• Number of Williams students who tutored in the America Reads Challenge program in local elementary schools in 2005-2006
• 75
• Percent of Williams students who participate in more than one varsity sport
• 10
• Attendance at March 2004 national semifinals men's basketball game between Williams and Amherst
• 2,105
• Attendance at the spring Choral Society and Berkshire Symphony performance of Brahms's German Requiem
• 1,000+
• Students participating in community service projects each year (many of which include tutoring and mentoring)
• 500+
• Percent of incoming Williams students who choose to go on a Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years (WOOLF) trip
• 61
• Number of sophomores who apply to become Entry Junior Advisors (JAs)(five-year average)
• 144
• Percent of J.A. applicants accepted
• 33
• Percent of first-year students rating opportunities for extracurricular involvement as "very good" or "excellent"
• 99
• Residence halls and houses on Williams' campus
• 42

Williamstown is tucked away in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, about a five-minute drive south of Vermont, and about 10 minutes east of New York State. With the majority of professors living in town, and all students guaranteed on-campus housing, many find that the small town atmosphere affords them the opportunity to be continuously engaged, both intellectually and culturally, with the town’s diverse inhabitants. Self-governance is paramount, and is evident in the active role that students play in shaping campus life. So, the question becomes: What’s there to do in Williamstown?

It’s important to keep in mind that, after you’re done with classes for the day, you’ll most likely be forced to choose between activities to attend. Williams students tend to be highly involved on the extracurricular front. The College Council makes it exceedingly easy to be so, as it provides funds for students to initiate clubs representing interests that don’t yet have a formal presence on campus. All one needs is to come to the College Council with an idea and the names of three friends who want to join the club, and they’re on their way.

We live in a place that highlights the importance of non-exclusivity, participation, school spirit, and community. As a result, you’ll find yourself rushing from your last class of the day to a friend’s presentation on their semester's research on gentrification and urban sprawl. From there a quick dinner, and then it’s likely you’ll both make your way to a mutual friend’s theatrical performance, or perhaps you’ll find yourself at a sporting event cheering on one of your Entrymates, after which you’ll each settle into a leather chair in Goodrich Hall, where you’ll enjoy some coffee and a late-night release party of the latest edition of the Williams Literary Review, in which you’re published, and from which you’ll be reading. Lots of your Entrymates are likely there, waiting, when you finally arrive.

Needless to say, when you’re so involved, it’s good to have a critical mass of supporters waiting for you. One would be hard pressed to find a poorly-attended event at Williams, be it a lunch forum, water polo match, or an a capella concert. It’d be even tougher to find yourself genuinely bored in a place as vibrant and culturally rich as Williamstown.

At the end of each day, as you drift off to sleep, you’ll go through your list of things to do tomorrow. The Pollock exhibit at the Williams College Museum of Art. Which reminds you, Jennifer’s photography is being featured in the student gallery, and you promised you’d be there for the opening. The winter months are approaching, so it’s probably best if you get in another hike or two before the landscape turns for the season. And isn’t Professor Kai Lee from the Environmental Sciences department presenting his research findings from his time in Singapore and Beijing? That’s at the top of the list. Sankofa’s performing at Goodrich at 10. Can’t miss that, either. Here's hoping that this year's Winter Carnival is as fun as Wyclef's Spring Fling performance-must not forget to go online and vote for the band that will be playing the concert. Is Thomas Friedman speaking tomorrow or Thursday? Need to check on that. That interesting new indie film-what's it called?-is only at playing at Images through Thursday, so that's definitely on the list...