Vol. CXXXI, No. 2

THE STUDENT

LIFE

The Student Newspaper of the Claremont Colleges Since 1889 CLAREMONT, CA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

VOL. CXXXI NO. 2

Outdoors club brings back Mt. Baldy hike with emphasis on inclusivity PEI PEI BARTH WU

COURTESY OF JEREMY SNYDER

Kaeley Stout SC ’20 and Makeda Bullock Floyd PO ’22 celebrate while hiking Mt. Baldy during the On The Loose Pizza Hike Sept. 22.

EnviroLab Asia funds student research in East and Southeast Asia LEAH KELLY Not many people immediately think of East and Southeast Asia when considering the environmental issues of the planet. One organization at the 5Cs is trying to change that.

I attended the EnviroLab Asia Summer Research Reportback Sept.

20, an event at the Oldenborg Center at Pomona College. It consisted of four presentations by students who had just returned from conducting summer projects relating to the environment in East and Southeast Asian countries with the support of professors and EnviroLab Asia.

EnviroLab Asia is a 5C initiative that formed in 2015 with a grant from The Henry Luce Foundation’s Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment. According to EnviroLab Asia’s website, its mission is to “train students, faculty, and staff to become active practitioners of change who develop sustainable and socially just policy-relevant solutions to environmental challenges in Asia, with a focus on East and Southeast Asia.”

Pomona Associate Professor of Environmental Analysis Marc Los Huertos is one of the three faculty “principal investigators” of EnviroLab Asia. “[EnviroLab Asia] really is a bottom-up model where faculty and students get together to figure out what they want to do,” Los Huertos said. “I think it’s super exciting because it allows people to think about the environment in very creative ways.”

Allison Joseph SC ’20, an environmental analysis and psychology major, spent the summer conducting research in a fishing village in Thailand inhabited by refugees from Myanmar.

Joseph’s goal was to explore gender constructs through the arts, focusing on migrant children and their self-discovery in a foreign nation. She created the “Ideal Woman Workshop,” which taught Burmese children about gender roles and body perceptions to foster empowerment and free expression through the arts.

“I think connecting environ-

mental issues with trafficking and women’s rights is incredibly provocative,” Los Huertos said of Joseph’s project. “And it re-frames environment and climate change issues in a way that makes it a little more concrete and really drives home the social justice aspect that me, as a scientist, … can’t communicate very well.”

Laura Zhang PO ’19 said that she and her team of professors and post-grads partnered with Animals Asia in Vietnam, a nonprofit trying to end bear farming for bile. The question she said she was interested in researching was: “How do design, animal protection, and trade medicine relate?”

She helped the organization execute their “Health Day,” in which they supported medical practitioners giving free health consultations with local Taiwanese under the condition that they used plant-based alternatives to medicine typically made with bear bile.

“I was interested in how people’s perceptions of health dictate whether they use traditional medicine or western medicine, and [in] just getting a broader understanding of what health care looks like across cultures,” Zhang said.

She added that she used “human-centered design” in her work, a technique she worked on at the Hive to better understand those who utilize bear bile for medicine.

Marcus Liu PO ’20, an Asian studies major, focused his project on urban parks in China and how they serve as leisure spaces for the elderly. Working under a research project developed by Angelina Chin, Pomona associate professor of history and Asian studies, Liu observed and surveyed elderly people in public parks in China to determine how the state manages parks as leisure spaces.

Liu found that certain parks were more friendly to the elderly than others, featuring wheelchair accessibility, dances for the elderly, noise control, chess games, and more. He said one of his favorite parts about conducting

See ENVIROLAB page 3

Athenaeum speaker talks controversy of marijuana legalization in Colorado

Colleges increase meal prices

are extremely potent and made out of of pure THC in wax form.

Adams blames the legalization of marijuana for her son’s behavior. “[My son] wouldn’t have had access to this high-potency [marijuana] that we have just completely made accessible all throughout our community,” she told Mecia. “He wouldn’t [otherwise] have been exposed to all this normalization, glorification, commercialization [of marijuana].”

Adams is not alone in her concerns. In Pueblo schools, 68 percent of school counselors believe that marijuana use has increased in schools since legalization, Mecia said.

Doctors told Mecia not to forget that there are dangerous effects associated with marijuana consumption, especially among adolescents whose brains are still developing.

An emergency room doctor in Pueblo, Brad Roberts, told Mecia that he had seen increases in hospi-

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at The Claremont College dining halls now cost 25 cents more per meal, according to The Claremont Colleges’ Business and Financial Affairs Committee.

The consortium-wide price increase, implemented at the start of the academic year, impacts Harvey Mudd College students disproportionately due to HMC’s weekly flex allocation.

All other colleges in the consortium provide students with their semester-value of flex at the beginning of each semester.

But for Mudd students, unused flex at the end of each week does not roll over to the next week, making budgeting weekly flex a priority for some, Judy Augsburger, director of public relations at Mudd, wrote in an email to TSL. The BFAC evaluates its budgets annually in the summer before each academic year to set the dining hall meal-plan rates according to increasing food and labor costs, Augsburger wrote.

“Given [increasing food and labor] cost increases, the BFAC raised the price per meal this year for all meals at the colleges for students, faculty, staff, and guests,” Augsburger said.

Meal plans differ by school across the 5Cs, with HMC and Claremont McKenna College offering meal plans as low as eight per week in addition to the 16-, 14-, and 12-meal plan options.

At Scripps College and Pitzer College, students can choose between the 16-meal and the 12-meal plan. Pomona students have the flexibility between the 16, 14, and 12, with the added option of higher or lower flex plans.

Gavin Yancey HM ’19 is on the 12-meal plan and, in the past, used the total $12 of flex he was provided with per week on three breakfasts at $4 per breakfast.

See CANNABIS page 2

See BREAKFAST page 2

MEGHAN JOYCE • THE STUDENT LIFE

EMILY KUHN Tony Mecia, a journalist from the Weekly Standard, spoke on the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana use in Colorado at a talk hosted by the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College Sept. 26.

Mecia said that he didn’t have a strong opinion on the recreational marijuana issue and hoped to give a talk that was fact-based and nonpartisan. He conducted research in Pueblo, Colorado because of local leadership’s investment in the marijuana industry.

“They saw [marijuana] as a way to revitalize their community,” he said.

In 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults at the age of 21 and up, Mecia wrote in the Weekly Standard. In his talk, he noted the recent shift in public opinion about cannabis, citing that two-thirds of adults in the United States now believe that marijuana should be

legalized.

Douglas Ginsburg, who was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court 30 years ago, withdrew his nomination because of past marijuana use.

“It’s almost inconceivable to think of nowadays that that would be an issue,” Mecia said.

Mecia notes that the average concentration of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that produces the feeling of being high, has increased from four percent to about 20 percent since the 1990s.

“The conception of marijuana [is that] people are just smoking a joint,” Mecia said. “There are so many different types of cannabis products now. Chocolate bars, cannabis infused granola bars, candies, cookies, brownies.”

One of the concerns about marijuana legalization is the potency of its different forms. Mecia said he had interviewed Aubree Adams, a mother of an eighth grader. Adams told him that her son had become irrational, paranoid, and angry after he began using edibles and dabs, which

OPINIONS

“I like to say I was made in Cuba, born in Spain, and assembled in America,” joked Richard Blanco, the first Latino and youngest inaugural poet. Lauren Colella SC ‘19 writes on his multifaceted identity, and how it influenced his perception of home. Read more on page 3.

See OTL page 2

BECKY HOVING

LIFE AND STYLE

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Eighty-six students from the Claremont Colleges climbed nearly 4,000 feet to the top of Mt. Baldy for Pizza Hike last weekend, according to On The Loose club leader Maddie Zug PO ’19. The event, organized by OTL, the 5C outdoors club, included a strenuous 11-mile hike followed by a pizza dinner when students returned to campus.

The trip was a replacement for the former OTL Speedo Hike, which was cancelled in 2016.

“By having the Speedo Hike as our official welcome event each year, we unintentionally sent the message that to participate in OTL, you must be fit and comfortable with your body image,” the club wrote in a statement released in 2016. The club also cited safety concerns for the hike’s cancellation, as the 2015 trip ended with several hikers momentarily stranded at the trailhead.

This year, OTL changed the dress code, inviting hikers to wear “goofy” clothing instead, according to the event description. Students took to the trail in a range of outfits, from speedos to yoga pants

and sports bras to t-shirts. For the most part, hikers wore a variety of brightly colored outfits and printed work-out gear, a few even going so far as to wear wigs and capes.

The club also took safety concerns seriously, with periodic group water breaks and loud chants encouraging hikers to hydrate. Leaders covered the front and tail ends of the group, ensuring that hikers could climb at their own pace without fear of losing the group.

The decision to bring back the costume-clad trek to Mt. Baldy’s summit was led by OTL leaders Jeremy Snyder PO ’19, Sabine Scott PO ’19, and Zug, who all took part in the Speedo Hike as first-years.

“I met [my] closest friends to this day –– or at least most of them –– on that trip,” said Snyder, who was vocally opposed to the hike’s cancellation.

When planning the Pizza Hike, Snyder said he and the other organizers put a lot of focus on ensuring that hikers were comfortable coming in whatever outfits they wanted.

“The spirit of the event and the

SPORTS

“Perhaps [Jerry] Brown can be excused for a little vanity.

At least, unlike his counterpart in the White House, when Brown boasts of something, it’s usually something he actually deserves credit for,” Ben Reicher PO ‘22 writes. “And there is no denying that perhaps the most far-reaching legacy of Brown’s tenure is California’s emergence as a global leader in climate action.” Read more on page 7.

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The Pomona-Pitzer men’s water polo team took down Chapman 20-11 on Saturday to improve to 5-3, and 2-0 in the SCIAC. The Sagehens, winners of the past two SCIAC Championships, are tied for first in the conference and on the hunt for a three-peat. Read more on page 9.

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NEWS................................1 LIFE & STYLE.....................3 OPINIONS........................6 SPORTS.............................9

NEWS PAGE 2

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

THE STUDENT LIFE

BREAKFAST: Rise in meal prices pose problems for Harvey Mudd students Israel-Palestine conflict

Israel-Palestine Working Group releases final recommendations, addresses free speech The Pitzer College Israel-Palestine Working Group released its final recommendations to the student body Sept. 24 in an email sent to the Pitzer student body from Susan Catone, executive assistant to the vice president for academic affairs. The recommendations come after a year of work by the group, which was composed of students, trustees, staff and faculty.

The working group’s recommendations included that Pitzer condemn “any attacks on individuals or groups who are targeted for their views” on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and “defend the principles of free speech, open inquiry, and academic freedom.”

