In the new U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges ranking, Claremont McKenna College (CMC) and Pomona College tied for third place, an increase from their joint seventh place spot last year. Harvey Mudd College also made its way into the top 10, ranking eighth. The publication considered “earnings by major” for the first time this year, a shift that placed greater emphasis on measurable post-graduate outcomes.
News
Third ever Leftist Coffee Hour encourages unity among student activists
On Friday, Sept. 15, student activist organizations from across the 5Cs gathered at The Motley Coffeehouse for the third edition of the “Leftist Coffee Hour.” The Leftist Coffee Hour is an event featuring 15 different leftist-identifying student organizations, with representatives conducting presentations about their civic concerns, followed by a club showcase. The event enabled students to understand how to get politically engaged in issues such as environmental justice, prison abolition, affordable housing and more. Miranda Elder PO ’29, co-president of Inclusive Claremont, a club that advocates for affordable housing, echoed the importance of these gatherings, noting that one of the objectives of the Coffee Hour is creating an active community of progressive activists.
Pomona Dining Services meal plan changes raise concern over shared governance
The changes were informed by Dining Services’ ongoing consultation with Webb Foodservice Design Group, a consulting group that Pomona hired in January 2026 to implement wider changes within Dining Services across the next two years. In a resolution passed on Sept. 24, the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) condemned Dining Services’ lack of discussion with students amidst recent decisions, and called for Pomona to renew their commitment to shared governance.
Pomona and UNITE HERE begin negotiations for a new contract amid ULP filing, delegation
Pomona College and UNITE HERE Local 11, the union representing the college’s dining service employees, began negotiations on Sept. 8 for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Elias Pluecker PO ’28, student organizer for UNITE HERE and a member of the Pomona chapter of the Claremont Student Worker Alliance (CSWA) and, said that many employees are struggling to make ends meet and often commute from far away, unable to afford living closer to the college.
Pomona welcomes back senior citizen auditors after CALL’s hiatus
This fall, senior citizens from the city of Claremont are eligible to audit select Pomona College courses through the Claremont Avenues for Lifelong Learning Program (CALL) for the first time since the program was paused amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
William Dudley kicks off first semester as CMC’s sixth president
William Dudley took on the mantle of president at Claremont McKenna College in July, officially succeeding Hiram Chodosh. Originally a philosophy professor and most recently the president of Washington & Lee University, Dudley will be the college’s sixth president.
Pomona tests Boodlebox AI in classroom, establishes AI committee
This semester, Pomona College is navigating a rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape. The college is currently deciding whether to implement BoodleBox AI, a collaborative platform built for higher education, and has also formed a committee to address AI’s role in students’ and faculty members’ lives. According to BoodleBox’s website, the
CMC ranks second in FIRE free speech rankings, other 5Cs receive failing grades
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) gave Claremont McKenna College (CMC) the second-place spot on its 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, a report that rates the free speech climates at college and university campuses nationwide. CMC received a passing “B-” grade from FIRE, while all of the other undergraduate Claremont Colleges received failing “F” grades.
Of the 261 colleges surveyed, Pitzer College ranked 160th, Scripps College ranked 167th, Harvey Mudd College ranked 184th and Pomona College ranked 226th. While the other Claremont Colleges saw increases in their rankings compared to last year, CMC dropped by one rank, losing its first-place spot to the University of Chicago.
Milk & Honey delegates to Pomona admin with Local 11 and dining workers, demands fair labor practices and reopening plan
Milk & Honey student workers and Pomona College dining workers gathered as a delegation on Monday, Sept. 21, to demand fair labor practices for both Milk & Honey and full-time union workers from Pomona administrators.
Diego Rios’ parents file civil rights suit against Claremont, CPD officers involved in homicide
The parents of Diego Rios filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Sept. 16 against police corporal Benjamin Alba, officer Joshua Orona, the City of Claremont and 10 unnamed city employees. Alba and Orona killed Rios on Nov. 28, 2025, in a use-of-force incident during a traffic stop, as Rios was experiencing a mental health crisis.