[magna cum laude|''magna'']] or ''[[summa cum laude]]''. In 2013, the University completed the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community (CHCRC) on campus to serve the college, including classrooms, administration, and housing for 1,500 students and some faculty.<ref name="Commonwealth Honors College Residential Complex">{{cite web|title=Commonwealth Honors College Residential Complex|url=http://www.umass.edu/fp/CHCRC/|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst|access-date=March 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202152334/http://www.umass.edu/fp/CHCRC/|archive-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref>

===Five College Consortium===
UMass Amherst is part of the [[Five College Consortium|Five Colleges Consortium]], which allows its students to attend classes, borrow books, work with professors, etc., at four other [[Pioneer Valley]] institutions: [[Amherst College|Amherst]], [[Hampshire College|Hampshire]], [[Mount Holyoke College|Mount Holyoke]], and [[Smith College|Smith]] Colleges.

UMass Amherst holds the license for [[WFCR]], the [[National Public Radio]] affiliate for Western Massachusetts. In 2014, the station moved its main operations to the Fuller Building on Main Street in Springfield, but retained some offices in Hampshire House on the UMass campus.<ref>[http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2011/05/public_radio_station_wfcr_plans_move_to.html Public radio station WFCR-FM plans move from Amherst to Springfield] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018043719/http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2011/05/public_radio_station_wfcr_plans_move_to.html |date=October 18, 2013 }}. masslive.com. Retrieved on October 31, 2013.</ref>

===Community service===
The Community Engagement Program (CEP) offers courses that combine classroom learning and community service. Co-curricular service programs include the Alternative Spring Break, Engineers without Borders, the Legal Studies Civil Rights Clinical Project, the [[Medical Reserve Corps]], [[Alpha Phi Omega]], the Red Cross Club, the [[Rotaract]] Club, UCAN Volunteer, and the Veterans and Service Members Association (VSMA).

The White House has named UMass Amherst to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for four consecutive years, in recognition of its commitment to volunteering, service learning, and civic engagement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/programs/higher_ed_honorroll.asp|title=Corporation for National and Community Service|work=learnandserve.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214124619/http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/programs/higher_ed_honorroll.asp|archive-date=February 14, 2008}}</ref> They have also been named a "Community-Engaged University" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/|title=Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916035322/http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/|archive-date=September 16, 2014}}</ref>

===Research===
{{Main|List of research centers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst|List of research groups at the University of Massachusetts Amherst}}
[[File:Silvio O. Conte National Polymer Research Center.jpg|right|thumb|Conte National Polymer Research Center at the university.]]
UMass research activities totaled more than $200 million in fiscal year 2014 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=200,000,000|start_year=2014|fmt=c}} in today's money).<ref name="about" /> In 2016, the faculty adopted an [[open-access policy]] to make its scholarship [[open access|publicly accessible]] online.<ref>{{cite journal |url= http://roarmap.eprints.org/1187/ |title= University of Massachusetts Amherst |journal= ROARMAP: Registry of Open Access Repository Mandates and Policies |date= November 29, 2016 |publisher= [[University of Southampton]] |location= UK |access-date= July 24, 2018 |archive-date= July 14, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170714060326/http://roarmap.eprints.org/1187/ |url-status= live |last1= Jerome |first1= Erin }}</ref>

A team of scientists at UMass led by [[Vincent Rotello]] has developed a molecular nose that can detect and identify various proteins. The research appeared in the May 2007 issue of [[Nature Nanotechnology]], and the team is currently focusing on sensors, which will detect malformed proteins made by cancer cells.<ref>[http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/51484.php/ UMass Amherst Scientists Create Nano Nose With Aim of Sniffing Out Diseased Cells], UMass Amherst, April 23, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526121834/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/51484.php/ |date=May 26, 2007 }}</ref>
Also, UMass Amherst scientists Richard Farris, Todd Emrick, and Bryan Coughlin led a research team that developed a synthetic polymer that does not burn. This polymer is a building block of plastic, and the new flame-retardant plastic will not need to have flame-retarding chemicals added to its composition. These chemicals have recently been found in many different areas from homes and offices to fish, and there are environmental and health concerns regarding the additives. The newly developed polymers would not require the addition of potentially hazardous chemicals.<ref>[http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/53157.php/ UMass Amherst Scientists Create Fire-Safe Plastic], UMass Amherst, May 30, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104000415/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/53157.php/ |date=November 4, 2007 }}</ref>

=== Admissions and enrollment ===
In 2012, the university reported that applications to the school had more than doubled since the Fall of 2003 and increased more than 80% since 2005.<ref>{{cite web | title=UMass Amherst Welcomes Highest-Achieving First-Year Class When School Opens Labor Day Weekend | publisher=UMass | url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/umass-amherst-welcomes-highest-achieving-first-year-class-when-school-opens-labor-day-weekend | date=August 28, 2012 | access-date=August 29, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901031802/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/umass-amherst-welcomes-highest-achieving-first-year-class-when-school-opens-labor-day-weekend | archive-date=September 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="First">{{cite web | title=For Fifth Straight Year, UMass Amherst Welcomes Highest-Achieving First-Year Class as Students Return to Flagship Campus | publisher=UMass | url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/fifth-straight-year-umass-amherst-welcomes | date=August 31, 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901184055/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/fifth-straight-year-umass-amherst-welcomes | archive-date=September 1, 2015 }}</ref>