The Faculty Executive Committee formed the working group in fall 2017 to address the “Board’s nullification over the summer” and the “Student Senate’s budget guidelines amendment,” according to the recommendation document.

Additionally, the FEC requested that the group consider the issue of Pitzer ’s exchange program with the University of Haifa in Israel, along with Pitzer ’s current relationship with Hillel International, an organization that sponsors Jewish community across U.S. college campuses.

—Elinor Aspegren

ASPC releases senate election results

Pomona College students elected four new ASPC Senate representatives, Associate Dean of Campus Life Ellie Ash-Bala announced in an email sent to the Pomona student body Sept. 25.

Daniel Silverman PO ’19 was elected North Campus representative, Pie Kachru PO ’21 was elected South Campus representative, Malak Afaneh PO ’21 was elected sophomore class president, and Andriw Read PO ’22 was elected first-year class president.

Candidates spoke about their goals for ASPC at the Candidates’ Forum Sept. 23, ASPC Elections Commissioner Sean Volke wrote in an email to the student body. Seven candidates ran for first-year class president, two candidates each ran for North Campus representative and South Campus representative, and sophomore class president ran unopposed.

—Jaimie Ding CHRIS NARDI • THE STUDENT LIFE

The consortium-wide meal-price increase will disproportionately impact Harvey Mudd College students due to the logistics of their meal plan.

Continued from Page 1 “Now that breakfast is $4.25, I can flex into one less breakfast and have an extra $3.50 of flex at the end of the week that I don’t know what to do with,” Yancey said. “As a result [of the price increase], I can’t eat meals in the dining hall as much as I want to.”

The price increase has caused Harry Fetsch HM ’20 to switch to the 14-meal plan with $14 of flex per week, so he can still get three dining hall breakfasts per week. However, the higher meal plan costs Fetsch $347 more per semester.

“I understand that the dining halls need to balance their budgets, but the tiny increase in flex price seems like a terrible way to do it,” Fetsch said. “[The price increase] takes advantage of the limited choice we have in meal plans.”

While weekly flex poses road-

blocks to dining habits for Mudd students, Augsburger noted that the administration is flexible regarding its meal plan policies.

“The Harvey Mudd administration has been open to changing the flex plan, but multiple student surveys have shown that our students prefer a weekly plan,” Augsburger said.

Augsburger added that HMC has expanded its food options to include breakfast at various price points available at Shanahan Center Cafe and Jay’s Place.

“The College is committed to assuring that Harvey Mudd students have everything they need to succeed,” Augsburger said.

“We believe an important part of our students’ success is access to food that promotes health and well-being.”

However, despite these alternatives, some students claim that modifications to dining habits can fall short of the nutritional

value that access to a full dining hall meal offers.

Dillon Coville HM ’21 has altered his eating habits in response to the price increase by buying four Cliff Bars from Jay’s Place — eating two bars for breakfast twice a week — instead of flexing into two dining hall breakfasts.

He noted that he prioritizes using 100 percent of his flex per week and that, due to the price change, he does not see value in flexing-in for one breakfast and finding use for the remaining $3.75 per week.

“The change has heavily impacted my eating habits because I have two less meals to plan my week around which is much more difficult,” Coville said. “I have to deal with more food insecurity than before [the price increase]. Unfortunately, four Cliff Bars does not equal [to] two breakfasts.”

CANNABIS: Effects of marijuana legalization in Colorado remain unclear Continued from Page 1 tal visits due to marijuana use since its legalization. “[Marijuana] is still a drug,” Mecia said. “If this was something that was being produced by tobacco companies or pharmaceutical companies and had these sort of negative effects, we’d be hearing much more about it.”

However, there are also undeniable medicinal and economic benefits to cannabis use, Mecia said. Some benefits include stimulating the appetites of people living with AIDS,

combatting seizures, and reducing nerve pain.

Marijuana sales also garner a large profit. In 2016 alone, the cannabis industry boosted the Colorado economy by $36 million, according to Mecia’s article.

Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, which means that the health impacts have not been studied thoroughly in the United States, Mecia said. Roberts said to Mecia that researching and regulating marijuana simultaneously is “like [building] a plane while flying it.”

Police have seen an increase in a variety of crimes since the legalization of recreational marijuana, Mecia said, noting that many factors could contribute to this rise.

“It’s a new issue. How do you incorporate the opinions of everyone who’s affected by it?” he said, adding that on both sides of the cannabis debate, “Nobody feels like the current regulations are working very well.”

Olivia Truesdale contributed reporting.

OTL: Maintaining tradition while revamping event

COURTESY OF JEREMY SNYDER

Hikers from the 5Cs climb Mt. Baldy as part of the On The Loose Pizza Hike Sept. 22.

Continued from Page 1 things that made it so amazing for us were not linked to the speedos,” Snyder said.

In an email to OTL leaders the day before the hike, Zug wrote, “[W] e are trying to be intentional about keeping the good things about that tradition (OTL excitement, getting outside, making new friends) and [getting] rid of the bad things (exclusionary vibes, disorganization, bad risk management).”

OTL’s efforts seemed to pay off.

Several students said they enjoyed the off-campus trip.

“The Pizza Hike pushed me out of my comfort zone through both the physical and social factors it presented, providing the most rewarding experience I’ve had all year on campus,” Danny Debare PO ’22 said.

Moira Mulhern SC ’21, who signed up for the trip on a whim, echoed Debare’s sentiment.

“It was my first OTL trip, and I really enjoyed it; the hike itself was definitely strenuous, but summiting

was such a gratifying feeling,” Mulhern said. “I felt a sense of satisfaction that I accomplished [the hike] and [was] amazed that my body [could] carry me so far and do so many things for me.”

Snyder said he hoped Pizza Hike would send out the message that “OTL welcomes everybody to come and enjoy the outdoors together and that [the Pizza Hike] is kind of a bastion for all that is weird and funky and fun on campus.”

Claremont Colleges alumni and faculty run for Claremont City Council ANAIS RIVERO

LUKE MEARES • THE STUDENT LIFE

The Claremont City Council race is filled with affiliations to the Claremont Colleges community, with three alumni from the colleges in which two are faculty.

Pictured is Jennifer Stark, physical education teacher at Pomona College and Claremont City Council candidate.

Two Pitzer College alumni and a Claremont McKenna College alumnus, who is also a government professor at CMC, are running for the three open seats on Claremont’s city council this November.

They are joined by three other candidates vying for a spot on the five-person governing council.

Zachary Courser CM ’99, the CMC professor, ran for city council in 2017 and lost, according to the Claremont Courier. This year, he is making another bid for the seat.

Courser attributed his interest in politics to his time at the 5Cs. “The Claremont Colleges made me more civically and politically aware,” Courser said. “The experience I had as part of the Washington Program inspired me to devote my career to public policy.

It helped me understand all the work and research that goes into making policy.”

Courser first fell in love with the city of Claremont when he attended CMC and wanted to become more involved with the community after he moved back to Claremont. Courser has been a long time supporter of the Claremont Homeless Advocacy Program and is chair of the Claremont Traffic and Transportation

Commission.

If elected to city council, Courser said he would focus on balancing the city budget and managing the extension of the Gold Line.

“I have the experience and the background to get to work right away on big issues that are affecting Claremont,” Courser said. “I understand the city and the issues we are facing, and I am ready to work with the city and the council to get these issues solved.”

Michael Ceraso PZ ’14 is another one of the candidates. Before attending Pitzer, Ceraso also attended Citrus College in Covina, California, and worked on political campaigns for four years.

Ceraso was part of Pitzer’s New Resources Program, which allows non-traditional students 23 years or older to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

“I was 29 when I went back to school, and I was part of the Pitzer New Resources Program,” Ceraso said. “[Pitzer] gave me the critical thinking skills that I [needed] to look at complex problems. Pitzer really developed my ability to write, developed my ability to think through things critically.”

After graduating from Pitzer, Ceraso served as Bernie Sanders’ New Hampshire deputy state director and helped Sanders obtain a 22-point victory in the state primary election. Following the campaign,

Ceraso returned to Claremont and participated in the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee.

He also organized Claremont’s first city council candidate forum on homelessness as co-founder of Winning Margins, a community organization that helps local Democratic candidates, according to the Claremont Courier. As part of Claremont’s city council, Ceraso wants to focus on balancing the budget, supporting local businesses, providing adult care, and fostering diversity.

“If you look at Claremont south, beyond the railroad tracks, you’ll see that voter engagement is very low,” Ceraso said. “I believe as councilmen, our job is not only to speak to voters and people who are vocal but also to figure out ways to get people who are not as vocal to be engaged.”

Ceraso hopes to balance the budget without sacrificing key social programs.

“As a candidate, I look at our budget issues; I want to make sure that we stay on budget so we don’t have to cut programs,” he said. “I hope to prevent us from cutting youth programs, programs that serve the elderly, and programs that prevent us from taking care of our infrastructure.”

Jennifer Stark PZ ’98, a Clare-

mont native, is also running for Claremont’s city council. After graduating from Claremont High School, Stark moved away from Claremont but returned in 1994.

Stark has worked as a yoga teacher at Pomona College for the last 14 years.

If elected to Claremont’s City Council, Stark would want to help make Claremont more sustainable, advocate for accessible and affordable housing, and foster a positive relationship between the City of Claremont and The Claremont Colleges.

“I am excited to create really high, impeccable standards for new buildings in regards to sustainability,” Stark said. “I also want to see policies that promote diverse housing stock, so that we have housing for all our citizens. In particular, I want to focus on providing housing for our elderly population. Safe, affordable, and accessible housing is one of my priorities.”

Stark attributes her passion for community service to her parents and her four years at Pitzer.

“Instead of getting power, I want to empower,” Stark said. “‘Provida Futuri’ is my motto in life, and I learned that at Pitzer.”

The last day to register to vote in this election is Oct. 22, and election day is Nov. 6.

Jaimie Ding contributed reporting.

LIFE & STYLE PAGE 3

THE STUDENT LIFE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Home, nostalgia, and boyhood: the poetry of Richard Blanco LAUREN COLELLA Where do we belong? That is a question many of us may ask ourselves, especially as we move from one place in life to the next.

Students and professors listened to Richard Blanco Sept. 24 at the Athenaeum, the writer and engineer who became the first Latino and the youngest inaugural poet in 2008 after he presented his poem, “One Today” at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Throughout his works, he said he draws inspiration from his personal experience as a gay Cuban-American.

“I like to say I was made in Cuba, born in Spain, and assembled in America,” Blanco joked. He explained that this cross-national identity has been a driving force for his poetry and self-discovery.

