Skip to content
Monday, April 20, 2026

The Student Life

Claremont Colleges News

The Student Life
Menu
  • HOME
  • APPLY
  • NEWS
    • ALL NEWS
    • CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
    • HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE
    • PITZER COLLEGE
    • POMONA COLLEGE
    • SCRIPPS COLLEGE
    • CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
    • KECK GRADUATE INSTITUTE
    • COVID-19
  • ARTS & CULTURE
    • ALL A&C
    • FEATURES
    • COLUMNS
      • FILM
      • TV
      • MUSIC
      • FOOD
      • PETS
      • ART
      • BOOKS
      • HEALTH
      • POP CULTURE
  • OPINIONS
    • ALL OPS
    • EDITORIAL BOARDS
  • SPORTS
    • ALL SPORTS
    • CLAREMONT-MUDD-SCRIPPS
      • MEN’S SPORTS
        • BASEBALL
        • BASKETBALL
        • CROSS-COUNTRY
        • FOOTBALL
        • GOLF
        • SOCCER
        • SWIM AND DIVE
        • TENNIS
        • TRACK AND FIELD
        • WATER POLO
      • WOMEN’S SPORTS
        • BASKETBALL
        • CROSS-COUNTRY
        • GOLF
        • LACROSSE
        • SOCCER
        • SOFTBALL
        • SWIM AND DIVE
        • TENNIS
        • TRACK AND FIELD
        • VOLLEYBALL
        • WATER POLO
    • POMONA-PITZER
      • MEN’S SPORTS
        • BASEBALL
        • BASKETBALL
        • CROSS-COUNTRY
        • FOOTBALL
        • GOLF
        • TRACK AND FIELD
        • SOCCER
        • SWIM AND DIVE
        • TENNIS
        • WATER POLO
      • WOMEN’S SPORTS
        • BASKETBALL
        • CROSS-COUNTRY
        • GOLF
        • LACROSSE
        • SOCCER
        • SOFTBALL
        • SWIM AND DIVE
        • TENNIS
        • TRACK AND FIELD
        • VOLLEYBALL
        • WATER POLO
    • CLUB SPORTS
    • COMMENTARY
  • SPECIAL PROJECTS
    • MULTIMEDIA
    • AFFINITY
      • Black History Month 2025
      • Black History Month 2024
      • Black History Month 2023
      • Black History Month 2022
      • Leer en Español
      • Queer Histories and Futures
  • DONATE
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT US
    • STAFF
    • AWARDS
  • CONTACT US
    • TIPS
    • SUBMIT
    • ADVERTISE
×

Author: Madison Lewis

A drawing of a person wearing a backpack and holding a ballot with a checked box, happily walking to the polls.
Opinions 
March 9, 2023 10:17 pm

OPINION: The Claremont Colleges should make Election Day a holiday

By Madison Lewis 2410 Views Civic Duty, Civic Engagement, Elections

College students are notoriously unreliable when it comes to voter turnout – but Madison Lewis PO ‘24 says colleges have an opportunity to change that.

Read more
A drawing of a person at a buffet line. There are sections for vegetables, grains, protein, fruit, and dairy. All the sections are full except the fruit section, which is empty except for a single cube of tofu.
Opinions 
February 23, 2023 11:36 pmFebruary 24, 2023 12:52 am

OPINION: The unintended consequences of Meatless Mondays

By Madison Lewis 4987 Views Environmentalism, Food, Frary Dining Hall, Vegetarianism

Frary’s Meatless Mondays have environmental benefits, but pose a danger by encouraging restrictive eating, argues Madison Lewis PO ‘24.

Read more
Opinions 
November 11, 2021 10:40 pm

OPINION: DIII women’s sports deserve greater institutional support

By Madison Lewis 2619 Views disparity, Division III, Donations, Title IX, women's sports

Colleges have a responsibility to provide institutional support to Division III women’s athletes to help them make up for disparities in donations and networking opportunities, argues Madison Lewis PO ’23.

