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Pomona ASPC and CSWA continue efforts to reinstate dining hall worker Rolando Araiza

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ASPC unanimously voted to pass a CSWA-backed resolution that demands the rehiring of Frary dining hall cook and union leader Rolando Araiza on Thursday. The decision solidifies ASPC’s support in presenting the resolution to the Pomona College administration.
Since Araiza’s termination Jan. 29, CSWA has collaborated with students and dining hall staff to collect over 900 signatures from the 5C community in support of Araiza’s reinstatement.
“The support from the students was really powerful and heartwarming and meant a lot to the workers,” CSWA member and author of the resolution Elias Pleucker PO ’28 said.

Moving forward, ASPC President Grace Zheng PO ’26 said it will be up to the two sponsors, Murphy-Pearson and Vice President of Student Affairs Ireland Griffin PO ’26, to spearhead the next steps in fulfilling the resolution’s demands.

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Farid Manshaii poses in front of Keck Institute.
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KGI PhD student’s startup wins $40,000 Westly Prize for harm-reduction innovation

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Farid Manshaii KGI ’28 received the $40,000 Westly Prize for Young California Innovators on Jan. 26 for his health technology startup Recalivape, a harm-reduction system designed to help people quit vaping. The competition for the award, run by the Westly Foundation, receives over 100,000 applicants and grants three unrestricted prizes to early-stage founders building social-impact ventures. Looking ahead, Recalivape plans to launch a clinical study in the coming months as part of Manshaii’s doctoral research. He emphasized that the company’s direction remains unchanged.

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Dr. Ken Walden poses and smiles for the camera for a portrait headshot.
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Dr. Ken Walden assumes role as interim Athenaeum director

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On Jan. 5, Dr. Ken Walden assumed his position as the interim director of the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College, following the resignation of former director Priya Junnar. Walden has served as a seminary president, dean, associate professor, university chaplain and enrollment executive, which he said prepared him well for his new role. Violet Ramanathan CM ’27, an Athenaeum fellow, said she got a positive impression of Walden when she and other fellows met with him for lunch in early February, and that he would be “well-equipped” to connect with the many different speakers.

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Metrolink travels through Claremont during sunny day.
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Metro A Line will construct new station in Claremont, connecting city to greater LA

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A construction project to extend the Metro A Line to a new Claremont station will begin in 2027, made possible by a $798 million grant from the Los Angeles Metro to Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority in late 2024. Once completed in 2031, Metro riders will be able to travel from Claremont to Long Beach without getting off the train.
Some students expressed support for the project, emphasizing the importance of being able to explore the greater LA area beyond Claremont.

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Michelle Bligh poses for photo at her desk and smiles.
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Starr and admin reveal Pomona-CGU partnership details in exclusive interview

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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.

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Students walk together on the sidewalk at Pitzer College.
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Pitzer announces strategic vision to guide college through next decade

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Pitzer College President Strom Thacker announced the college’s new strategic vision in an email to the student body on Jan. 20, outlining changes to Pitzer’s priorities and investments that will be implemented over the next five to ten years. The plan is driven by four central goals: “catalyzing bold, fearless learning, expanding student access, community-building and growing resources,” according to Pitzer’s website.

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One table with chairs in an outdoor area of Frary Dining Hall
Front Page News 

Union leader and Frary cook Rolando Araiza terminated; Pomona faces backlash

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Pomona College is under fire for terminating Frary Dining Hall cook and union leader Rolando Araiza last Thursday after 21 years of employment, months before a new union contract is due in June. Students and workers are campaigning for Arazia to be reinstated under claims that Pomona’s decision was influenced by his involvement with workers unions.

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The Spring 2026 Editorial Board poses for group photo and smiles.
Front Page News 

Meet TSL’s Spring 2026 editorial board

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A new semester at the Claremont Colleges brings new leaders to the helm of TSL. Adam Akins PZ ’27, Claire Welch SC ’27 and Joelle Rudolf SC ’28 have officially taken the reins as the newspaper’s spring 2026 editorial board. Rudolf noted the importance of student journalism in a time when the press is under fire. She said she believes TSL has the ability to identify oppression — especially regarding institutions that need to be held accountable — and tell stories to address it.

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Students and Professors engage in lively discussion around large table.
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Students, faculty and alumni discuss ICE and civil unrest in Minneapolis

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Last Saturday, more than 20 students, faculty and 5C alumni gathered in Claremont McKenna College’s Kravis Center for an event hosted by The Open Academy to discuss the mobilization of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Participants also talked about the recent murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

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