The Phoenix

Swarthmore Motions to Toss Lawsuit Following U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Trans Athletes

November 5, 2026

News

Swarthmore College has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit brought against the college by transgender athlete and alumna Evie Parts ’25.

Faculty Votes to Alter Diversity Language in Tenure Allocation Guidelines

by Erin Picken

November 5, 2026

Faculty recently voted to amend guidelines for tenure-track hires.

Swarthmore Embraces Community College Transfer Students in Keeping with ‘Swarthmore Forward’ Strategic Plan

by Zephyr Weinreich

November 5, 2026

Swarthmore College moves to admit more transfer students from community colleges as

Remembering Dining Hall Worker Brett Day: Reflections from Friends and Colleagues

by Rafi Karpowitz

November 5, 2026

Rafael Karpowitz '27 shares reflections, thoughts, discussions, and stories from Brett's close

Office Hours: Faculty on the Relationship Between Pedagogy and Political Views

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

November 5, 2026

Faculty share their thoughts on how and to what extent professors should

Latest Stories

Fueling the Phoenix: Newly Extended Dining Hall Hours

by Nasif Ataher

November 5, 2026

What You Missed at the Philly Film Fest

by Ben Waters

November 5, 2026

PHILADANCO! Exclaiming Community and Empowerment Through the Visual Arts.

by Yamu Xi

November 5, 2026

Dr. Mackensie Alston Explores Artificial Intelligence as a Bias-Detection Tool

by Alexandra Pryplesh

November 5, 2026

Pierson Lecturer Dr. Mackensie Alston discusses her recent research using artificial intelligence to detect bias in the criminal justice system.

What to Expect from the Midterm Elections Next Week

by Daniel Perrin

October 29, 2026

Millions of Americans will go to the polls next Tuesday amidst rising political dissatisfaction. Here’s what Swatties will see on their ballots, as well

Swarthmore Adds Three Alumni to Board of Managers

by Alissa Lopes

October 29, 2026

Jeremy Brest ’90 and Colin Convey ’97, and Tom Hartnett ’94, P’26 join the college Board of Managers.

Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens on Harriet Tubman as a Medical and Intellectual Pioneer

by James Lewis

October 29, 2026

Dr. Deidre Cooper Owens gives the 2026 James A. Field Endowed Lecture on Harriet Tubman and medical bondage.

Science Center Cafe Cuts Down on Outside Catering, Updates Hot Meal Options

by Cameron Alleyne

October 29, 2026

Science Center Cafe no longer offers Chinese food from Yangtze Inn every day, replacing most meal options with DCC-catered food.

Opinions

Federal Voter ID Legislation is Common Sense

by Trajan Finarelli

November 5, 2026

Trajan Finarelli '30 argues that we should be open to considering the potential merits of stricter Voter ID legislation and proposes some solutions of his own.

The Most Obnoxious Blowhards in America

by Teddy King-Pollet

October 29, 2026

Teddy King-Pollet '28 criticizes a recent deplorable ad campaign and the broad hypocrisy of two prominent right-wing politicians.

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

October 29, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students rank Tri-Co mascots, weigh in on the Garnet Weekend and Halloween overlap, and reflect on their caffeine habits.

Arts

‘La Bola Negra’ Grabs Life by the Balls!

by Zuyuan Zhou

November 5, 2026

A review of “La Bola Negra,” opening in theaters in Philadelphia on Nov. 6

Artist of the Week: Jonas Barr ’27 on Being and Not Being an Artist

by My Nguyen

November 5, 2026

Poet Jonas Barr ’27 on learning what it means to self-identify as an artist

Eyes Wide Open: A Review of ‘You Can See Everything’

by Harper Gowen

October 29, 2026

A review of the documentary “You Can See Everything”

Sports

Athlete of the Week: Isabel Adam ’28

by Charlie Watson

November 5, 2026

Outside hitter Isabel Adam ’28 has been lighting it up for the Swarthmore volleyball team this fall. She came into this season with extensive on-court experience, playing in all but one game in her first two years at Swarthmore, and earning All-Centennial

LeBron James: The 76ers’ New Addition

by Andrew Lufrano

October 29, 2026

On a beautiful Friday afternoon, July 24, 2026, LeBron James announced to the world that he would continue his illustrious career by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, eight-million-dollar contract. Widely regarded as the best professional basketball player of all

USWNT Wins Friendly Against Spain in Chester, PA

by Ava Gizzie

October 29, 2026

A crowd of 18,000 chants in unison to the beat of the fan section drums. It’s the 86th minute of the match, and the U.S. Women’s National Team is down 2-1 to reigning World Cup Champions, Spain. The beat continues. The left

Features

The German 9.11.

by Trajan Finarelli

November 5, 2026

Trajan Finarelli '30 reflects on the complex implications of Nov. 9 for German history.

Fleeting Sketches

by Alice Yang

November 5, 2026

Alice Yang '29 shares her Procreate sketches of people in New York.

McCabe Library: Crossings — Migration Then and Now

by Alice Sheffer

November 5, 2026

Sheffer ‘30 explores McCabe’s current exhibit: “Crossings — Migration Then and Now.”

The Phoenix in Conversation with Prof. Daniel Laurison on Political Disconnection

by Xinto Xu

April 2, 2026

Prof. Daniel Laurison talks about his research on political disconnection among working-class people and shares his insights on election, political (non)participation, and democracy.

Friction Makes Us Human; We Need More of It

by Erin Picken

April 2, 2026

Erin Picken '27 criticizes the embrace of tools and technology that seek to remove any difficulty — or friction — from daily life.

‘Get in Loser, We’re Going Whaling’: Swarthmore’s Moby Dick Readathon

by Ellen Stewart

April 2, 2026

Swarthmore students come together in Upper Tarble to read all of "Moby Dick" in 25 hours.

Reflections from a Doubles Specialist

by Riya Rao

April 2, 2026

Riya Rao '26 reflects on her journey as a tennis player, from the stress and intensity of youth sports and her early college career to finding a more healthy dynamic in doubles play.

Encased Cruelty in a Forest of Madness: A Review of ‘Woyzeck’

by Perxi Pu

April 2, 2026

A review of Grace Fruauff ’26’s senior Honors directing thesis "Woyzeck."

Iyad Hmidat and Heba Alsaidi on Their Experience With Mutual Aid in Gaza

by Beika Lyu

April 2, 2026

Palestinian mutual aid workers Iyad Hmidat and Heba Alsaidi share about their life and work in Gaza during the war and after the ceasefire deal in October 2025.

Swat Says: April Fools Edition

Rafi KarpowitzandNasrin Ahmed

April 2, 2026

In this special April Fools edition of Swat Says, unsuspecting students share their thoughts on several important (but completely false) happenings around campus.

Show Don’t Tell: Make Government Fun Again

by Teddy King-Pollet

April 2, 2026

Teddy King-Pollet '28 argues that Democrats should embrace social media as a tool to bridge the gap between citizens and politicians and make the tangible effects of their policies more clear to the general public.