Read more
Drawing of a map of the USA with hearts and peace signs on the coasts and red fires on the central areas.
Opinions 
October 28, 2021 9:41 pm

OPINION: 5C students should reexamine their regional biases

By Madison Lewis 1858 Views Claremont bubble, coastal elitism, regional bias

Some 5C students’ stereotyping of central and southern areas of the US as backward and intolerant is unfair and can blind us to persistent inequities where we live, argues Madison Lewis PO ’23.

Read more
Palm trees surround Malott Commons, the Scripps College dining hall.
Opinions 
October 8, 2021 12:02 amOctober 8, 2021 12:49 am

OPINION: It’s time to rethink cross-campus dining

By Madison Lewis 3940 Views COVID, cross-campus dining

Cross-campus dining can be reopened while keeping COVID-19 spread under control, argues Madison Lewis PO ’24.

Read more
A hand holds up ballots under the blue sky.
Opinions 
September 23, 2021 9:57 pmSeptember 23, 2021 10:53 pm

OPINION: California recall election shows that voting in college doesn’t have to be a hassle

By Madison Lewis 1724 Views California, governor, recall, turnout, vote by mail

The California gubernatorial recall election demonstrates why vote by mail should be made more accessible and widespread, especially for students, argues Madison Lewis PO ’23.

Read more

Weekly Newsletter

Top Articles Today

  • The Claremont Orientalist: White men at the 5Cs who only pursue women of color
  • Inside-Out program plans restructuring following Norco prison closure
  • Motley and Scripps Store close on admitted students day amid staff strike
  • 5Cs to switch to 100% renewable electricity

Join the 5C State of Music:

Enter to win a $20 gift-card giveaway with TSL's 5C “State of Music” — a fun, data-driven look at what students across the Claremont Colleges have been listening to this year. Your responses will help us share the collective soundtrack of the 5Cs. The winner will be selected at random at the end of the semester!

Submit your state of music!

Instagram

The Motley Coffeehouse and Scripps Store closed on admitted students day after a majority of student staff voted to strike, protesting recent administrative changes to their leadership structure.

The strike followed the appointment of an administrative supervisor, a move student workers say threatens the businesses’ identity as student-run spaces. Staff used the closure to host teach-ins, share their demands for transparency and autonomy, and engage directly with prospective students.

“We did not take it lightly, and it did take deliberation with our staff,” Scripps Store co-head Syd Godwin SC ’26 said. “But we did choose this day in particular because we knew that we could reach a lot of people.”

Words by Joelle Rudolf and Ava Fleisher | Photo by Bianca Mirica
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
The Motley Coffeehouse and Scripps Store closed on admitted students day after a majority of student staff voted to strike, protesting recent administrative changes to their leadership structure.

The strike followed the appointment of an administrative supervisor, a move student workers say threatens the businesses’ identity as student-run spaces. Staff used the closure to host teach-ins, share their demands for transparency and autonomy, and engage directly with prospective students.

“We did not take it lightly, and it did take deliberation with our staff,” Scripps Store co-head Syd Godwin SC ’26 said. “But we did choose this day in particular because we knew that we could reach a lot of people.”

Words by Joelle Rudolf and Ava Fleisher | Photo by Bianca Mirica
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
The Motley Coffeehouse and Scripps Store closed on admitted students day after a majority of student staff voted to strike, protesting recent administrative changes to their leadership structure. The strike followed the appointment of an administrative supervisor, a move student workers say threatens the businesses’ identity as student-run spaces. Staff used the closure to host teach-ins, share their demands for transparency and autonomy, and engage directly with prospective students. “We did not take it lightly, and it did take deliberation with our staff,” Scripps Store co-head Syd Godwin SC ’26 said. “But we did choose this day in particular because we knew that we could reach a lot of people.” Words by Joelle Rudolf and Ava Fleisher | Photo by Bianca Mirica Read the full story at the link in our bio.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The Claremont Colleges will transition to 100% renewable electricity after administrators approved enrollment in the Clean Power Alliance, following more than a year of student-led advocacy by 5C Environmental Justice.

