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.”

DEI Is a Higher Ed Target: Here’s How Five Institutions Responded

by Lucy Tobier

March 5, 2026

Reporters from five member institutions of The Collegiate Journalism Network describe the wide-ranging effects of Trump's DEI policy on higher education.

Recommendations From the Editorial Board Vol 1.

Alissa LopesandYijia (Jessica) QinandXinto XuandZephyr Weinreich

March 5, 2026

Read about Arts and News Editors' Arts Recommendations

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

March 5, 2026

In this edition of Swat Says, students share their hot takes on the Oscars, reveal their feelings on midterm season, and discuss plans for spring break.

All in a Giornata: A Photo Gallery

by James Shelton

March 5, 2026

James Shelton's '28 collected photographs from the fresco painting class's open studio event.

Artist of the Week Rafael Karpowitz ’27 Stopped Stressing Over Standards

by Corinne Lafont

March 5, 2026

Pianist Rafael Karpowitz '27 reflects on his musical childhood and the versatility of jazz.

Val Smith Announces Plan to End Presidency After 2026-27 Academic Year

by Daniel Perrin

February 26, 2026

Val Smith announces the upcoming end of her time as Swarthmore president, the community responds and prepares for a period of transition.

Student-Athletes on the Upcoming Cunningham Fields and Fieldhouse Renovations

Alex AvanesyanandLuca CampianiandEli CoganandEllie FermoandJada GreenandKatherine KermanandJames SheltonandThomas Shelton

February 26, 2026

Varsity and club athletes share their thoughts on how the recently proposed renovations of Cunningham Fields and the Fieldhouse will affect them and their teams.

Swarthmore Supports Harvard-Led Lawsuit Defending International Students

by Zephyr Weinreich

February 26, 2026

Swarthmore joins many other higher education institutions in support for Harvard's legal fight for international students.

Resilience in the Face of Oppression: Reflections on Black History Month

by Nasrin Ahmed

February 26, 2026

As BHM concludes, Nasrin Ahmed '28 discusses the importance of telling Black history not simply as a story of oppression and resistance, but instead as one of triumph and excellence.