Sign-ups at Claremont McKenna College’s Center for Writing and Public Discourse (CWPD) and Quantitative and Computing Lab (QCL) have declined significantly this academic year. Some student employees attribute the trend to students’ growing use of AI tools for academic support and say a continued lack of sign-ups may result in staff cuts.
This spring, the CWPD has only seen around 345 appointments, according to its sign-up portal — an approximate 50 percent decline in use compared to last spring, when the center received 700 student appointments, according to an email from Associate Director Chloe Ray sent to writing consultants last May.
Several current and former student QCL employees confirmed the center experienced a similar decline in sign-ups.
Author: Kahani Malhotra
Angela Davis and Rishi Sunak among commencement speakers this May
Last Thursday, Claremont McKenna College announced that former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and businesswoman Akshata Murty CM ’02, his wife, will be the joint speakers at its commencement ceremony this May. On Monday, Pitzer College announced that it would be welcoming Angela Davis — author, professor and political activist — as its commencement speaker.
These historically controversial speakers have sparked excitement on campus for their arrivals and the values they represent.
Pomona and Pitzer move from ‘F’ to ‘C’ grades in Anti-Defamation League Rankings; Scripps maintains failing grade
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) upgraded Pomona and Pitzer Colleges’ rankings from ‘F’ to ‘C’ grades in their 2026 Campus Antisemitism Report Card released last month, while Scripps College received an ‘F’ grade again and Claremont McKenna and Harvey Mudd Colleges remained unranked.
ADL reached out to both Pomona and Pitzer prior to releasing this year’s rankings and Pomona “shared some general information about Jewish life on campus,” a Pomona College spokesperson wrote in an email to TSL.
While the spokesperson said the college is “encouraged” by the updated ranking, the numerical value is not their only measure of progress.
5CEJ Field Day draws student support for renewable energy switch at the 5Cs
After garnering student support and attention at its far-reaching field-day, 5C Environmental Justice (5CEJ) met with the Claremont Colleges’ Business and Financial Affairs Committee (BFAC) on March 5 to lobby for a consortium-wide transition to renewable energy sources, while Claremont McKenna College’s student body voted that night to support the campaign.
Though BFAC’s decision is still pending, if approved, the proposal will advance to a consortium-wide presidents committee for final consideration.
In addition the field day showcased sustained student interest, as their proposal advances through the institutional review process, according to Hope Dragseth SC ’28, the 5CEJ outreach lead on the campaign’s working group.
CMC’s Turning Point USA chapter yields debate and ‘bike porn’
More than 150 5C students engaged in debate at a political tabling event hosted by Claremont McKenna College’s chapter of Turning Point USA on Thursday.
EcoReps bring conscious composting to Collins Dining Hall
One ton of food — equivalent to 2,000 full plates — was dumped by diners at Claremont McKenna College’s Collins Dining Hall last month, according to the college. The statistic comes as Collins enters its second semester of front-of-house composting, an effort spearheaded by the dining hall and student sustainability groups like the EcoReps.
Starr and admin reveal Pomona-CGU partnership details in exclusive interview
Negotiations are underway between Pomona College and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) to pursue a potential partnership. In exclusive interviews with TSL this week, Pomona President Gabrielle Starr and several other college administrators laid out the details.
7C Chaplaincy under review, students speak out
Trays of Italian food and a roaring fireplace greeted the 30 students who provided their feedback on the Claremont Colleges Chaplaincy at the McAlister Center on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Scripps College honors Olympic gymnast Simone Biles
Scripps College is honoring Olympic gymnast Simone Biles with the Ellen Browning Scripps Medal, the college’s highest honor. Biles will be present at the medal ceremony in May to receive her award, the college confirmed in an email to TSL. Scripps President Amy Marcus-Newhall announced the decision in an Oct.
Canvas crash and power outage struck 5Cs on the same day
The Claremont Colleges a Canvas outage by day, and a power outage by night on Monday, Oct. 20