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Tag: ballots

Arts & Culture Features 
November 8, 2024 12:43 amNovember 8, 2024 12:52 am

Voting clubs across the 5Cs promote civic engagement

By Audrey Green and Charlotte Hahm 6331 Views 2024 election, Ballot, ballots, CIVES, Civic Duty, Civic Engagement, election season, Every vote counts, Kravis Lab, League of Women Voters, LWV, Vote, voter education, Voting, voting clubs

Voting clubs across the 5Cs are fostering civic engagement beyond the 2024 election. Through voter registration assistance, nonpartisan information on propositions, and community events, Claremont Colleges League of Women Voters (LWV), Every Vote Counts Claremont (EVC) and the Claremont Initiative for Voter Engagement Strategies (CIVES) empower students with the knowledge and resources to actively participate in democracy.

Read more

Weekly Newsletter

Top Articles Today

  • OPINION: You should get to know the local candidates on your ballot
  • LA County Fire Department brings Alcohol Beverage Control to campus; state officers forcibly arrest Pomona student on disputed grounds
  • CMC admits historically low percentage of students on financial aid, lags behind peers in financial aid support
  • OPINION: The bureaucratic veil over Pomona’s Center for Global Engagement
  • TSL’s 2026 Midterm Election Polling

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Zara Seldon PO ’29 recalls her experience with Pomona College’s Housing and Residence Life (HRL) office in her forced double as she attempted to remove an extra wardrobe. The new Center for Global Engagement (CGE), replacing Oldenborg, has caused a housing crisis evident through many residents’ experiences, but one that HRL was neither prepared to handle nor receive blame for.

“After speaking with student staff at HRL, I realized our campus housing problems cannot be placed on HRL’s shoulders alone. Instead, the true decision-making authority lies within a complex network of board members, administrative leaders and loaded philanthropists. HRL may seem disorganized and uncooperative, but it did not create the housing shortage. The individuals who designed and approved the CGE plan without deliberate student input are shielded behind a bureaucratic veil, making them harder to access and target,” Seldon writes.

The CGE promised a shiny building and new beds, but everything in between such as programming and student life, according to the working student group created through the Global Pomona Council, is far from taking student feedback into consideration.

The working group is now beginning to draft designs for CGE living-learning communities (LLCs), but according to an anonymous member of the working group, students have not been given the tools needed to create effective plans that developers can adopt. The LLCs are one of ten broad initiatives housed under the new CGE, meaning nine programs currently receive zero student input.

Words by Zara Seldon | Graphic by Roy Shin
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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Zara Seldon PO ’29 recalls her experience with Pomona College’s Housing and Residence Life (HRL) office in her forced double as she attempted to remove an extra wardrobe. The new Center for Global Engagement (CGE), replacing Oldenborg, has caused a housing crisis evident through many residents’ experiences, but one that HRL was neither prepared to handle nor receive blame for. “After speaking with student staff at HRL, I realized our campus housing problems cannot be placed on HRL’s shoulders alone. Instead, the true decision-making authority lies within a complex network of board members, administrative leaders and loaded philanthropists. HRL may seem disorganized and uncooperative, but it did not create the housing shortage. The individuals who designed and approved the CGE plan without deliberate student input are shielded behind a bureaucratic veil, making them harder to access and target,” Seldon writes. The CGE promised a shiny building and new beds, but everything in between such as programming and student life, according to the working student group created through the Global Pomona Council, is far from taking student feedback into consideration. The working group is now beginning to draft designs for CGE living-learning communities (LLCs), but according to an anonymous member of the working group, students have not been given the tools needed to create effective plans that developers can adopt. The LLCs are one of ten broad initiatives housed under the new CGE, meaning nine programs currently receive zero student input. Words by Zara Seldon | Graphic by Roy Shin Read more at the link in our bio.
15 hours ago
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1/9
Spencer Thompson PO ’30 spent an entire summer obsessing over Minor League Baseball and quit his job to catch more games. He makes the case that the minor leagues have overtaken Major League Baseball as America’s truest pastime.

