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When students gather in cut-up pillow cases and bed sheets at Claremont McKenna, there’s no doubt that it’s toga season. Did you know that Toga Parties on college campuses became popular after the release of the hit movie Animal House 40 years ago? Here’s a glimpse of how the tradition played out in the 2018 CMC scene, Saturday. Photos by Sophie Doane ‘22

After many sleepless nights and endless coffee runs, members of the Class of 2019 finally handed in their thesis for fall. And what better way to celebrate than with a bottle of champagne each, making up for all the parties they missed when they were trapped in Poppa and Ryal. Overall, the Thesis Fountain Party was a huge success, ending in a beautiful sunset which resulted in gorgeous pictures! For more photos, check out our Flickr page!

Last Thursday, the senior class traveled off campus to celebrate, since the only thing between them and graduation is 200 Days — and maybe thesis! The night was filled with live music, constant dancing, and good vibes. Here are some pictures capturing the festivities. Enjoy the cute candids and smiling faces! Check out our Flickr page for more pictures from 200 Days! Intro by Robert Cain ‘21

While Claremont McKenna College doesn’t have an established program to support students interested in arts, students still have access to many art resources at The Claremont Colleges. Here are a few to get you started! THE JOINT MUSIC PROGRAM The ensemble performances are held in Garrison Theater. It has a 630 seat capacity. The Joint Music Program of Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, and Pitzer is a bit of a secret among students at the Claremont Colleges. The Joint Music Program is home to three ensembles: The Claremont Concert Orchestra, the Claremont Concert Choir, and the Claremont Treble Singers. Becky Ackley, the coordinator of the Joint Music Program, expressed that the program is lacking in students from Pitzer and CMC. All three ensembles enroll 80% Harvey Mudd and Scripps students, despite the Program sending out an email to all students at the four colleges at the beginning of each year. The Joint Music Program coordinators hope to make the program more visible to all students. Auditions for all the ensembles are held in the Fall and in the Spring. The Fall auditions are held from September 2 through 4. Auditions for the spring semester are held during the first week of classes. Audition sign ups for the choirs and orchestra can be accessed online. If you are interested in auditioning, contact Professor Kamm at ckamm@scrippscollege.edu. The stage at Garrison Theater. Finally, students are also encouraged to take private voice, piano, and violin lessons. Students can sign up for violin lesson audition online at the Joint Music Program Website. For voice and piano lesson auditions, students must visit the Scripps Performing Arts Center and complete the audition sheets hanging outside of professors’ doors. Sign ups for the spring semester begin right after students return to campus after winter break. The Concert Orchestra, which is open to all majors, currently has 60 students performing music from the 18th century through the present. Interestingly, more non-music majors participate in the program than music majors. The Concert Choir is open to all genders and performs pieces from the Baroque period all the way to the 20th century, as well as a capella pieces. They currently have 35 students, with a maximum capacity of 70 students. The Claremont Treble Singers is a women’s choir with 45 students. They practice music originating from the middle ages through present, as well as a capella music. For events, check out the Joint Music Program Facebook page. Recitals for students taking private lessons are held in Boone Recital Hall. It has 100 seats. All tickets and concerts are free to the public. SCRIPPS Many of the Scripps art classes take place in the art building at Scripps (next to the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery) . All students are welcome to enroll in Scripps art classes. Some art classes display student work in the Art Office. The Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery has exhibitions throughout the year, including prominent artists as well as the art of graduating senior art majors. All events on the calendar are free and open to the public with food and refreshments provided. The gallery also offers paid internships throughout the school year, which are only available to Scripps students. For events, visit their website. The Nancy-Glanville Music Library contains many scores and recordings. It is located right next to Garrison Theater. In addition to these facilities, Scripps has the Balch Auditorium, the Richardson dance studio, and piano practice rooms. POMONA The Byron D. Seaver Theater is a beautiful venue where the department of theater and dance hosts their shows. There are two theaters: the Seaver Theater; and the Allen theater, which is more intimate. Students from all schools are invited to audition for the productions. I recently attended “Water by the Spoonful,” a beautiful production written by Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed by Diana Wyenn. It explores the struggles of drug addiction within a family from Puerto Rico. Cathy Seaman, the Program Administrator, was kind enough to provide me with a complimentary ticket. The production was breathtaking and the students displayed incredible emotion in their acting. While this play is no longer showing, “The Government Inspector” is coming to the theater from November 15 to 18. Find more information about the theater department on their website and purchase tickets to upcoming events. The Pomona College Museum of Art is a small museum that changes its exhibit every semester. While I visited, a Pomona art history class was taking a tour. The museum currently holds the work of the late Marcia Hafif, who is a Pomona alumnus. She is a painter of experimental canvases and minimalism. The exhibition contains her paintings, as well as architectural designs and sculptures. Admission is open and free to the public. The brand new Pomona Studio Art Hall was completed in 2014 and holds all of Pomona’s art classes. It is a beautiful, wide open space with many windows and natural light. The Chan Gallery is on the first floor and holds student work. