Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
During Discovery Weekend last Saturday through Monday, a few Swatties noticed that some of the prospective students visiting campus seemed to be Caucasian. Students may have been concerned about a policy change because the Summer Tri-Co Institute, formerly a program only for people of color, was opened to white students in 2005.
According to Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jim Bock, ‘90, however, the weekend is still held solely for ethnic minorities. Assistant Dean of Admissions Nick Peterson, who coordinated Discovery Weekend, said he “would caution anyone who feels that one’s racial/ethnic identity is solely observed in phenotypical characteristics such as complexion.” He added, “People of color come in all hues.”
While the specs in question may have added to the diverse appearance of the group, then, Discovery Weekend was, as always, reserved for students of racial minorities.