“The problem with Major League Baseball is that the middle class can no longer see themselves within the game,” Thompson writes. “The game that previous generations of middle-class Americans grew so fond of has lost its soul. In all of its glory of dollar beers, one-off mascots and really short umpires, Minor League Baseball has stepped up to the plate to take Major League Baseball’s place as America’s pastime.”

Words by Spencer Thompson | Graphic by PJ James
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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Spencer Thompson PO ’30 spent an entire summer obsessing over Minor League Baseball and quit his job to catch more games. He makes the case that the minor leagues have overtaken Major League Baseball as America’s truest pastime. “The problem with Major League Baseball is that the middle class can no longer see themselves within the game,” Thompson writes. “The game that previous generations of middle-class Americans grew so fond of has lost its soul. In all of its glory of dollar beers, one-off mascots and really short umpires, Minor League Baseball has stepped up to the plate to take Major League Baseball’s place as America’s pastime.” Words by Spencer Thompson | Graphic by PJ James Read more at the link in our bio.
2 days ago
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2/9
On Friday, Oct. 30, officers from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) detained and arrested a Pomona College student on campus. Officers dragged the student from the pavement area outside Clark V Residence Hall onto North College Way between 10:14 and 10:17 p.m., where they were handcuffed. The student later received a citation for battery of a peace officer; multiple eyewitnesses contested the validity of the charge. 

ABC was invited to campus by the LA County Fire Department, according to an Oct. 31 email from the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) to the Pomona community. 

At no point did officers show badges to the detained student. Multiple students present said the officers’ claims about the detained student’s violation were unclear and changed throughout the altercation, initially alleging underage drinking as the charge. The student is 21 and was not holding an alcoholic beverage.

Officers had initially interrogated a group of Pomona students before grabbing the soon-to-be-detained student. 

“[We] were trying to gain information on why people in jackets, sweaters, flannels, Bass Pro Shop hats were grabbing onto us, when most of us were 21 years old and above,” Zena Almeida-Warwin PO ’28, who was present in the group, said. 

Multiple eyewitnesses said that officers’ identities remained ambiguous, with several dressed in plainclothes, and not identifying themselves until pressed repeatedly.

“We were all on private property, approached and grabbed and interrogated and harassed by this group of people,” Almeida-Warwin continued. “We were under the complete assumption that we were being kidnapped and assaulted by people pretending to be service officers.” 

In the statement, the ASPC wrote, “We have been told that the ABC and CPD will likely be present tonight (Halloween) across the consortium. ABC officers are not in uniform, but may have a ‘Police’ vest, and are in unmarked vehicles.”

Words by Nadia Hsu and Claire Welch | Photo by Jun Kwon 
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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On Friday, Oct. 30, officers from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) detained and arrested a Pomona College student on campus. Officers dragged the student from the pavement area outside Clark V Residence Hall onto North College Way between 10:14 and 10:17 p.m., where they were handcuffed. The student later received a citation for battery of a peace officer; multiple eyewitnesses contested the validity of the charge.  ABC was invited to campus by the LA County Fire Department, according to an Oct. 31 email from the Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) to the Pomona community.  At no point did officers show badges to the detained student. Multiple students present said the officers’ claims about the detained student’s violation were unclear and changed throughout the altercation, initially alleging underage drinking as the charge. The student is 21 and was not holding an alcoholic beverage. Officers had initially interrogated a group of Pomona students before grabbing the soon-to-be-detained student.  “[We] were trying to gain information on why people in jackets, sweaters, flannels, Bass Pro Shop hats were grabbing onto us, when most of us were 21 years old and above,” Zena Almeida-Warwin PO ’28, who was present in the group, said.  Multiple eyewitnesses said that officers’ identities remained ambiguous, with several dressed in plainclothes, and not identifying themselves until pressed repeatedly. “We were all on private property, approached and grabbed and interrogated and harassed by this group of people,” Almeida-Warwin continued. “We were under the complete assumption that we were being kidnapped and assaulted by people pretending to be service officers.”  In the statement, the ASPC wrote, “We have been told that the ABC and CPD will likely be present tonight (Halloween) across the consortium. ABC officers are not in uniform, but may have a ‘Police’ vest, and are in unmarked vehicles.” Words by Nadia Hsu and Claire Welch | Photo by Jun Kwon  Read more at the link in our bio.
3 days ago
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3/9
With members from both the East and West Coasts, student band Coast found its name close to home.

