Words by Oliver Schoening PZ ’27, Graphic by Ben Connolly PZ ’26 The word “dirtbag” typically conjures images of vulgarity and sloppiness — not a political identity. Yet for an American left wing increasingly under attack in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, the label may be a much-needed lifeline. In a recent opinion piece titled “America’s New Segregation,” New York Times columnist David Brooks … Continue reading I’m Just a Dirtbag, Baby
Words by August Eberle PZ ’29, Graphic by Graphic by Xanthe McGrath SC ’29 and Carter Haroza PZ ’29 On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was shot while hosting a public engagement and debate booth at Utah Valley University (UVU), and later died at the hospital. On September 11, 2025 at 9:00 pm, my friend and I (another Pitzer student) were removed from a vigil … Continue reading My experience as a Pitzer student at the Charlie Kirk vigil
Words by Oscar Ponteri CM ’27 Graphic by Genevieve O’Marah SC ’28 Pitzer College is reconsidering its current COVID-era test-blind policy which is set to expire in fall 2025. The college has been test-optional since 2012, and “test-free” since 2021 but legislation enforcing its current test-blind stance is now up for review. Following Claremont McKenna College (CMC), Pitzer is the second of the Claremont Colleges … Continue reading Claremont Colleges Face Big Decisions on Testing Policies
Words by Willa Umansky PZ ’27 Graphic by Ava Tratt PZ ’27 and Genevieve O’Marah SC’28 This interview transcript has been edited for clarity and concision. The Outback: Can you explain a little bit about the free wall project? In practice, what are you trying to do? This past summer, I and Grace Wood-Hull (PZ ’25, free wall project co-lead) … were tour guides at … Continue reading Interview with Project Pericles Fellowship Recipient and Free Wall Project Lead
Words By Iza Harris PZ ’26 and Outback Staff Graphic By Evie Burrows-White PZ ’26 On a cloudy Thursday, music echoed through the central Pitzer locale, the mounds, and resonated through the heart of Pitzer’s campus. The event was a celebration of the natural cycle of life and death. Students gathered to recognize these campus icons one last time — and what better way to … Continue reading A Farewell to the Pitzer Pines: Pitzer community honors their legacy
Words and Photos by Dylan Bradshaw PZ ’26 acquah Acquah plays soccer a couple nights a week with other student’s at a nearby field.When asked about his jersey he jested, “with this jersey and these cleats, today, I will play like Neymar!” devon I ran into Devon outside McConnell, the gold detailing on her shirt stood out to me. With a warm smile she confessed, … Continue reading Campus Couture Chronicles: November 2024
Photos and words by Maya Olson PZ ‘25 One signature fixture of Mead is its communality — murals in each staircase and most balconies, shared courtyards and windows facing each other, and of course, towels, posters, and remnants of student life hanging from balconies. My own suite, for example, has consistently had up to five towels hanging at a time off our very public, Mounds-facing … Continue reading OPINION: Pitzer’s Hypocrisy is Increasingly Evident; Student Repression pointed out at Mead Action for Solidarity with Palestine
By: Casey Xu and Emme Laundry On October 14th, 2021, students across the 5Cs demonstrated in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en land defenders protecting their sacred headwaters, Wedzin Kwa, from being drilled by the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project funded by Claremont McKenna College trustees Henry Kravis CM ’67 and George Roberts CM ’66. Roughly fifty students stood in the quad by the Cube and the Kravis Center … Continue reading The 5Cs of Divestment: Change, Coalition, Conflict, Criticism, and Censorship
After over a year of distance learning, all 5 of the Claremont Colleges have announced their intention to reopen in the Fall. Although there will be some changes to ensure a safe return to campus, many community members anticipate that students’ return will return a sense of normalcy to the colleges and broader Claremont community. In preparation for a return to campus a Covid-19 taskforce … Continue reading Claremont Community Prepares for Students’ Return
Co-written by Callie Radecki PZ ’22, Tommy Shenoi PZ ’24, Claire Manning PZ ’22, and Anthony Shing PZ ’24. This past Earth Day, Pitzer announced the Revitalization of the Student Garden. A committee of students, faculty, and staff have worked throughout the semester to improve the space with the funds provided by a donor to purchase a new chicken coop, raised garden beds, and student … Continue reading Students Seed Ideas for Redesign of Pitzer Garden