The “Claremont Off Fossil Fuels” campaign gathered over 1300 signatures and organized sustained pressure through rallies and direct engagement with decision-makers, culminating in yesterday’s announcement at the 5CEJ Riding Rally. The switch is expected to take about six months and significantly reduce campus emissions.

“We wanted something that was both visible and also applying pressure to admin,” Lucy Reed SC ’28, a campaign working group leader, said. “The riding rally was sort of the culmination of all of that.” 

Words by Bianca Mirica and Noah Brewster | Photo by Maggie Zhang
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
The Claremont Colleges will transition to 100% renewable electricity after administrators approved enrollment in the Clean Power Alliance, following more than a year of student-led advocacy by 5C Environmental Justice. The “Claremont Off Fossil Fuels” campaign gathered over 1300 signatures and organized sustained pressure through rallies and direct engagement with decision-makers, culminating in yesterday’s announcement at the 5CEJ Riding Rally. The switch is expected to take about six months and significantly reduce campus emissions. “We wanted something that was both visible and also applying pressure to admin,” Lucy Reed SC ’28, a campaign working group leader, said. “The riding rally was sort of the culmination of all of that.” Words by Bianca Mirica and Noah Brewster | Photo by Maggie Zhang Read the full story at the link in our bio.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
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. 

“I heard about a ton of instances of people bribing people — with money, with tickets to sports games, with internships,” Celeste Garton PO ’27 said. “Just the fact that that was even part of the conversation was ridiculous.”

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. 

Words by Bianca Mirica | Graphic by Cassie Sundberg
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
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. 

“I heard about a ton of instances of people bribing people — with money, with tickets to sports games, with internships,” Celeste Garton PO ’27 said. “Just the fact that that was even part of the conversation was ridiculous.”

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. 

Words by Bianca Mirica | Graphic by Cassie Sundberg
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
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. “I heard about a ton of instances of people bribing people — with money, with tickets to sports games, with internships,” Celeste Garton PO ’27 said. “Just the fact that that was even part of the conversation was ridiculous.” 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. Words by Bianca Mirica | Graphic by Cassie Sundberg Read the full story at the link in our bio.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
This week at TSL:

News covered the first Claremont Police Commission meeting since Diego Rio’s homicide, along with updates to an administrative role at Motley Coffeehouse that have sparked controversy.

Sports highlighted the recent success of the ski and snowboard team and featured a story arguing that the dedication required to be a Division III athlete deserves greater institutional support.

Opinions examined the decline of urban spaces and explored how to process political grief.

In Arts & Culture, we covered Laura Field’s talk on her new book, Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, and featured a review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Filmed & edited by Bianca Mirica and Isabella Leyton | Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
This week at TSL: News covered the first Claremont Police Commission meeting since Diego Rio’s homicide, along with updates to an administrative role at Motley Coffeehouse that have sparked controversy. Sports highlighted the recent success of the ski and snowboard team and featured a story arguing that the dedication required to be a Division III athlete deserves greater institutional support. Opinions examined the decline of urban spaces and explored how to process political grief. In Arts & Culture, we covered Laura Field’s talk on her new book, Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, and featured a review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Filmed & edited by Bianca Mirica and Isabella Leyton | Read more at the link in our bio.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
For many sports fans around the world, the spectator experience is an added perk to enjoy the players and teams they love. It may even be why one turns on Tennis Channel and re-watches the highlights like Federer vs Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final, or the angry meltdown of Serena Williams in her 2018 U.S. Open Final against Naomi Osaka. However, Katie Fullerton SC ’28 argues that for many tennis fans, watching the sport is more stressful than playing it. 

“Even Williams, the greatest player of all time, stumbled under the immense pressure that defines tennis,” Fullerton writes. “No wonder my history teacher nearly tore her hair out watching Williams. She was not just reacting to forehands, but to a live demonstration of pressure and resilience.”