Since its first show at the Tiny Patio last spring, the four-piece band has become a fixture at house shows, open mics and student events across the 5Cs, playing covers from Radiohead to Michael Jackson that get the whole room singing along.

“It’s just so weird that I’m being perceived,” lead singer Alina Shah PZ ’28 said. “But it’s really cool to see how many people really enjoy live music and how it’s become a kind of thing.”

Words by Atrisa Rahgozar | Photo by Siena Giacoma
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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With members from both the East and West Coasts, student band Coast found its name close to home. Since its first show at the Tiny Patio last spring, the four-piece band has become a fixture at house shows, open mics and student events across the 5Cs, playing covers from Radiohead to Michael Jackson that get the whole room singing along. “It’s just so weird that I’m being perceived,” lead singer Alina Shah PZ ’28 said. “But it’s really cool to see how many people really enjoy live music and how it’s become a kind of thing.” Words by Atrisa Rahgozar | Photo by Siena Giacoma Read more at the link in our bio.
4 days ago
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4/9
Welcome back to What’s Happening at the Claremont Colleges. 🎥

Here’s what you missed across the 5Cs this week.

Students at the Claremont Colleges can ride Foothill Transit for FREE! Grab your Class Pass with your student ID at the Connection today.
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Welcome back to What’s Happening at the Claremont Colleges. 🎥 Here’s what you missed across the 5Cs this week. Students at the Claremont Colleges can ride Foothill Transit for FREE! Grab your Class Pass with your student ID at the Connection today.
5 days ago
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5/9
Claremont McKenna College admitted its lowest percentage of students on need-based financial aid last spring in more than 12 years. The statistic is part of a broader trend in data published by CMC that indicates the college is decreasing its financial aid coverage and lagging behind its peer institutions in financial aid investment.

After four consecutive years of a steadily declining percentage of students receiving need-based financial aid, CMC reported an all-time minimum of 37.6% last year, according to CMC’s Common Data Set. A promotional pamphlet in CMC’s Office of Admissions said 33% of this year’s first-year class received need-based financial aid.

In addition, although CMC’s cost of attendance has increased by 26% over the past five years, the average need-based financial aid package per student has only risen by 13%.

“It’s not a resource issue, it’s a priority issue,” Nataly Sanfiel CM ’29, a QuestBridge scholar, said. “My happiness shouldn’t be contingent on the amount I pay for school — it shouldn’t be this big stressor [at] a school like CMC.”

Words by Kahani Malhotra | Data Visualization by Evelyn Hao
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Claremont McKenna College admitted its lowest percentage of students on need-based financial aid last spring in more than 12 years. The statistic is part of a broader trend in data published by CMC that indicates the college is decreasing its financial aid coverage and lagging behind its peer institutions in financial aid investment. After four consecutive years of a steadily declining percentage of students receiving need-based financial aid, CMC reported an all-time minimum of 37.6% last year, according to CMC’s Common Data Set. A promotional pamphlet in CMC’s Office of Admissions said 33% of this year’s first-year class received need-based financial aid. In addition, although CMC’s cost of attendance has increased by 26% over the past five years, the average need-based financial aid package per student has only risen by 13%. “It’s not a resource issue, it’s a priority issue,” Nataly Sanfiel CM ’29, a QuestBridge scholar, said. “My happiness shouldn’t be contingent on the amount I pay for school — it shouldn’t be this big stressor [at] a school like CMC.” Words by Kahani Malhotra | Data Visualization by Evelyn Hao Read more at the link in our bio.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Student backlash over AI-generated promotional materials has prompted Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) and Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College (ASCMC) to reconsider their use of the technology, with the two student governments taking different approaches to regulation.

ASPC is debating a proposed ban on AI use in external communications, with senators divided over enforcement and potential stipend reductions for violations. ASCMC’s executive board reached an informal agreement to avoid AI use but has not adopted a permanent policy.

