COVID-19 is back on campus, at a lower rate than last year

While the 5Cs continue to grapple with COVID-19, positive COVID test rates administered by Student Health Services (SHS) are lower this year than last.

Since the start of the academic year, SHS reported 15 positive COVID results out of 100 students tested through Sept. 25, meaning a 15% positivity rate. Last year, the positivity rate across a similar time period was 19%, meaning a four percentage point decrease.

Still, SHS warns that the figures do not represent all COVID infections across the Claremont Colleges, as many community members self-test with campus resources. “Students who are ill are encouraged to stay home when they have a fever, mask when appropriate, test when symptomatic, and contact SHS with questions or if symptoms worsen,” SHS stated.

Read more

CMC cuts COVID-19 vaccine requirement

In an email on Monday, April 17 addressed to the CMC community from the COVID Compliance Committee, announced that COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations will no longer be required for incoming students, faculty and staff. “I am a little disappointed in [the decision],” Vijay Jain CM ’24 said. “Vaccines are such

Read more

Original student-made musical ‘It Takes Time’ tells pandemic stories of growth, hope

A mother and daughter united, supporting their family. A kindergarten teacher learning to teach without a classroom and make friends without leaving his house. A couple planning a wedding without a guarantee that guests will be able to make it.
These interweaving pandemic stories coalesced in the student-produced musical “It Takes Time,” which played at Pomona College’s Seaver Large Studio from April 21 through April 23.

Read more

‘Traditions that Anchor You,’ Pomona Student Union share their stories

Pomona Student Union (PSU), through their new series “Story Hour” which took place on March 23rd, aimed to foster a culture of active citizenship and empathic dialogue across all 5C students. Co-presidents of PSU, David Ruiz PO’24 and Aditya Bhalla PO’23 along with board member Trisha Gongalore PO’25 put together this series in hopes to foster dialogue on current and critical issues going on in the world, in academia, or in the 5C community, while establishing a forum for people to talk about current events and learn.

Read more

5Cs take measures to address post-spring break COVID-19 spike on campus

The rise in COVID-19 cases across the 5Cs following students’ return from spring break is leading 5C administrators to respond with several pertinent changes, some effective immediately.

Read more

Literary wanderings: Are readers ready to re-live the pandemic?

Novels are, inevitably, a reflection of the time and place in which they are written. And so, it is no surprise that now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new genre of literature is emerging.  Last year, the list of novels written (explicitly or tangentially) about the pandemic

Read more

OPINION: Support for Black students at Pitzer is long overdue

Similarities between the 1968 and 2020 Pitzer College Black Student Union’s addresses are testament to the lack of development in support for Black students, argues Luciénne Reyes PZ ’24.

Read more