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Finally, The Hive is a resource that is available to all 5 schools. It is a space where students are encouraged to create and explore together. It is filled with free art supplies, art scraps, and quiet places to study. Many students come to create birthday gifts for their friends. The Hive has workshops such as sewing and metalsmithing. On “Maker Thursdays,” students come together to craft and use the woodshop. The Print Shop hosts workshops for making t-shirts, bags, and other clothes. To find out more visit their website and Facebook page. PITZER The Media studies lab is located in West Hall and has recording and editing rooms. These resources are available to students if they have special permission or are enrolled in a Pitzer media studies class. The lab also has an equipment rental where you can check out microphones, video cameras, and digital cameras. The Pitzer campus has many walls where students can paint murals. The gallery inside of the Edythe and Eli Broad Center displays student artwork, but only by students enrolled at Pitzer college. Pitzer also has a beautiful ceramics studio, though it is only available to Pitzer students who are working with Professor Timothy Berg, who is currently on sabbatical. HARVEY MUDD Harvey Mudd is home to the Caryll Mudd and Norman F. Sprague Jr. Gallery, which is located on the lower level of the Shanahan Center. The gallery hosts student works from all the 5Cs as well as student work from the Claremont Graduate University. All kinds of media are welcome, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video, spoken word, writing, and performance. Students submit work to the gallery every semester to be featured. Unfortunately, the submissions for the upcoming exhibit are closed, but announcements will be made in January for the Spring semester submissions. The Fall exhibition is open to everyone from October 25 to November 14, and the theme is symmetry. The gallery is currently filled with student art. The Harvey Mudd Concert Series organizes 15 to 20 concerts each year that are free and open to the public. The concerts take place in the 99-seat Drinkward Recital Hall. The programs include contemporary music, classical, opera, chamber, choir, jazz, computer, early music, world and international, and more. Typically, the performers are visiting professionals, but there are a few ways students can get involved. Talented music students and majors are selected to perform in chamber ensembles and as soloists in some of the concerts. Students in the Claremont Concert Choir and Treble Singers also perform as a part of the Joint Music Program. CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE Claremont McKenna College is a part of the Joint Music Program and also contributes funding to the program. Every two weeks, Create Club meets at the Appleby tables. Contact CC Schwab (cschwab19@cmc.edu) to sign up! Some students at CMC are advocating for more art resources on the CMC campus, such as students Andria Tattersfield ‘21 and Anya Zimmerman-Smith ‘21. They hold Tuesday “art nights” in Marks around 8:45 pm. They leave their door open so that anyone can come in and create! Tattersfield said there is a gap in resources on campus. “I know people who are interested in art but there isn’t really a constant space for it,” she said. Zimmerman-Smith said that “the Hive is open but a lot of CMC students don’t seek those opportunities out, and since it’s not on our campus it’s hard to access.” The two of them have created an inviting space where they provide art supplies and craft materials, but students are also welcome to bring their own supplies. Students like Tattersfield and Zimmerman-Smith are expanding the arts culture of CMC. Even though CMC does not support the arts as much as the other campuses, there are still many ways for students to get involved. These resources are often not visible, so it takes a watchful eye to catch them. Going to the Pomona Art Museum, seeing a play at the Seaver Theater, taking a ceramics class at Scripps or Pitzer, singing your heart out in the Claremont Concert Choir, and simply painting with friends are all ways to bring out your inner creativity.

Claremont McKenna College's annual Monte Carlo was in full swing on Saturday as students from across the 5Cs gathered in their best dresses for an evening under the chandeliers. After photoshoots on the red carpet, students gambled and danced the night away to the beat of live music. Here are some photos capturing the fun from the event. Photos taken by Jocelyn Song ’22, Mila Piacsek ’22, and Sophie Doane ’22.

Claremont McKenna College’s annual Toga party was in full swing last Saturday as students from across the 5C’s dressed up in pillowcases and bed sheets for a night of fun in Ancient Greece! Here are some pictures capturing the fun from the event. Photos taken by Jocelyn Song ’22 and Luca Khalsa ’23.

