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The Resident Assistants for the new year have just been announced, and they will be starting their RAships after Spring Break. The room draw process will take place shortly after that. Check out these profiles to meet your new RAs! APPLEBY Leana Jacobs Hi friends! My name is Leana and I’m super excited to be your new Appleby RA! I’m a first-generation college student from Los Angeles, California and am majoring in Econ-Accounting. Some of my favorite shows include You, Stranger Things, and all three Bachelor series. If you guys have suggestions for me, please send them my way! Skills include being able to quote every episode of Spongebob and scarfing down on Wingstop wings at an alarming rate. On campus, you can find me catching rays, stocking up on Collins’ cookies, or being dragged across Parents at 8 am by my friends for a workout. I’m always here for you guys, whether that’s as a gym buddy or someone to wait in Frary’s omelet line with :/ Come stop by my home on Apple-beach anytime to grab, sip, or spill tea! Snacks, workout plans, advice, and hugs will be provided. See you all super soon! Love, Your new Queen 🐝, Le! AUEN Brandon Mitchell Hi everyone! My name is Brandon and I am ecstatic to be one of the RAs for the Golden Tower: Auen! I am dual majoring in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science so feel free to ask any questions about either. On campus, I am either on Arce Field playing baseball for the Stags, hacking away like Gilfoyle from SV, or at Roberts working out. I also enjoy going to concerts, hiking with friends, and drinking ridiculous amounts of cold brew. Feel free to stop by my room whenever and talk about anything! I am really excited to meet all of you :) Taite Jorgensen Hi! My name is Taite Jorgensen am I’m the new Auen RA with my co-RA Brandon! I’m from the best city in the world - San Diego! When I’m home, you can catch me at the beach and eating at my favorite restaurants (lots of cinnamon rolls and Italian). I am majoring in Organizational Studies and minoring in Leadership sequences. I also was an CMC Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and feel really passionate about making our campus a safer, more comfortable place for all members. For the past four summers, I have interned at a digital marketing agency and focused on marketing strategies, advertisements and social media! I don’t know what I want to do with my life after CMC… but hopefully it’s something in the fashion industry! In my free time, I love finding new food places, taking film photos, and relaxing with my friends. Feel free to stop by my room for snacks or to watch the Office with me! BECKETT Maezelle Hope Millan Hey hey! My name is Maezelle (like Hazel with an M), and Taylor and I are the new Beckett RAs! I am majoring in Econ and Phil with a Leadership sequence. I am also part of the CMS Women’s Basketball team and SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting. In my free time, I like to watch NBA games, listen to old R&B, talk faith and philosophy, play card games, dance to Beyoncé, and go on food explorations! I’m hyped to get to know all my Beckett Boos! But resident there or not, come swing by and chat with the coolest RA team! Taylor Jackson Hey y’all! I’m Taylor, and I’m from Chicago! I’m a Russian and Eastern European Studies and International Relations double major (I know it’s a mouth full). I spent my sophomore spring and junior fall semesters abroad in Russia, and it was crazy! I’m so excited to be the co-RA of Beckett, and even more excited to get to know all of you. Feel free to swing by Beckett and chill with me! BENSON Mohamad Moslimani Hello everyone! My name is Mohamad Moslimani. I am from Queens, New York City, and I am hyped to be one of the Co-RAs of Benson Hall! I lived in Benson in my Sophomore year and can't wait to move back in. Some more info about me: I am a PPE Major who might just tack on a sequence at the last second. Although currently I just work as the Student Manager to the CARE Center, I've previously worked extensively in QuestBridge and with a variety of other affinity groups, planned and led the Alternative Fall and Spring Breaks, been a FYG, and hosted events like QuestGiving for students who stay back on campus. In my free time, I love to watch Netflix and Hulu (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina? SLAPS. Saiki K? SLAPS. Castlevania? SLAPS. The Good Place? SLAPS. My Hero Academia? SLAPS. Steven Universe? SLAPS.), replay the Kingdom Hearts series, go to Menkoi Ya and Kazama Sushi in the village, live vicariously through my own Amazon wishlist, and find new music on Spotify! As a low-income student, I have taken advantage of DOS funding, SIE funding, Kravis funding, PPE funding, the Yonsei Program, the Washington Program, and I have bothered the Director for Fellowships and the Center for Global Studies with more things than you can imagine. I am passionate about access to resources for students from marginalized backgrounds (getting what's yours), being a friend to anyone who needs one, and not letting anything bother me without first asking "Does this affect my credit score?" Please come by if you wanna try giving me new art to consume, want tips on how to navigate college and the world beyond, want to talk about your passions, or just want to hang out. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon! Georgia Wood Hey y'all! I'm Georgia and I'm a born and raised Jersey girl living in Anaheim, CA. I'm one of the new Benson Hall RAs! I am a Government and Psychology dual major with an interest in counter-terrorism. On-campus I am a Success Consultant in DOS and I used to play rugby with the Foxes before an injury. I'm the biggest LA Kings hockey fan (yes, we're bad, don't talk about it) and hockey is the only sport I will watch on TV. I love everything country and country music and you can catch me in my cowboy boots line dancing on weekends (currently in search of the perfect cowboy hat). I am so excited to be a part of the 20-21 RA cohort and can't wait to get to know all y'all! BERGER Emily Pugh Hello friends! My name is Emily and I’m just a curious soul from small-town Georgia who wants to see the world. My family is one of the most important things in life to me along with dark chocolate, ambitious checklists and anything pastel. In the mornings you can catch me running around Claremont or eating a mostly-healthy breakfast at Collins. I also love getting out into either nature or the city on the weekends and hope to conduct research in China before going to grad school. Please swing by anytime to chat about study abroad, starting your own podcast or whatever random thing is going on around Claremont! Wendy Torres-Badajoz I’m Wendy one of the new Berger RA’s. I’m an LA local like actually LA not the surrounding area .. lol anyway and maybe the biggest dodger fan ever. I’m a Philosophy History dual major and spent a year abroad on the DC program and then in Cuba. On campus I do a lot of work with admissions and the preview program and have been granted SIE twice, fingers crossed for a third time! Off campus and during breaks i’m an older sister, dog mom and puzzle enthusiast. I’m also crazy organized: I’m talking g-cal, planners, color coding, the whole thing. So if you want to chat about any of these things, build a 5,000 piece puzzle or need help getting organized lmk, whether you live in Berger or not. BOSWELL Declan Judge Hi everyone, my name is Declan and I’m from Boston, Massachusetts. I’m currently studying Economics and Finance here at CMC. I played football here for the Stags and love watching and playing all sports. I enjoy having fun with my friends whether on the field, in the classroom, or off campus. One of my favorite parts about CMC is the accessibility of seeing a concert in LA, or doing quick weekend trips to Mammoth or Vegas. I think myself along with the others within the cohort have a good understanding of the social, academic, and personal struggles that come with being a college student, and hope that those living in Boswell or elsewhere on campus will feel comfortable talking with me and/or the other RA’s. I’m really excited to be the RA of Boswell, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone! CLAREMONT HALL Mimi Thompson My name is Mimi and I am so excited to be your Chall RA! Dorm events are my favorite thing, so get ready for scavenger hunts, trivia nights, and bake-offs. I’m a Literature and Psychology major who has a passion for theater, so I am always either reading Shakespeare or Austen (out loud, with the accents, of course), or scamming people with my psych studies. Bangkok, Thailand is where I call home and I love being with my family. My sister, Lucy, is coming to CMC next year, and can definitely share all the crazy adventures my family gets up to! On campus, you can find me in Ryal, getting glittered up for a party with friends, or watching The Vampire Diaries. Being an RA has always been a dream of mine and I’m so grateful for this incredible opportunity. CROWN Max Dawson What’s up CMC!! My name is Max, I’m from San Diego, CA, and I’m SO excited to be one of Crown’s new RAs! I lived in Crown triples for two years (no, I can’t tell you why) and I’m thrilled to be back in the best dorm on campus! I’m majoring in the BA/MA program with a math dual, and am the CFO of ASCMC and CIO of SIF – if you couldn’t tell, I spend WAYYY too much time in Excel. When that’s not happening, you’ll find me playing pool at the Hub (shoutout to Josh Meadows), or at Roberts training for American Ninja Warrior. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and getting closer with the ones I already know: stop by my open door hours whether you’re a Royal or not! You KNOW the biggest rooms on campus have space for extra snacks… Emma Finn Hi everyone! I am Emma Finn from Westport, CT. I am a science management major with a biotechnology sequence. On campus, I run 5C EMS, work as a career service mentor, and work as a student researcher in an organic chemistry lab! I love being outside, playing sports, cuddling dogs, and journaling:) I am also a transfer student, and feel very lucky to have ended up at CMC after taking a winding path. Please come by Crown to see me- I love meeting new people! FAWCETT Josh Meadows CMC! My name is Josh Meadows, I’m from Washington DC, and I’m incredibly pumped be one of the new Fawcett (Fawc-LIT ) RAs. I lived in Fawcett for the fall semester last year and I absolutely loved the dorm’s scenic views and close-knit community. On campus I’m an Organizational Studies and Philosophy Dual Major and I work for RDS in the Soll Center. On any given day you can find me walking around campus with an iced-coffee or at the Hub distracting my friends and playing pool (shoutout to Max Dawson). I can’t wait to connect with everyone on campus, chat, and share some of my many strong opinions including that pineapple belongs on pizza and that regular Cheetos are better than hot Cheetos. Talk soon! Josh Dri Tattersfield Hello friends!! My name is Dri, and I am super excited to be the new Fawcett RA! I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan (the birthplace of boba!) and now live in Portland, Oregon (the birthplace of Raining Every Day). My pronouns are they/them/theirs and I'm always down to talk about gender identity with anyone that wants to learn more. I am a Physics and Philosophy major who is really interested in how science shapes + is shaped by society. I am also a fellow at the CARE Center and love stopping by there for dope conversations and yummy food (that 12/week meal plan...)! On campus, you might find me volunteering at the farm, performing spoken word poetry, or laying in the grass. Talk to me about studying abroad in Tanzania, Studio Ghibli movies, Avatar the Last Airbender, and making comic books/zines! I am SO STOKED to get to know you all - hit me up anytime to hang at the Motley/Augies, make art, or just chat in my room (I have many comfy floor pillows)!! GREEN Naseem Nazari Hi everyone! I am Naseem, the new RA of Green. I am from the far far away land of Claremont, CA (yes, people actually live here). On campus, I am a PPE major, research assistant at the Rose, and tour guide at Admissions. I have a really cute puppy named Jooni and am planning play dates for her and Theo on Green Beach; stay tuned as the world's cutest love story unfolds. I love fresh air (fun fact: my name actually means fresh air in Farsi), traveling, and doodling. I am always looking for new music, so please hit me with some recs. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so if you see me at Collins in the morning, feel free to say hello :) MARKS Robert Cain Greetings, friends and future residents! My name is Robert Cain, but my friends call me Classy Cain. It is with deep excitement that I relieve the current RAs and assume their position as co-RA of Marks Hall alongside the fabulous Elena Castellanos. Less thrilling news is that I call Little Rock, Arkansas home, but thankfully, my birth certificate reads Sacramento, California. At CMC, I am majoring in Applied Mathematics and Media Studies with a to-be-determined Data Science Sequence and an obsession for TV dramas. My current favorites are Pose, How to Get Away with Murder, and Shameless. I also work at DOS as a student assistant, and if you see me engaging in sarcastic commentary or hear my loud laugh, please say hi! If not in DOS, you will usually find me working at the Hub, tanning near the fountains, or watching an episode of Wendy Williams. I am passionate about fashion, photography, and international travel as I serve fits regularly and recently returned from a year abroad in Thessaloniki, Manila, and Prague. If you need fashion advice or tips on studying abroad, hit me up. I am super excited to meet you all! P.S. My pronouns are he/him/his. Elena Castellanos Hi Friends! My name is Elena, and I’m an LA local. You can typically find me watching the newest Netflix food show, drinking oat milk lattes, and biking to Trader Joe’s (but not always at the same time). On campus, I study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and I am a fiend for urban planning and design. I’m so excited to be one of your Marks RAs! Get pumped for some fun, relaxing dorm events — avocado toast included. I can’t wait to get to know you all over a coffee at Augie’s. PHILLIPS Lizzette Rojas Hello everyone! My name is Lizzette Rojas, but I sometimes go by Liz. I'm an Econ-Accounting major from Houston, Texas (so you know I'm H-town 'til I drown). I lived in Phillips my Freshman year, strayed a bit my sophomore year, and am now back with the Pham! I am SO excited to be an RA and to get to know everyone. On campus, I'm involved in 1Gen, FYG, the CAA, and in CMS Intramurals. In my free time I enjoy being active- whether that's playing volleyball, working out, or just walking to Mudd for dinner. I am passionate about animals and the environment and can whip out animal facts at any given moment. I have an unhealthy addiction to coca cola and pickles, so you know I'm always stocked. If anyone ever wants to stop by for a pickle, a good laugh, or some quality phamily time, my door is always open! <3 STARK Placide Gatabazi Muraho mwese! (Google is your friend) My name is Placide Gatabazi and if you can't tell from my greeting or last name, I am from Rwanda. I am a Science Management major with a Computer Science or Data Analytics track. You will find me at the library most of the afternoons and evenings trying to study or just bored and reading Malcolm Gladwell's book or piece. What do I love? I would talk about Rwanda for the whole day, I love dancing to Afrobeats, I love making some risky investments, and LOVE listening to other people's stories. Feel free to stop by my room to have a sip on some of the finest juices from Rwanda or talk about anything. Thrilled to be back in Stark! Go STARRRK! Lupe Valente Hello everyone! My name is Guadalupe Valente (but please, call me Lupe) and I am one of the two new Stark RAs! I am from East Los Angeles, California and am dual majoring in Mathematics and Spanish. Although I like to think I spend a good portion of my time studying, I’m actually pretending to do work at the Hub while sneaking fries from my friends. I have a clear obsession for succulents and flowers and try to collect as many leafy friends as I can. And even if I may not look it, I try to hit the gym a few days a week to make up for my taste for snacks - so be assured, I will always be packed with goodies to eat and snack on in my room! If I’m not at the Hub you can probably catch me working at the C.A.R.E Center, Admissions or giving tours around campus. I'm so excited to get to know as many of you as I can! STUDENT APARTMENTS Mitchell Kirsch Hello everyone! My name is Mitchell Kirsch and I'm from Atkinson, NH. I am a passionate sleeper and love eating vegetables. Academically, I geek out over Psychology and Economics, but I love learning about optimal human performance the most. During my free time I take full body ice baths, walk around barefoot, go bird watching, and look for opportunities to compete. I am a shooting guard on the CMS Men's Basketball team and spend many hours a day in Roberts Pavilion! I am super excited to be one of the three RAs at the Student Apartments! Please stop me on the path and say hello! If you're reading this, I challenge you to get 9 hours of sleep tonight. Sevion DaCosta Hello all! My name is Sevion – but you can also call me Sev. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada (yes, Drake is my cousin) and I am a PPE major with a Legal Studies sequence. I am very excited to be one of the RAs of the apartments along with Caitlyn and Mitch. On-campus I am the President of the CMC Mock Trial team (feel free to reach out to me if you’re interested in joining), an avid New England Patriots fan and am always happy to talk about sports, movies, cooking, or anything else. Feel free to stop by the Apartments to say hi or stop me whenever I’m passing by! Caitlyn Louzado Hi everyone, my name is Caitlyn Louzado and I am from Pune, India. I am super excited to be an RA at the Senior Apartments along Mitchell and Sev! My majors are Economics and Psychology and I am especially interested in the environmental and the educational sector. I enjoy playing piano, painting and eating anything chocolate related. You can always catch me on Kravis fourth floor for a good sunset or at Frary breakfast. On campus, I am part of the mock trial team, make pastries at the ath, and am actively involved with ASCMC. I love going to new places, pushing myself out of my comfort zone (like the time when I skydived) and meeting new people! So come through to the apartments whether you’re a senior or not and I will provide the Indian snacks :) Always here for a good conversation and I am looking forward to this new role on campus. WOHLFORD Salomé Lefort Hi everyone, I am so excited to be your new Wohlford or as I like to call it Wohlf pack RA, woof woof . My name is Salomé or better known as Sal here on CMC's campus and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. You might not recognize me because I was working away in politics in Washington last semester (No I cannot and will not be president). Catch me sounding mad but really joking with my mom on the phone in French, watching an absurd amount of reality television, and wearing sneakers to business casual events (oops). On campus I work at DOS and the Office of Events at that building really far away. I have also been a part of ASCMC, and am still a proud member of 1-Gen! Please say hi if you see me on campus or dancing till I drop on a weekend night and I am so pumped to be your new RA!