Blanco said he believes most poets are always writing one poem their entire life; that is, there are certain themes and obsessions which drive writers to keep creating and exploring. His focus is on the idea of home. He talked about how this obsession started when he began to investigate his parents’ past.

As the child of immigrants, Blanco said he owes his success to his parents, specifically to his mother. When she left Cuba, she left behind all that she knew in hopes of creating a new life. For that act of faith, he said, “my mother is more of an American than I could ever be.”

Home, to Blanco, represents belonging, acceptance, and an understanding of one’s self and identity. Speaking on his complicated relationship with his American identity with appreciation and criticism, he quoted José Martí: “Nuestro vino es amargo, pero es nuestro vino,” which translates to “Our wine is bitter, but it is our wine.”

AMY BEST • THE STUDENT LIFE

Richard Blanco, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, makes his opening remarks at his CMC Athenaeum program Sept. 24.

When asked by a student if he still believes in the American Dream in the current political climate, Blanco responded: “What choice do we have?”

He then noted that the American Dream has always implied a certain consumerist and capitalist motivation, but he added that it is constantly evolving.

Blanco concluded by recounting his trip to Cuba for the reopening of the American embassy in 2015, an experience which reflected a combination of his many

identities, reminding him of his family’s history while pushing him toward the future.

He said he hopes his work reaches and inspires LGBTQIA+

youth and encourages artists to keep asking questions. After all, Blanco said: “Good art answers questions. Great art asks them.”

ENVIROLAB: Students present on sustainability projects The data age has arrived. Accompanying the surge of data is the rise of data science: the use of analytical and computational models and tools to derive meaning from data and to inform decision-making. To what extent are we more powerful or otherwise powerless amid this sea of data? The 2018 Nelson Series highlights the omnipresence of data science and its accompanying challenges.

THURSDAY, OCT. 4

KJERSTEN MOODY

Vice President and Chief Data and Analytics Officer, State Farm

“ DATA SCIENCE: PURPOSE AND IMPACT” With the at-scale introduction of big data technology and the emerging field of data science, organizations have at their fingertips new capabilities with the potential to deliver powerfully disruptive insights and results. Data expert Kjersten Moody will provide examples of businesses that are harnessing the power of data science, and will explore how data science can be used to fulfill an organization’s purpose and mission.

Moody has led data and analytics and IT groups at Unilever, Braun Consulting (now part of FICO) and Thomson Reuters. She serves on the Harvey Mudd College Board of Trustees and on the Silicon Valley-based Alliance Working Group on Diversity and Inclusion.

Admission to this public lecture series is complimentary. Inquiries may be directed to stewardship@ hmc.edu, or call the Office of Stewardship and Events at 909.607.1818.

Harvey Mudd College is a member of The Claremont Colleges. | 301 Platt Boulevard | Claremont, CA 91711 | hmc.edu/nelson

COURTESY OF KARIN MAK

Laura Zhang PO ’19 presents her summer research project, in which she worked with Animals Asia in Vietnam.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 conducting his research was getting to have conversations with the elderly.

“I feel like people really generally wanted to talk to me and share their life stories,” Liu said.

“I think it’s good for them to have a young person they can talk with, and [being able] to reaffirm to them that their ideas are valued in our fast-changing society today is something really important to me.”

Eugine Choo PO ’19, an Asian studies major with a concentration in gender studies, worked on the same project as Liu and Chin but conducted research in parks in Korea. Her project was titled “Desirable and Undesirable Leisure: Analyzing Urban Parks as Leisure Spaces for Elderly South Koreans.”

In her presentation, Choo said she found spaces aimed toward the elderly and observed “established culture, management, and indifference” in the communications among the elderly.

“What really stuck out to me was that something so mundane like going to these urban parks, they’re actually places where there’s a lot of response between state government-level imaginations, policies, and intentions, as well as the everyday lives, imaginations, dreams of ordinary people,” Choo said.

Los Huertos said EnviroLab Asia is trying to engage students who cannot participate in the summer research aspect of the grant, as well as those who can.

He said they provide many other resources, such as internships, from which students can benefit the ability to help with research

conducted by 5C faculty, along with courses “redefined” in the context of East and Southeast Asia and the environment.

He added that EnviroLab Asia will help students develop project collaborations with its partners as well as find external grant organizations that will fund students’ research.

“There are a lot of things happening on campus that are trying to alter how we think about Asian studies and the environment, and students are on the recipient end of that,” Los Huertos said. “[For] students that didn’t have an innate interest in Asia, getting involved in environmental issues or some issue they care about, and seeing how that lands in East Asia, will actually transform how they think about that.”

Corrections In the article about the Mutuality in Dichotomy art exhibit, Vivienne Yixuan Shi PO ’19 curated the exhibit as part of the continuing series of exhibitions under the Janet Inskeep Benton ’79 Summer Undergraduate Research Program, not as her senior thesis project. The online article has also been updated to add context to her remarks about Kandinsky’s piece.

In the article about Pomona College’s Public Dialogue Task Force, it was incorrectly stated that Bilger is the dean of students, but she is actually the dean of the college.

In the article about a study about Harvey Mudd College students’ workload, it was incorrectly stated that there are five required labs in HMC’s core curriculum, and an earlier graphic only depicted that the standard Carnegie Unit recommendation is 24 hours a week. There are actually three required labs and the standard recommendation is 24-36 hours a week.

In the article about Pitzer College’s housing shortage, it was incorrectly stated that the cause of the shortage was over-enrollment in the class of 2022, but the cause of the housing shortage was an increase in requests for housing accommodations.

TSL regrets these errors.

LIFE & STYLE SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

PAGE 4

THE STUDENT LIFE

MUSIC COLUMN

Rejecting reinvention: Big Thief, freshman year, and me ANNA KOPPELMAN Big Thief, an indie/folk band from Brooklyn, opens their song “Paul” with the hauntingly full voice of lead singer Adrianne Lenker all alone.

There is no instrumental behind her, just a voice singing in the distant fog of a lost love.

As the first line begins, “The last time I saw Paul / I was horrible / I almost let him in,” the chords build up behind her.

First in G then in B7, the chord progression builds, only to hide again, just like the narrator hides herself in the relationship depicted in this song.

“Paul” presents itself as a love song, but it’s actually about reinvention, about locking yourself up to keep everyone else out. It’s about being so afraid of getting hurt that you hide yourself in so many personas to the point where the only version of yourself you know is lonely. The chorus of the song walks the listener through the narrator’s different attempts to be the girl she thinks Paul wants: “I’ll be your morning bright goodnight shadow machine / I’ll be your record player baby if you know what I mean / I’ll be your real tough cookie with the whiskey breath / I’ll be a killer and a thriller and the cause of your death.”

The narrator does what a lot of us try to do. She reinvents herself to be whoever Paul wants her to be. She hides who she really is to avoid the pain of her true self being rejected. This idea of reinvention, as a move of selfdefense, as a coping mechanism for not getting hurt, is one I understand well.

For my entire life, I have been the awkward kid. The fourth grader playing alone with herself during recess. The seventh grader who still believed in the tooth fairy. The nerdy high schooler who was obsessed with spoken word poetry, improv comedy, and impressing her teachers with her ability to annotate.

Throughout the treacherous years of my pathetic adolescence, college was sold to me as the period of time when it would all change. In college, I would be

cool; I would be able to reinvent myself. Or at least that’s what everyone promised.

I arrived to Pitzer College ready to do just that: reinvent myself and become the girl I mistakenly thought Pitzer would want me to be. I walked into campus basically singing: “I’ll be your kombucha-drinking yoga-loving laid-back hipster / I’ll be your sativa-knowing weed-smoker if you grab me the CBD / I’ll be a lace bra-wearer with the peach blond highlights / I’ll be a chiller and a filler and the reason we laugh.”

For the first few weeks of the school year, my new persona made me friends and gave me the false confidence to walk up to people and start talking. Yet even as I pretended to be the “lace bra-wearer with the peach blond highlights,” I could feel the high school version of me peeking out.

Reminding me that I was too awkward to be friends with the croptop wearing “juulers.” Telling me that I was keeping myself safe if I was keeping myself alone, that loneliness in itself holds a power that proves I am not dependent on anyone.

But, as the narrative of this song proves, keeping the rest of the world locked out puts you in a car full of people, feeling all alone.

It’s Friday night, and I find myself sitting in one of Pitzer’s demo kitchens as I watch a new friend of mine toss cut-up zucchini into a pot of oil. She has bangs and a playlist playing. The room is full.

I am laughing and playing it off as a response to a joke, hoping I am doing a good enough job at acting amused to hide that it’s a response to my nerves.

In high school, I learned how to work. How to study and get ahead. Hand me a flash card, and be wowed at what I can do with it.

But college was when that would change. That’s what everyone promised. Here, at Pitzer, even in the warmth of the California sun, I feel myself falling back into who I used to be. Falling into my old fear of rejection.

It’s easier to sit in your room and study than to sit in a room of practical strangers and laugh about the gummy worms or the

person who tried to hook up with someone else present. It’s easier not to show up to audition than to go and bomb it, or go and try hard and not get it.

It’s easier to drive in a guy’s car, to make out with him, to pretend to be every girl he dreams of, like Adrianne Lenker does in the song, than to let him in and be the one who gets hurt.

But Big Thief regrets losing Paul, and I am a first-year, and it is a Friday night and here I am surrounded by people. So I decide that for all the reinvention, the biggest change I could make was to let friends in. To be vulnerable with the people around me, to demand myself to throw away my protection of loneliness, and instead participate.

So I ask if I can help my friend stir the zucchini. I say “yes” to finding a party, to going to the after-party, to drinking wine, to telling the group something personal about myself.

As the night ends, I find myself back in the same demo kitchen.

The same group sitting around.

Someone orders a pizza, and I am smiling. Happy. My friend with the bangs puts on a playlist, and we sit there, waiting for the grease and the cheese, for the drunk to wear off, for the next night.

“Paul,” of all the songs, comes on, like a sign from Adrianne Lenker herself.

The possible hope at the end of the song is the song itself.

It’s the idea that you, as the listener, might hear yourself in her vulnerability, will hum along in acknowledgment that she is no longer pretending to be anyone’s anything.

The singer tells the audience that keeping Paul out kept herself out too, and by singing, she’s opening her world back up for dialogue, for truth, or perhaps another ride, this time driving toward a destination she can openly desire.

Anna Koppelman is a first-year at Pitzer. You can either find her reading poetry, hanging out with friends, or ranting about how long it’s taken for Vampire Weekend to release a new album.

HOUSE CLEANER / HOUSEKEEPER URGENTLY NEEDED This will be a part time, live-out position from Tuesday to Friday.