Although 100 days didn’t exactly take place with 100 days left (87…but who’s counting), the class of 2019 still danced the night away! Check out some photos of the event courtesy of Krystal Sung ‘19.

ASCMC's annual Monte Carlo was in full swing on Saturday as students from across the 5Cs donned their fanciest attire and danced to the beat of live music. The event featured complimentary food and beverages as well as casino games! Here are some photos capturing the fun from the event. Photos taken by Jocelyn Song ’22.

BY DESMOND MANTLE IMAGE COURTESY OF CNN Over the course of the past two months, I have contemplated a deeply personal issue: my racial and ethnic identity. Applying to law school is a difficult process for anyone, but it comes with extra baggage for a Mestizo person like me - someone descended from both the indigenous peoples of Mexico and the Spanish settlers who colonized them. The terms "Native American" and "American Indian," which often appear on law school applications, are insufficient for addressing the unique history of Mestizo people. To remedy this problem, the United States Census Bureau should amend its racial and ethnic categories to specifically address descent from the indigenous peoples of the Americas outside of the United States. Race is self-reported to the Census Bureau, and Mexican-Americans differ in how they choose to identify. More than 37 million Americans identified as Mexican-American as of the most recent American Community Survey, but fewer than 9 million Americans identified as part of the group "American Indian and Alaska Native," either alone or in combination with other races. The estimated Mestizo population in Mexico ranges from just under half to the vast majority of that nation's inhabitants. Perhaps immigration from Mexico to the United States has come disproportionately from the former's non-indigenous population, but in the absence of compelling evidence of such a phenomenon, the most reasonable conclusion is that Mestizos often do not consider themselves to be American Indians. So how do Mestizos identify their race? Some may choose "White," a few may choose "American Indian," and a great many likely choose "Some other race." An article appearing in NPR last year noted that Hispanic Americans are likely to check this box because they do not identify with racial groups like "White" or "American Indian" and may not even know the exact racial composition of their ancestry. The "Some other race" label is deliberately non-descriptive so that it can serve as a catch-all for Americans whose identity falls outside the other categories the Census Bureau provides, but this limits its usefulness for researchers relying on Census Bureau data. Mestizos are "White" and "American Indian," but they may feel hesitant identifying as such. The "White" label comes with the baggage of decades of racism in the United States, and although it is unfair to hold the wrongs of the past against the European-descended Americans of today, Mestizos are reluctant to identify themselves with a group they might associate with oppression. Conversely, Mestizos are also not "American Indian" in the narrower sense of being members of federally-recognized tribes in the United States. While checking the "White" box was easy for me to do in light of my father's non-Hispanic European ancestry, I have struggled throughout my life to resolve the dilemma of the "American Indian" box. On the one hand, I feel a strong connection to my indigenous ancestry. When I took a DNA test through Ancestry.com, my results were astounding: Indigenous Mexican ancestry is the single greatest contributor to my ethnic mix, coming in at 32.5% of my genetic code. Every New Year's Day, my mother cooks pozole, a traditional Mexican soup containing hominy, which is a nixtamalized corn invented by Indigenous Mexicans. When I think of my Mexican ancestors, I think of not only those who were Spanish but also those who were indigenous. On the other hand, I cannot risk an Elizabeth Warren moment in my potential political career. Fraudulently claiming American Indian identity is a serious offense in the court of public opinion, and I would never seek to mislead anyone into believing that I have lived on a reservation, that I am a member of a federally-recognized tribe, or that I participate in the cultural activities of such tribes. In the interest of truthfulness, I tend to refrain from checking the box unless I have a space to explain that my American Indian identity is Indigenous Mexican and very different from the American Indian identity belonging to tribes in the United States. The Census Bureau has a chance to allow millions of my fellow Mestizos and me to identify ourselves properly. By adding a "Mestizo" or "Indigenous to the Americas" category, or clarifying that “American Indian” includes these groups, the Census Bureau can prevent confusion, reduce overuse of the "Some other race" category, and allow Mestizos to identify themselves in the most truthful way possible. If other institutions follow suit, Mestizos may finally be free to tell the truth of who we are.