The incoming Class of 2022 had an average high school [[GPA]] of 3.90 out of a 4.0 weighted scale, up from an average GPA of 3.83 the year before. The average [[SAT]] score of the Class of 2022 was 1294/1600, and on average the students ranked in the top fifth of their high school class. Acceptance to the Commonwealth Honors College program of UMass Amherst is more selective with an average SAT score of 1409/1600 and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.29.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-welcomes-its-most|title=UMass Amherst Welcomes its Most Academically Accomplished and Diverse First-Year Class|work=Office of News & Media Relations &#124; UMass Amherst |access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912092307/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-welcomes-its-most|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Campus ==
{{Main|Campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst}}
{{See also|Chestnut Ridge Historical Area|East Ridge Historical Area|Ellis Drive Historical Area}}
[[File:W.E.B. DuBois Library.jpg|thumb|The [[W. E. B. Du Bois Library]] is the world's third tallest library<ref>{{cite book |last=Oswald |first=Godfrey |title=Library World Records, Second edition. |publisher=McFarland |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7864-3852-5 |page=656}}</ref> and the tallest university library.<ref>[https://www.scribd.com/doc/32939387/164/TenTallest-Library-Buildings "Ten Tallest Library Buildings"] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105103747/http://www.scribd.com/doc/32939387/164/TenTallest-Library-Buildings|date=January 5, 2016}}), Scribd.com</ref>]]

The University's campus is situated on {{Convert|1450|acre|ha}} of historically [[Pocumtuc]] land,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umass.edu/diversity/umass-land-acknowledgement|title=UMass Land Acknowledgement|website=UMass Amherst|access-date=November 11, 2023|archive-date=January 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115044221/https://www.umass.edu/diversity/umass-land-acknowledgement|url-status=dead}}</ref> mainly in the town of [[Amherst, MA|Amherst]], but also partly in the neighboring town of [[Hadley, MA|Hadley]]. The campus extends about {{convert|1|mi}} from the [[Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center|Campus Center]] in all directions and may be thought of as a series of concentric rings, with the innermost ring harboring academic buildings and research labs, surrounded by a ring of the seven residential areas and two university-owned apartment complexes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Appelstein |first1=Leigh |title=University takes next steps toward building new student housing |url=https://dailycollegian.com/2021/04/university-takes-next-steps-toward-building-new-student-housing/ |website=Massachusetts Daily Collegian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704132127/https://dailycollegian.com/2021/04/university-takes-next-steps-toward-building-new-student-housing/ |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |date=April 20, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.umass.edu/news/article/university-village-welcoming-first-residents | title=University Village Welcoming First Residents : UMass Amherst }}</ref> These are in turn surrounded by a ring of athletic facilities, smaller administration buildings, and parking lots.

===Libraries===
The [[W. E. B. Du Bois Library]] is one of two library buildings on campus and the tallest academic research library in the world, standing 26 stories above ground and 286 feet (90.32 m) tall.<ref>{{cite web | title=W.E.B. Du Bois Library | url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=129720 | publisher=Emporis | access-date=December 11, 2009 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041306/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=129720 | archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> Before its construction in the late 1960s, Goodell Hall was the university library, which was built after the library had outgrown its space in the 1885 "Old Chapel" building. Originally known as Goodell Library, the building was named for Henry H. Goodell, who had served as College Librarian, Professor of Modern Languages and English Literature, and eighth President of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. The Library is well regarded for its innovative architectural design, which incorporates the bookshelves into the structural support of the building.<ref>{{cite news | title=Colleges' moves to shake up libraries speak volumes | last=Letzler | first=B | newspaper=The Boston Globe | date=November 30, 2006 | access-date=December 11, 2009 | url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2006/11/30/colleges_moves_to_shake_up_libraries_speak_volumes | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023045015/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2006/11/30/colleges_moves_to_shake_up_libraries_speak_volumes/ | archive-date=October 23, 2012 }}</ref> It is home of the memoirs and papers of the distinguished African-American activist and Massachusetts native [[W. E. B. Du Bois]], as well as being the depository for other important collections, such as the papers of the late Congressman [[Silvio O. Conte]]. The library's special collections include works on movements for social change, African American history and culture, labor and industry, literature and the arts, agriculture, and the history of the surrounding region.<ref>{{cite web | title=Special collections and university archives (SCUA) | publisher=UMass Amherst |url=http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/spec.htm | access-date=December 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217055034/http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/spec.htm | archive-date=December 17, 2009 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The Science and Engineering Library is the other library building, located in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.library.umass.edu/sel/| title=Science & Engineering Library| website=University of Massachusetts Amherst| access-date=February 6, 2025}}</ref>

UMass is also home to the [[DEFA Film Library]], the only archive and study collection of East German films outside of Europe. It was founded in 1993 by Barton Byg, professor of film and German Studies, and so named after the [[Deutsche-Film Aktiengesellschaft]], the East German film company founded in 1946. Some years after [[German reunification]], in 1997, an agreement with two German partners led to the creation of a collection of East German film journals along with a large collection of 16mm and 35mm prints of DEFA films. More have been added since.<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |publisher=DEFA Film Library, UMass Amherst |url=https://www.umass.edu/defa/about/history |access-date=8 November 2024}}</ref>

The Shirley Graham Du Bois Library and Study Center is located in the New Africa House.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.umass.edu/physicalplant/du-bois-shirley-graham/index.html| title=Shirley Graham Du Bois Library and Study Center| publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst| access-date=February 6, 2025}}</ref>

===Other buildings and facilities===
The university has several buildings (constructed in the 1960s and 1970s) of importance in the modernist style, including the [[Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center]] and Hotel designed by [[Marcel Breuer]], the Southwest Residential Area designed by [[Hugh Stubbins|Hugh Stubbins Jr.]] of [[Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]], The [[Fine Arts Center (Amherst, Massachusetts)|Fine Arts Center]] by [[Kevin Roche]], the W. E. B. Du Bois Library by [[Edward Durell Stone]], and [[Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium]] by [[Gordon Bunshaft]]. Many of the older dorms and lecture halls are built in a [[Georgian Revival]] style such as French Hall, [[Fernald Hall]], Stockbridge Hall, and [[Flint Laboratory]].