The position includes childcare and light housekeeping Must be able to interact with children Speak English, and non smoker $800 weekly, 6 to 7 hours daily MUST HAVE REFERENCES You can reach Mrs. Claudia at claudiapredacoop1960@gmail.com

SCIENCE COLUMN

Seed biodiversity: an ever-growing problem D’MAIA CURRY Seeds form the base on which all the food we consume is built.

They come in an array of sizes, shapes, and varieties. We depend on them for survival. Yet, seed biodiversity is decreasing.

Last Thursday, the Pomona College Museum of Art screened the documentary “Seeds: The Un-

told Story,” which was followed by an Art After Hours seed-planting activity. The event was part of the third annual Sustainability Festival, a campus-wide event cosponsored by the Pomona College Sustainability Office, EcoReps, and the Organic Farm.

The film chronicled the recent loss in seed diversity by following seed keepers, scientists, activists,

and farmers who are passionate about conserving the seeds we depend on.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has reported that, since the 1900s, around 75 percent of plant genetic diversity has been lost. A study done in 1983 by the Plant Genetic Resources Project of the Rural Advancement Fund counted seed

MEGHAN JOYCE • THE STUDENT LIFE

diversity in the United States and found that 94 percent of varieties vanished between 1903-1983.

This means that a large number of edible food species that were grown and sold around 100 years ago, like certain varieties of cauliflower, cabbage, and artichoke, are now extinct. The fruit and vegetable produce we see in grocery stores today is less diverse than it was in the past.

The FAO cites “the replacement of local varieties by improved or exotic varieties and species” as being the primary catalyst for biodiversity loss.

“Wild” and uncultivated crops, ones that are harvested outside agricultural areas, are reduced when commercial species are introduced into traditional farming systems.

A reduction in crop diversity raises concern about the resilience of our global food system, according to the FAO. Less diversity in the seeds we plant and the crops we grow makes our agriculture more vulnerable to threats like drought, pests, and disease. Over time, an increased reliance on the same few seed varieties leads to the loss of well-adapted crops that can stand the test of time and make it to our dinner tables.

The film cites patents as another contributing factor to loss of seed diversity. Seed breeders and agribusinesses use patents to establish ownership over the seeds they have created. Farmers and seed keepers speculate that this legislation allows companies to promote genetically engineered seeds and restrict the distribution of wilder varieties.

Patenting of seeds, according to the film, has contributed to the consolidation of the seed business where three companies now control just over half the industry.

These companies could possibly make it so that only a limited variety of seeds are given to farmers and make it to our marketplaces as produce. However, there is no definitive research showing that farmers are unable to get the seeds they want as a result of this market control.

MEGHAN JOYCE • THE STUDENT LIFE

In order to mitigate biodiversity loss, many of the film’s speakers have created seed banks, where they are devoted to collecting and storing endangered seed varieties for future generations.

What can you do to help protect and promote seed diversity?

The film suggests saving and swapping seeds, starting a seed library, and supporting seed banks

and seed freedom organizations.

Another option is to create and attend events, such as the Sustainability Festival at Pomona, which increase awareness of conservation and sustainability needs.

D’Maia Curry is a geology major at Pomona College. She loves dancing, reading, and looking at really cool rocks.

LIFE & STYLE PAGE 5

THE STUDENT LIFE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

FOOD COLUMN

A taste of Bangkok: authentic flavors in Upland NICOLE SELASSIE Five years ago, my wanderlust flew me to Bangkok, Thailand. As a self-proclaimed foodie and California native, I possess a strong affinity for beautiful beaches and food you remember long after you’ve revelled in their excellence.

With my adorations in mind, traveling to Southeast Asia was an ideal way to fulfill my desires while experiencing a new and exciting culture. As is the case for most of us tech-savvy mortals, Google had become my best friend in the weeks leading up to my departure to identify the best option for Thai street food.

My search led me to Yaowarat Street Market in Thailand, also referred to as Thailand’s Chinatown. It was the second evening of my trip when I ventured out with anticipation for this magical place. Historically, it has tempted locals and foreigners alike with its food for over 200 years.

The wait was worthwhile, and the food was remarkable. It’s safe to say I left Thailand a little fatter

and much happier after having the opportunity to delight in the many flavors of such a beautiful country.

As a new student at the Claremont Colleges, my foodie status lives on. Claremont has become my oyster to explore, and I mentally began my quest a week ago during politics class. While discussing the U.S. Constitution, I started reminiscing about the exotic tastes of nam pla, curry, mint, and coconut.

It wasn’t long after that I discovered Riceberry Thai Kitchen in Upland. In an unassuming shopping center, it occupies a small space outfitted in modernity. I always hear that good things come in small packages, and Riceberry is no exception.

It was lunch hour when I visited and was lucky enough to take advantage of their specials that are available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. I thought: “$10 for three entrees and free egg rolls? I’m in.”

I tried the pad see ew, pineapple fried rice, and red curry, and with every bite, I was transported back to that memorable

night in Bangkok. The flavors were robust, authentic, and truly reminiscent of a chef who mastered their craft. My dishes were served with a heart-shaped side of rice. It was a nice touch that solidified my love for Thai cuisine.

Following this beautiful meal, satisfying my sweet tooth with Riceberry’s Banana Rolls –– banana egg rolls topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup –– seemed like the proper thing to do. Can you hear my heart singing? They were that good.

As one could guess, I returned home with leftovers to last a couple of days. I’m already plotting my next trip to Riceberry to try their vast array of smoothies and other delectable Thai dishes.

With food so good that it inspired this article, I thought it was only right to acknowledge the owners of Riceberry: Naphat Tang and Aya Kambur. According to Kambur, they took ownership of the establishment seven months ago with the hopes of bringing a taste of Bangkok to Upland.

“We want to increase exposure to Thai cuisine,” Kambur said when I spoke to him. To do so, he is offering a 10 percent discount to all students of the Claremont Colleges with a college ID from now until Oct. 31.

Well, Riceberry, you have succeeded in your goal. Upland is now rich with the taste of Bangkok. My stomach and my heart both thank you. 5Cs, don’t wait any longer. Venture out to Riceberry to relish the savory taste of Thai cuisine right in your backyard.

Nikki Selassie is a writing and rhetoric major at Pitzer College.

She suffers from a recurring case of wanderlust and enjoys all things related to food and the outdoors.

COURTESY OF RICEBERRY THAI KITCHEN

COURTESY OF RICEBERRY THAI KITCHEN

BOOK COLUMN

SEEKING OUT OTHERS ’SHADOWS TARINI SIPAHIMALANI This article contains a mild spoiler.

KATIE ERIKSON • THE STUDENT LIFE

I have come to realize that a lot of great literature plays with figurative shadows. William Shakespeare infringes on his reader’s chaste loyalty in “The Winter’s Tale” by brewing a shadow plot of incest underneath the direct story, while Bronte thought it best to blunt a facet of Jane Eyre’s psyche — her passion — and light it ablaze in her ‘character double,’ Bertha, who lives literally and figuratively in Jane’s shadow.

Shadows, reflective of the obvious, are perhaps the essence of literature, conveying precisely what should be read between the lines.

Just as words dress the story being told in a novel, our physical bodies are often gleaned as words written by external spectators of our private story. Our shadows, the underlying nuances of the person behind the words, aren’t recognized, or at the very least, acknowledged.

Peng Shepherd explicitly uses the implications behind the conceptual shadow in her debut novel “The Book of M.” Set in a dangerously near future, Shepherd’s characters deal with the outbreak of a deadly epidemic: the disappearance of one’s shadow. While some believe it to be a newfound mystical strength, it’s not long before they realize it comes at a price: a lethal loss of memories, eerily labeled as “The Forgetting.”

In my head, when reading this novel, Shepherd’s premise conjured up an image of an intricately woven individual adorned with a cloak of memories.

As I entered the mind of protagonist Max, and started to experience her spiral into dementia, I began to see the image of the mystical cloaked creature as myself. I realized we are all witnesses to countless configurations of this image everyday, when we step out of the door into the sun and say “hi” to our own shadows. My shadow is a trail of my memories, a rich body of experience.

Shepherd’s focus on identity

through the incorporeal image of the body forces the reader to contemplate the skewed judgment we have of others based on the purely physical. Her characters’ shadows reflected their memories and experiences, a core contributor in the formation of identity, and challenged the association we tend to have at first glance with one’s visible image and who they inherently are.

My morning ritual starts with a confrontation with my body through the mirror. That familiarity I feel being in my own skin is fueled by the consistency of seeing my reflection. I’ve tied the internal ‘me’ to my outward image, which Shepherd demonstrates through the displacement of Max’s shadow into another’s body, for a good reason.

“

I realized that we are all witnesses to countless configurations of this image everyday, when we step out of the door into the sun and say “hi” to our own shadows.

”

But this familiar ease at which we see our outward image as a depiction of our self has given rise to a false comprehension of others’ personas when we are reading — or more accurately, judging — others.

Over time, our gaze focuses on ourselves as it would on others.

Looking in the mirror, I take a step outside my body, look back at myself, and think: “My hair is looking sleek today, but the ends are getting dry. The zit on my chin has gone, but now the hyperpigmentation it left behind screams louder than

ever. My skin is smoother than yesterday, but these three red bumps still distract the eye from my better features.” I see a blemish, and it can ever-so-slightly tarnish my self-perception.

Similarly, we meet someone new at a party, orientation, or a friend’s house, and we use their appearance as a point of judgment for their entire being.

A potential employee interviews for a job, and the employer’s snap impression is influenced by the candidate’s physical appearance. Rather than evaluating personality as a whole, we merely use it to mediate our initial judgment of one’s aesthetic.

After all, our brains are wired for instant facial recognition, so how wrong is it really to initially label people based on their appearance? It’s not. As Shepherd illustrates in her book, our physical form contributes to our selfactualization. What’s on the inside does count, but often so does the outside.

The issue lies in our occasional inability to deviate from the snap judgment and zoom in on the internal character. We take for granted the shadow underlying one’s physical body. Yet, without it, our bodies would be nothing but a spaceless, wide-eyed, frighted Jane or John Doe. The internal persona and physical body work hand in hand in forming the holistic person we see in the mirror. Rather than diminishing the shadow behind it, the physical body should reflect the richness of experience and substance that has formed the individual.

It takes more effort to see the internal self, but it’s an effort worth pursuing. A shadow is not easily seen — only when there is light at the right angle. But it’s far more satisfying seeking out shadows than merely seeing the substanceless drab of what’s smack right in front of you.

Tarini Sipahimalani is an English major at Pomona College. She enjoys drawing, singing a cappella, and tennis, but mostly for social purposes.