BY CHLOE "FIO" WIBAWA IMAGE COURTESY OF NEXTZEN Indonesia’s plan to begin moving its capital city 1000 miles away from Jakarta by 2024 is dangerous because of the potential social, economic and environmental problems that will likely arise from it. The government is relocating the capital because Jakarta is sinking at an alarming rate of 11 inches a year, with 40% of the city already underwater. The new capital, Nusantara, is located in East Kalimantan, around 1,250 miles northeast of Jakarta, and is home to 900,000 people. After Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the move in 2019, Indonesia’s Parliament passed the Capital City bill into law in January 2022, allowing construction to begin. The government reserved 445,000 acres of forested land to begin building the new city. Although city planners envision Nusantara as an environmental utopia, moving the capital is likely to pose detrimental threats to the environment. Kalimantan is home to endangered orangutans and approximately 7 million acres of protected forest. East Kalimantan lost 1.5 million acres of forest to oil palm planting, logging, mining, and other activities in 2018 – a 42% increase in deforestation from the previous year, Bloomberg reported in 2019. East Kalimantan will likely face more deforestation as the government builds Nusantara’s infrastructure. In a 2019 Bloomberg interview, University of Sydney lecturer Peter Matous warned, “New roads cutting through forest areas break the continuity of the forest cover and typically more slash and burn deforestation happens in their vicinity.” This would cause more forest fires, especially as Indonesia has seen increased climate change-related wildfires. Most of the land reserved for Nusantara’s construction is peatland, a carbon-rich wetland that consists of dead vegetation often burned and drained to make space for oil palm plantations. Destroying East Kalimantan’s forests to construct the new capital could potentially release 48 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to emissions released by 9.3 million vehicles in a year, the World Resources Institute reported in 2019. The destruction of forests will impact not only its wildlife, but also the local and indigenous communities that often rely on these lands for their livelihoods. The Dayak people, Kalimantan’s indigenous population, have faced a long history of challenges to their land rights, both from the government and natural resource extraction corporations. In 2020, the Forest People’s Programme’s estimates put at least 300,000 people at risk of displacement due to capital relocation. Land disputes can lead to a rise in civil conflicts in the area. This is especially pertinent because nearly 1.5 million civil servants including teachers, nurses and agricultural extension workers, will be migrating to East Kalimantan – among many other migrants who will be attracted by the new job prospects. “This huge number of migrants has the potential to disturb local economies and markets, especially in terms of housing and food,” Wasisto Jati, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency, said in his article published this year. “If the government does not accommodate the needs of locals, this will spark new conflicts.” The government’s lack of response to these potential issues with its plan has led experts to believe that Indonesia is more concerned with the optics of its idealistic and superficial model, such as building 100% “eco-friendly” high rises in the new city, than its feasibility. Approximately 59% of the 170 experts interviewed in a survey were not confident that Nusantara would materialize because of uncertainties in funding and management, Reuters reported based on data from the Indonesian Centre for Strategic and International Studies released this year. This result echoes a greater concern influenced by Japanese conglomerate Softbank Group’s exit this year as a major investor in the project after planning to invest $40 billion, citing timely return-on-investment issues. This has made other possible investors worried about joining the project. The Widodo administration announced that it would be offering 30-year tax breaks for companies willing to invest in Nusantara, Reuters reported last month. However, Indonesia must acknowledge these potential issues before investors and the public can be confident in the project. The government must make greater efforts to apply input from local and indigenous communities in Kalimantan, nongovernmental organizations, scholars and researchers in its policies and plans for the new capital. Only then can Nusantara be seen as a potential success and not a looming threat to Indonesia.