=== Residential life ===
{{Main|List of University of Massachusetts Amherst residence halls}}

Residential Life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the largest on-campus housing systems in the United States. Over 14,000 students live in 52 residence halls, while families, staff, and graduate students live in 345 units in two apartment complexes (North Village and Lincoln). The fifty-two residence halls and four undergraduate apartment buildings are grouped into seven separate and different residential areas.

Located in the central corridor of campus, the Honors Community houses undergraduate members of [[#Commonwealth Honors College|Commonwealth Honors College]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umassdining.com/locations-menus/around-campus/roots-caf%C3%A9 |title=Roots Café – UMass Dining |website=www.umassdining.com|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711080824/http://www.umassdining.com/locations-menus/around-campus/roots-caf%C3%A9|archive-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref>

===Major campus expansion===
[[File:Sarah L. Arnold House.jpg|right|thumb|Arnold House, part of Northeast Residential Area]]

The University of Massachusetts Amherst campus embarked on a 10-year, $1 billion (${{Inflation|index=US|value=1,000,000,000|start_year=2004|fmt=c}} in today's money) capital improvement program in 2004, setting the stage for re-visioning the campus's future.<ref name="Umass Amherst Plan">{{cite web|title=UMass Amherst Adopts Physical Master Plan, Creating Foundation for Development over the Next Half Century |url=http://www.umass.edu/cp/mp.htm|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |access-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201201140/http://www.umass.edu/cp/mp.htm|archive-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Umass Amherst Plan Document">{{cite web|title=UMass Amherst: Master Plan final document |url=http://www.umass.edu/cp/MPFinal.pdf|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst|access-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406181154/http://www.umass.edu/cp/MPFinal.pdf|archive-date=April 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Umass Amherst Construction">{{cite web |title=Five-year construction plan totals $1.1 billion at UMass |url=http://www.gazettenet.com/news/townbytown/amherst/4266380-95/million-campus-plan-building |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415212744/http://www.gazettenet.com/news/townbytown/amherst/4266380-95/million-campus-plan-building |archive-date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2013 |publisher=Gazettenet.com}}</ref> This includes construction of $156 million New Science Laboratory Building, $30 million Champions Basketball Center, an $85 million academic building, and $30 million in renovations to the football stadium.<ref name="Umass Amherst Build Up">{{cite web|title=Building up: UMass-Amherst campus expands|date=January 5, 2012|url=http://www.masslive.com/talk/index.ssf/2012/01/building_up_the_umass_campus_e.html|publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst|access-date=May 14, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304004024/http://www.masslive.com/talk/index.ssf/2012/01/building_up_the_umass_campus_e.html|archive-date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>

In early 2016, the construction of a new [[electrical substation]] located near Tillson Farm was completed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/new-electrical-substation-increases|title=New Electrical Substation Increases Reliable Supply of Electricity for Campus|website=Office of News & Media Relations {{!}} UMass Amherst|language=en|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813033204/https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/new-electrical-substation-increases|url-status=live}}</ref> The purpose of the substation is to supply electricity to the university more efficiently and reliably, with estimated savings of $1 million per year (${{Inflation|index=US|value=1,000,000|start_year=2016|fmt=c}} in today's money).<ref name=":0" /> The project was created in partnership with the utilities company [[Eversource Energy|Eversource]], and cost approximately $26 million (${{Inflation|index=US|value=26,000,000|start_year=2016|fmt=c}} in today's money).<ref name=":0" />

In April 2017, the University of Massachusetts Amherst officially opened its new Design Building. Previously estimated at $50 million (${{Inflation|index=US|value=50000000|start_year=2017|fmt=c}} in today's money) the {{Convert|87,000|sqft|m2}} facility is the most advanced CLT building in the United States and the largest modern wood building in the northeastern United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/photos_umass_amherst_opens_new.html|title=Photos: UMass Amherst opens new Design Building, largest modern wood structure in the Northeastern US|work=masslive.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428184956/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/photos_umass_amherst_opens_new.html|archive-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Umass Amherst 2017 future">{{cite web |date=December 14, 2013 |title=UMass Amherst has new projects in design phase, including physical sciences building |url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/umass_has_a_number_of_new_proj.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202231737/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/umass_has_a_number_of_new_proj.html |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2014 |publisher=masslive.com}}</ref>

[[File:Southwest Residential Area, from athletic fields.jpg|thumb|The Southwest residential area as seen from the athletic fields.]]

===Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst===
Mount Ida Campus at UMass Amherst primarily serves as a hub for Greater Boston-area career preparation and experiential learning opportunities for UMass Amherst students. The campus exists to connect UMass Amherst, located approximately 94 miles west of Boston, to the Greater Boston business community. It also serves as a secondary instructional site for UMass Amherst, offering an undergraduate program in Veterinary Technology, graduate programs in Statistics and Business and Analytics, as well as graduate courses in Geographic Information Science and Technology. Programs offered align the strengths of UMass Amherst with the growing demand for talent in areas that drive the Massachusetts economy, including health care, business, computer science, and other [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] specialties

On April 6, 2018, [[Mount Ida College]] announced that it would shut down and the [[University of Massachusetts]] would be absorbing its campus. Mount Ida students were given a guaranteed transfer to [[UMass Dartmouth]], and the campus became part of [[UMass Amherst]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/mount-ida-college-reaches-agreement-umass|title=Mount Ida College Reaches Agreement with UMass Regarding Educational Continuity for Students with Acquisition of its Campus|date=April 6, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2018|archive-date=April 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406224005/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/mount-ida-college-reaches-agreement-umass|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Springfield Satellite Center of UMass Amherst===
The UMass Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center at Springfield is a center for secondary instruction of the university located in [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] to connect the university to the nearest metropolitan area, which is located 25 miles away.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umass.edu/springfield/|title=Creating Opportunity for the Next Generation of Leaders|date=May 29, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416114643/https://www.umass.edu/springfield/|archive-date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>