OPINIONS THE STUDENT LIFE ARIEL SO Editor-in-Chief MEGHAN BOBROWSKY Managing Editor HANK SNOWDON Managing Editor

JAIMIE DING, News Editor OLIVIA TRUESDALE, News Editor SAMUEL BRESLOW, Senior News Adviser BECKY HOVING, News Associate NATALIE GOULD, Life & Style Editor MAYA KLEIMAN, Life & Style Editor MABEL LUI, Life & Style Associate DONNIE DENOME, Opinions Editor ANIKKA VILLEGAS, Opinions Editor KELLAN GRANT, Sports Editor NOAH SHAPIRO, Sports Editor BERGEN CARLOSS, Video Editor EMILY PUGH, Podcast Editor SAFIA HASSAN, Business Manager ANGELA TRAN, Business Manager OWEN WANG, Business Associate UDDHAV GUPTA, Business Associate MAYA ZHOU, Communications Director WHITNEY WACHTEL, Web Developer

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TSL SAYS

PAGE 6

THE STUDENT LIFE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Scripps is the “new” party school Don’t have to leave campus to party

Toga party I still have my toga from last year

A new world CMC bros can’t find their way around

Cheap wine Bare-chested men throwing up in bushes

Outdoors inclusivity No more Speedos!

Tiger Woods is definitely back First win in five years

The end of an era No more Speedos...

But is he really?

Still hasn’t won a major in 10

In the upcoming midterms, vote against the Republican party ELENA NEFF

Since July 2016, the United States has investigated Russian interference in the presidential election. The investigation led

by Robert Mueller has indicted 32 people, including those who were directly involved in the Trump campaign and many who were Russian nationals.

Despite the justice that has been achieved, the investigation has garnered negative responses from many Republicans, including President Donald Trump who dismissed his campaign’s connection to Russian interference as “fake news.”

However, these negative reactions to the Russia investigation are inappropriate and quite ironic. Firstly, democratic institutions such as the FBI are apolitical, and therefore, should not be treated as political issues.

These very institutions protect us from domestic and international threats against our democracy, constitution, and safety. Secondly, the Republican party’s failure to support the FBI’s work, regardless of politics, shows that they ultimately value partisanship over democracy.

Although many Republican senators like Graham and Grassley have defended the investigation, there are other Republicans like Devin Nunes who have tried to stall or prevent the Russia investigation from going further.

These critics of the investigation have influenced conservative pundits like Tomi Lahren and Sean Hannity to imply that the investigation is false or not as serious as it is portrayed by the left media.

This sounds all too familiar to the Clinton email investigation that plagued the news outlets for months in 2015 and 2016. The American public was reminded of her investigation by the media and Republicans who did not want her to win the presidency. The Clinton investigation continued unabridged until an informed verdict was made.

H o w e v e r, u n l i k e D e v i n Nunes, Democrats did not seek to halt the investigation, even though it damaged her

presidential campaign and public image.

Although Democrats in Washington were not trying to stall the Clinton investigation, there were many Democrats who were frustrated by its existence. Her supporters claimed it was not a serious issue nor one that pertained to her ability to lead.

However, those Democrats who complained about the Clinton investigation have it all wrong, just like those who believe that the Russia investigation is politically motivated today. Regardless of political parties and agendas, Americans are asked to do one thing: to defend American values of democracy, liberty, and equality.

This demand stems from America’s conception. The founding fathers created a democracy largely because they were frightened by the power of faction and corruption in Great Britain.

For the sake of partisanship, personal gain, or protection from public scrutiny, it is easy to dismiss American ideals. But such institutions and values, as long as they make our politics more difficult, keep the guilty, the reckless, and the greedy accountable for their actions. The FBI can be terribly frustrating in politically tense times, but their work will ultimately pay off by protecting the rights and safety of U.S. citizens.

Trump Republicans are not the pro-freedom and free market conservatives that once existed.

Instead, they defend ruthless authoritarian regimes, mistreat undocumented immigrants, and create poor economic policy, among many other things.

More importantly, however, Trump and his complicit Republican politicians are willing to disregard our country in the name of partisanship. Beyond the Trump administration’s policies, this blatant disregard for American values should worry us the most.

The Republican party has become so distant from American values that life-long conservatives are willing to oppose it for the purpose of saving the party and preserving our nation’s values. These “Never Trumpers” like Bill Kristol, Jen Rubin, and David Frum were so outraged by Trump’s indecency and rejection of conservative values that they

voted for and are willing to vote for Democrats and third party candidates to take Republicans out of power.

By doing so, they hope to save the Republican party that they once identified with.

Like “Never Trumpers” and liberals, I see a huge problem ahead of us. This new Republican party, currently controlling the house, senate, and executive branch, is willing to sacrifice core American values for the sake of party and evasion of public scrutiny.

We had an opportunity in 2016 to prevent a Trump win, and we failed. We saw Trump threaten our first amendment rights on several occasions while campaigning. Yet, we did not effectively oppose those affronts to our constitution.

After election night on Nov. 8, the majority shared their views through many protests and social media. However, voter participation in 2016 was statistically low.

The right to assemble and protest is a privilege and very powerful to show the government and the world how people feel, but votes are far more effective. Ultimately, talk is cheap, especially when we have the power to take politicians out of office with our suffrage rights.

As midterms approach, the American public is offered two options in this election: to vote for a Republican or to vote for someone else. This protest of the current Republican party is necessary for its repair and for the protection of American values and institutions.

This is not necessarily an endorsement for either Democrats or progressivism. However, this is an endorsement for political parties that do not delegitimize our nation’s constitution and democracy.

There are some districts and states with strong libertarian and socialist candidates running for office. We must vote for the best option to prevent republicans from gaining or keeping their power.

Elena Neff CM ’21 is studying government and international relations from Palo Alto, California. She enjoys listening to Sufjan Stevens and drinking pamplemousse La Croix.

The feminizing of communication in relation to Scripps’ ‘Dating While Feminist’ series JOSIE WINSLOW Identifying as feminist, womanist, or as a part of any group that advocates for gender equality brings with it a unique set of challenges when entering the dating scene.

Terms like these, though certainly less stigmatized at a liberal arts college consortium in Southern California than in other places, create burdens for women that are often left unacknowledged and unvoiced outside of conversations with friends.

It is important to note that these issues extend beyond the experiences of cis women, as trans, non-binary, and intersex people face similar, yet uniquely difficult, challenges. Therefore, I will be using the term womxn as I write to express the commonalities of these groups, but acknowledge that the levels of hardship differ for each group.

These burdens are clear in all realms of sexuality, as most relationships are impacted by heteronormative gender roles in some way or another.

On Sept. 19, these issues moved beyond late-night dorm room discussions and entered Scripps Communities of Resources and Empowerment.

During the first part of the “Dating While Feminist” series, Scripps College students examined an array of struggles, from the sacrifice of one’s feminist ideals while in a committed relationship to feeling unfulfilled after attempting to ‘win’ the 5C challenge.

The 5C challenge encourages people to sleep with at least one student from each of the five colleges as soon as possible. This challenge sets sexual goals in a way that is reminiscent of conquest.

It further perpetuates unhealthy narratives equating hook ups to victories, making it seem like there must be a winner and a loser.

The most striking aspect of the conversation for me was the ways in which communication (from womxn, specifically) is perceived as a weakness. As an upfront individual, I have often battled against

the ‘cool girl’ mentality that I have been taught to abide by. My desire for clarity from a partner, be it romantic or sexual, often leaves me feeling weak, on a lesser level than the person I am engaging with.

It is important to notice all the small things I do that go against my view of feminism when I attempt to date, such as putting on flats when meeting up with a possible romantic or sexual interest.

I am 5’10” and wearing heels is a daily tradition that reminds me of the space I deserve to take up.

Yet, I often find myself sliding on my flattest sandals when I may be interacting with someone I want to be attracted to me.

That is not true to who I am, yet it is a way for me to minimize what I consider to be my feminism, and myself. I replicate this with my communication habits.

If I ask the dreaded question “What are we?” or inquire about the other person’s feelings toward me, I automatically feel as though I have lost points in a game I don’t know how to play. While many feel an inability to navigate hookup culture, womxn find themselves losing power on multiple levels due to gender differences.

I have found this phenomenon to be most apparent when engaging with cis men, as it seems necessary I remain nonchalant if I am to maintain any sense of control. The assumption from those that believe a womxn communicating correlates directly to her being clingy or infatuated is entirely ungrounded.

Most often, I search for clarity so that I can calculate how many hours I will be putting into a person. It is a time-saving method at its very least, a way for me to ensure I will be able to balance everything I need to, yet it is seen as something very different altogether.

While commentary on the feminizing of emotions has been extensive, the feminizing of basic, respectful communication is also a problem.

The reasoning behind this is power, for being honest lends oneself to vulnerability. This vulnerability further exacerbates the

DIAMOND PHAM • THE STUDENT LIFE

helplessness I often feel in relationships with men. Even with men I do not particularly care for, being candid seems to give them the sense that I have suddenly fallen in love with them, when generally it is in fact the exact opposite.

Specifically at college campuses, womxn often end up being perceived as anything other than ‘chill,’ simply for vocalizing their opinions. I am afraid of appearing overly emotional, overly feminine, and overly invested when I interact with men.

I often disregard my feminist ideologies and naturally upfront nature in order to appear as uninterested in someone as is possible.

While one cannot be expected to be the perfect image of feminism at all times, there is a level of guilt that arises in these situations.

I find myself doing this less so in queer relationships, causing me to question the strength of my own pro-womxn beliefs on a recurring basis. Womxn often blame themselves for not acting as a ‘good’ feminist, but acknowledging how difficult it is to constantly act that way is a part of the growth process.

As a feminist, the balance between holding onto the power of nonchalance and also respecting myself enough to value my own time has always proved to be delicate and easily broken.

Even when I am in queer relationships, the pressure to behave in the ‘correct’ way is still there, and I find myself stifling my own honesty in a desperate attempt to behave in the manner by which I was taught. I have been instructed to tone down my candidness, that men don’t want desperate women, and this seeps into my interactions with non-men as well.

As someone who was closeted well into high school, when I did come out, I took the ways in which I had learned to present myself for the male gaze and attempted to translate this into queer spaces, resulting in obviously unhealthy interactions.

Realizing that my own internalized misogyny does not make me a ‘bad’ feminist is important. The unlearning process is a long one, and sometimes remaining distant (therefore fulfilling the ‘cool girl’ persona) is a protective measure.

It is exhausting work to be a proud feminist while looking for love, sex, or both. We cannot blame ourselves for taking the necessary time to unravel our own knots of misogyny. We have years of it to untie.

