Students of Color Used to Enhance the White Experience
By Michael Rush
Contributing Writer

In an attempt to evaluate and eventually hasten its progress toward a more diverse student body, Pomona has used surveys, studies, and of course its favorite medium, the committee, to tackle the diversity initiative and understand issues of race and class on campus. Part of the initiative is to develop a culture of data and evidence, which is theoretically an effective step in approaching such issues—but what if there were two sets of data, and the goals for constructing/gathering one set was antagonistic to the goals of the other set?

Diversity of Thought is Like a Fish Getting Hit by a Bicycle
By Peter Douglas
Staff Writer

“There is no right wing or left wing… there is only up wing and down wing” –Bob Dylan, “11 Outlined Epitaphs”

On a recent Monday Night Live radio show discussing the political climate at Pomona, several students talked at length about how conservative views are not receiving enough attention or respect on the Pomona campus. These students brought up the idea of increasing “diversity of thought” as a means of countering this situation. One student, Ashley Berry ‘06, went so far as to claim that, “diversity of thought is the only kind that should matter.” The idea of diversity of thought, meaning an increased number of conservative voices on campus, is one that is becoming increasingly popular with conservative students, and I have heard it discussed in many forums from private conversations to meetings with potential college presidents. The concept of diversity of thought, defined as such, however, is both absurd and hypocritical, and to suggest that this is the only valid form of diversity is particularly repugnant.

Sustainable Food in Dining Halls a Possibility
By Sinead Hunt
Contributing Writer

Across the country, colleges are integrating organic farms and foods into their campus lifestyles. Pioneer educational institutes in this regard include Princeton, Yale, Evergreen State College and Colorado College. Is there a comparable movement at the Claremont Colleges? Yes. Many great and innovative steps have been taken at Claremont McKenna’s Collins Dining Hall, steps that can and should be implemented at Pomona College.

Danger in Decreased Faculty Courseload
By Sam Glick,
Contributing Writer

As has been pointed out by many before me, Pomona is at a crossroads this year. We have a new president, a new alcohol policy, and the Curriculum Committee is currently reviewing the general education system. The campus is abuzz with excitement and energy about the College’s future, and it seems that everyone–faculty, staff, student, or alumnus–is talking about ways to make Pomona a better place. One important issue, though, seems to have received attention almost exclusively from faculty members: the potential reduction in the teaching load.

Rant Farm: Start Talking People
By Cieran Rockwell
Contributing Writer

Honestly, why do people come to class if they are not going to talk? During my time at this fine institution, I have been very frustrated by a trend among Pomona students in seminar classes: to allow the discussion to be carried by either the few people who care of the even fewer people who have done the reading. I do not consider myself one of those people, mostly because of my general lack of understanding about everything, but I am too often forced by the pressing silence after a professor’s question to say something just to get the ball rolling.