===Campus safety===
Riots occurred after the Boston Red Sox lost the [[1986 World Series]], won in [[2004 World Series|2004]] and [[2007 World Series|2007]], after the Red Sox were eliminated in the 2003 and 2008 playoffs, after UMass' football team lost in the [[2006 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game|Division I-AA football championship game in 2006]] and after the Patriots first Super Bowl victory over St. Louis in [[Super Bowl XXXVI]]. The majority of these riots have been non-violent on the side of the students, except for the 1986 riot in which an argument between hundreds of students intensified into racial altercations where a black student was attacked and beaten to unconsciousness by 15 to 20 white students according to archives from ''The Republican''. In the wake of these events, students have worked to have open dialogues with the administration and police department about campus safety, the right to gather, the police force, and better methods of crowd control.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/riot_erupts_at_umass_amherst_f_1.html|title=Riot police disperse 1,500 students at UMass-Amherst following Super Bowl|work=masslive.com|date=February 6, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015101131/http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/riot_erupts_at_umass_amherst_f_1.html|archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>

===Iranian student admissions controversy===
[[File:One of two Life Science Laboratories buildings at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the flagship campus of the state university's system in Amherst, by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019 - master-pnp-highsm-57600-57652a.tif|right|290px|thumb|Life Science Laboratories Building]]

UMass Amherst issued an announcement in early 2015 stating, "The University has determined that it will no longer admit Iranian national students to specific programs in the College of Engineering (i.e., Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering) and in the College of Natural Sciences (i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Polymer Science & Engineering) effective February 1, 2015."<ref>[http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/iranian_student_admissions_2_2015.pdf UMass Amherst Procedures on Admission of Iranian Students] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214002306/http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/iranian_student_admissions_2_2015.pdf |date=February 14, 2015 }}. umass.edu. Retrieved on February 13, 2015</ref> 

The University claims that this announcement was posted because a graduate student entered Iran for a project and was later denied a visa. This event along with urging from legal advisers contributed to the belief that such incidents inhibited their ability to give Iranian students a "full program of education and research for Iranian students" and thus justified changing their admissions policies. The ensuing criticism on and off campus, as well as wide media publicity, changed the minds of school officials. As a result, UMass made a statement on February 18 2015, committing to once again allowing Iranian students to apply to the aforementioned graduate programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-will-accept-iranian-students|title=UMass Amherst Will Accept Iranian Students into Science and Engineering Programs, Revising Approach to Admissions|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525011208/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/umass-amherst-will-accept-iranian-students|archive-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> 

On the same day, an official in the U.S. Department of State stated in an interview that: "U.S. laws and regulations do not prevent Iranian people from traveling to the United States or studying in engineering program of any U.S. academic institutions."<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2015/02/150213_u14_state_dept_massachusetts_uni_iranian_students U.S. foreign minister: There is no program or law that prevents Iranian from studying in U.S.]  bbc.co.uk. Retrieved February 14, 2015</ref> UMass Amherst replaced the ban with a policy aimed at designing specific curricula for admitted Iranian nationals based on their needs. While less controversial, this policy has still generated backlash, with one student saying, "This university that's supposed to be so open-minded forcing him to sign a document saying he won't go home and build a bomb or something is just really disappointing to see."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/18/umass-reverses-policy-barring-iranians-from-graduate-programs/kVXuNqRHzVM7R168oJ4PjP/story.html|title=UMass reverses policy on Iranian students|first1=Steve|last1=Annear|first2=Eric|last2=Bosco|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525075556/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/18/umass-reverses-policy-barring-iranians-from-graduate-programs/kVXuNqRHzVM7R168oJ4PjP/story.html|archive-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref>

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: University of Massachusetts-Amherst|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?166629-University-of-Massachusetts-Amherst|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 17, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|58|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|14|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|9|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|21|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|79|%|2||background:black}}
|}
===Arts on campus===
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 450
| image1            = University Museum of Contemporary Art, UMass, Amherst MA.jpg
| alt1              = University Museum of Contemporary Art
| image2            = Fine Arts Center door - panoramio.jpg
| alt2              = Fine Arts Center
| footer            = University Museum of Contemporary Art and Fine Arts Center
}}

The UMass Amherst campus offers a variety of artistic venues, both performance and visual art. The most prominent is the Fine Arts Center (FAC) built in 1975. The FAC brings theater, music, and dance performances to campus throughout the year into its performance spaces (Concert Hall, Bezanson Recital Hall, and Bowker Auditorium). These include several performance series: Jazz in July Summer Music Program, The Asian Arts & Culture Program, Center Series, and Magic Triangle Series presenting music, dance, and theater performances, cultural arts events, films, talks, workshops, masterclasses, and special family events. [[University Museum of Contemporary Art]] in the FAC has a permanent [[contemporary art]] collection of about 2,600 works and hosts numerous visual arts exhibitions each year as well as workshops, masterclasses, and artist residencies.<ref>[http://www.umass.edu/fac/universitygallery/index.html University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center: UMCA page, 'About'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003412/http://www.umass.edu/fac/universitygallery/index.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Last Updated: 2011. Accessed: May 14, 2011.</ref>

The 9,000-seat [[Mullins Center]], the multi-purpose arena of UMass Amherst hosts a wide variety of performances including speakers, rock concerts, and Broadway shows. In addition, the Music, Dance, and Theater Departments, the Renaissance Center, and multiple student groups dedicated to the arts provide an eclectic menu of performances throughout the year.