Josie Winslow SC ’21 is studying international affairs and writing. She has eight pets at home, including a bunny and chickens.

OPINIONS PAGE 7

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

THE STUDENT LIFE

Crossword: Triple Play

JASPER DAVIDOFF • THE STUDENT LIFE

Why colleges need to scrap their test score requirement CHRISTOPHER MURDY 34. 735. 760. These scores cannot even begin to describe a person.

Instead, they reflect a student’s test-taking ability and instantaneous state of mind on a single day, not their ability to succeed in college and ultimately graduate. Emphasizing someone’s character and not the numbers associated with someone should be the goal of all college admissions offices — including Pomona College.

The importance of test scores was studied this past spring by three college level administrators — Steven T. Syverson, Valerie W. Franks, and

“

Pomona College serves as the prime example for proper admissions standards, with one glaring exception: standardized testing requirements.

“

William C. Hiss.

The study found that having a test-optional policy increased the number of total applications received and the number of incoming students from underrepresented minorities. Furthermore, those students not submitting scores wound up more likely to graduate in four years than those who did submit, and their high school GPA “had a stronger correlation with college success” than the ACT/SAT. In many ways, Pomona serves

as the prime example for proper admissions standards, with one glaring exception: standardized testing requirements.

Since Pomona has far fewer applications to process compared to its larger counterparts, such as the University of California system and many other schools around the country, it has much greater flexibility to conduct a truly holistic process in its admissions.

Prior to the admissions deadlines, the programs and resources offered by the admissions office represent a clear and committed effort to field applications from a diverse set of backgrounds. From Perspectives on Pomona — a fly-in program for underrepresented students to experience a few days of life at Pomona — to high school visits around the world, high school students have the resources available to discover Pomona.

Despite these efforts toward increasing accessibility, Pomona has yet to forego their testing requirements. Around the United States, more and more colleges have become test-optional or at least testflexible, initially led by small liberal arts colleges comparable to Pomona: Bowdoin College, Bates College, the College of the Holy Cross, and even neighboring Pitzer College. Just this Monday, Colby College announced dropping its testing requirements.

In its announcement, Colby said standardized testing has a limited ability to “assess a range of intellectual attributes Colby values and that are rewarded in an innovation economy.”

The University of Chicago also recently announced it was dropping its test score requirement, becoming the first “top-ranked” university to do so, according to Forbes.

“Many schools have now gone test-optional, but news that the University of Chicago has done so ratchets the issue to a new level of

WEEKLY COMIC

intensity,” the Forbes article states.

As cliché as it sounds, teaching to the test has become incredibly common, especially in low-income areas, where students cannot afford outside test preparation. These high schools have an incentive to do so, since much of their reputation relies upon the test results of their students. This test prep comes at the expense of crucial instruction time in the classroom.

For a school with as strong a financial aid and accessibility program as Pomona’s, the testing requirement does not match the rest of the message the institution is sending to applicants. Applicants are often told that Pomona values its students for their character, emphasizing that the school judges its students not by their “grades or awards” but by their “meaningful engagement in the fabric of this community.”

By requiring test scores, though, Pomona could be opening its admissions process up to be tainted with the often thousands of dollars spent on test prep.

Moreover, Pomona points to its demographics with pride, as it should, being one of the few small liberals arts colleges that can boast having a majority-minority campus. Dropping the testing requirement would allow them to further embrace that mission.

From offering interviews to having truly personal supplemental essays, Pomona excels in creating an application process that allows students to emphasize their own character. Foregoing its testing requirement would represent another important move toward further increasing accessibility.

Christopher Murdy PO ’22 is an intended international relations major from Lido Beach, NY. He has yet to be convinced West Coast beaches are better.

GABRIELLA DEL GRECO • THE STUDENT LIFE

ACROSS 1. Young sheep 5. A fraud, or a pillowcase 9. Honest president 12. Media org. that runs LA’s KPCC 13. Leaning tower location 14. Undergarment 15. In party games, alternative to truth 16. Texter’s “are you serious?”

17. Flying mammal 18. Seed coating 20. Potter patronuses 22. Canine’s least favorite phrase 25. Crackpot 26. Chance to strike it rich at random 27. Something that’s been going on forever...

28. It’s 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen 31. Egyptian hieroglyph for life 32. Frequent addition to the 5Ws of journalism 33. In an NBC game show, it’s between Deal and Deal 34. Private UCLA rival 35. Something that’s been going on forever...

36. Bad ones include black cats 37. FLI: First-___ and low-

income 38. Palo Alto prof who testified to the Senate Judiciary Cmte. on Thursday 39. Onion-filled Polish pastry 42. It’s yesterday in Mexico 43. Governor of Arkansas Hutchinson 44. King of Soul Redding 46. Funky smell 50. Unwell 51. Travel on 52. Nickname for Sofia 53. “Miserables” article 54. Frozen princess 55. Home of the electron, neutron, and proton DOWN 1. Hallucinogenic 2. Obama’s signature policy achievement 3. Home of radio’s Live From Here 4. One goal of a liberal arts education 5. Small stem 6. Brandeis prof Anita (1991 precursor to 38-across) 7. Common query among chatroom strangers 8. National emblem of Argentina and Uruguay 9. Mamma Mia! group

10. Gloat 11. Devours 19. Contents of Kanga’s pouch 21. 2016 single from South Korea’s Twice 22. Blue in Danube 23. Branches of the world’s largest insurance broker 24. Downtown Kansas City 25. The present 27. Something that’s been going on forever...

28. Greek god of war 29. Ye olde lodging 30. Type of flushed cheeks 32. Pet name for a spouse 33. Trump fired her from the Apprentice and the White House 35. Gloomy thistle-eater and friend of 19-down 36. With Miss, nickname for U. of Mississippi 37. Star Wars creator 38. What two lanterns told Paul Revere 39. Get-out-of-jail cash 40. Gilligan’s, or of Dogs 41. It publishes the Journal of Legal Education 42. They can be visual or hearing

You’re a good man, Governor Brown, or at least the best we’ve got BEN REICHER As he prepares to leave office, California’s ‘Governor Moonbeam’ Jerry Brown wants everyone to know how much he cares about global warming. That was why, on Sept. 12-14, Brown invited an international milieu of subnational actors to come to San Francisco for his Global Climate Action Summit.

I never thought it was possible to make the blaring fire alarm that is the climate crisis into your own personal vanity project. And the youth climate activists who picketed the summit, claiming Brown’s policies had let them down, certainly didn’t think so.

Perhaps Brown can be excused for a little vanity. At least, unlike his counterpart in the White House, when Brown boasts of something, it’s usually something he actually deserves credit for.

And there is no denying that perhaps the most far-reaching legacy of Brown’s tenure is California’s emergence as a global leader in climate action.

For all his shortcomings, leaders with Brown’s expert ability to maximize their gains while knowing when to cut their losses are the best hope this planet has.

The Global Climate Action Summit ultimately resulted in the largest cumulative pledge ever made on the subnational level to combat climate change — over 500 pledges by public and private sector entities.

But leading up to the summit, the online campaign Brown’s Last Chance called on Brown to freeze new oil and gas permits and phase out oil and gas production in California. Since Brown’s reelection as governor, he has granted over 21,000 oil and gas drilling permits, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

However, if he immediately

halted oil and gas production in California, too much would be sacrificed for too little benefit.

Severin Borenstein, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, argues that the estimated cost of phasing out oil production to California oil producers would be at least twice as high as the social cost of carbon ($40 to $50 per ton of greenhouse gas), of which California only emits about one percent of the world total.

Oil prices might rise slightly worldwide (although California only produces half a percent of the world’s oil), but rather than reducing consumption, that would simply transfer wealth from consumers to producers outside California, many of them in autocratic regimes in Russia and the Middle East.

Additionally, it bears mentioning that California oil production has still declined in Brown’s tenure, going from third-highest nationwide to sixth.

Many of the other criticisms of Brown certainly represent missed opportunities. In particular, emissions from California’s oil refineries are mostly exempt from Brown’s signature cap-and-trade legislation.

Greg Karras, senior scientist with Communities for a Better Environment, calculated that, without tougher limits on refineries, the state would miss its 2050 emissions reduction goal by 40 percent.

Still, even Brown’s missed opportunities, disappointing as they are, represent why he deserves to be remembered as a climate trailblazer.

“I get impatient with him at times as well,” Pomona College’s Professor of Politics Richard Worthington said. “But I think he’s been successful. … He’s committed to action, and action means you’re not going to get everything you would want.”

For example, if the fossil fuel industry wasn’t largely exempted from cap and trade, they might have

blocked the crucial 2017 extension of cap and trade to 2030. The influence of fossil fuel money in politics is a serious problem, but Brown’s concessions mean he has the rare capacity among politicians to pragmatically accept the situation, and work with it for maximal gain.

I’d much rather have a cap-andtrade program that can be made stronger than none at all.

Nevertheless, Brown leaves important battles to fight if California is to meet its climate goals, against refinery exemptions and more generally against fossil fuel influence in politics. And no future governor, even one as goal-oriented as Brown, can do it alone.

The political will must come from the bottom up, in actions by businesses, schools and universities, nonprofits, and especially citizens who make it a priority to be informed and to vote.

This is what the Global Climate Action Summit was all about — lower-level action when the government is unwilling or unable to do more — and the reminder couldn’t have been more appropriate.

“Climate change is affected by so many factors: It’s the energy that we use, the cars we drive, the food we eat,” said Alexis Reyes, director of Pomona’s Sustainability Office.

“And I think if we’re all much more aware that we do have an impact, that’s a huge contributor.”

In 2017, Pomona reduced electricity consumption by 12 percent compared to 2016, according to the latest Sustainability Annual Report from the Sustainability Office. Pomona is pursuing a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, and it’s just one of the 5Cs. If it can happen here, it can happen everywhere. And it must.

Ben Reicher PO ’22 is a contributing writer from Agoura Hills, CA. He is also a member of Sierra Club.

OPINIONS SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

PAGE 8

THE STUDENT LIFE

Affirmative action and the insecurity of Asian-Americans

EMMA LI • THE STUDENT LIFE

MILLY CHI Growing up in a Chinese-American household, I was raised to value achievement in quantifiable, measurable forms. I was taught to follow the rules of the system and pursue paths with predictable outcomes.

For many Asian-Americans like myself, the expectations we were raised with fuel the explosion of fury in the affirmative action debate.

The New York Times recently released a series of reports surrounding the Asian-Americans against Affirmative Action lawsuit.

Claiming that Harvard University discriminates against Asian-

American students on the basis of race, Students for Fair Admissions, a non-profit including more than a dozen Asian-American students who were rejected from Harvard, successfully gained backing from the Justice Department and forced Harvard to turn over thousands of admissions files.