BY OLIVIA CARUSI IMAGE COURTESY OF ZOUBEIR SOUISSI AT REUTERS Protests have spread in Tunisia as resident Kais Saied continues to threaten democratic institutions, most recently dismissing the independent judiciary and peddling anti-migrant rhetoric. Civilian protests erupted in early January, calling for a halt in Saied’s efforts to consolidate his rule. Saied’s dissolvement of democratic bodies has alarmed citizens about Tunisia’s return to dictatorship. In late February, Saied delivered an anti-migrant speech at the National Security Council that incited civilian protests. Citizens took to the streets demanding Saied apologize for what they considered insulting language toward sub-Saharan migrants, whom he said were causing crime and posing a demographic threat to Tunisia. “The undeclared goal of the successive waves of illegal immigration is to consider Tunisia a purely African country that has no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations,” Saied said. The African Union condemned Saied’s comments, and urged Tunisia to avoid “racialized hate speech.” The president’s language contributes to a larger effort to separate Tunisia from less developed parts of Africa. Protesters strongly disagree with Saied’s actions, chanting in the capital city Tunis, “Down with fascism, Tunisia is an African country.” Racism is a persistent issue in Tunisia, where Black Africans make up 15% of the population, but remain absent from public life, employment, and government roles. Following Saied’s speech, he ordered security forces to stop all illegal migration and remove undocumented migrants. This prompted a campaign of arrests among sub-Saharan Africans and Black Tunisians. Anti-racism protests in Tunisia are the most recent example of dissatisfaction with Saied. In July 2021, Saied launched an anti-corruption campaign, dismissing the prime minister and broadening presidential powers in what critics called a power grab. A year ago Saied dissolved the High Judicial Council, replacing the independent justices with individually appointed members. Human Rights Watch recently released a report condemning Saied’s actions. Tunisia achieved deep democratic reforms following the Arab Spring in 2011. While many other neighboring countries have collapsed back into civil war or dictatorship, Tunisia’s democracy has persisted for years. Democracy in Tunisia has nonetheless wavered, facing a political crisis shortly after the 2011 Arab Spring Revolution that established democracy. In 2013, two prominent secular leaders of opposition parties were assassinated prompting protests against the Islamic government. “The challenges new leadership faced posed too much. Economic challenges didn’t go away under post 2011 challenges. Social challenges didn’t go away,” said Joost Hiltermann, Middle East and North Africa program director for the International Crisis Group. “People were fed up, and it was on that kind of wave that Kais Saied rose to the presidency, and he promised not to be autocratic, but now he’s showing his true colors.” Hiltermann said in a presentation last week to students at Claremont McKenna College. Saied was elected in what Tunisia’s election committee considered to be a free and fair election in 2019. Saied has sharply departed from his pledge of a democratic presidency. In late February, Tunisian security forces arrested Jaouhar Ben M’barek, the most prominent opposition leader to Saied’s government. Ben M’barek was the latest of a dozen prominent figures arrested in February under the false pretense of terrorism. “After putting himself in charge of prosecution and firing judges right and left, President Saied is now going after his critics with utter abandon,” said Salsabil Chellali, Human Rights Watch Tunisia director. Hiltermann is wary about the future of Tunisia: “I see the country continue down the path of autocracy without any ability to address the deep economic and social challenges that it faces. It doesn’t look good at all, to me.”

It's that time of year again and if you've walked by Collins this week, you've seen the banners that signal campaigns for First Year Class President have started! The Class of 2025 has started their first year of college and among them are courageous first-years hoping to lead as Class President. Read on to learn about some of the candidates running for First Year Class President (FYCP) a voting member on ASCMC's Executive Board. As FYCP, they'll manage a budget of $3000 to plan events and represent their class in ASCMC and among college administration. Candidates have until Wednesday at midnight to declare their candidacy by collecting 50 unique signatures from the members of their class. Speeches will be Thursday 7:30 pm at Pickford Auditorium. (in-person and live-streamed) We hope that you'll attend and support your fellow classmates! Umer Lakhani "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." Our freshmen class is the largest in history, which inevitably leads to an incredible vastness of diversity, whether that be demographically, in our interests, or our perspectives. That's why I believe it is imperative that I build a cabinet that is truly representative of that diversity, so that we can consider issues from as broad a range of viewpoints as possible. I don't want to cram fancy logos or clever slogans down your throat. While those are nice, I want the emphasis to be on how I will be your voice, relentlessly fighting for every last idea and issue you raise. I intend to pester the higher-ups to their very last straw of patience. Until I get a resounding "no" (with an explanation), I will unceasingly represent you to the best of my ability, no matter how small it may seem. I will fight equally as hard for an idea that has 1 person behind it as I will for an idea that has 200 people behind it. "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." Perhaps unconsciously, this is the maxim that I have lived