The Interdepartmental Program for Film Studies has been organizing the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival on campus since 1991.<ref>[http://www.umass.edu/film/about-mmff.html Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226071757/http://www.umass.edu/film/about-mmff.html |date=February 26, 2016 }}. Last Updated: 2013. Accessed: March 2, 2013.</ref> [[File:UMass Student Union.jpg|alt=A red brick building with large windows and the text "Student Union" displayed at the top of the building. Several trees are near the building and a plaza and lawn are in front of it.|thumb|Student Union]]

=== Groups and activities ===
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 230
| image1            = UMass Amherst campus aerial view.jpg
| alt1              = UMass Amherst looking north from the air
| image2            = 
| alt2              = 
| footer            = 
| caption1          = UMass Amherst looking north from the air
}}

UMass Amherst has a history of protest and activism among the undergraduate and graduate population<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61543670.html?dids=61543670:61543670&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18%2C+1989&author=Anthony+Flint%2C+Contributing+Reporter&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=UMASS+STUDENT+STRIKE+FUELS+SPIRIT+OF+ACTIVISM&pqatl=google|title=UMASS STUDENT STRIKE FUELS SPIRIT OF ACTIVISM|date=November 18, 1989|access-date=February 17, 2011|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|first=Anthony|last=Flint|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004352/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61543670.html?dids=61543670:61543670&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+18,+1989&author=Anthony+Flint,+Contributing+Reporter&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=UMASS+STUDENT+STRIKE+FUELS+SPIRIT+OF+ACTIVISM&pqatl=google|archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> and is home to over 200 registered student organizations (RSOs).

====Student Government Association====
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the undergraduate student governmental body and provides funding for the many registered student organizations (RSOs) and agencies, including the Student Legal Services Office (SLSO) and the Center for Student Business (CSB). The SGA also makes formal recommendations on matters of campus policy and advocates for undergraduate students to the Administration, non-student organizations, and local and state government. As of the 2023 school year, the SGA had a budget of over $7.5 million per year, which is collected from students in the form of the $266 per year Student Activities Fee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Genovese |first=Alex |date=February 17, 2022 |title=UMass SGA votes to increase student fees |work=The Massachusetts Daily Collegian |url=https://dailycollegian.com/2022/02/umass-sga-votes-to-increase-student-fees/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217060703/https://dailycollegian.com/2022/02/umass-sga-votes-to-increase-student-fees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====UMass permaculture====
UMass permaculture is one of the first university permaculture initiatives in the nation and transforms marginalized landscapes on the campus into diverse, educational, low-maintenance, and edible gardens.<ref name="Permaculture garden at UMass gives new meaning to the phrase fresh vegetables">[http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/11/05/quarter-acre-experiment-0 Permaculture garden at UMass gives new meaning to the phrase fresh vegetables] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202041336/http://www.gazettenet.com/2010/11/05/quarter-acre-experiment-0 |date=February 2, 2016 }} ''The Daily Hampshire Gazette''</ref> Rather than tilling the soil, a more sustainable landscaping method known as [[sheet mulching]] is employed. In November 2010, "about a quarter of a million pounds of organic matter was moved by hand", using all student and community volunteer labor and no fossil fuels on-site.<ref name="UMass Embraces Permaculture">[http://www.fsdmag.com/going-green/umass-embraces-permaculture.html UMass Embraces Permaculture]{{dead link|date=June 2012}} ''Food Service Director''</ref> The process took about two weeks to complete. Now, the Franklin Permaculture Garden includes a diverse mixture of "vegetables, fruit trees, berry bushes, culinary herbs, and a lot of flowers that will attract beneficial insects."<ref name="UMass Embraces Permaculture" />[[File:Ummb06-09048.jpg|thumb|Minuteman Marching Band during a pre-game show.]]

==== Minuteman Marching Band ====
{{Main|University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band}}

UMass Amherst has the largest marching band in New England. The Minuteman Marching Band consists of over 390 members and regularly plays at football games. The band also performs in various other places and events like the [[Collegiate Marching Band Festival]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], [[Bands of America]] in [[Indianapolis]], [[Symphony Hall, Boston]], [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade|The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]], [[Tournament of Roses Parade]] in [[Pasadena, California]], and on occasion [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada.

====Fraternities and sororities====
Fraternities, sororities, and honor societies have been present on the campus almost since inception, with its first fraternity, the Latin letter-named [[Q.T.V.]] emerging in 1869, and the first sorority, Delta Phi Gamma (local) in 1916.{{efn|This local sorority was eventually split into four descendent chapters, with one of these in 1941 becoming the first nationally-affiliated chapter, joining [[Chi Omega]].}} Approximately 1,900 students are active members each academic year.<ref name="SFL">{{cite web |title=Sorority and Fraternity Life: History and Purpose |url=https://www.umass.edu/greek/about-community/history-and-purpose |website=UMass Amherst |publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |access-date=August 23, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Baird's Manual Online">{{cite web|editor1=William Raimond Baird |editor2=Carroll Lurding |title=Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive) |url=https://uofi.app.box.com/v/institutions-pdf-folder/file/459817054701 |website=Student Life and Culture Archives |publisher=University of Illinois Archives |location=University of Illinois |language=English}} The main archive URL is [https://www.library.illinois.edu/slc/welcome/fraternity-sorority-almanac/ The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage].</ref><ref name="Baird's_20th">{{cite book |editor1-first=Jack L. |editor1-last=Anson |editor2-first=Robert F. |editor2-last=Marchenasi |title=Baird's Manual of American Fraternities |edition=20th |year=1991 |orig-date=1879 |publisher=Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. |location=Indianapolis, IN |isbn=978-0-9637159-0-6 |page=II-108}}</ref>