Others view tennis not as a sport of fine margins, but as practice for forgiving your own mistakes. Katia Kriakova SC ’28 picked up a racket in January after reading Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid over winter break. She decided that if a fictional retired champion could rebuild herself, she could at least try a Thursday beginner clinic. She went in expecting chaos and a steep learning curve, but since then, she has been pleasantly surprised. 

“I always leave feeling refreshed and energized,” Kriakova said. “I made a new very close friend, and we love to play just for the fun of it.”

Words by Katharine Fullerton | Graphic by Shixiao Yu
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
For many sports fans around the world, the spectator experience is an added perk to enjoy the players and teams they love. It may even be why one turns on Tennis Channel and re-watches the highlights like Federer vs Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final, or the angry meltdown of Serena Williams in her 2018 U.S. Open Final against Naomi Osaka. However, Katie Fullerton SC ’28 argues that for many tennis fans, watching the sport is more stressful than playing it. “Even Williams, the greatest player of all time, stumbled under the immense pressure that defines tennis,” Fullerton writes. “No wonder my history teacher nearly tore her hair out watching Williams. She was not just reacting to forehands, but to a live demonstration of pressure and resilience.” Others view tennis not as a sport of fine margins, but as practice for forgiving your own mistakes. Katia Kriakova SC ’28 picked up a racket in January after reading Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid over winter break. She decided that if a fictional retired champion could rebuild herself, she could at least try a Thursday beginner clinic. She went in expecting chaos and a steep learning curve, but since then, she has been pleasantly surprised. “I always leave feeling refreshed and energized,” Kriakova said. “I made a new very close friend, and we love to play just for the fun of it.” Words by Katharine Fullerton | Graphic by Shixiao Yu Read the full story at the link in our bio.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Coming to Pomona College, current first-years did not know that majoring in cognitive science would require winning a lottery. This academic year, Pomona’s Linguistics and Cognitive Science Department started limiting the number of students who can major in cognitive science. 

Interest in the once small major has tripled over the last ten years, while faculty size has stagnated. For the past two years, requests to the Faculty Position Advisory Committee for additional faculty positions have been denied by administration. 

Words by Vivian Fan | Photo by Maggie Zhang
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
Coming to Pomona College, current first-years did not know that majoring in cognitive science would require winning a lottery. This academic year, Pomona’s Linguistics and Cognitive Science Department started limiting the number of students who can major in cognitive science. 

Interest in the once small major has tripled over the last ten years, while faculty size has stagnated. For the past two years, requests to the Faculty Position Advisory Committee for additional faculty positions have been denied by administration. 

Words by Vivian Fan | Photo by Maggie Zhang
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Coming to Pomona College, current first-years did not know that majoring in cognitive science would require winning a lottery. This academic year, Pomona’s Linguistics and Cognitive Science Department started limiting the number of students who can major in cognitive science. Interest in the once small major has tripled over the last ten years, while faculty size has stagnated. For the past two years, requests to the Faculty Position Advisory Committee for additional faculty positions have been denied by administration. Words by Vivian Fan | Photo by Maggie Zhang Read the full story at the link in our bio.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The world feels like it’s ending every day, but you can find civic empowerment in the way you choose to honor your political grief.

“We have no reason to trust anything above our individuality, no reason to hear any organization out or trust that any institution has good faith,” writes Celeste Cariker PZ ’28. “But still, we have a responsibility to ourselves and the progress we want to see in this nation to be resilient in the face of disappointment, to compose ourselves for the sake of organization and lead lives of joy as a mode of resistance.”

Words by: Celeste Cariker | Graphic by: PJ James
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
The world feels like it’s ending every day, but you can find civic empowerment in the way you choose to honor your political grief.

