Bianca Mirica, Author at The Student Life

By Bianca Mirica and Noah Brewster 1077 Views 5C Environmental Justice, BFAC, Biking, Claremont Colleges, Fossil Fuels, gabrielle starr, Lucy Reed, Maggie Zhang, Milo Slevin, Pomona College, Renewable Energy, riding rally

Presidents across the 5Cs announced Friday, April 17 that the colleges will transition to 100% renewable electricity by enrolling in the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), following a yearlong 5C Environmental Justice (5CEJ) campaign to phase out fossil fuels.
The “Claremont Off Fossil Fuels”campaign proposed the Colleges stop purchasing electricity from Southern California Edison (SCE), an investor-owned utility that primarily relies on fossil fuels, and instead enroll in the CPA, a not-for-profit energy provider that offers 100% renewable electricity options. The Claremont Colleges’ Business and Financial Affairs Committee and the consortium-wide presidents committee have now approved the proposal.

Milo Slevin PO ’28, campaign co-founder, said the transition marks a concrete shift in how the Colleges demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by taking action that immediately reduces carbon footprint.

Front Page News

April 17, 2026 12:34 amApril 22, 2026 9:05 pm

Pomona students report buying and trading room draw times due to housing crisis

By Bianca Mirica 1246 Views Bianca Mirica, Celeste Garton, Georgia Stettner, Housing, Josh Scacco, Marketplace, oldenborg center, Pomona Housing, Residence Halls, Room Draw, Tendo Lumala

During room draw this past week for fall 2026 housing, students at Pomona College have reported trading and bidding for housing selection times — including thousand-dollar bids and internship offers. This follows the college’s decision to demolish the Oldenborg Center in May and subsequently reduce on-campus housing.

Taking down Oldenborg, a 120-bed language residence hall, is part of the college’s $125 million Center for Global Engagement (CGE) project to replace the dorm, dining facility and language center. CGE is set to open in fall 2028 and, once completed, will house 200 students.

Front Page News Uncategorized

April 11, 2026 12:32 amApril 18, 2026 5:05 pm

Students picket and boycott Frary Dining Hall to protest termination of cook Rolando Araiza

By Bianca Mirica and Joelle Rudolf 952 Views Bianca Mirica, boycott, CSWA, Elias Pleucker, Frary, Isaiah Curtis, Joelle Rudolf, Kai Chen, Kobe Leonor, Maggie Zhang, student protests, Ukiah Halloran-Steiner, Una Marie Lake, UNITE HERE Local 11

Around 30 students picketed the entrances to Pomona College’s Frary dining hall at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10 — chanting, holding cardboard signs and drumming on buckets. The demonstration, organized by the Claremont Student Workers Alliance (CSWA), encouraged 5C students to boycott the dining hall and advocate for the reinstatement of recently fired cook Rolando “Rolo” Araiza.
Picketers said the boycott directly pressured Pomona to rehire Rolo, asking students to spend meal-plan money at the other colleges. They added that making noise in the picket line drew attention to their cause, something other forms of demonstrations may not accomplish.
“I think you can do a lot of talking, but I think when you really start singing and yelling is when you can really get your message across in different ways,” Una Marie Lake SC ’29 said.

Front Page News

April 10, 2026 1:31 amApril 10, 2026 3:00 am

5Cs admit class of 2030; CMC to reinstate testing in Fall 2028

By Bianca Mirica 1650 Views ACT, Bianca Mirica, Claremont, Claremont McKenna, COVID-19, David Simionca, Harvey Mudd College, Hope Moronay, Jennifer Sandoval-Dancs, Julia Savage, Pitzer College, Pomona College, PreACT, PSAT, SAT, Scripps College, Shanna Rose, Sophia Lu, Test Optional, test policy, Testing

As the 5Cs continue to evaluate test-optional policies, students said differences in access to standardized testing shaped their approach to the admissions process, particularly for international applicants. While some colleges have made their policies permanent, others plan to reinstate testing requirements in future cycles.