Most students will remember the anticipation of waiting inside Heggblade, watching rooms on the monitor slowly turn to red, signaling the room they wanted was no longer available, and having to quickly come up with another plan of action. Fortunately, no student will have to wait inside Heggblade for their turn because Room Draw selection will be online! In August 2019, Residential Life introduced a new online software program called Residence, and this is where Room Draw 2020 will take place. Room Draw is essentially the same as it always has been--the only exception is that you get to do everything from the comfort of your own room. For first years or anyone confused about how room draw will be happening next month, I’m here to break down all the nitty-gritty details of the process to hopefully ease any anxiety you might be feeling! When is Room Draw? ResLife has not released the official time slots for Room Draw, but expect it to be happening the week of April 13th-April 17th. All students who are not retaining their rooms, who were not approved to live off-campus, who did not get an apartment through the Apartment Selection process, or who did not select a room during Sub-Free Selection must participate in Room Draw. How do I know when it is my turn to select my room? All students will be given a random computer-generated number. Along with this number will be a selection time. The selection time is what you want to pay the most attention to because it is the exact time you will be allowed to access Room Draw. ResLife has not given a specific date for when the numbers will be sent out, but you will have plenty of time between finding out your number and Room Draw to prepare. How are the numbers assigned? The numbers are randomly assigned within each class based on the matriculation class designations. This means during Room Draw week there will be one night dedicated to a specific class of students. For example, the first night of Room Draw will include all students who are deemed juniors and seniors (those who started CMC in the Fall of 2017 and Fall of 2016.) The SympleSelect process within Residence will have time closures for contingencies or updates that need to happen during the process. When the process is closed, you will not be able to access the site until it reopens. Room availability is updated in real-time. As students select spaces, rooms will be removed from the queue, including while you may be in the system making a selection. With that being said, ALWAYS have two back up plans in case your first choice is taken early on in the process. What if I want a roommate? If you would like to have a roommate for the 2020-2021 academic year, you must form a group via Residence. To form a group, enter into the Room Draw process in Residence and enter your roommate's code to send them an invitation to group with you. The system will automatically choose the earliest selection time from amongst the group members (i.e the time you pick your room is based on which roommate has the earlier time slot.) You will only be able to form a group with those students whose application has been submitted and approved. ResLife suggests waiting until the afternoon of March 13th to begin forming groups, as that is the deadline to submit housing applications. Can I draw into a double without a roommate? The simple answer: No. An individual student will not be permitted to draw a double without a roommate. Any students who do not have roommates arranged will be able to select into a room on the last day of Room Draw, but only after all other groups have selected their rooms. My friends and I want to live in North Quad, how does that work? In North Quad half-suites, groups of four students may draw into the traditional half-suites of either both north-facing rooms or both south-facing rooms. “Traditional half-suites” is basically the code word for every room that is not in the pod. Half-suite student groups may not draw into one northern room and one southern room in the traditional suites. This means you and your friends will either have your suite all on the north side or the south side of the dorm, not on both. In the pod suites (i.e the rooms above the lounges in North Quad,) groups of four students may draw into either both east-facing rooms or into both west-facing rooms. Just like the traditional half-suites, pod suite student groups may not enter into one eastern room and one western room in the pod suites. For the 2020-2021 academic year, Green and Wohlford pods will be male-designated and Boswell and Appleby pods will be female-designated. To exercise this housing option, the group leader for the group of four students will need to select the room at their designated time (i.e the group leader should be the student with the earliest time for your best chances.) If there are no half-suites available when your selection time comes, you will need to split up and follow the instructions for roommates. If any member of the four-person group withdraws from their selected room after Room Draw, the remaining roommates may be reassigned to a new location at the discretion of Residential Life staff (i.e make sure everyone in your group is 100% sure they want to live in North Quad.) Will block housing be offered next academic year? Block housing will not be offered because of the changeover to Residence. Auen and Claremont Hall used to offer block housing, but will not be possible for the upcoming year. There is no way to manage the system effectively because rooms need to be grouped together in as suites (as with NQ half-suites) and that is not possible with the way Auen and Claremont Hall are set up online. Can I know who will be living near me in my desired residence hall? Yes! ResLife has confirmed that boards of the outlines of each dorm will be available for students to see every night of Room Draw week in McKenna Auditorium. Residence does not have a feature that allows that, but ResLife understands it is an important part of living in the CMC community. I hope this answered some of your questions about how the process works and what it will look like this year! If you have any other questions feel free to ask Jennifer Guyett or Victor Diaz in the Dean of Students Office. However, do not waste your time, or theirs, asking about your “chances” of getting a specific room; the process is all about the unpredictable nature of human behavior. Your room and where you live on campus is what you make of it, so plan ahead and have a positive attitude to save yourself some stress.

Many CMCers can no longer remember their daily routines as first-year students. How did they balance their time? What were their priorities? Two first-year students shared a day in their lives as an example of the average first-year's day. Both students report having a sufficient amount of free time each week, spending time with friends, reading, sketching, watching television, or online. In addition to having jobs, both students begin their day by working out at Roberts Pavilion during the school week. Outside of class, they are involved in clubs and attend events occasionally. For instance, one first year's schedule is as follows: 7:30-7:45 a.m. She wakes up, goes to the gym, and then showers. If time permits, she completes some homework before class. 11:00-12:15 p.m. She attends the first class of the day. 12:15 p.m. She eats lunch and attends class afterward. "My afternoons and evenings are filled with pretty much just homework. If I have a club meeting for Psych Club or Power of Women (POW), I'll go to that. I'll go to events sponsored by Psych Club or POW. I should expand my horizons and go to more events. I try to go once every two weeks. I love going to the Athenaeum, so I also try to go once every two weeks," she said. Since CMC does not allow first-year students to have cars on campus, many don't leave CMC often. "I usually work once a week off-campus, but I don't go to the Village that often. I go maybe once a month. I don't have a car yet, so I don't get off campus that much. But, I do go to events at other schools or see friends there," she said. To reduce stress, she prioritizes spending time with friends and doing nonacademic activities. Finding a balance between being social and alone is a goal for both of these first-years, so they don't neglect their mental health. "I have a pretty good amount of free time right now, but this depends on whether I have a midterm that week because then most of my free time would be spent studying or working on a big project. But, I do try to allow myself time to visit friends or relax by watching TV just because I'll go insane if I don't take a little bit of time for myself," she said. Despite experiencing pressure to always be productive, she feels that she has options regarding her daily schedule. "For the most part, I would say that I keep myself pretty busy, and it's a lot of work, but it's manageable. If I'm sitting around and I don't have anything to do, there's usually some reading I could get ahead on if I want to be productive. If I don't want to be productive, then I can relax. It's nice to have that option," she said. 10:30 p.m. To get a full night's rest, she tries to get to sleep by 10:30, which is early by most CMCers' standards. Another first-year student researches for an economics professor on Mondays and works at Roberts Pavilion on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Her schedule on Mondays and Wednesdays is as follows: 7:30-10:50 a.m. She hits the gym bright and early, followed by breakfast and a shower. Both students prioritize exercising in the mornings to increase productivity, alleviate stress, and maintain their physical health. 11:00-2:30 p.m. She attends her first class, grabs a quick lunch, and heads to her 1:15 class. 2:45-4:00 p.m. With a heavy class load on Wednesdays and Thursdays, she then goes to her last class of the day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she attends only one class and participates in Mock Trial and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) as a Fellow. With a few hours of free time each day, she believes that most first-years are trying to learn effective time management skills. Since living on-campus allows them more free time, both are trying to balance their time since their time was more structured in high school. "I feel like [my time management] could be better. I feel like I'm struggling to understand what my priorities are and what I want to get out of the college experience. There is a continual change in perspective between, 'Oh, I should be going out more,' or "I should be sleeping more.' One thing I feel that I may have neglected is my own personal care just because I'm in this world where I feel like I have to meet new people and do more work or be consistently productive. My personal care has suffered, but I'm still working on balance. It's a work in progress," she said. During her free time, she finds herself on campus talking to friends or watching television; she also exercises to destress. "I go to my Institute's events, but otherwise I go to events very minimally. I've been on a couple of CPB events. I've been to the Atheneum three times. I go to the Village sometimes. I've been there maybe two or three times. I go out with my friends almost every weekend night. And, I go out to bigger events probably once a week," she said. Since coming to college, she struggles to prioritize her favorite hobbies, including drawing, due to lack of time and motivation. With different Claremont Colleges continually hosting events, both students are trying to balance productivity and self-care. "I think I need more creative outlets. For me, I would go back to sketching or doing some reading for pleasure. I have to decide to prioritize myself, and I think I'm not the only one who has difficulty doing that in a new environment. We all want to do our best and feel comfortable with others, so we kind of neglect how we feel about ourselves," she said.

