Around 30 students picketed the entrances to Pomona College’s Frary dining hall at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 10 — chanting, holding cardboard signs and drumming on buckets. The demonstration, organized by the Claremont Student Workers Alliance (CSWA), encouraged 5C students to boycott the dining hall and advocate for the reinstatement of recently fired cook Rolando “Rolo” Araiza.
Picketers said the boycott directly pressured Pomona to rehire Rolo, asking students to spend meal-plan money at the other colleges. They added that making noise in the picket line drew attention to their cause, something other forms of demonstrations may not accomplish.
“I think you can do a lot of talking, but I think when you really start singing and yelling is when you can really get your message across in different ways,” Una Marie Lake SC ’29 said.
Tag: Frary
Union leader and Frary cook Rolando Araiza terminated; Pomona faces backlash
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.
Earthtones brings harmony and legacy to the Frary steps
A quiet breeze sang through the Frary archways at Pomona College last Thursday night, as students settled into their makeshift seats just in time for the performance to begin. Moments later, one of the 5Cs’ most vibrant acappella groups took to the stage. Earthtones, the 13-member all-Black acappella group, stood
Moments to Savor: Frary Cereal, Coffee and Fries oh my!
Emily Kim PO ’25 describes how one Tuesday dinner (and dessert) at Frary with friends provided her with a much-needed mental break.
Frary Snack makes a one-time comeback
Over 1,000 students gathered at Pomona College’s Frary dining hall on the evening of Mar. 1 for a one-time return of the pre-pandemic tradition, Frary Snack, surprising organizers with a turnout far exceeding the expected 200. The event featured a special breakfast menu, performances by a cappella groups Midnight Echo and Mood Swing, and was a nostalgic revival of a beloved community tradition, sparking hope for its future recurrence.
Starr receives criticism after response to Dec. 8 student demonstrations
On Saturday, Dec. 9, Pomona College President G. Gabrielle Starr sent an email to the Pomona student body condemning what she described as “two unacceptable incidents involving intimidation and conduct intended to physically restrain a student” that occurred the previous day. The incidents she referenced took place on Friday, Dec.
OPINION: How to find joy in mundanity
Feeling mundanity settle into your life at the 5Cs? Michelle Zhang PO ’27 is here to help guide you through it.
OPINION: Respect for dining hall workers starts with a smile
Lizette Gonzalez PO ’27 has an important message: Say “hello” and “thank you” to our dining workers.
EDITORIAL BOARD: Pomona, it’s time to set a new precedent — put workers first
As Pomona dining hall workers strike this weekend, the Editorial Board calls upon Pomona administration to treat workers with respect and to not repeat previous mistakes.
Pomona-Pitzer cross country uses platform to support wage increases for dining hall workers
For most teams, the finish line is the end of the race. However, this fall for the Pomona-Pitzer men’s cross country team, there is more at stake than the podium. In support of Pomona dining hall workers in their ongoing negotiations with the administration, the P-P cross country team is wearing pins and T-shirts to spread awareness.