Five College News
New releases and other announcements from Five Colleges.
Five Colleges’ source for less-commonly taught language instruction has a new website
February 4, 2025: LangMedia, the Five College Consortium’s online collection of learning resources focusing on less-commonly taught languages (LCTLs), has a robust new website. Funded by a grant from the Davis Educational Foundation, the redeveloped site offers free, high-quality language-learning tools in dozens of LCTLs.
For example, someone who wants to learn Twi, a language of Ghana, can watch a video in Twi of someone ordering fish in a market in the city of Accra and follow along with the Twi and English transcripts. Or a student of Urdu can access 60 detailed study guides designed for self-directed learning. In all, thousands of online resources support the study of 46 languages on LangMedia, which are now much more easily navigated in the new website. More new resources will be added in the upcoming months, including course syllabi in 10+ additional languages.
Visit the new website: langmedia.fivecolleges.edu
LangMedia was originally developed in the 1990s to offer videos, audio recordings, and other resources to support independent language learning. It’s become an important tool of the Five College Center for World Languages, which instructs hundreds of students each year from Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. LangMedia is also used by other K-12 and higher education institutions and by thousands of language learners across the globe.
The Davis Educational Foundation was established by Stanton and Elisabeth Davis after Mr. Davis's retirement as chairman of Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc.
Fall, 2024 Finals Bus Schedule Now Available
December 9, 2024: With one exception, normal PVTA bus service will be available for travel among the campuses through the end of the 2024 fall semester exams. The exception is final exams taking place at Amherst College on December 19 and 20.
Smith and UMass students needing to travel to Amherst on those days can use the B43, which will be on its normal service schedule. Students at Mount Holyoke and Hampshire should use either normal R29 service, or the special 38 service that will be offered on those days. See the schedule on our bus page, or download the pdf here.
Five College Buses will Follow Usual Schedules During 2024-25
No Five College bus service will be impacted by potential driver strike
August 30, 2024: Each of the regular Five College/PVTA bus runs will be following their usual schedules during the 2024-25 academic year. Students and employees of the Five College campuses–Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges, and UMass Amherst–may ride these buses fare-free when classes are in session. Members of the public may ride any PVTA bus, with the exception of the 39E between Mount Holyoke and Smith, which is privately contracted. Most PVTA buses will charge a fare to anyone who does not have an ID from a Five College campus.
Because the labor negotiations currently underway with PVTA drivers are with a contractor that does not operate the Five College bus routes, Five College service would not be impacted by a strike by PVTA drivers.
The following are the Five College/PVTA buses, with the routes they cover and the dates they operate. For route schedules, visit pvta.com/schedules. Keep in mind that PVTA posts most upcoming schedules on the day service begins. Additional details and updates regarding Five College/PVTA buses can be found at fivecolleges.edu/bus.
The B43: Smith - Hampshire Mall - UMass - Amherst
The B43 runs between Smith, UMass, and Amherst, with stops at the Hampshire Mall in Hadley. It runs all year, and is free to those with an ID from a Five College campus during the academic year beginning September 3, 2024. Outside the academic year and during winter break, the fare is $1.50.
The 38: UMass - Amherst - Hampshire - Mount Holyoke
The 38 runs between UMass, Amherst, Hampshire and Mount Holyoke. It is free to all when it runs, and it runs only when classes are in session, beginning September 3, 2024.
The 39: Smith - Hampshire - Hampshire Mall
The 39 runs between Hampshire and Smith Colleges on weekdays, and between Hampshire College, Smith College, the Hampshire Mall and Mountain Farms Mall on weekend evenings. It runs only when classes are in session, and service begins September 3, 2024.
The 39E: Mount Holyoke - Smith Express
The 39E is an express run between Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges, running during the day during the week when classes are in session. It is free and only available to riders with an ID from a Five College campus. Service begins September 3, 2024.
The R29: UMass - Amherst - Hampshire - Mount Holyoke - Holyoke Mall - Springfield
The R29 runs between UMass and the City of Holyoke Transit Station, with stops at Amherst, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke Colleges. It also has stops at the Holyoke Mall, and at Union Station in downtown Springfield. It is free during the academic year to those with an ID from a Five College campus. Outside the academic year and during winter break, the fare is $1.50. Fare-free service begins September 3, 2024.
Buses leading to and from UMass
UMass Transit operates a number of PVTA buses that travel within its campus and between its campus and such surrounding communities as North Amherst, Sunderland, and Belchertown. These buses are free to all riders and operate only when classes are in session. See all UMass Transit Bus Routes.