“The journey is often followed by a lot of sweat and tears, and the constant struggle to stay above water while everyone else is simply floating.” - Diana Hernandez ‘21 Your first semester in college is always rough. It’s nothing like high school; everything isn’t done for you. Yes, you get freedom, but with that comes more responsibility. This might shock some students when they first join a college community, but with the right resources and guides, freshman year can be less stressful. Now, imagine coming to campus with no previous knowledge on anything “college.” Imagine stepping onto one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, treading territory that has never before been navigated by either of your parents. Now, imagine being surrounded by people who have totally different experiences from you, constantly hearing personal stories about college and receiving assistance with their college applications from their parents. Feeling overwhelmed? Well, this is the experience of numerous first generation students when they first arrive to campus. At Claremont McKenna College, ranked #7 in National Liberal Arts Colleges on US News, approximately 18% of the student body are first-generation college students, meaning they are the first in their immediate family to attend college. Their status as a first-generation student presents these students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pave a path for themselves and their future families. Nevertheless, many of these students still face obstacles before and after arriving to campus. One preliminary obstacle many first-gen students face is having limited access to information about the college and the application process. Additionally, interacting with students who have college educated parents can be a bit challenging because of the different mindsets established from both experiences. Ultimately, the first-gen experience is still an existing challenge for many students. We must understand the contrast between first gen students and their counterparts in order to better grasp how life is different for first-generation college students. It is always a struggle for any college applicant to identify a good fit and an affordable option. However, for first-generation college students, it can be even more challenging because they often lack family members with enough knowledge on the college application process to assist them. Salomé Lefort ‘21, discussed her experience as a first-generation student at CMC, stating that “it was very hard because not only am I a first-generation student, but I am an immigrant to this country, so I wasn't able to look to my parents for help. I wasn't coached very well on where to apply and how many schools to apply to. So a lot of the process was done by my mom and I on random websites. I was very lucky to stumble upon CMC!” It seems to be a pattern of many first-generation students to state that they were “lucky” to have found their school, their scholarship or their scholar program. Many students in this position with limited familial guidance are often aided the most by these outside sources. Counselors, for example, sometimes are the push factor that motivate many first-generation students to step out of their comfort zone and do what their parents didn’t have the privilege to: pursue higher education. “I was fortunate enough to be a part of a first-generation scholarship program in my high school,” Jen Petrova ‘19 said. “The Schuler Scholarship Program gave me the academic and financial support I needed to be able to apply to colleges. Without their constant education, help, and guidance, I do not know if I could have found myself at a private, liberal arts college,” she said. The Schuler Scholarship Program exposed Jen to academic opportunities and educated her on how she could obtain them. Petrova considers herself one of the lucky ones. However, a students’ future shouldn’t be based on “luck,” because all students should have the same access to resources necessary to make informed choices. It is important to note and consider that many first-generation students, though not all, have parents who are immigrants to the U.S. Therefore, their expectations for education are usually high. One could argue that their path to success is not often due to luck, but due to the motivation of fulfilling their parent’s goals. Many immigrant parents moved to this country to set a path for their children. Petrova can say that her parents wanted her to have the American Dream. They wanted her to do what they couldn’t in their country, and set a good example for her sister. Therefore, there is a lot more at stake for first-gen students. For some, pursuing higher education is an expectation in their family. Not going to college means that all the trouble and hardships that their family has undergone would result in the opposite of what they hoped for their children. The expectations are all on the student: they are the generation to change the impact of education in their family. There is also the question of what resources and guidance are provided for first-generation students when they finally arrive to campus. Figuring out the college application on their own was only the first step. Now, they have to navigate their first year on a campus that is different than high school. All the new rules and expectations can be overwhelming. The difference between them and those that aren’t first-generation is that they don’t have easy access to advising on navigating this new territory of life. Lefort, having experienced this feeling first-hand, noted how lost she felt during her first-year. “One of the funniest stories I have is when I first arrived to college, I got a concussion and school-wise it wasn't going very well,” said Lefort. “ Someone had given me the advice of going there and talking to a dean. I was confused and so I called my mom and I asked her, ‘Hey mom, what is a dean? What do they do?’ And she just responds, ‘I have no idea.’ If she didn't know, how will I know?” This became a learning experience for Lefort, as she realized she needed to overcome her fear of reaching out to resources on campus for help. To combat the issue of limited resources for first-generation students at CMC, a group of first-generation students—Rafael Velasco ’19, Tony Chau ‘19, Devang Patel ‘19 and Tre Gonzales ‘19—created a club called 1Gen. The club provides resources to first-generation students in various ways, including arranging workshops for professional development and inviting 1Gen alumni to offer guidance. Ultimately, the club establishes a safe place at CMC for 1Gen students to discuss their experiences and build community. Last year, on November 8th, 2018, CMC celebrated National First Gen Day for the first time in its history. This day, created by the Council for Opportunity in Education in 2017, calls for universities all over the U.S. to celebrate first-generation college students on campus. Many campuses and communities are too often blind to the academic capabilities and gifts that lie dormant within so many first-generation students. This year, CMC students decided to overcome this stigma and celebrated these strong-willed students on our campus and showcase what it means to be first-gen on our campus. The private liberal arts college decided to address the issues and challenges faced by first-gen students. 1Gen leaders spearheaded this operation, illustrating CMC’s commitment to support 1Gen students. Other than providing an open-space for discussion, the day gave a sense of pride to many. Various students on campus proudly proclaimed themselves as first-generation students and embraced this part of their identity. Diana Hernandez ‘21, a first-generation student who attended most of the events on this special day, expressed how the celebration made her feel. “Sometimes we feel as if we don’t belong at these private institutions. People see us and underestimate our capabilities, but forget that we didn’t get here by chance. We were meant to be here. We are thriving and nothing will impede us from doing so,” Hernandez said. 1Gen also arranged events such as a class-registration drop-in event, which allowed for upperclassmen to help first-year students plan their schedule as they approached the dreadful day of class-registration. There also was a TNC and mixer, which allowed for the mingling of first-generation students from all the 5C’s. The club even planned a Friendsgiving, where the community and its allies ate delicious food, expressed what they were thankful for, and played ice-breakers. Some stated how they were thankful for the 1Gen community at CMC. Essentially, 1Gen has allowed for CMC to be a place that equips first-gen with the right resources to guide them through these challenging 4 years. The celebration of National First Generation day on November 8th allowed for first-gen students to celebrate their success as the first in their family to attend college and to acknowledge the guidance and resources available to them here. According to Lefort, “I do think there is a good amount of resources afforded to us, but I feel that they weren’t evident enough or talked about among our community enough my first year as they may be now.” Jen Petrova ‘19, a member and mentor for 1Gen, mentioned how the resources have grown significantly since her freshman year, and now as a senior, “she feels perfectly equipped to academically, financially, and socially thrive at this elite, private, liberal arts college. It is a liberating feeling to feel as though you are not thrown into an atmosphere that does not advocate for your success.” However, even when students are provided with the means to succeed on this campus, there will always be a sense of isolation from those who don’t identify similarly to you. Definitely, there are little to no discussions with people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and no one really discusses how to be an ally to those of marginalized identities. Instead of allowing for a sense of inclusiveness on campus, at times there seems to be one of isolation. 1Gen has grown increasingly in number and events over the years. They are making strides to reduce this feeling of isolation by hosting discussions and acknowledging these communities. Lefort recounted how she did not truly feel like a first generation student until she got on campus and experienced severe symptoms of imposter syndrome. “When we moved me into college, it was very evident there was a lot I didn't know and I felt somewhat out of place at first which is something I didn't expect,” said Lefort. Placide Gatabazi ‘21 also spoke about how he felt like an outlier as a first-generation international student. “[Coming from Rwanda,] a major difference that I felt between me as a first-gen and international student and my peers was the financial capability,” Gatabazi said. “While others may choose to have dinner or lunch in the village as often as they want, I cannot do the same because I’m on a tight budget. Also, I get money to buy all my supplies and textbooks from on-campus jobs while some of my peers don’t have to work to buy what they need on a day-to-day basis.” This disparity between first-generation students and students with college educated parents is a common phenomenon within top private liberal arts schools like CMC. With this in mind, the first year for a first-gen student can be a completely different experience than that of a student with college educated parents. Their experience, however, allows them to independently foster growth in themselves and effectively aid those who will follow in their footsteps. Lefort, Gatabazi, and Petrova are some of these students, who can say they successfully completed their first year at CMC, regardless of the hardships. Now, they are willing to give advice to those students who are following in their footsteps, and to those experiencing exactly what they went through. “If a first-year student were to ask me how in the world I got through my first semester, I would tell them to push yourself to constantly ask for help and learn to advocate for yourself,” Lefort said. “I was so intimidated by professors and deans so I ended up not going to them when I really should have, so do not make my mistakes and go talk to people!” Petrova reiterated Lefort’s point of not being afraid to ask for help. “First, always ask for help! Do not be afraid to reach out to friends, professors, trusted adults. The playing field doesn’t start equal, it is up to us to ensure we get to the same level, and nobody can do that alone. And second, don’t forget about your identity and family and friends from home. College will change you, but it is important to balance both identities,” Petrova said. After high school is a crucial time for the shaping of identities. There is a variety of socioeconomic status, ethnicities, nationalities, races, religions, etc. Therefore, the pressure to shape your identity is high, and sometimes as students, we are inclined to forget where we come from. That’s why Petrova’s point of not forgetting your background and embracing your identity is essential to everyone on this campus. That’s why students should be encouraged to embrace their status as a first-generation student, as a low-income student, as a minority, as an international student… Embrace it and allow it to be the stepping stone to what will be a success story for years to come. Being a first-generation student on this campus should not be overlooked. To understand the experiences of first-gen students can allow for the opening of doors of inclusiveness on campus. No longer should the journey be “followed by a lot of sweat and tears, and the constant struggle to stay above water while everyone else is simply floating,” Hernandez said. To non-first generation students: take into consideration the experiences of those at this school. To first-generation students: go ahead and do you! Go from being a first-generation student to being a first-generation scholar.

