■The University of Massachusetts in Amherst begins the 1970-71 academic year with record enrollment, new programs and continued building growth. The Graduate Research Center and the 28-story University Library are still under construction.
■Some 4,700 students are anticipated in the Northampton schools this year. Hawley and John F. Kennedy Junior High Schools will see a new scheduling system so that the enrollment at both schools will be about equal. Because Hawley attendance has fallen off a bit while Kennedy has risen sharply, the school committee this summer approved a plan to redistrict to bring both schools into nearly equal size.
■Water tests at the city’s beach in Leeds have confirmed the presence of giardia lamblia, the parasite that causes the gastrointestinal disorder known as beaver fever. Health Agent Peter McErlain said yesterday that tests showed water at the David B. Musante Beach on Roberts Meadow Reservoir contained a low number of the parasites.
■Francesca D. Bowman has been named chief of probation for the federal courts in Massachusetts. Bowman, who lives on Massasoit Street with her husband, writer John Bowman, was selected by the 14 judges of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts earlier this week.