“I still believe that senators who are strongly against AI would prefer to have a weaker policy than have no policy at all,” ASPC President Malu Estoducto PO ’27 said.

Words by Hiro Rose and Nate Littell | Graphic by Penelope Link
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
Student backlash over AI-generated promotional materials has prompted Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) and Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College (ASCMC) to reconsider their use of the technology, with the two student governments taking different approaches to regulation. ASPC is debating a proposed ban on AI use in external communications, with senators divided over enforcement and potential stipend reductions for violations. ASCMC’s executive board reached an informal agreement to avoid AI use but has not adopted a permanent policy. “I still believe that senators who are strongly against AI would prefer to have a weaker policy than have no policy at all,” ASPC President Malu Estoducto PO ’27 said. Words by Hiro Rose and Nate Littell | Graphic by Penelope Link Read more at the link in our bio.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
About 150 students gathered on Scripps College’s Bowling Green Lawn Oct. 23 for the first Power Organizing Web (POW) Community Fair, bringing together campus organizations and local groups to connect students with opportunities for community organizing.

Organized by students in professor Thomas Kim’s Power, Justice, and the Environment course, the fair brought an online network map into a shared physical space, with 18 campus organizations and four off-campus groups tabling.

“The idea for this fair came from a need to have this kind of map in person,” Charlotte Mendelson PZ ’29 said. “So what our goal was is to take all these organizations, all these people on this map, and bring them together, so people could build power, talk to each other.”

Words by Charlotte Preuss and Sofia Latapie | Photo by Viet Pham
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
Follow
About 150 students gathered on Scripps College’s Bowling Green Lawn Oct. 23 for the first Power Organizing Web (POW) Community Fair, bringing together campus organizations and local groups to connect students with opportunities for community organizing. Organized by students in professor Thomas Kim’s Power, Justice, and the Environment course, the fair brought an online network map into a shared physical space, with 18 campus organizations and four off-campus groups tabling. “The idea for this fair came from a need to have this kind of map in person,” Charlotte Mendelson PZ ’29 said. “So what our goal was is to take all these organizations, all these people on this map, and bring them together, so people could build power, talk to each other.” Words by Charlotte Preuss and Sofia Latapie | Photo by Viet Pham Read more at the link in our bio.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
On Sunday, Oct. 18, local DJ crew Compas Discoteca filled La Popular with the sound of soulful tropical funkadelia — a reminder that Claremont’s music scene continues even when campus life pauses. Compas Discoteca is a DJ collective of four longtime friends and experienced DJs: Adrian Silva, Elías Ruiz, Ricardo Carlos and Alberto Piña. The Oct. 18 set was part of their Viva Vinyl event series, where they mix vinyl records live every third Sunday of each month. 

While the 5Cs were quiet for fall break, La Popular was packed with guests like Claremont community member Elisa Salas, enjoying a combination of culinary and musical artistry. 

“It’s like a time warp when we go in,” Salas said. 

This monthly series invites students to pause their Spotify queue and enter a room built on physical records, shared history and live connection.

Words by Isabella Newcomer | Photo by Isabella Newcomer
Read more at the link in our bio.
•
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On Sunday, Oct. 18, local DJ crew Compas Discoteca filled La Popular with the sound of soulful tropical funkadelia — a reminder that Claremont’s music scene continues even when campus life pauses. Compas Discoteca is a DJ collective of four longtime friends and experienced DJs: Adrian Silva, Elías Ruiz, Ricardo Carlos and Alberto Piña. The Oct. 18 set was part of their Viva Vinyl event series, where they mix vinyl records live every third Sunday of each month. While the 5Cs were quiet for fall break, La Popular was packed with guests like Claremont community member Elisa Salas, enjoying a combination of culinary and musical artistry. “It’s like a time warp when we go in,” Salas said. This monthly series invites students to pause their Spotify queue and enter a room built on physical records, shared history and live connection. Words by Isabella Newcomer | Photo by Isabella Newcomer Read more at the link in our bio.
7 days ago
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9/9
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