It's nerve-racking being a freshman. Everything's new to you and all of a sudden you feel like a small fish in a large pond. It's impressive when first-year students step out of their comfort zones, especially by doing things such as running for class president. So, let's read what they have to say! Austin Topham Hi! I’m Austin, and I’m hoping to win your vote for first year class president. Like many of you, CMC was my dream school. And while being here really does feel like a dream, we can do better. For a college that is known for having some of the happiest students, we sure are stressed out all the time, even though the school year is just beginning. My priority as first year class president is to combat stress among freshman and work with ASCMC to better address mental health and wellness. Even before orientation is over, institutes are shoving application due dates down our throats, and the stress that I’ve seen put on many of my friends from those applications is unacceptable. The year is just starting, and academically, it’s only going to get harder, and I refuse to be president of a constantly stressed-out class. Some other long-term plans I have for this year include creating new study spaces and working with CMC’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee to better provide for our minority students. And of course, I’ll be there to create the best first year social events to celebrate as well. (5C tour-de-france-style skateboard/scooter dash???) While I have my own visions for how CMC can be improved, it’s crucial that my focus be on your dreams for CMC. Whether it’s a certain type of party you want, or an institutional problem you want addressed, it’s my desire and responsibility to amplify your voices as a representative of my fellow first years. I’m so grateful and happy to be here, and that means I’m also fully committed towards you guys and fully driven toward making this year the best it possibly can be. So let’s dream up our ideal freshman year together; dream up your CMC with me. Desmond Mantle My name is Desmond Mantle, and I’m running to be your First-Year Class President. I’m from Pasadena, California, and I love hiking, cooking, and editing grammar errors on Wikipedia. You might also know me as the guy who always dresses “business casual” to attend class. No, I’m not joking. I really am a pretty quirky guy. But as square as I may seem, I do get around (see what I did there?). I’ve already met a lot of you at parties, meals, classes, and in other settings, and it still amazes me how many cool people there are at this school. I’m a huge fan of First-Year bonding activities, but rather than force my ideas on you, I’d like to hear what you want from me. That’s why I’ve already set up a website where you can suggest ideas, ask me questions, or even just vent about something that’s bothering you. The URL is: dmantle2023.wixsite.com/cmc23 But the most important part of being First-Year Class President is understanding the need for a balanced budget. All of us candidates can promise you “free stuff,” but remember that it’s not really free. We all pay toward the $3,000 class fund with student fees (or equivalent work-study), so having somebody who’s financially responsible in charge of that money is the only way to make sure we keep getting to do fun stuff throughout the year. I’m the most qualified candidate to handle your money properly. I was treasurer of multiple organizations throughout high school, and I have experience turning an organization with debt into one with surplus funds. I’m willing to spend hours upon hours researching the best deals, so you’ll still get the fun stuff you want, just at a better price. Vote for Desmond Mantle for a balanced budget! Sarah Simionas Hey first-years! My name is Sarah Simionas and I’m running to be your class president. Here’s a little bit about me: I’m from San Jose, California and some of my hobbies are driving to the beach, hiking, hammocking, going to concerts, reading, watching movies with friends, and any sort of traveling I get the chance to do. The reason I’m running for class president is because I believe in community. The people you meet here at CMC are going to change your next 4 years, your opinions, and maybe your life. I want to give you the opportunities to create these relationships and the amazing memories that will come with. That’ll be through all sorts of class bonding events like class wide parties, events with other 5C first years, holiday/themed parties, career/academic interest events, movie nights, and more. I want your first year at CMC to be about you. All your ideas, all your concerns, all groups on campus, all your voices represented. I’ll do this by putting together a cabinet representative of all groups on campus, holding class meetings to get your opinions/ideas, having online resources to communicate with me and the cabinet, and more. Most importantly, I promise to be a friend first and foremost. I plan on continuing to connect with all of you in our grade, be here for any questions you have, and to put on events that’ll help you adjust to and have the best first year of college ever! Vote for the president who will always put YOU first. Vote Sarah Simionas for First-year President! Please reach out to me on campus with any questions or ideas :) Colin Sam CMC 2023, My name is Colin Sam and I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am looking forward to showing you all I have planned for the Class of 2023 this year. At my high school in Cincinnati, I was the student body president, and I was voted captain of Varsity soccer, Varsity basketball, and Varsity track and field. I am excited at the opportunity to continue to expand my leadership skills. However, the aspect of myself that I am most proud of is my ability to bond with people through community service work. In eight months at my high school, I was able to raise $6,000 for the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research, as well as work with CancerFree KIDS. It’s become very apparent to me that some of the deepest and most meaningful bonding comes from looking beyond your own community and connecting with those who aren’t fortunate enough to go to an amazing college in Southern California. Some of my best friendships and connections have come from conversations about the ways we can better support our community as a whole through service work. I was fortunate enough to receive a memorial service award at my school for my extensive work with inner city Cincinnatians through a tutoring program as well as my contribution to the cancer foundation. Beyond community service, I also have plenty of ideas to help bring our class together rather than just awkward mixers, including sporting events and study or movie nights that are all optional. I do however go very far beyond my small ideas and would love the chance to talk with any of you more about my complete plan for our year. Email me at csam23@cmc.edu or come to Marks 317. Thanks, Colin Sam Julia Schulman What’s up class of ‘23! I’m Julia Schulman, but everyone here calls me Jules. I’m from the Bay Area (I know, shocker.) A few things about me: I own a few pups, I can make a mean cookie and I’ll dance to pretty much anything. When I first got the email about class president, what stuck out to me was the bit about facilitating class bonding. The CMC class of ‘23 has been a huge part of my experience here. My WOAmies got me through my homesickness with popcorn and Netflix. One of the best ways we all got to know each other was through different events and parties. I loved hosting things in my room because I got to meet people and make new friends. As class president, I can’t wait to host more events and make sure we have an inclusive and fun community on campus. Here are a few of my ideas. Free birthday boba! Movie nights on the field. Horror movie Halloween anyone? Party Suggestion Forms! Do you want a certain theme, music or dress code for a Class of ‘23 party? Let me know. I want to make party planning as inclusive and easy to participate in as possible. Events based on mutual interest: FIFA 20 Tournament Night, Bachelor nights, Ping Pong Play-Offs, The Office Marathons, Trivia Night and more! As Freshman Class President I’ll help out with those 3 am study sessions, organize events to help mitigate the stress of our first year on a college campus and make sure the class of ‘23 feels at home at CMC. Maureen Tchatchoua As you are new to CMC, I am too and getting the hang of things is something we’ll have to do together. As first year class president I cannot promise the world and beyond. What I can ensure though is my promise to always be a beacon of voice and diversity within the Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College for all first years looking for it. I will ensure that as well as upperclassmen getting their agendas passed, first years will have the same equal opportunity. Being that we have only started our college career a few weeks ago, we are still within our adjustment period and it is completely understandable if you do not know what you’d like to amend or enhance within CMC as a whole. However, when the time does come where we have some constructive criticism towards our student body, I am willing and able to act on your concerns. Again, although we have only been here a few weeks, I believe unity is the best policy and it is ideal that we come together as a class to participate in activities like trivia nights, sporting games, or even movies on the quad where we share a quiet night under the stars because sometimes we just need a break from the pre-professionalism agenda CMC encompasses. These events not only focus on bringing us together but having fun while doing so. As first year class president I cannot promise the world and beyond but what I can promise you is my vocal character. If anything is not satisfactory for our class, I will be the voice to continuously speak at the table in order to amend the issue. Action will follow my words when you speak of a better way of living within CMC as first years. It is in our hands to begin our Claremont McKenna College career the right way, with me by your side as your advocate. Want Mo, Vote Mo.

Tanya Kotecha ‘20 Editor in Chief Tanya Kotecha is an Economics major at CMC. She’s not really sure where she’s from after growing up in five different countries. All she can say for certain is that she’s an avid traveler and her camera roll is full of funny videos and pictures from the places she has visited. She loves reading, writing, drawing, and creating things out of nothing. She truly believes that life is about producing remarkable memories and hopes to publish articles on the Forum that stay with you long after you’ve read them! Gauri Taneja ‘20 Managing Editor Gauri is an Economics-Literature dual major from New Delhi, India, and is excited to help international students tell their stories this upcoming year at the Forum. She loves eating good food (hit her with the restaurant recs), traveling, dancing and hopes to get lots of people involved in Claremont Tamasha's annual production Sanskriti. When she’s not in Poppa, you can find her at the Hub, watching Netflix or in LA almost every weekend. Grace Kelleher 20’ Co-News Editor Grace Kelleher is a senior at CMC from Wilton, CT majoring in literature and philosophy. When she's not in class or working at the Gould Center, there's a good chance you can find her reading at the Scripps pool or doing the NYT crossword at the Motley with an iced latte in hand. Evelyn Zixuan Wang ‘22 Co-News Editor Coming from Tianjin, China, Evelyn Wang is a sophomore potentially majoring in economics and philosophy. When she isn’t enjoying Cali sunshine on the Crown balcony, you can find her in search of the best Asian food in surrounding areas. As the news editor, Evelyn intends to bring CMC the most authentic and up-to-date news in the most interesting way possible. Although she is far from home, she finds CMC to be her safe harbor where she can be her true self; and she wants to make The Forum a safe space for everyone to have themselves heard by their community and a space for great storytelling. Sofia Trigo 20’ Co-Opinion Editor Sofia is a senior majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with an interest in literature and history. Growing up in New York City means Sofia loves meeting new people, eating great food, and drinking coffee. At CMC, Sofia works as a journalist for the Kravis Leadership Institute, a writing consultant for The Center for Writing and Public Discourse, and a writer for bi-partisan publication "The Radius". Off campus, Sofia loves to travel, to play soccer, and to watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Wylie Makovsky ‘20 Co-Opinion Editor Wylie is a senior from Connecticut majoring in both Economics and Philosophy. He enjoys playing basketball, golf and skiing, as well as all things music. On campus, he is the Senior Advisor for the Student Investment Fund. Bianca Carrizal ‘20 Co-Life Editor All the way from Houston, Bianca feels so lucky to call Claremont her second home. As the new Life Editor, Bianca hopes to provide The Forum with articles that explore all the wonderful (or maybe not so wonderful) truths of what life is like at CMC. She is a Government and Legal Studies major, and has learned to believe in the power of voice in both of these studies. Bianca enjoys scrolling endlessly through Twitter, writing/reading poetry, and blasting music through her Alexa. When she isn’t stuck in the library, you will probably hear her talking about Shawn Mendes, astrology, or the weirdest words in the English language. Chandler Presson ‘21 Co-Life Editor Chandler hails from North Carolina, the land of humidity and hushpuppies (if you don't know, look them up for your own good). A junior majoring in History and Literature, Chandler loves to write almost as much as she loves to read. When she isn't procrastinating through reading the New Yorker, you can find Chandler consulting students at the CWPD or in line at the Motley. As a Life Editor, she hopes to assist her fellow writers in authentically sharing their experiences as CMC students. Maria Emilia Piacsek ‘22 Photo Editor Maria Emilia Piacsek, but most people call her Mila, is proud to call Sao Paulo, Brazil home. A sophomore at CMC, Mila is an International Relations major with a Human Rights sequence. During her first year at CMC, she loved her job as a photographer for The Forum, so she cannot wait to be the new Photo Editor. She wants everyone to feel free to approach her during events so they can be featured in The Forum! Jessica Kim ‘20 Copy Editor Jessica is a senior majoring in Neuroscience with an Asian American Studies sequence. She is excited to be one of the RAs of Beckett this year. She loves free snacks and fresh air. During times when she should be working, you’ll most likely find her napping. When she’s actually free, she enjoys making new friends, lying on the grass, and eating ice cream (even though she's mildly lactose intolerant)! She can’t wait to have another great year with the wonderful people at The Forum! Mrinalini Bhushan ‘21 Copy Editor Mrinalini Bhushan calls the very far-away land of New Delhi, India home. A Junior at CMC, Mrinalini is an Economics-Psychology Dual major. Her interests range from dancing to reading and of course, writing. Her mind is always in ten different places at once, so her friends like to describe her as “always somewhere, but never anywhere”. She also loves spending time outdoors, especially under the stars! As a Copy Editor for the Forum, she aims to ensure all that you read is bereft of any mistakes, and interesting! Fun fact- this photo captures Mrinalini’s state of mind pretty much all the time, so if you ever need someone to romanticize life with, she’s your girl! Zoe Carlson 22’ Copy Editor Zoe Carlson is a sophomore from Boston, Massachusetts. Her academic interests are wide, but she has an innate affinity for words. She is currently a STEM major, but plans on exploring her interests in the humanities. As a copy editor, Zoe hopes to make The Forum a linguistic pleasure to read. In her free time, you can find Zoe in Roberts instructing yoga, spending time on the water, biking, writing/reading poetry, throwing around a football, or doing the New York Times Wednesday crossword puzzle. Brandon Mitchell ‘21 Web Manager Coming from Seattle, Brandon Mitchell is a junior majoring in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. He enjoys playing baseball, hanging with friends, and watching repeats of The Office. He hopes one day he will have a major impact on the world through tech and science. David Ying ‘21 Business Manager Coming from Illinois, David Ying attends Claremont McKenna College in the pursuit of widening his domestic and international perspectives. Apart from just writing, he enjoys surfing (currently learning), archery, watching Patriots football, hiking, and exploring LA. He is also well-versed in ballroom dancing, especially the tango and the waltz. While he is not being active, you can find him either sleeping, eating, or brainstorming his next Forum piece.