Several fraternities had houses on North Pleasant Street until 2007 when several lots owned by Alpha Tau Gamma were sold to the university for $2,500,000 (${{Inflation|index=US|value=2,500,000|start_year=2007|fmt=c}} in today's money).<ref name=":1" /> Alpha Tau Gamma, a local fraternity associated with the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, then donated $500,001 to endow the salary for the director of the Stockbridge School.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Holly Angelo |date=October 6, 2006 |title=Facilities and Campus Planning UMass Buys 5 Houses |url=http://www.umass.edu/fp/umassbuys5houses/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112060838/http://www.umass.edu/fp/umassbuys5houses/ |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=April 24, 2007 |agency=The Republican}}</ref>

Criticism of sexual and alcohol abuse in Greek Life Organizations has appeared repeatedly in Bostonian and national news.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-21 |title=UMass-Amherst Fraternity Indicted On Hazing, Alcohol Charges - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/umass-amherst-fraternity-indicted-hazing-alcohol/ |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Krantz |first1=Laura |last2=Carlin |first2=Julia |date=November 27, 2021 |title='It's baffling that they exist': Some students call on UMass to rein in fraternities, sharing disturbing experiences |work=Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/27/metro/its-baffling-that-they-exist-some-students-call-umass-rein-fraternities-sharing-disturbing-experiences/}}</ref> Some students have called for changes in policy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Cassie |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Five months after protests over sexual assault and Greek life erupted at UMass Amherst, what has changed? |work=Mass Live |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/03/five-months-after-protests-over-sexual-assault-and-greek-life-erupted-at-umass-amherst-what-has-changed.html}}</ref> The university has responded by creating a sorority and fraternity accreditation program and scorecard publishing community service, educational programming, grade reports, and conduct reports on their website.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

=== 2023–24 Student Demonstrations ===
Following the [[October 7 attacks|October 7th, 2023 attack on Israel]] and the subsequent [[Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip|Israeli bombing campaign and invasion of the besieged Gaza Strip]], UMass Amherst experienced [[List of pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in the United States in 2024|Pro-Palestinian student demonstrations]] throughout the 2023–24 school year. There was a sit-in on October 25, 2023, attended by over 500 UMass Amherst students and faculty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruud |first=Lucas |title=57 protesters arrested at Whitmore sit-in |url=https://dailycollegian.com/2023/10/57-protestors-arrested-at-whitmore-sit-in/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Massachusetts Daily Collegian}}</ref> On April 29, there was an encampment on the university's South Lawn<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=UMass sleep-in protests housing shortage |url=https://www.gazettenet.com/SA-UMassHousingProtest-hg-04132023-50626551 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Daily Hampshire Gazette |language=en}}</ref> and again on May 7. 117 police vehicles<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neumann |first=Eve |title=Protesters arrested in waves following second encampment |url=https://dailycollegian.com/2024/05/protestors-form-second-gaza-solidarity-encampment/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Massachusetts Daily Collegian}}</ref> and over 200 officers were present.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Christensen |first1=Dusty |last2=Young |first2=Story |last3=McGlynn |first3=Dan |last4=Lee |first4=Shelby |date=2024-08-08 |title=UMass Seeking Felony Riot Charges Against Palestine Activists |url=https://theshoestring.org/2024/08/08/umass-seeking-felony-riot-charges-against-palestine-activists/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=The Shoestring |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Media===
==== ''The Massachusetts Daily Collegian'' ====
{{Update section|date=October 2024}}
[[File:Old Chapel 6.JPG|right|thumb|Old Chapel constructed in 1884 at the campus]]

''[[The Massachusetts Daily Collegian]]'', the official newspaper of UMass Amherst, is published Monday through Thursday during the calendar semester. The ''Collegian'' is a non-profit student-run organization that receives no funding from the university or student fees. The ''Collegian'' operates entirely on advertising revenues. Founded in 1890, the paper began as ''Aggie Life'', became the ''College Signal'' in 1901, the ''Weekly Collegian'' in 1914, and the ''Tri-Weekly Collegian'' in 1956. Published daily since 1967, the ''Collegian'' has been broadsheet since January 1994. In 2018, the paper switched to monthly print editions while continuing to publish daily online. Since then, the ''Collegian'' has become primarily a digital publication, though it still publishes special print magazines on a per-semester basis.

==== WMUA 91.1 FM ====
The student-operated radio station, [[WMUA]], is a federally licensed, non-commercial broadcast facility serving the [[Connecticut River Valley]] of [[Western Massachusetts]], Northern [[Connecticut]], and Southern [[Vermont]]. Although the station is managed by full-time undergraduate students of the University of Massachusetts, station members can consist of various members of the university (undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff), as well as people of the surrounding communities. WMUA began as an AM station in 1949.{{Citation needed|reason=|date=May 2023}}

====WSYL-FM====
There were two student-run, extremely-low-power FM radio stations from the mid-1970s through the 1980s: one that used the self-assigned identifier "WSYL-FM" (With Songs You Like) which operated in the basement of Cashin, and WOCH (OrChard Hill, the dormitory area), which operated from Grayson.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Tiny Little Stations |url=https://www.umass.edu/umassmag/archives/2000/spring2000/stations.html |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024032610/https://www.umass.edu/umassmag/archives/2000/spring2000/stations.html |url-status=dead |magazine=UMass Magazine |date=Spring–Summer 2000 |access-date=October 1, 2024 }}</ref>

== Athletics ==
{{Main|UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen|Boston College–UMass football rivalry|UConn–UMass football rivalry}}
[[File:UMass at Michigan (5002255089).jpg|thumb|The University of Massachusetts Minuteman playing against the [[Michigan Wolverines]] in 2010.]]