my life by. I grew up in Dubai, where I gained my appreciation for diversity through my international schooling, trying to be as diverse as possible with my interests, ventures and experiences to be as unique and well-rounded as possible. This is why I am the candidate best poised to represent the diversity of our class. Want to know more? Feel free to email me, message me on Instagram or just approach me in person! I'd love to connect with as many of you as possible and discuss what I can do for you as your First Year Class President! Nelly Haley A Vote for Nelly is A Vote for YOU! A Vote for Nelly is A Vote for YOU! I'm running for FYP for US, I'm the voice that will speak up for you, especially when you can't do it yourself. I'm the ear that will always hear AND listen to you. We deserve a president that not only cares about us and our opinions, but is determined enough to work toward positive changes for us, and that president is me. Yall can depend on me to be the "Golden Gate Bridge" of bridges when it comes to bridging the gap between our class and the ASCMC executive board because I'll bring my ideas as well your ideas to the table in an effective way. When I'm voting on topics, it'll be with your opinions in mind, being the best spokesperson for class of 2025 that I can be. We need a president that is an innovative thinker, coming up with new ways to better our freshman community, and that president is me. I will always fight hard to get results for us because I'm resilient and highly motivated. I've been president in student government since middle school, through junior high, and high school. Additionally, I was captain of the varsity cheer team for 3 years, vice president of NHS, and section leader in band. As well as 3 younger siblings that follow my lead. There's no doubting my outstanding leadership abilities, I know what it means to be a passionate leader and what it takes to lead successfully. I'm the best candidate to represent the class of 2025 so allow me to prove it to you, just vote for you. With this position I aim to put into effect your ideas, host very entertaining class events that'll bring us closer, and to keep y’all updated on important resources and opportunities. Abizer Mamnoon Shazam! Shazam! Shazam! 🖖 Hi Friends, This is your friendly, neighbourhood Abizer-man (Shazam), and I am an International Student from Dubai. I am running for President to create a welcoming community for all first-years. I love CMC, and I want to make this community even better. In order to achieve this purpose, I have a couple of ideas in mind. I intend to arrange office hours every week (Monday 7 pm-8 pm and Friday 6 pm-7 pm) in front of the Dining Hall where you are welcome to sit with me and talk about your concerns or relax. Here is my agenda: I will organize numerous parties, games, and Netflix movie nights around campus that serve freshmen only. This will allow first-year students to mingle more with each other. I will ensure that more food trucks are set up around campus that go beyond the pizzas and burgers we are used to right now. We need to get food from other cuisines like Mexican, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Arabic etc. food to cater to the various backgrounds of students on campus. I will arrange rides to the beach, Disneyland, or LA often for freshmen students looking for a fun weekend. I will have more light bulbs around campus to assure the safety and well-being of students wandering around at night. It tends to get very sunny in the morning. This is felt most by the students walking from Mid Quad and South Quad to classes and the dining hall. I will set up umbrella stands around campus for conscious students concerned about sunstroke and skin cancer! You can shoot me an email anytime you want at amamnoon25@students.claremontmckenna.edu. I look forward to enjoying the rest of this year with you (Shazam! Shazam! Shazam! 🖖)! Natalie Phillips VOTE NAT, BECAUSE SHE HAS YOUR BACK Hi everyone! If you don’t know me, my name is Natalie Phillips, and I am running for first year class president! As a woman of the people, I too have felt the rush of past weeks and the inundation of new information, so I’ll tell you what I am running on in the most succinct way: Bettering Student Life: Adding FREE menstrual products to all bathrooms MORE and BETTER food options Recognizing more holidays on campus Introducing NEW and CREATIVE themes to parties Adding INTRACLASS events for grades to socialize Allowing our student ID’s to work as CASH in the Claremont village UNCHAIN THE CHAIRS, UNITING ONE CHAIR AT A TIME Keeping our Community Safe: Adding more WATER REFILL STATIONS all around campus Adding student EMT training and jobs to campus Creating more COHERENT Covid guidelines to keep our rates at 0 EXPANDING our mental health services so that every student knows they can get services that fit their needs Pursuing Academic Excellence: Adding students to CMC's Academic Standards Committee, so there is a student’s VOICE in reviewing cases Adding a READING WEEK before mid-terms and finals More INCLUSIVE campus clubs that provide pre-professional help Providing FACULTY DEI TRAINING to foster better class environments I truly want to be the voice of our awesome student body. I like to think of myself as someone who is approachable, so please: come up to me, sit with me, walk with me and let’s have a catch about anything (what you want improved, how your day is going, or literally anything on your mind). If you vote me for first year class president, I promise to do everything in my power to make this year the best it can be. VOTE NAT, BECAUSE SHE HAS YOUR BACK Eddie Wei THE BEST WAY IS WITH EDDIE WEI! Hey everyone! My name is Eddie Wei, and I’m running to be your First-Year Class President. A little bit about me: I am from Ames, Iowa, I like going on picnics and traveling, and I worked at American Eagle this past summer. While we have only