Class of 2023, and the friends and families that are joining us here today, I am so excited to welcome you to Claremont McKenna College. Before we begin, I want to acknowledge that we are currently gathered in what was once indigenous tribal land, and more recently, the site of displacement and gentrification of local communities. As a community that is committed to the values of honest discourse and thoughtful leadership, it is necessary to acknowledge the history of the land on which we have the privilege to receive this education. My favorite part of CMC is simple: people have really invested in me here. I am so grateful for professors who have spent so many hours, both inside and outside of the classroom, encouraging me to think critically, and to use my education to pursue a meaningful and impactful life. I am indebted to administrators and staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that I get to pursue this education in a safe and enjoyable environment, and the thousands of alumni and parents who have made what we see around us possible. Most of all, though, every day I am in awe of the student body at CMC. It is my friends and classmates who push me -- to be a better student, a better friend, and a better person -- and support me both in times of success and failure. We as CMC students are required to use this education we are so fortunate to have access to in pursuit of a more equitable society, and a more just institution. I am so grateful that you are each joining this community of socially-minded activists. This year, I have the honor and privilege of leading the Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College, our student government. I want to tell you about the role of ASCMC on campus. ASCMC provides funding, oversight, and resources for over 50 CMC clubs and more than 200 consortium-wide clubs. From Outdoor Initiative, which allows students to explore nature in beautiful Southern California, to Lets Spoon!, our baking and cooking club, to affinity groups such as the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, there are so many opportunities to get involved. Each week, you will receive emails with information about club events and school-wide programs and activities. All events are always open and accessible to all students. You will also be invited to programs hosted by your class cabinet to meet everyone in your grade, and inner-dorm events through your dorm president. At its core, though, the mission of our student government is to advocate for a more just CMC. Each and every CMC student is able to join senate, which I like to call our ultimate democracy, and advocate for policies and practices that make our student government, and our college, a more inclusive, more fair, and more equitable community. CMC is the school that it is because of students, professors, staff members, alumni, and parents that have fought for, and invested in this place we call home for four years. And now, each of you are joining this community, and with that, comes a special obligation to contribute to strengthening it. You will do this by being a good friend, a dedicated student, a reliable roommate. Maybe you will join a sports team, or cheer one on, join a club, affinity group, or research institute, or by working a job on campus. Maybe you will do this by showing up to weekly senate meetings, and eventually taking on a position on ASCMC’s Executive Board. There are so many paths that you might go down, and I wish you all an unexpected journey here. I hope you take this incredible education we are so fortunate to receive, and use it to strengthen our community and our world. Be brave, be bold, and know that you will find the resources and support here to guide you in this journey. I will be here cheering you on the whole time. *This document was originally mis-uploaded and now reflects the speech accurately

Going to college is full of mixed feelings - excitement, nervousness, and fear of the unknown. The Forum is here to help you ease that fear, and prepare you for the first semester of your home for the next four years. First up, packing tips! A lot of students buy fridges and microwaves, but CMC is now providing microfridges in all CMC dorm rooms free of charge! A microfridge is a combination appliance which includes a refrigerator and a freezer with a connected microwave on top Reach out and coordinate with your roommate(s) and decide who is bringing the TV, PlayStation or couch. If you’re living in North Quad, make sure to bring a fan (or two), as the dorms are not air-conditioned and it gets unbearably hot. Make sure to buy all the bedding you need and don’t forget memory foam! Freshmen may not bring their own beds to campus. The College provides beds, desks, desk chairs, dressers and the only furniture you can request to be removed from your room are the desk chairs. You can submit a Work Order for your preferred bed height. A lot of people choose Height 3, which allows for under-bed storage space. But keep in mind - the new microfridges will only fit under Level 3.5. Link to submit a work order: https://urlzs.com/YLTZP If you are currently living in North America, you can contact your local Bed, Bath and Beyond store to place an order for items you’ll need at school, and they’ll be waiting for you to pick up at their Claremont store. By asking a couple of questions, the Bed Bath & Beyond website can also create a customized college checklist for you: https://urlzs.com/f9kWR Remember to use your college ID/email to avail discounts at stores Basics such as shower caddies, shower flip flops, towels, and shower products For less-expensive, second-hand options look at the 5C For Sale/For Free Group. Students sell everything from iPhones to couches! https://www.facebook.com/groups/517663804939438/?ref=bookmarks There will also be a Re-Room sale at the beginning of the semester on campus where previously used items will be put up for sale. If you want a drying rack, wait for the Eco-reps to send out an email where you can rent one for the entire semester. You’ll want to put up pictures and posters so remember to buy wall-safe adhesives or push pins. Lights, tapestries and other decorative items can be purchased on Amazon, Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. Amazon Prime Student offers a free six month discount for college students Tips for International Students Remember to bring converter plugs if you’re going to be using appliances from your home country Bring some medicines from home Your international orientation leaders will organize a free bus ride to Target,so you can pick up items that you may have forgotten The orientation leaders also organize a trip to Bank of America in the Claremont village so that you can open your bank account. The orientation will have various stalls - including an AT&T stall, so you can get a US sim card and buy a plan at a discounted rate Consider the possibility of a family plan to save some money! If you have a driver’s license from your home country, you can drive zip cars. Sign up on their website, they will verify your details and mail you a ZipCard. Then, download the app and forget about taking Ubers! https://www.zipcar.com/universities/claremont-mckenna-college International Place is a great resource for any questions you may have https://iplace.claremont.edu/ Classes Check out the classes required for your major https://webapps.cmc.edu/degree_audit/cklistform.php Don’t be shy to ask your First Year Guides, RAs, International Orientation Leaders, Affinity Group leaders and any other upperclassmen for advice about specific classes, majors, and professors! Locate your classrooms before the first day of classes so you don’t get lost or late Here’s a map: https://www.cmc.edu/about/campusmaps Set your phone on Do Not Disturb during class If a class you’re trying to get into is already full, you can send a Permission to Enroll (PERM) request. But, always follow it up with a personal email to the professor! Look at Rate My Professor for feedback on which professor to pick. However, don’t rely solely on the website for advice - reach out to your upperclassmen friends and ask about their experiences as well. Compare prices before you buy books for your classes. Look at Chegg, Amazon and The Huntley Bookstore - most places offer rental options as well. Sometimes you can also access free online PDFs. The 5C Book Exchange is also a great resource to buy second-hand books, and The CARE Center offers free textbook rental via Nextdorm https://www.cmc.edu/news/textbook-solution-biniyam-asnake-%E2%80%9920-connects-students-to-free-books-with-website https://www.facebook.com/groups/236000816506015/ General tips Do your laundry on weekdays - it’s almost always empty! Attend the welcome events - they might be cheesy, but they’re a great way to meet new people If you’re going out, use the buddy system and keep in touch with your friends. Make sure there’s someone to take care of you if something happens. Get to know your professors and go to office hours. You’re at a school with small class sizes, take advantage of that! Develop a relationship with your academic advisor. They are going to help you navigate classes throughout your college career. If you want a different advisor, talk to the registrar. Plan ahead! Use G-Cal, buy a planner, or use any other planning tool. They’re a great way to stay on top of your workload. Read your syllabus and put the important dates (midterms, quizzes) in your calendar Make friends with the people in your classes. It helps to have a study group during midterms and finals. Go to tutoring sessions even if you don’t have questions. It helps to hear other’s questions. Go to the Club Fair and talk to the people at the stalls. There’s nothing to lose by adding your name to a mailing list! Exercise! Go for a jog, do some yoga or check out the recreational classes at Roberts Pavilion. Explore all the dining halls. Collins, Frary, and Scripps are the closest, but Mudd has the best Pad Thai! You can look at the Collins menu on their website. https://collins-cmc.cafebonappetit.com/ You can meal replace at The Hub by using a meal swipe. All other schools have their version of The Hub, and Mudd even has a Starbucks that accepts Claremont Cash and Flex (the currency on your student ID) https://events.cmc.edu/emett_student_center_the_hub_951#.XS3woFNKjOQ Visit LA. The best way to get there is via the Metrolink which is walking distance from college. The ticket is just $5.50 for students and takes you to Union Station, which is in Downtown LA. You can download the Metrolink App, or buy your tickets at the station. Remember to call home, your family misses you! College Programming Board (CPB) Events! Barn Party: September 2 A night of line dancing, eating and mechanical bull-riding awaits! Social Sunday Snack: September 8 Yummy snacks and a chance to speak to the CPB members! They will also hand out calendars with all their upcoming events. Make sure to be there! Terrarium Making: September 12 Your side looking a bit drab compared to your roommate’s? Decorate and create your own succulent garden! Earth Wind and Fire Concert: September 14 Yes, CPB takes you for free to concerts in LA. Sign up as soon as the link goes live! Dodgers Game: September 20 Go watch a Dodgers Game… for FREE! Remember to sign up on time - CPB will send out an email with details. Dinner and Drag: September 26 Amazing performances and dinner! What more could you ask for? CPB plans events every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so look out for emails from them! Parties! 