UMass is a member of [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA). The university is a member of the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] while playing ice hockey in the [[Hockey East]] Association. 

In 2012, the football team joined the [[Mid-American Conference]] (MAC), to compete in the [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Football Bowl Subdivision]] (FBS; college football's highest level) with games played at [[Gillette Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Connolly |title=UMass moves up to FBS |work=Boston Herald |access-date=April 20, 2011 |date=April 20, 2011 |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/2011_0420umass_moves_up_to_fbs_plays_2012-13_at_gillette/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425031219/http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/2011_0420umass_moves_up_to_fbs_plays_2012-13_at_gillette/ |archive-date=April 25, 2011}}</ref> In March 2014, the MAC and UMass announced an agreement for the Minutemen football team to leave the conference after the 2015 season due to UMass declining an offer to become a full member of the conference. In the agreement between the MAC and the university, there was a contractual clause that had UMass playing in the MAC as a football-only member for two more seasons if UMass declined a full membership offer. UMass announced that it would look for a "more suitable conference" for the team.<ref>[http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/032614aaa.html UMass Football Will Leave Mid-American Conference at End of 2015 – University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093834/http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/032614aaa.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Umassathletics.com (March 26, 2014). Retrieved on April 12, 2014.</ref> UMass was unable to find a "suitable conference" for nearly a decade, remaining a full A-10 member and becoming an [[NCAA Division I FBS independent schools|FBS independent]], but during the [[2021–2024 NCAA conference realignment|early-2020s conference realignment]] entered into membership discussions with both the MAC and [[Conference USA]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/39605350/sources-umass-set-become-13th-member-mac-25-26-season |title=Sources: UMass set to become 13th member of MAC for '25-26 season |first=Pete |last=Thamel |website=ESPN.com |date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024}}</ref> On February 29, 2024, it was announced that UMass would join the MAC as a full member, including football, in July 2025.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://getsomemaction.com/news/2024/2/29/general-mid-american-conference-to-add-university-of-massachusetts-as-full-member.aspx |title=Mid-American Conference to Add University of Massachusetts as Full Member |publisher=Mid-American Conference |date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>

UMass's teams were originally known as the Aggies,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1925 |title=Hockey and Baseball Schedules are Announced |work=Bowdoin Orient |url=https://archive.org/details/Bowdoin_Orient_Volume-55_04-15-1925_to_03-26-1926/page/n69/mode/2up?q=%22amherst+Aggies%22 |access-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref> later the Statesmen, then the Redmen. In a response to changing attitudes regarding the use of Native American–themed mascots, they changed their mascot in 1972 to the Minuteman, based on the historical "[[minuteman]]" relationship with Massachusetts; women's teams and athletes are known as Minutewomen.

The UMass Amherst Department of Athletics currently sponsors men's intercollegiate baseball, basketball, cross country, ice hockey, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, and indoor and outdoor track & field. They also sponsor women's intercollegiate basketball, softball, cross country, rowing, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, field hockey, indoor and outdoor track & field, and tennis. Club sports offered which are not also offered at the varsity level are men's wrestling, men's rowing, men's tennis, women's ice hockey, men's and women's rugby, men's and women's bicycle racing, and men's and women's fencing. Men's and women's downhill skiing have been re-certified as club sports following the April 2, 2009, announcement of their discontinuation as varsity sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/04/umass_spares_baseball_program.html|title=UMass baseball program spared, but men's and women's skiing dropped from athletic budget|work=masslive.com|date=April 2, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202449/http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/04/umass_spares_baseball_program.html|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{Cleanup gallery|date=February 2025}}

{{Main|List of University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni|Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni}}

As of 2014, there were 243,628 University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni worldwide.<ref name="UMass Amherst Alumni">{{cite web |title=FactBook 2013–2014: Alumni |url=http://www.umass.edu/oapa/publications/factbooks/misc/FB_mi_02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222238/http://www.umass.edu/oapa/publications/factbooks/misc/FB_mi_02.pdf |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=May 12, 2014 |publisher=University of Massachusetts Amherst |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Notable UMass Amherst alumni include [[Greg Landry]], [[Jeff Corwin]], [[Buffy Sainte-Marie]], [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]], [[Bill Paxton]], [[William Monahan]], [[Kenneth Feinberg]], [[Bill Cosby]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Valerie |date=November 24, 2014 |title=Bill Cosby's doctoral thesis was about using 'Fat Albert' as a teaching tool |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/11/24/bill-cosbys-doctoral-thesis-was-about-using-fat-albert-as-a-teaching-tool/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204044730/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/11/24/bill-cosbys-doctoral-thesis-was-about-using-fat-albert-as-a-teaching-tool/ |archive-date=February 4, 2016}}</ref> [[Natalie Cole]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Langer |first=Emily |title=Natalie Cole, singer and daughter of Nat King Cole, dies at 65 |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/natalie-cole-singer-and-daughter-of-nat-king-cole-dies-at-65/2016/01/01/01eb1552-b0aa-11e5-b820-eea4d64be2a1_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111163535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/natalie-cole-singer-and-daughter-of-nat-king-cole-dies-at-65/2016/01/01/01eb1552-b0aa-11e5-b820-eea4d64be2a1_story.html |archive-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> [[Julius Erving|Julius "Dr. J" Erving]], [[David Pakman]], [[Rick Pitino]], [[Bill Pullman]], [[Betty Shabazz]], [[Briana Scurry]], [[Jack Welch]], [[John F. Smith Jr.]], [[Jean Worthley]], [[Jeff Reardon]], [[Mike Flanagan (baseball)|Mike Flanagan]], [[Lawrence Mestel]], and [[Richard Gere]].