been at CMC for a few weeks, I have already LOVED every single moment with you all. As your FYCP, I hope to transform my excitement for CMC into tangible change. Although my campaign includes goals relating to 1) supporting our transition to college life and 2) fostering school spirit, the main reason I’m running is to be your representative. As your president, I will fight for what you want. I understand that my goals for FYCP may not always align with yours. Thus, in formulating my campaign, I intentionally left room for your ideas. I will use my position as the only first-year on the ASCMC executive board to voice your opinions. If you have any proposals, complaints, or questions regarding CMC life, I will wholeheartedly advocate for you. My presidency will center around your ideas and the needs of our entire class. In addition, a vote for Eddie is a vote for a realistic campaign. Although my goals aren’t big compared to other candidates, my goals are feasible. I have recognized the duties but also the limitations of FYCP, and I hope you will too with your vote. It would be an absolute honor to serve as your FYCP. If you have any questions, please reach out at either ewei25@cmc.edu, or @eddie4fycp on Instagram. In addition, if you see me walking around campus, don’t feel afraid to say hi! I’d love to have a conversation. Talk to y’all soon, and remember: THE BEST WAY IS WITH EDDIE WEI! Luis Mendoza Luis Is the Missing Piece Hello Class of 2025 Stagthenas! My name is Luis Mendoza and I’m from North Carolina. If you would have asked me two months ago if I would run to be the First-Year President, I would have called you dillusionional. However, here I am. Now, why am I running, well here is why: Enhancing the beauty of our social life Who would have thought that we would have the privilege to be on campus for our first year at CMC. Events such as Holiday Parties, a “Before I Graduate…” mural and more could add to CMC. In addition, I want to ensure that action is taking place to address concerns from the student body. Such as having Water Bottle Stations around campus to stay hydrated and adding more light sources around campus to feel safer during the night. Evolution through Diversifying Inclusion I want to make sure that all students are heard and respected in their community. Also, I will strive to make a community where minorities are recognized and provided with resources throughout CMC. Having a Cultural Food Festival and a Festival of colors, would show how multiple cultures can come together. Also, working with affinity groups would help the voice of the minority, like hosting workshops for FAFSA and the CSS profile. Stress Relief and Mental Health Access For ALL Students are becoming more stressed because of homesickness, joining clubs, and the substantial amount of readings. Having pet therapy with Theo, hammock stations, and tea stations would provide a chance to lift some stress off their shoulders. Also, I want to make sure that each student’s mental health is being validated and everyone knows about the resources CMC has for all students. Feel free to contact me on IG (luis4fycp), lamendoza25@students.claremontmckenna.edu Peter Dien A core belief I hold is that our excellency as a school does not matter as long as the excellency is not attainable for everyone. Hello! My name is Peter Dien and I am running to be your CMC First Year Class President. I was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam but have lived in West Covina, California my entire life #WestCoastBestCoast. In high school I was a theatre and choir kid (tenor 1 gang wya) and also founded a community organization in my hometown called Change West Covina. A core belief I hold is that our excellency as a school does not matter as long as the excellency is not attainable for everyone. As long as our endowment is built off of oil pipeline money and the oppression of indigenous people, we can not live up to the expectations of “anti-racism” and “sustainability.” My job would be to spread awareness, build a class consensus, and garner public pressure so that WE can use our agency as a school to take a stance against the KKR pipeline. I am aware that my role as class president is not simply a big picture one. The details make the portrait, and I will spend as much time crafting emails and organizing community bonding events as I will spend time lobbying in certain committees to enact broad change. Our task is daunting, but it can only be accomplished through your vote, your voice, and your solidarity. Bryan Soh The Choice Is Soh Damn Obvious Hey y’all, it’s Bryan Soh and I would be extremely thrilled and privileged to serve you all as first-year class president. A little bit more about me: I’m from sunny Singapore, my favorite artists include The 1975, LANY, and Fiji Blue, and I have an unhealthy obsession with perfume. Let’s first preface this by saying that whoever ends up as FYCP will do a fantastic job at building a strong sense of camaraderie for this class. But if you want to put your trust in someone who’s willing to get his hands dirty and serve others before himself, I’m your guy. With the same dedication of an army officer that lives to fight and die for his men, I will not rest till my class is satisfied. My ideas currently, though certainly open to your criticism and improvement, include: A centralized spreadsheet/website for freshmen to easier navigate through CMC’s & 5C’s resources, support systems, and affinity groups Streamlined dissemination of information (social events, athletic games, off-campus trips) to freshmen Initiation of more campus traditions to instil class and school spirit (songs, chants at games; weekly open-field karaoke sessions) Finding a way to use meal plan Board Plus Dollars to pay for laundry Beyond this, I will be a reliable bridge between us and the school. I’ll surface feedback and concerns accordingly to give you answers. Central to my