6:01: First week of school As soon as the clock strikes 6:01 pm, dry week is officially over. Head to Green Beach on Parents Field and celebrate the beginning of the semester at CMC! Pace yourself, and remember to stay hydrated. Toga: September Who said CMC doesn’t have Greek life? Greek it up with your pillowcases and bed sheets for a night of fun in Ancient Greece. https://cmcforum.com/articles/2018/9/30/toga Monte Carlo: Octobe Gamble and dance away like you’re in Vegas for the night! This themed party is thrown by the Junior Class President, and it is a 5C event, so don’t forget to buy your tickets before they sell out! https://cmcforum.com/articles/2018/10/15/monte-carlo-2018 Mistletoe Rock: December It’s the last party before finals week, so let loose and enjoy yourself at CMC’s annual Christmas party before you’re pulling all-nighters for Econ 50. The Vice President of Student Activities will send out a weekly Party Inform to the student body, so look out for the events of the week in your inbox. If you’re interested in hosting an event, shoot out an email to the VPSA (Chandler Koon ‘20), and the events crew will help you set up and manage the event! Resources Soll Center for Student Opportunity! Don’t have a resume? No worries! They take walk-ins as well as appointments. Browse their website and familiarize yourself with their services. https://www.cmc.edu/career-services Roberts Pavillion. This is the gym shared between CMC, Harvey Mudd and Scripps! They offer free recreational classes throughout the week, look out for the schedule in your inbox. https://roberts-pavilion.cmc.edu/ The CARE Center hosts weekly events that focus on a variety of topics concerning identity (race, religion, sexuality, etc.) which provide a space for dialogue, collaboration, and expression. You can also rent study rooms, eat a quick snack, or play the latest Wii games! https://www.cmc.edu/care-center CMC Bike Shop. You can rent a bike for free for a 2-day period! They also offer services like fixing up your bikes, rentals for helmets, and longboard/skateboard cleaning. https://www.cmc.edu/dean-of-students/sao/cmc-bike-shop New Student Mentoring Programs. A fun way to engage with your community and attend some great events! https://www.cmc.edu/dean-of-students/newstudent The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. Sign up for talks at the Ath and enjoy a tasty lunch/dinner while listening to engaging lectures which allow for questions at the end. If you don’t have time for the meal, you can simply attend the talk. The Ath also offers paid opportunities for students to work as servers or help in the kitchen - a fun and easy way to make some money! https://www.cmc.edu/athenaeum Academic Success Consultants. Struggling with your workload? Don’t worry. The Academic Success Consultants help you manage your academics and develop strategies to ensure you achieve your goals at CMC. https://www.cmc.edu/dean-of-students/asc CMC Advocates are students that serve as a confidential resource to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and assist them through their healing process. They have a 24/7 hotline for survivors and their allies: 909-377-2400. Advocates also plan educational events that promote consent and healthy relationships on campus! Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (A 5C Resource). MCAPS offers the first 6 therapy sessions for free, and is on call 24x7. https://services.claremont.edu/mcaps/ Claremont Mckenna College’s social media platforms! Subscribe to the YouTube channel to get an inside look at the college. Follow the Instagram page to stay up to speed with the latest news. https://www.youtube.com/user/ClaremontMcKenna1 @claremontmckennacollege Follow the CMC Forum on Instagram @thecmcforum and like our page on Facebook to receive updates on the newest articles. Go through the articles on our website to get a feel of the latest news around the school. Our website: https://cmcforum.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cmcforum Lastly, have fun! College is supposed to be the best time of your life so step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and get involved in whatever catches your eye. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, speak up in class and try new things! Please don’t hesitate to email The Forum at thecmcforum@gmail.com with any questions. Thumbnail photo credit: Thomas D’Anieri

No graduating class would be complete without a list of seniors winning fun awards outside the realm of academics. Who in the class has the best humor? Who is most likely to become president? Who is always working in Poppa? Well, the votes are in, and here are the Senior Superlatives of 2019! Compiled by Jessie Ainslie, Teagan Knight and Edgar Warnholtz Colgate - Best Smile Jason Barbarosh Becky Monroy Betzy Perez Adele English Emma Houston Genghis Khan - Most Likely to Rule the World (and have a banger named after them) Melia Wong Lindsay Burton Edgar Warnholtz Corbin Bethurem The John Faranda - Most Likely to Come Back for Every Alumni Reunion Samarth Chawla Connor Bloom Betzy Perez Edgar Warnholtz Adele English The Oval Office - Most Likely to Become President Lindsay Burton Maddie Lee Melia Wong Bryn Miller Edgar Warnholtz Robin Williams - Best Sense of Humor/Class Clown Marisa Galvez Andrew Friedlander Isaac Roth Patty Shore Full of Tea - Best Athee Bruno Youn Becky Shane Sasha Houy Jeremy Anderson Farrah Fawcett - Hair Goals Ieva Burk & Dani Chami Riley Hoffman Jessie Ainslie Nikaya Manley Chandler Koon Your Last Name Hall - The Next CMC Trustee Jared Barclay Logan Miller Nick Federochko Connor Bloom Edgar Warnholtz Call Me Poppa - Find them Cranking Here, Always Kai Vogel Will Cullen Jason Barbarosh Amiya Narula Becky Shane Frank Sinatra - “I Did it My Wayyyy” (Most Unique CMCer) Isaac Roth Lindsay Burton Jake Hudson-Humphrey Quincy Brown Dexter’s Lab - Science G’s Who Wish they Came to CMC Post-Keckxit Tim Gallagher Mary Bryan Owen Gayatri Ketavarapu Adrienne Jo Elena Seifert Mr. Stag(s) &/Or Ms. Athena(s) - Couple Goals Jake Hudson-Humphrey and Nick LaBerge Henry Frome and Maya Guttierez Patrick Hennessey and Renata Drucker Franny Lin and Kevin Hsu Jack Huang and May Mcdonald Da Vinci - Artist, Genius, Scientist. A True Renaissance Woman Jahnavi Kocha Melia Wong Emma Houston Isabel Milano Air Bud - The Most Athletic Person Ever. Also Cute AF and Fun to be Around Corie Hack Adele English Corbin Bethurem Elijah Jackson Peter Williams Sydney Talmi Arya Stark - Will Save the World from Impending Doom Zippy Wilson Lindsay Burton Emma Houston Maddie Lee Adele English Friends Most Likely to Get Married Ninu Dev and Malka Kausar Andrew Friedlander and Anthony Burre Melia Wong and Skip Wiltshire-Gordon Jason Barbarosh and Edgar Warnholtz Wish They Were Your FYG - Teagan Knight Most Likely to Drive You to In-and-Out - Skip Wiltshire-Gordon Most Likely to Reverse Climate Change - Maddie Lee & Sam Becker The Next Anna Wintor (Great Style)- Jen Petrova

"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Ernest Hemingway told his readers an entire story in six short words, and decades later we are asking the class of 2019 to do describe their CMC experience the very same way. They came up with fun, unique quotes that define themselves and their lives so far. Here they are! Hey lets order some chicken nuggets Blaze Li Sorry, gtg 2 tutorial Jack Gleiberman Good morning and sco nas. Megan Lo Whats up betch, time for selfcare Malka Kausar “I drink and I know things” James Jiang Picked my battles: all of them Zippy Wilson Corie Hack has a back. Corie Hack Dodge duck dip dive and dodge Peter Williams It's hard being a meme of yourself Allie Carter Successfully did not over-destroy people Pocket-Sized Satan Chris Raguz Chris Raguz Chris Raguz Nick LaBerge De pronto me gusta la adrenalina Patricio Aguilar 4th Quarter, Stag Quarter! Malcolm Stolarski Squirrels, resilience, capitalism, owls, laughter, chaos Ande Troutman I go to newport for haircuts Jason Came back for the Athenaeum strawberries! Saloni Dhir watching Friends with Maya, wanna join? Elena Seifert I mastered the art of procrastination Annie Park biggest win- not falling off collin’s roof Emily Wang Gledaj napred ali osvirni i nazad. Ajlina Bašić No recording, no phones, yes cannolis Bruno Youn Fue un chinga, pero lo hice Jenny Perez Resendiz Welcome to Roberts! What's your loop#? Remi Edwards Remember when JLaw...? Neither does he Matt Psaltakis “Wait, doesn’t she go to Scripps?” Malea Martin Finesse tomorrow before tomorrow finesses you. Patrick Jamal Elliott The best parties are at RYAL Riya I thought I went to Keck. Kathrine Whitman Please come to my party Adele English Probably burned my tongue this morning. Peter Brody-Moore No, I'm not a literature major. Emma Henson Hey, wanna Uber to Millikan? Ieva Burk I've still never been to Oldenborg. Ellery Koelker-Wolfe Keep the change, ya filthy animal. Jack G. Lori Science Midterm. Mental Breakdown. Repeat. Ravi Sadhu 320,000 dollars worth of wood chips. Laira Aggarwal Grilled chicken and one-on-ones Brendan Suh Freedom's a wager for more freedom