The crux of the lawsuit lies in the quota system, as Students for Fair Admissions points out the unfairly stagnant rates of Asian-American acceptances into Harvard and fuels the claim that the acceptances of less qualified non-Asian minorities are to blame.

However, enrollment among

non-Asian people of color is low enough as is, with Harvard’s class of 2021 comprising of 14.6 percent African-American students, 11.6 percent Hispanic or Latino students, and 2.5 percent Native American or Pacific Islander.

Asian-Americans still make up a significantly higher percentage of enrollment (22.2 percent) in comparison to other minority students — yet the class is still roughly 49 percent white, which was actually considered a historic milestone for Harvard; the class of 2021 was the first “majority minority” class.

Furthermore, the model minority stereotype plays a large role in the

issue of blanketing “Asian-American” as a label. Many non-East Asian ethnic groups that fall under the label of “Asian-American” face severe underrepresentation in higher education and would likely support or benefit from affirmative action.

Beyond the discussions of race looms a greater issue — the legacy advantage. According to the Los Angeles Times, from 2010-2015, Harvard’s admission rate for legacies was 34 percent, while its admission rate for non-legacies was six percent.

Prestigious private schools often have athletic preferences in admissions as well. Schools like Harvard have historically been known to

recruit in sports such as sailing, fencing, lacrosse, and golf, which are often inaccessible to the average student from a low-income or middle-class community. These types of institutionalized practices further demonstrate how schools like Harvard are designed for and cater to the comforts of the elite.

Beneath the surface, Students for Fair Admissions represents the invisible power of white control and manipulation, the persistence of a distinctly American social structure designed to keep people of color as second class citizens. Its president, Edward Blum, a member of the conservative American Enterprise Institute, was described by the New York Times as “a one-man legal factory with a growing record of finding plaintiffs who match his causes ... trying above all to erase racial preferences from American life.”

Blum’s most high-profile cases included Fisher v. The University of Texas at Austin. Fisher, a white applicant, accused The University of Texas at Austin of racial discrimination in admissions, despite the fact her grades and test scores were objectively below average, and according to ProPublica, only five black or Latino applicants with lower test scores and grades were offered admission to the university, compared to 42 white applicants.

Asian-Americans have become the pawn of white society, the “model minority” group conveniently employed to pit minorities against each other and weaken solidarity among people of color, reinforcing the social stratification of the status quo.

As an Asian-American college student who had undergone the admissions process, I have also struggled before to take a confident stance.

I understand the feeling of desperation to be accepted into a prestigious university, to validate oneself through academic achievement, to make one’s family proud, and to seek the unsaid promise of success from an elite educational institution.

These feelings played a role in my decision to attend Pitzer College after originally being waitlisted and instead committing to University of California, Santa Barbara.

Although I could, at the time, think of countless reasons that a private, exclusive ‘dream college’ like Pitzer would be a ‘perfect fit’ for me, I could not think of a single valid, pressing reason to not attend UCSB, or think of anything wrong with it, outside of the fact that it wasn’t Pitzer College, one of the

Claremont Colleges.

Being miraculously admitted to Pitzer made me question everything — my obsession with getting into a ‘dream’ college, my instinctual dissatisfaction with my earlier college acceptances, and my preconceived notions about higher education.

People like Blum, along with the ‘eliteness’ and exclusivity of private universities that make them so enviable and coveted, thrive upon AsianAmerican insecurity, conformity, and acquiescence to the system.

The root of these problems begin when all students, especially AsianAmerican students, put private, elite institutions on pedestals and assume they will get them farther in life than a less ‘prestigious’ college, public college, or junior college, when more than enough data has debunked these misconceptions.

More importantly, these problems are rooted in our ignorance toward the fact that we are all complicit and willing consumers in the endlessly unjust industry of private education, created for the white elite by the white elite.

I am here now.

But as an applicant who had undergone all the heartbreaks and anxieties of the college admissions process, I only wish I could have trusted myself a bit more and genuinely believed I would be successful, worthy, and happy wherever I went, regardless of the name, prestige, or privilege that comes with a private education.

Sometimes, I wish I had not chosen to be complicit in a system that told me my self-worth was inextricably connected to the reputation of the school I attended, the same system that prompts students to turn life into a race and form unsubstantiated assumptions about the ‘qualifications’ of others.

Asian-Americans need to realize their support of affirmative action is a step toward greater equity in society and strengthened solidarity among people of color. The problem is deeper than what lies with Harvard, Blum, legacies, and quotas.

This entire lawsuit is a reflection of the internal self-damaging, conformist, and insecure mentalities of many Asian-Americans. I am one of them, learning to grow through these insecurities as well.

Milly Chi PZ ’22 is an aspiring media studies major from Buena Park, CA. In her free time, she can be found engaging in creative pursuits and fueling her superstitions about palmistry and zodiac signs.

Beneath the face mask, self-care has public, political power LILY BORAK A bubble bath, a vanilla-lavender candle, and a face mask.

Or perhaps a yoga class followed by a trip to the nearest Starbucks (what is pumpkin-spice but the purest form of nourishment to the soul?) Ah, yes. Self-care.

Notably, self-care dates back to roots more deeply connected to the worlds of healthcare and activism than the corporate world of bath bombs and other consumeristic products.

In the first half of the 20th century, “self-care” was a doctor’s prescription for practicing healthy habits. As the century progressed, the term evolved beyond the patient-specific framework as academics pushed the importance of self-care for workers in high-trauma fields.

By 1988, self-care became a powerful political tool. In her book “A Burst of Light,” feminist author Audre Lorde writes, “caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.”

Now in 2018, self-care emerges from its complex history and enters somewhat of an identity crisis. Two variant forms of selfcare seem to exist today: one employed by community activists as an offset to emotional burnout and one marketed by corporations as purchasable personal wellness.

The former focuses on personal healing as a vehicle for deconstructing oppression, a personal means to a public end. The latter commodifies personal health for corporate gain, a concept in which both consumer and seller are indifferent to public benefit.

I don’t intend to invalidate forms of self-care involving money; if yoga, face masks, and lattes make you feel good and benefit your mental health, I’m all for it.

Solely promoting expensive forms of self-care, though, can be damaging to those who are financially unable to participate in these activities as many folks may feel like self-care is not for them.

When “self-care” and “treating yourself ” become synonymous with rich, able-bodied,

white women spending money, we make it even more difficult for many people to find space to prioritize their wellness.

Furthermore, tying self-care to capitalism overemphasizes the personal benefits of self-care.

Individual wellness is indeed important for oneself, but healing oneself and healing one’s community are not mutually exclusive. In fact, practicing self-care can allow one to care for one’s community more productively.

Many people face struggles they cannot solve alone; making self-care solely about oneself propagates the oppressive structures causing these complex struggles, forcing people to bear the burden of fixing structural societal issues as though they are personal issues.

Marisa Meltzer of The New York Times quotes Yashna Padamsee of the National Domestic Workers Alliance: “There is a distinction between self-care and treating yourself. … What is the purpose of your self-care? Is it to do this for all of our lives, not just yours?”

This doesn’t mean that financial stability and distance from oppression should restrict someone from participating in self-care. As feminist writer Sara Ahmed points out, “privilege does not mean we are invulnerable: things happen, shit happens.

Privilege can however reduce the costs of vulnerability, so if things break down, if you break down, you are more likely to be looked after.”

But if you live in a society built upon upholding your very existence, you don’t have to fight for self-preservation: Society has already endorsed your preservation.

For people whose lives are threatened daily, self-care is a radical form of resistance: Radical self-care is a reclaiming of one’s own life, a way to take the power away from those threatening another’s wellness and to regain control of one’s wellness. This is the self-care Lorde, the feminist writer, spoke of 30 years ago.

Since Nov. 8, 2016, the individual-centric form of self-care

NATALIE BAUER • THE STUDENT LIFE

NATALIE BAUER • THE STUDENT LIFE

has permeated every social media platform. Within the weeks following the 2016 presidential election, articles urged dismayed progressives to turn off the news, take time from social media, and even hit the bars with their girlfriends.

The day after the election, Refinery29 published the top postelection stress-relief products, each accompanied by a threesentence pitch and hyperlink for easy purchasing.

While such suggestions undoubtedly benefited many readers, an underlying theme arose:

Post-election “self-care” disproportionately centered around oneself and the measures one could take to individually recover from the election. Self-care became the end instead of the means.

Just over eight million posts on Instagram include “#selfcare” in their captions. After scrolling through photos with the self-care hashtag for a few minutes, some repetition occurs; candles, yoga poses, skincare products, and white women are aplenty.

Everyone needs their own methods of personal recuperation

from life’s stressors. In this way, self-care is absolutely a personal practice. But self-care as a whole needs to become more inclusive.

If we divorce self-care as a concept from the self-care industry, people who believed they could not participate in self-care (based on the way it has been marketed) can begin to participate.

The same goes for realizing self-care’s public potential. By considering how taking care of ourselves can energize us to take care of our community, we can begin to dismantle oppression that may be restricting others

from participating in self-care.

I urge you to take that bubble bath and light your flower-scented candle if that’s your chosen method of self-care. But, when the bathtub is drained and the candle has been burned, consider designating a portion of your regained energy toward making space for more people to practice self-care.

Lily Borak PZ ’21 is a neuroscience major from Newton, MA. She loves telling everyone Boston sports teams are the best despite never really watching Boston sports.

SPORTS PAGE 9

THE STUDENT LIFE CMS WOMEN’S SOCCER

P-P MEN’S WATER POLO

Sagehen men’s water polo takes down Chapman to build on strong start to season GABBY HERZIG The Pomona-Pitzer men’s water polo team (5-3, 2-0 SCIAC) made a splash during their home debut Sept. 23 with a 20-11 win over the Chapman Panthers (2-12, 0-2 SCIAC).

After an early 2-2 tie in the first period, the Sagehens picked up momentum and gained a 5-4 lead, which they only added to throughout the rest of the game. From this point onwards, P-P proved that the strength of their offense was no match for the Panthers.

The leading scorers of the game were Adam Ward PO ’19 and Dylan Elliot PO ’21, who each racked up an impressive four goals.

When asked about any particular highlights from this weekend’s home debut, Ward, a center on the team noted, “The amount of goals we put forward as a team was a highlight of the game for sure, as well as starting our home games off on the right note.”

Elliot agreed with Ward, and added that picking up a conference in their home pool was an added benefit.

“It’s always nice being home and playing in front of our crowd,

especially for conference games,” Ward said.