vision are actionable goals. More than your voice, I will be your hands and feet, working tirelessly to effect the change you want to see in CMC. And most importantly, beyond this FYCP position, I just want to be a listening ear and a source of support for you guys. Feel free to talk about anything under the sun with me at bsoh25@cmc.edu or on the ‘gram at @bryanjedidiah! Addison Reddinger Don’t be misled, vote Addi Redd! :) Hello beautiful people! My name is Addison Reddinger and I’m running for First-Year Class President. My time here at CMC so far has been absolutely incredible. Our student body is supportive and intellectually curious, we have vast resources that allow us amazing opportunities, and the community here is like no other I’ve experienced. This is a truly special place. CMC is home to me and I want to ensure that everyone feels the same. Here are some of my plans and ideas for the upcoming year: Student Life and Happiness As we transition back to normal, building student support systems and hosting engaging social events are my top priority. This includes continuing to raise awareness for mental health and committing to bringing fun, innovative events and traditions to campus. I plan on selecting a Mental Health Coordinator for my cabinet to help me spearhead issues on campus and create new policies that ensure students feel safe and heard. Additionally, I plan on working closely with the Student Life Committee(SLC) to consistently provide entertaining social functions. Student Representation Larger student representation is a must this year! This means more student involvement in critical decisions on campus. Some of the ways I plan to do this are working with the Academic Affairs Committee(AAC) to ensure student representation on the Academic Standards Committee and committing to selecting a diverse cabinet that’s representative of the entire student body and ensures everyone from marginalized groups are heard. Other Goals Establishing set formatting guidelines for professors using SAKAI. Working to bring free, high-quality menstrual products to bathrooms. Innovating ways to ensure all halls have easily accessible water. Vastly improving WIFI networks. Weekly/Biweekly food events(In-N-Out/Canes/etc). Better social media presence. Don’t be misled, vote Addi Redd! :) Ask me more! @addison4cmc2025/areddinger25@students.claremontmckenna.edu Giovanni Pierre Hey CMC Class of 2025! Gio is your Hero! For those of you I haven’t met, I’m Giovanni Pierre (he/him). I’m from Woburn, MA, and I like skating, The Beatles, and long walks on the beach, and I’m running to be your first- year class president! If you’ve seen me around campus, I was probably in front of Collins, dapping up everyone that I come across, and shouting people’s names across campus. That’s because my mission is to be a representative in the fullest sense of the word, and to accomplish this, I’ve attempted to establish a relationship with every member of our class of ’25 community. Since I will be the only first-year on the executive board, it’s imperative that I get to know each of you, as the better I know you, the better I can represent you. I want you all to see me as someone that you can call up at any time or sit with at Collins if you need anything. If you want to reach me, shoot me a DM or a text and we can meet up. We can talk about whatever you want, ranging from changes you want to whether Donda is better than CLB (it is btw). My main way of connecting with all of you—other than seeing you in person—will be through Instagram. Expect consistent Q&As, polls, suggestion boxes, and CMC memes from me. I understand that CMC’s party culture isn’t the most inclusive and that parties aren’t for everyone. So apart from class parties and my side-mission to make North Quad actually fun, I have a ton non-party of first-year class events planned: In-N-Out dinners, class barbecues and field days, video game tournaments, open mic nights, and class beach trips. One of my core values for this community is inclusivity, so in this spirit, my cabinet will be comprised of a diverse group of people of various backgrounds, identities, and points of view in order to ensure I can properly advocate for all members of our first-year class when making decisions on the executive board. That’s a quick run-down of my campaign without giving everything away (the rest to come during my campaign speech on Thursday). If you have any questions or just want to talk, stop me around campus, I’m happy to chat with you. Remember, Gio is your hero! Peace and Love <3 Gio Day Sangmo Contact me at lsangmo25@students.claremontmckenna.edu Hi everyone, My name is Lodoe, but I go by Day. I’m from NYC but I’ve been living in LA for the past year. You’ve probably seen me falling off my longboard, riding behind Clare’s wheelchair, or hogging all the sriracha at Collins. Here are a few fun facts about me! I originally arrived in the U.S. as a Tibetan refugee before becoming a citizen. Pre-covid, I was a swim instructor for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. And lastly, Justin Bieber follows me on Twitter! I really hope to become y’alls First Year President. I intend to implement various plans regarding improving campus safety, inclusive social activities, and amping up school spirit. I would invest in speakers that would play a CMC-curated playlist to make parties more inclusive. To increase campus safety, I would work with the CMC administration to get more lights including string lights and lamps ensuring that people get back to their dorms safely, while adding to the CMC aesthetic. To improve social life, I plan to create Game Boxes filled with recreational equipment, board and card games. These are just a few of the ideas that I have to make CMC a more lively, safe place. If you like these or have similar suggestions I would love to hear from you! Thank you! Contact me at lsangmo25@students.claremontmckenna.edu