In her first column, “A Girl’s Guide to Terrible Men,” Bianca Mirica PO ’29 examines why women who love mafia stories are so often regarded as performative.
Bianca Mirica
5Cs to switch to 100% renewable electricity
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.
Pomona students report buying and trading room draw times due to housing crisis
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.
Students picket and boycott Frary Dining Hall to protest termination of cook Rolando Araiza
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.
5Cs admit class of 2030; CMC to reinstate testing in Fall 2028
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.
Through film and community, Caribbean Short Film Fest actualizes representation at the 5Cs
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.
‘Music for the Ocean’ reframes coral conservation at Pomona College
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.
MULTIMEDIA: The Hive’s Soundbox team showcases student talent in their Spring 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.
MULTIMEDIA: 5CEJ Field Day draws student support for renewable energy switch at the 5Cs
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.
MULTIMEDIA: In the CLMA gallery, Prageeta Sharma finds a language for abstraction and loss
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.