After Pomona College denied a claim for wrongful termination of dining hall worker and union leader Rolando “Rolo” Arazia, around 30 people gathered outside of Pomona College’s Frary Dining Hall on Monday, Feb. 23, to rally for his reinstatement.
Tag: Rolando Araiza
Pomona ASPC and CSWA continue efforts to reinstate dining hall worker Rolando Araiza
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.
Coop Fountain operations at risk following destruction of Oldenborg Center next academic year
Plans to destroy Pomona College’s Oldenborg Center in the 2026-2027 academic school year could threaten operations at the Coop Fountain, according to student representatives familiar with the situation. As part of the college’s Global Pomona initiative, Oldenborg will be replaced with the Center for Global Engagement, a facility meant to encourage both global and local partnerships among students and faculty. But one detail in the building’s plans has alarmed students: unlike Oldenborg, the new center will not have an industrial kitchen.
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.