<gallery class="center" caption="Notable alumni">
File:Erving Lipofsky.jpg|[[Julius Erving]], [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] basketball player
File:Srettha Thavisin at Pheu Thai Party headquarters,Bangkok, 7 September 2023.jpg|[[Srettha Thavisin]], 30th [[Prime Minister of Thailand]]
File:Richard Gere, December 2017.jpg|[[Richard Gere]], Film actor and producer
File:Official portrait of Baroness Shafik crop 2, 2025.jpg|[[Minouche Shafik]], 20th [[President of Columbia University]]
File:Harlan F. Stone.jpg|[[Harlan F. Stone]] (expelled),{{efn|[[Harlan F. Stone]] was admitted as an undergraduate. He attended classes from 1888 to 1890 before being expelled.}} 12th [[Chief Justice of the United States]]
File:Catherine Coleman 2009.jpg|[[Catherine Coleman]], retired [[NASA]] [[astronaut]]
File:Professor Qifeng Zhou, Peking University, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), speaking at OPCW's Fourth Review Conference at the World Forum, The Hague, the Netherlands on 23 November 2018 (cropped).jpg|[[Zhou Qifeng]], 10th [[President of Peking University]]
File:JackWelchApril2012.jpg|[[Jack Welch]] (BSc 1957, Hon DSc 1982), Former chairman and CEO of [[General Electric]]
File:Russell Alan Hulse.jpg|[[Russell Alan Hulse|Russell Hulse]] (PhD 1975), [[Nobel Prize in Physics]]
File:7 by Steven Sinofsky.jpg|[[Steven Sinofsky]], Former president of Windows at [[Microsoft]]
File:Rep. Becca Balint - 118th Congress.jpg|[[Becca Balint]] (MA 2001), [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Vermont's at-large congressional district]]
File:Senator Stan Rosenberg.JPG|[[Stan Rosenberg]], 93rd [[President of the Massachusetts Senate]]
File:Brian Vibberts Grammys.jpg|[[Brian Vibberts]], 7x [[Grammy Award]] winner
File:RuPaul DragCon 2022 (52072217127).jpg|[[Jujubee]], finalist on the second season of [[RuPaul's Drag Race|RuPaul’s Drag Race]]
</gallery>

== Notable faculty and staff ==
{{Main|List of University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty|Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty}}

Notable faculty have included [[Robert Epstein]], [[John Edgar Wideman|John Wideman]], [[Samuel Bowles (economist)|Samuel Bowles]], [[Sheila Bair]], the former chairman of the US [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]]; [[Chuck Close]], celebrated [[photorealist]]; [[Samuel R. Delany]], author and critic; [[Vincent Dethier]], pioneer [[physiologist]]; [[Ted Hughes]], British poet laureate; [[Max Roach]], considered one of the most important jazz drummers in history; [[Lynn Margulis]], famed [[biologist]]; [[Stephen Resnick]] and [[Richard D. Wolff]], heterodox economists; [[James Tate (writer)|James Tate]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]–winning poet; and [[Robert Paul Wolff]], in both philosophy and African-American studies. Current faculty of note include poet [[Peter Gizzi]], [[T. S. Eliot Prize]]–winning poet [[Ocean Vuong]], media critic [[Sut Jhally]], and feminist economist [[Nancy Folbre]].

==See also==
* [[University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Food Science]]
* [[William P. Brooks]] (1851–1938), [[professor]], eighth president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and second vice president of [[Sapporo Agricultural College]], [[Japan]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite report |author=Einhorn Yaffee Prescott |author2=Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. |author3=Pressley Associates |date=August 2009 |title=University of Massachusetts Amherst Historic Building Inventory: Final Survey Report |url=http://scua.library.umass.edu/digital/UMass_building_report.pdf |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903195508/http://scua.library.umass.edu/digital/UMass_building_report.pdf |publisher=University of Massachusetts Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) |access-date=March 29, 2016}}
* {{Cite book |last=Greider |first=Katharine |year=2013 |title=UMass Rising: The University of Massachusetts Amherst at 150 |url=https://archive.org/details/umassrisingunive0000grei |url-access=registration |location=Amherst, Mass. |publisher=University of Massachusetts Press |isbn=978-1-55849-989-8 |oclc=795756630}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sullivan |first=Steven R. |year=2004 |title=University of Massachusetts Amherst |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ULHKKN-FURkC |series=The Campus History Series |location=Charleston, SC |publisher=Arcadia |isbn=978-0-7385-3530-2 |oclc=57679532}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sullivan |first=Steven R. |year=2006 |title=University of Massachusetts Amherst Athletics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pn-xLzbFoXoC |series=Images of Sports |location=Charleston, SC |publisher=Arcadia |isbn=9780738544687 |oclc=69173788}}

==External links==
{{Americana Poster|Massachusetts Agricultural College}}
{{Commons category|University of Massachusetts Amherst}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.umassathletics.com University of Massachusetts Athletics website]

{{University of Massachusetts Amherst}}
{{Navboxes
|titlestyle = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|UMass Minutemen|color=white}}
|list =
{{University of Massachusetts}}
{{Five Colleges}}
{{Massachusetts Public Colleges}}
{{Atlantic 10 Conference navbox}}
{{Hockey East}}
{{Coastal Athletic Association navbox}}
{{Mid-American Conference navbox}}<!--Joining in 2025-->
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Massachusetts Amherst, University of}}
[[Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst| ]]
[[Category:1863 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Business schools in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Flagship universities in the United States]]
[[Category:Land-grant universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1863]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Amherst, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:University of Massachusetts campuses|Amherst]]