Arts & Culture Features

April 10, 2026 12:34 amApril 14, 2026 5:58 pm

Through film and community, Caribbean Short Film Fest actualizes representation at the 5Cs

By Bianca Mirica 328 Views Isaiah Dawson, Lydia Middleton, Se’maj Griffin, Zoë Gray

On April 4, OBSA brought the Caribbean Film Fest Short Film Showcase to CMC’s auditorium. Through the event, students witnessed a range of films — showcasing the breadth and depth of Caribbean history, culture and diaspora.

Concert-hall experience titled “MUSIC FOR THE OCEAN: A Nature Documentary for the Concert Hall” being performed on stage with students on looking.

Arts & Culture Features

April 3, 2026 1:31 amApril 4, 2026 1:12 pm

‘Music for the Ocean’ reframes coral conservation at Pomona College

By Bianca Mirica 410 Views Chad Cannon, Dr. Carly Kenkel, Dr. Juli Berwald, Tela Coral, Tim Rauch

On March 29, Pomona College hosted “Music for the Ocean,” a multimedia concert blending live performance, animation and environmental research. Built around an original album by composer Chad Cannon, the event transformed scientific processes such as coral bleaching and heat stress into sound, creating an immersive experience that went beyond data alone.

A group of students dance in a dimly lit setting with decorations, discos hanging from the ceiling. A student sings in the background.

Arts & Culture Multimedia Multimedia

April 2, 2026 10:44 pm

MULTIMEDIA: The Hive’s Soundbox team showcases student talent in their Spring Tiny Patio Concert

By Bianca Mirica 322 Views Alina Shah, Ben Cerbin, Bianca Mirica, Noah Ginsberg, Orion Rove, Siraj Saker, The Hive, Tiny Patio Concert

On March 6, The Hive held its annual Tiny Patio Concert, a spin on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series. In this video, TSL’s Multimedia team captures this vibrant environment by interviewing multiple participants and performers who share their thoughts on taking part in projects and initiatives that highlight student artists.

Students enjoy the outdoors at Pomona College sitting in chairs while chatting.

Multimedia Multimedia News

April 2, 2026 10:37 pm

MULTIMEDIA: 5CEJ Field Day draws student support for renewable energy switch at the 5Cs

By Bianca Mirica 455 Views 5C Environmental Justice, Bianca Mirica, Field Day

On February 28, 5C Environmental Justice organized a “Field Day” at Walker Beach, encouraging students to learn more about their renewable energy “Claremont OFF Fossil Fuels” campaign. In this video, the TSL Multimedia team highlights the 15 environmental and political clubs and organizations from across the consortium who took part in the event to support 5CEJ’s campaign and build community in an afternoon of music, lawn games and outreach.

Poetry being read by Professor Sharma and others in front of large crowd.

Arts & Culture Multimedia Multimedia

April 2, 2026 10:24 pm

MULTIMEDIA: In the CLMA gallery, Prageeta Sharma finds a language for abstraction and loss

By Bianca Mirica 220 Views Barnett Newman, Bianca Mirica, Chloe Martinez, Claremont Lewis Museum of Art, Pasadena Art Alliance, Prageeta Sharma

On Feb. 21, the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art hosted its newest exhibition, “She Opens the Door: Women Artists and Writers Shape Language and Space.” In this video, TSL’s Multimedia team takes us behind the scenes of the exhibition curated by Chloe Martinez, poet-in-residence and Claremont McKenna lecturer in religious studies.

Front Page News Uncategorized

March 29, 2026 8:56 pm

Pomona BSU town hall calls for administrative accountability amid incidents of racism

By Bianca Mirica and Jun Kwon 1570 Views Aminah Augustin, Avis Hinkson, Carlineissa Jean Francois, FOX Los Angeles 11, Hung Cam Thai, Jean Francois, Jeremy Mitchell, Maya Douglas, Pherell Washington, Pomona BSU, Pomona College Black Student Union, Pomona Dean of Students, Shonique Williams

After increased incidents of racism on campus, Pomona’s Black Student Union convened with community members on March 25 to host a town hall, aiming to chart a path forward and bring attention to incidents of racism reported across academic and social spaces in recent months. BSU leadership listed out multiple demands, ranging from greater accountability mechanisms to more transparency, arguing that a failure of enforcement on campus is leading to ongoing harm for Black students on campus.