The head coach of the P-P men’s water polo program, Alex Rodriguez, noted: “We had some really nice performances from several guys. Douglas Webster PZ ’21, I thought played well in the cage the second half.”

Webster had seven saves in the second half, only letting in two goals. His overall save rate turned out to be an impressive .778 by the end of the game.

However, he also pointed out a few areas of improvement the team will work on throughout their season.

“I was not happy with giving up 11 goals,” Rodriguez said. “I stated to the guys that my belief in offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”

Elliot agreed with his coach’s sentiment, describing clear room for improvement on the defensive side, while also mentioning it is still early in the season.

Another clear takeaway from this weekend’s high-scoring and action-packed game was the strength of the freshman class. In particular, Rodriguez pointed out that the twins, Sam and Ben Sasaki PO ’22,

who followed their older brother Noah Sasaki PO ’21 to P-P, have brought serious talent to the team.

Sam, a left-handed attacker, scored three times for the Sagehens this weekend. Speaking on his aspirations for the rest of the season, he mentioned that he wants to do “whatever it takes to help our team win a SCIAC Championship for the third year in a row, as well as win an NCAA playoff game.”

In addition to their accomplishments inside the pool, the team is incredibly cohesive as a group of individuals.

Ward, who is competing in his senior season with the Sagehens, observed, “I think our team chemistry is stronger than previous years outside of the pool and inside. It’s picking up every day.”

Elliot similarly described the squad as a “family” and “way more than just a team.”

Overall, the Sagehens’ performance against Chapman was an indicator of their potential for an extremely successful season.

On Sept. 29, P-P will continue conference play against California Lutheran (4-5, 1-1 SCIAC) in Thousand Oaks, CA.

CHLOE ORTIZ • THE STUDENT LIFE

Sam Sasaki PO ’22 scored three goals against Chapman at the Pomona-Pitzer men’s water polo home debut Sept.

22. The Sagehens won the game 20-11.

P-P Athlete of the Week Men’s Water Polo PO ‘19 Claremont, California The Sagehens have enjoyed their two biggest wins of year in their last two games, notching 20-4 and 20-11 victories over Occidental and Chapman, respectively. Ward led the team in goals in both games, with three in the first game and four in the second game. Ward has had a decorated career over the past three years in Claremont, finishing on the All-Conference Second Team and earning SCIAC Newcomer of the Year as a first-year, and finishing on the All-Conference First Team each of the past two years.

CMS Athlete of the Week https://files.slack.com/files-pri/TCR1Y6JUV-FCXCZQSPJ/phoebe_madsen.jpg https://files.slack.com/files-pri/ TCR1Y6JUV-FCXCZQSPJ/phoebe_madsen.jpg

Women’s Golf

Mira Yoo CM ‘21 Fremont, California

Athenas confident due to strong first-year class

CHLOE ORTIZ • THE STUDENT LIFE

Nicole Oberlag HM ’22 fights for posession during the Athena’s home soccer game vs. Redlands Sept. 22. The Athenas lost the game 3-1.

NOOR TAMARI Despite the fact that the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (6-3, 4-2 SCIAC) women’s soccer team went 1-1 over the past week, including a tough loss at home vs.

Redlands (5-3-1, 4-1-1 SCIAC), they have high hopes for the rest of the season due to a strong group of first-years on the team.

In the match against Redlands Sept. 22, the Bulldogs got off to a fast start and never looked back.

It only took two minutes for Bulldog senior Hayley Romo to score the first goal of the game — marking the beginning of a tough match for the Athenas.

While CMS responded quickly with a goal from Rhiann Holman CM ’20 in the 14th minute to equalize the score, this proved to be one of few bright spots for the Athenas, as Redlands would take advantage of their opportunities and eventually persevere toward a win, ending the game with a final score of 3-1.

“Redlands’ second goal was a long shot, and they scored pretty quickly,” Isabel Steiffer SC ’21 said on the loss. “They came out

really hard, and they finished their chances in a way that was hard to bounce back from.”

Despite the final score, head coach Jennifer Clark was satisfied with the team’s overall performance and group work. When asked if she could award a player of the game, Clark struggled to pick out a specific Athena.

“The beauty of the game tonight was that we all played well together,” she said.

However, Clark added that while the Athenas competed together, they didn’t connect enough to have a chance to take the match.

After this loss, the Athenas’ record dropped to 3-2 in the conference. However, CMS was able to bounce back Wednesday and take down Chapman (5-6, 2-4 SCIAC) at home 1-0.

Holman again provided the only goal for the Athenas, this time sending one home in the 63rd minute. The CMS defense was able to pitch a shutout for the entire match, and ended up holding on for the one-goal victory, despite Chapman’s 18-14 lead in shots.

While the Athenas wanted to go 2-0 in these two home matches,

the loss against Redlands had little impact on the team’s morale and enthusiasm as they move forward in the season. In fact, Steiffer said that the defining moment of the game was not the score, but rather that they had a large amount of first-years who played well.

As of this year, the Athenas had 13 new first-years join the soccer team. Clark’s decision to recruit a large number of first-years was one that worried veteran soccer players in the beginning. However, according to goalkeeper Claire Hamson CM ’21, it is a decision that she is beginning to appreciate.

“The large amount of first-year students lets us have an incredible depth to our team,” she said. “Having this many players allows us to create a different team on the field depending on who we are playing and how we are playing.”

Hamson added that this versatility was demonstrated when Clark substituted out one of the Athena veterans and put in defender Gracyn Buenconsejo HM ’22. Hamson said that Buenconsejo created a new dynamic, which she said will be essential for the team’s future success.

COMMENTARY

Despite unconventional path, Dodgers likely returning to familiar territory: the MLB postseason HANK SNOWDON

Adam Ward

Yoo and the rest of the CMS women’s golf team competed at the Division III National Preview in Houston Monday and Tuesday, finishing seventh out of 18 teams. Much of the success was due to Yoo, who finished in ninth out of 101 golfers after shooting an impressive 155 (77-78) over two days. Yoo was locked in a tie for 11th entering the final hole, but a clutch birdie lifted her into the top 10.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Entering 2018 with a team nearly identical to the one that fell one win short of a World Series title the year before, the Los Angeles Dodgers were heavy favorites to win their sixth straight NL West title and head back to the postseason this year.

One hundred and fifty-nine games later, with one weekend remaining in the regular season, they indeed have a very real chance to clinch the West, and are almost guaranteed of a playoff spot. Yet, almost none of this season went according to script. The Dodgers have taken a new path, with a cast of unlikely characters, and now that they likely head into the postseason, they might just be poised to break the 30-year World Series drought in L.A. During the last five years, the Dodgers have either used outright dominance to clinch the West, or relied on incredible winning stretches to carry them to the postseason. Yet, this season has seen none of that.

They were shut out on Opening Day by the Giants, and they stumbled out of the gate until mid-May. The World Series hangover continued until May 16, when the defending NL champs lost for the second time in two nights to the worst team in the league, the Miami Marlins, and dropped to a seasonworst 10 games under .500.

And while the return of superstar Justin Turner from injury the next day began a climb toward first place, it was a slow, gradual journey to get there. They would not end up leading the division until mid-July, and they have not held a firm grasp on first since.

L.A. has only been in first for 33 combined days, and their biggest lead has only stretched to 2.5 games.

While this season has not been marked by the regular season dominance of years prior, the typical contributors of seasons past have not had the same influence as

before either.

Clayton Kershaw, the best pitcher of a generation, was sidelined for much of May and June with injuries.

While he has returned since and become effective, age and injuries have made the former power pitcher into more of a Greg Maddux than a Max Scherzer.

One of the biggest strengths of the last five seasons was the man who pitches the ninth inning for L.A.: Kenley Jansen. Yet, the cutterthrowing, power-pitching Jansen has been strangely mortal this season.

His five losses, four blown saves, and health issues have made Jansen look nothing like the ninth inning lock of before. The lyrics of “California Love” now perhaps bring as much nervousness as they do confidence to Dodger fans.

Perhaps no blow was bigger than the loss of franchise shortstop, Corey Seager, to Tommy John Surgery in late April. Although it was only a month into the season, the news of the injury was a setback that seemed impossible to recover from.

Yet, while the Dodgers haven’t showed the dominance of years before, or had their franchise players contributing the same as in the past, they still stand only a game out of first, and are almost guaranteed a Wild Card spot, with three games to play.

And not only will they likely be playing in October, but they have plenty of reasons to feel confident about making a deep run.

The biggest reason? Home runs.

L.A. has already blasted 227 homers, good enough for first in the N.L. and most in franchise history.

They traded for Manny Machado to replace Seager in July, who is arguably the best power-hitting shortstop in the MLB. Unlikely performances

by Matt Kemp and Max Muncy have added to the home run barrage, and Joc Pederson, Yasmani Grandal, Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, and Kiké Hernandez have all hit over 20 homers each.

Dave Roberts rolls out a lineup every single day that is capable

COURTESY OF KEITH ALLISON

Matt Kemp, a key part of the Dodgers’ success in 2018, will look to continue to hit for power in the postseason.

of overpowering any pitcher, and with home runs becoming an everimportant part of the game (did you watch the playoffs last year?) the long-ball has the capability to carry the Dodgers all the way through the postseason.

And while the power has been there all season, the Dodger lineup has definitely heated up down the stretch. They lead the Majors with 45 home runs in the last 30 days, and fell one game shy of a franchise record for most consecutive games with a homer with 23 straight between August and September.

Not only has the offense found their power stroke, but down the stretch, the starting pitching has quietly turned into a dominant force of their own.

Kershaw has completely reinvented himself, and the ace has 15 consecutive quality starts, dating back to July 3. In those starts, he has struck out 88, only walked 17, and has carried a dominant 2.36 ERA. Walker Buehler, the dazzling rookie out of Vanderbilt, has perhaps been more impressive. In the last two months he has pitched to the

tune of a brilliant 1.75 ERA, while compiling a ridiculous 0.89 WHIP. In that time, batters are hitting just .162 against him.

Behind the Kershaw-Buehler one-two punch comes Hyun-Jin Ryu, who carries a 1.93 ERA and 1.09 WHIP of his own since returning from a groin injury Aug. 15.

With those three starters going in a playoff series, and seasoned veteran Rich Hill following behind, the Dodgers should feel pretty good about their chances to have dominant starting pitching performances in the postseason, to back up the ridiculous power of their lineup.

Absolutely nothing has come easily for these Dodgers. They have had to scratch and claw their way back into the playoff race, find production from unlikely contributors, and overcome a serious World Series hangover. However, despite all of this, everything seems to be peaking at the right time.

That’s why, despite an uglier season than usual, the Dodgers might just end up doing one more atypical thing this season: winning the World Series.

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