“We have no reason to trust anything above our individuality, no reason to hear any organization out or trust that any institution has good faith,” writes Celeste Cariker PZ ’28. “But still, we have a responsibility to ourselves and the progress we want to see in this nation to be resilient in the face of disappointment, to compose ourselves for the sake of organization and lead lives of joy as a mode of resistance.”

Words by: Celeste Cariker | Graphic by: PJ James
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
The world feels like it’s ending every day, but you can find civic empowerment in the way you choose to honor your political grief. “We have no reason to trust anything above our individuality, no reason to hear any organization out or trust that any institution has good faith,” writes Celeste Cariker PZ ’28. “But still, we have a responsibility to ourselves and the progress we want to see in this nation to be resilient in the face of disappointment, to compose ourselves for the sake of organization and lead lives of joy as a mode of resistance.” Words by: Celeste Cariker | Graphic by: PJ James Read the full story at the link in our bio.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Interrogating the architecture of belief, Laura K. Field examines the ideological ecosystem of MAGA and what sustains its internal coherence. Tracing the emotional and intellectual scaffolding behind the movement, she reveals how narratives of identity, grievance, and loyalty intertwine to shape political reality.

Field suggests that understanding these belief systems is not about endorsement, but about clarity. “If we fail to take these ideas seriously,” she implies, “we risk misunderstanding the forces that continue to shape American political life.”

Words by Irikaa Mehrotra | Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hernandez
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Interrogating the architecture of belief, Laura K. Field examines the ideological ecosystem of MAGA and what sustains its internal coherence. Tracing the emotional and intellectual scaffolding behind the movement, she reveals how narratives of identity, grievance, and loyalty intertwine to shape political reality. Field suggests that understanding these belief systems is not about endorsement, but about clarity. “If we fail to take these ideas seriously,” she implies, “we risk misunderstanding the forces that continue to shape American political life.” Words by Irikaa Mehrotra | Photo courtesy of Jonathan Hernandez Read the full story at the link in our bio.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Last Thursday the Claremont Police Commission held their first meeting since the homicide of Diego Rios. Claremont community members — including many 5C students — spoke out during public comment seeking accountability and reform from the city. 

The Commission did not respond to demands or suggestions from speakers throughout the meeting.

“I was really disheartened by [the Commission’s] choice to not respond to the many, many comments of concern, of smart suggestions for steps forward made by community members and to instead continue with business as normal,” attendee Clare Reimers-Hejnal SC ’26 said.

Words by Quinn Bolster | Photo by Maggie Zhang
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
Last Thursday the Claremont Police Commission held their first meeting since the homicide of Diego Rios. Claremont community members — including many 5C students — spoke out during public comment seeking accountability and reform from the city. 

The Commission did not respond to demands or suggestions from speakers throughout the meeting.

“I was really disheartened by [the Commission’s] choice to not respond to the many, many comments of concern, of smart suggestions for steps forward made by community members and to instead continue with business as normal,” attendee Clare Reimers-Hejnal SC ’26 said.

Words by Quinn Bolster | Photo by Maggie Zhang
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Last Thursday the Claremont Police Commission held their first meeting since the homicide of Diego Rios. Claremont community members — including many 5C students — spoke out during public comment seeking accountability and reform from the city. The Commission did not respond to demands or suggestions from speakers throughout the meeting. “I was really disheartened by [the Commission’s] choice to not respond to the many, many comments of concern, of smart suggestions for steps forward made by community members and to instead continue with business as normal,” attendee Clare Reimers-Hejnal SC ’26 said. Words by Quinn Bolster | Photo by Maggie Zhang Read the full story at the link in our bio.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram

Facebook

Facebook

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday at 7 a.m. PDT.

About Us

The Student Life is the oldest college newspaper in Southern California, serving the Claremont Colleges since 1889.

Contact us at editor@tsl.news.

Twitter logoInstagram logoFacebook logo

Explore

News
Arts & Culture
Sports
Opinions
Advertise
Meet the Staff
Join the Team
Submit a Tip
Copyright © 2026 The Student Life.
All rights reserved.
 

Loading Comments...