By Peter.
Amherst College, one of Massachusetts’ most prestigious elite liberal arts institutions with tuition exceeding $93,000 annually, is facing intense backlash after leaked footage revealed a highly graphic orientation performance featuring students simulating sex acts on stage.
The annual “Voices of the Class” event, urged for all incoming freshmen during orientation, included student performers moaning loudly, thrusting under blankets, mimicking oral sex, masturbation, group sex, and drug use—while tossing handfuls of condoms “like confetti” into the audience.
Student Reactions: “Disgusting” and “Grossly Sexual” Performance Sparks Outrage
Junior Isabella Niemi described the skit as “grossly sexual” and “disgusting,” saying she nearly left despite it being a mandatory-like event: “I thought about leaving 10 minutes in… it was disgusting enough it almost forced me to leave.”
Other students echoed the sentiment, with one calling it a “scarring experience” on campus forums, garnering hundreds of upvotes. Junior John Collier admitted the intent to destigmatize sex but added: “This has gone way too far… The way it’s forced in our faces does the exact opposite.”
The performance, held in historic Johnson Chapel (Amherst’s “most important building” originally tied to its Christian ministry roots), contrasts sharply with the college’s founding over 200 years ago to train young men for ministry.
Amherst College Defends Event as Promoting “Sexual Respect” and Wellbeing
College officials defended the long-standing tradition (since 2007 for “Voices of the Class,” with similar wellbeing skits for over 25 years). Amanda Vann, director of health and wellbeing education, stated: “The skits are part of our broader commitment to promoting wellbeing and sexual respect on campus… helping students build skills in sexual health, communication, and self-care.”
The Office of Student Affairs emphasized the script—drawn from freshmen admission essays—is staff-reviewed and approved, insisting it’s “not graphic” and funded minimally from orientation budgets.
No feedback forms were provided specifically for this event, leading some students to feel concerns were dismissed.
Broader Context: Amherst’s Sexual Education Programming Under Scrutiny
This incident highlights ongoing campus events like “Sex in the Dark” anonymous Q&A with glow-in-the-dark condoms, polyamory workshops, and drag shows—part of efforts to foster open discussions on queer, transgender, and non-traditional lifestyles.
As debates rage over college orientation controversies, sexual respect education, and boundaries in elite universities, Amherst’s approach has drawn criticism for potentially alienating students while aiming to promote healthy sexuality.
The story, first reported by the Washington Free Beacon on December 12, 2025, continues to fuel discussions on campus culture at top liberal arts colleges.
