Erin Picken, Author at The Phoenix

An End of Semester Reflection from the Opinions Editors

Opinions section editors reflect on the past semester and discuss the importance of providing an inclusive window into the campus zeitgeist.

December 11, 2025

Opinion·Swat Says

Swat Says: Finals Edition

In this special Final Exams edition of Swat Says, students discuss their plans for winter break, reveal their most dreaded upcoming finals, and share their thoughts on the Swarthmore Marriage Pact.

December 11, 2025

Office Hours·Opinion

Office Hours: Faculty on the Implications of Generative AI for Higher Education

Swarthmore professors share their thoughts on the growing prevalence of generative artificial intelligence and its implications for higher education and the liberal arts.

November 20, 2025

Opinion·Swat Says

Swat Says: Thanksgiving Edition

In this special Thanksgiving edition of Swat Says, students share their plans for the holiday and reveal their families' craziest Thanksgiving drama from years past.

November 20, 2025

Opinion·Swat Says

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Swatties share their thoughts on admissions decisions, understaffed departments, and their Swat day from hell.

November 13, 2025

Office Hours·Opinion

Office Hours: Faculty on Swarthmore’s Hiring, Retention, and Tenure Practices

In our third edition of this regular column featuring faculty perspectives, we asked professors to share their thoughts on hiring, retention, and tenure processes at the college.

October 30, 2025

Opinion·Swat Says

Weekly Column: Swat Says

In this edition of Swat Says, students reveal their campus priorities, discuss the time-honored Swat tradition of Screw Your Roommate, and share surprising thoughts on sports teams at Swarthmore.

October 30, 2025

Opinion

Pernicious Farming Practices and the Mythology of American Agriculture

Erin Picken '27 condemns the political fairytales surrounding American farming and argues for an overhaul of the American agricultural industry.

October 23, 2025

Opinion·Swat Says

Weekly Column: Swat Says

In this edition of Swat Says, students reflect on fall break, discuss common stereotypes of Swarthmore students, and reveal their biggest campus pet peeves.

October 23, 2025

A Swarthmore transcript with a pen over it.

Office Hours·Opinion

Office Hours: Faculty on Grading Practices and Grade Inflation

In the second edition of our regular column, “Office Hours”, Swarthmore faculty members share their thoughts on and concerns with grading practices and grade inflation at Swarthmore and beyond.

October 9, 2025

Erin Picken

An End of Semester Reflection from the Opinions Editors

Swat Says: Finals Edition

Office Hours: Faculty on the Implications of Generative AI for Higher Education

Swat Says: Thanksgiving Edition

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Office Hours: Faculty on Swarthmore’s Hiring, Retention, and Tenure Practices

Pernicious Farming Practices and the Mythology of American Agriculture

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Office Hours: Faculty on Grading Practices and Grade Inflation

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