George Charles Nigel Jeremy Gregorio Anderson Stark Resident Assistant Jeremy Anderson Barn party! Barn party! Barn party! Kimmy Tuttle Strangers to friends, friends to family Andrew Friedlander A little cortisol, so much serotonin David Brown Skipped class but met prof @Collins Sylvan Zhang Beach? ElRanch? Elvira’s? Let’s send it Tess van Hulsen Degree made possible by Starbucks Coffee Natalie Coffin Please pay in coffee, books, ramen. Kevin Mercado Learn to love your own company! Pallavi Deshpande Hot take? Civilization prospers with kindness Sam Becker Good vibes save lives☮️ Namrata "Ninu" Dev Future brighter than my Asian glow. Alice Chen These were the good old days Conor Hogan Who’s calling Uber to El Ranch? Maya Gutierrez fOR uS cMC kINDNESS pLEASES pLENTY Sarah Malott Want to study at Scripps pool? Jennifer Mace KFBR392 Matt Daruty Reading room anyone? Sco nas. Sydney Talmi I’m glowing, I know, it’s fine ! Krystal Sung Can we have a dance party? Jahnavi Kocha Left for a year, now cultured. Luke Radice ALL LIGHT BEERS TASTE THE SAME Guggs I am like Collins, consistently mediocre. Nolan D. Rajakumar Let’a go to Juanchos on Thursday. Kelly Ransom CMC: Poppa, Keck, Friends, Repeat! Katie Carrillo Umm, did someone say Wine Wednesday? Amiya Narula Sorry, I’m on shift in poppa Becky Shane I came, did my job, left André Simoneau I'm gonna go take a nap Seoyoon Choi “Let me check my GCal.” Michelle Cao SOURCE Meetings, Snack, and Filtered Water Lili Muskal Is the course catalog out yet?!?! Leya Aronoff Do it later, let's go skiing Bryn Miller How many junifer berries in gin? Jay Chung Civilization prospers with Ath lemon bars Hamsa Keil is texting me gifs again Celeste Terni Long live Collin's dry ass chicken Eryn Rogers I need to take a nap Kiki Yang I can handle the business side Patrick Hennessey What am I even doing here? Jack Huang Collins has lasagna AND garlic bread Hannah Berg Civilization prospers when you're not an asshole Marisa Galvez Every thing happens for a reason. Julian Castañeda Hey, can you play Paper Planes? Charlotte Morrissey Retainers in. Swiffer out. Party on. Megan Schneider c'mon, let's go out! Betzy Perez gayer than expected Sara Freimuth Team, life's short, drink good wine Connor Bloom First we must fight for Eros Jake Hudson-Humphrey Cottage Cheese. Caffeine Pills. DoLab Warrior. Corbin Bethurem Sponsored by Claremont's local coffee shops Meredith Thieme Got that Slumdog🐶 Millionaire💰 Bollywood💃🏽 Flow🌊 Devang Patel "I see your light" - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Kandace Fung Always down to party. Or sleep. Kara Schachter Festivals, friends, and full sends. Yup! Patrick Myers How many words is six words? Patrick Shore This many words is six words Sean Smooke Extras on flex? Mackenzie Bradford A transformative, unforgettable and rewarding experience. Mengting (Valerie) Huang i would do it all again Vanessa Romo Let’s help the world without “productivity” Isaac Roth trust that mf process! sco nas Teeana Cotangco 1Gen Forever Rafael Velasco Each Claremont day I am becoming. Blake Lapin Turned this in way too late Michael Chen And so the SAGA continues... C.C. Schwab Time is a flat circle Christian Tchamitchian I'm heading up to the Rose Alec Lopata Stop doing it for the prestige Roxane Sazegar drank the kool-aid, spat it out. Kai Vogel No, it’s called EEP, not PPE. Will Cullen Shooters shoot -JR Smith Tre Gonzales I'm taking my talents to vlogging Tony Chau Your name’s too ethnic for me!' Shivali Joshi Patrick Shore is actually very mature Logan Miller Wait, did someone say Tequila Fest? Payson THIS IS MY LAST BRAIN CELL Jess Winssinge

Alumni weekend festivities brought to campus a nostalgic air of celebration. Campus buzzed with alum reminiscing on their days spent walking around CMC’s campus, making memories worth a lifetime. Read on to dive into the stories alumni shared in six short words with The Forum this weekend: Photo Credits: Sara France, France Photography Abbie Johnson ’04: “Late nights at Library and Mckenna!” Jennifer Hosel ’99: “So much fun, so little responsibility” Adam Miller ’03: “Why did I ever leave Claremont?” Kate Keating (Key) ’04: “Maturity, growth, in sun with friends” Lissa Pressfield ’04: “Claremont was a wonderful place for college! I have so many amazing memories!” Michael Jordan ’89: “The strongest friendships I’ll ever forge” Rick Neault ’89: “Easier to get in back then!” Francisco Perez ’89: “Stags/Athenas/Swimming/Suitemates/Surviving/Smiling” Francisco Perez ’89: “Why I left: To start again a new adventure”

If you walked through campus last week, you might have noticed hundreds of orange butterflies that dart and bop and skitter past the Hub, kiss their shadows on the sidewalk, and swoop around the Cube before climbing the air over Kravis. The perfect backdrop for existential musings-- where are they from and where are they going? More fundamentally, what are they? “Painted ladies,” says Pomona Biology Professor Johnathan C. Wright. The British accent is so natural that the words can never be said in another way. Professor Wright contributed to butterfly census work in the UK, and has done butterfly projects in Bernard Field Station since coming to Claremont 20 years ago. He said that Vanessa cardui are perhaps the most widespread butterfly in the world, and he saw them even when he was growing up in England. These guys are migrating north from deserts in Mexico and Southern California as they do every year, but having this many is rare. In fact, Professor Wright said there has been a terrible decline of butterflies globally. “The decline is due to increased pesticide use, grubbing out of native grasslands and old pastures with lots of wildflowers, and also drought and peculiar weather probably linked to climate change,” he said. But painted ladies have several advantages over local California butterflies. “Because they are incredibly mobile and breed throughout the year, they are much more adaptable in the short-term because they can move away from adverse conditions,” Professor Wright said. “In contrast, butterflies that are monophagous (exploit only one food plant), are very sedentary, and are single brooded (one brood per year) are often the most vulnerable. With the more erratic weather patterns, painted ladies might be a species that actually fares well.” The high rains in Southern California this year have led to a population boom, since the plants the larvae depend on have flourished early this year. They are breeding as they follow the blooms north, and can sometimes reach all the way to Alaska. There hasn’t been a painted lady migration on this scale since 2005. Keck Science Professor of Biology Diane Thomson remembers driving back from Anza Borrego then. “This big wave of butterflies came over the ridge and along the road,” she said. “They were so dense that it was almost hard to see out the windshield. It was completely amazing.” How many butterflies have been flying through Claremont this year? It’s difficult to tell exactly, but Professor Wright and I did the math. Professor Wright counted one butterfly a second flying over his head when viewing a 10-meter range. He first saw the butterflies ten days before we spoke. On the West Coast, painted ladies follow a narrow migration route up to Canada. On really good years, they might make it all the way up to Alaska. “If it’s a hundred-mile band of them going north, 100 times that would be 10 kilometers, 1000 times that would be 100 kilometers-” he’s doing these calculations too fast for me to keep up, but there are around 160 kilometers in a 100 miles — that’s where this estimate comes from. “So it could be over a thousand times the volume at any one time that I am counting, then extrapolated for however many seconds there are in a day-” he reaches for his phone. “Eight-six-four-hundred seconds in a day,” I offer (Turn it all around or throw it all away). “Oh, very good! So 10 days is 864,000, so close to 1 million seconds in 10 days,” he said. “So a million times … It’s probably on the order of a billion butterflies.” That’s 1,000,000,000 butterflies. Birds that eat these butterflies are probably very satiated. So is Ravi Sadhu ‘19, who wrote his senior thesis on bird species that mate in the spring. He said that the butterfly migration was a beautiful thing to watch. “Apart from the many things that make Claremont so special, watching different animal species such as birds and insects find a home for themselves and add members to their families during the spring is wonderful,” he said. “It reflects how intriguing biodiversity can be, and how the lack of it in urban life is disappointing. I hope this butterfly migration period will inspire all to learn more about species native to Southern California and gain a newfound appreciation for their existence!” Kandace Fung ‘19 wasn’t as excited about the butterflies as Sadhu. “I thought they were moths,” she said. “My classmate was biking and was hit in the face.” But something changed once she found out they were butterflies, and she agreed that it was beautiful. Once the flowers start withering in the summer, the butterflies migrate back down to their breeding homes in the southwestern deserts. Since the reverse migration route is more dispersed, we don’t see them in the same numbers. But in England, the reverse migration of painted ladies has been a paradox for centuries, Professor Wright said. “Even when you get really good years and they migrate all the way to Scotland, no one has ever convincingly shown that the migrants ever return to Africa,” he said. “There is some speculation that they’re flying higher and we simply lose them, but despite all the efforts there’s not really a convincing case to be made.” For Professor Wright, this trip seems futile. “You can argue that there is a point to migrating north so you can exploit food plants,” he said. “But if you can’t do anything, if all you’re going to do is die up there and not successfully reproduce, why would they evolve that way, why are they doing that?” Maybe the journey doesn’t make evolutionary sense, but there is something to be said about a one-way ticket. Spring Break means graduation is looming ever closer, and I’m struck with an apprehension of all to come. The magnificent painted ladies migration is a reminder and an assurance: we’re all just passing through Claremont.