The Phoenix

‘Hundreds’ of Acts of Graffiti Spray-Painted Across Campus, Extensive Cleaning Work Ensues

May 2, 2026

News

"Hundreds of acts of vandalism" occurred early morning Friday May 1. The Phoenix captured the before-and-after as a significant cleaning effort rolled out.

Val Smith Sits Down for Spring Interview with The Phoenix

by Daniel Perrin

April 30, 2026

President Val Smith reflects on her presidency, her goals for the rest

Spring ’26 Student Body Poll Results

Rafi KarpowitzandDaniel Perrin

April 30, 2026

The Phoenix releases the results of its third semesterly survey of the

Spring ’26 Faculty Poll Results

Daniel PerrinandRafi Karpowitz

April 30, 2026

The Phoenix releases the results of its second semesterly poll of the

The Phoenix in Conversation with Robert Putnam ’63

by Zephyr Weinreich

April 30, 2026

Robert Putnam '63 charts his evolution from aspiring engineer to political scientist

Latest Stories

Swarthmore Needs a CCTV Committee

by The Editorial Board

April 30, 2026

Ask The Phoenix: What’s The Status of Current Campus Construction Projects?

by Xinto Xu

April 30, 2026

College Data Reveals Seven-Fold Increase in Disability Accommodations Since 2011

by Daniel Perrin

April 30, 2026

News

Generative AI Pervades Higher Education: Here’s How Three Institutions Responded

Zephyr WeinreichandThe Collegiate Journalism Network (TCJN)

April 30, 2026

Zephyr Weinreich joins journalists from Emporia State University and Oberlin College to report on AI usage and policy across institutions.

Campus Discussions: How Swarthmore is Thinking About AI

by Nina Sablan

April 30, 2026

Nina Sablan conveys wide-ranging campus opinions on AI usage.

A Look Inside Swarthmore’s 350+ Camera Surveillance Network

Ella WalkerandDaniel Perrin

April 23, 2026

A map of the 350+ accessible CCTV cameras on campus and an investigation into who decides to install them, how they're used, and how

Swarthmore Borough Passes Sanctuary and Welcoming Resolution

by Xinto Xu

April 23, 2026

Swarthmore Borough adopted a welcoming resolution the week after college student groups organized "No ICE Week" events.

SEPTA and Swarthmore Borough Begin Discussing Commuter Lot Development

by Lucy Tobier

April 23, 2026

SEPTA, the borough, and the college discuss urban development plan in Swarthmore Town.

Opinions

The College Needs a Reset: A Letter From Faculty

by Undersigned Faculty

April 30, 2026

A collection of faculty reflect on the college’s repression of student activism.

Seniors Reflect: ‘There Can and Must Be a Better Swarthmore College’

by Anonymous Students

April 30, 2026

A group of anonymous seniors reflect on the failings they've witnessed and been affected by during their time at Swarthmore and provide a vision and imperative for a better future.

Genocide and What’s Left of ‘Faith in the Institution’

by Lucas Meyer-Lee

April 30, 2026

Lucas Meyer-Lee '23 reflects on the college's changing response to student activism on campus.

Arts

‘Wilderness Generation’ Review: A Family Reunion That Doesn’t Quite Hit Home

by Alissa Lopes

April 30, 2026

A review of James Ijames' new play "Wilderness Generation," including commentary from the playwright.

Where Does Acting End And Begin? — A Review of ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’

by Joanna Hong

April 30, 2026

A review of Kana Nagata '26's Senior Honors Directing Thesis, "Circle Mirror Transformation"

Recommendations From the Editorial Board Vol 5.

Daniel PerrinandElla WalkerandMaya LevineandSarah Cymrot

April 30, 2026

Read about Copy and Upper Editors' recommendations!

Sports

Athlete of the Week: Lola Diaz ’26

by Katherine Kerman

April 30, 2026

Lola Diaz ’26, hailing from Portland, OR, and Marbella, Spain, has been an integral part of the Swarthmore women’s tennis team for the past four years. She has been awarded All-Centennial First Team Singles (2024) and All-Centennial First-Team Doubles (2024) and has

Some Thoughts I Had While Running the Wilmington, DE, Half-Marathon

by Katherine Kerman

April 30, 2026

As I turned the corner and entered the underpass around mile three of the Wilmington Marathon, the road became dark and wet, and a runner behind me shouted, trying to be witty, “beware of the needles.” But as you can imagine, this

Athlete of the Week: Lydia Morris-Kliment ’27

by Aimee Lee

April 23, 2026

Aimee Ross, co-editor of the Sports Section, in conversation with Lydia Morris-Kliment '27, the outstanding thrower from the Swarthmore Track and Field team.

Features

In Defense of Hobbs

by Kush Kaur

April 30, 2026

Kush Kaur '29 reflects on experience at Hobbs Cafe.

Reflections from a Graduating Senior

by Maya Levine

April 30, 2026

Maya Levine '26 reflects on her years at Swarthmore.

The Moonlit Path

by Megumi Jindo

April 23, 2026

Megumi Jindo '28 reflects on her experience at Swarthmore so far and the passing of the baton in her Kizuna, Japanese club.

Grace Dignazio ’22 on the MFA, Hybrid Poetics, and the Liberal Arts Experience

by Maddy Posner

November 20, 2025

Last February, Swarthmore alum Bobby Zipp ’18 wrote an article in The Phoenix about the broken relationship between students, alumni, and career services. He mentioned that attempts to connect students and alumni lack simplicity and fluidity, among other problems, boiling down to

Artist of the Week: Montana Hamel ‘26 On Breathing Life Into Play

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

November 20, 2025

Artist of the Week Montana Hamel '26 discusses creativity, discovery, and artistry.

A Californian Swattie’s Top Five Fall Spots on Campus

by Amrita Gopal

November 20, 2025

As a Swattie who hails from the distant, faraway land of California, there are many times where I yearn for the comforts of the motherland. At night, as I huddle underneath my carefully constructed cocoon of blankets, I long for the California

Rally for the Garnet Raises $194,454 for Athletics

by Aimee Lee

November 20, 2025

On Nov. 11, Swarthmore College kicked off its annual Rally for the Garnet Giving Challenge, a two-day fundraising initiative aimed at strengthening Garnet athletics and expanding resources for student-athletes. By the end of the campaign, the community had raised $191,454 from 1,333

Faith vs. Fandom in Grace Fruauff’s ‘False Thief’

Jasper Cober-LakeandPerxi Pu

November 20, 2025

On Oct. 25, recent Artist of the Week Grace Fruauff ’26 presented a part of her Honors thesis in playwriting to the Swarthmore community. In previous theatre and film projects at Swarthmore, Fruauff has experimented with involving light-hearted elements, such as popcorn,

A Very Unbiased, Definitely Biased ‘Threepenny Opera’ Review

by Thomas Shelton

November 20, 2025

Before we begin, I must highlight that I’m not an unbiased writer, though I try to be. My twin brother was the lead, and many friends were in the cast. Nevertheless, we proceed. “There will be no moralizing tonight.” Au contraire, dear

Columbia Professor Eric Verhoogen Delivers Wilcox Lecture

by Milan Tenn

November 20, 2025

Columbia University economist Eric Verhoogen delivered this year's Clair Wilcox lecture.

Drag at Olde Club and How Good It Is to Be Young

by Alissa Lopes

November 20, 2025

Read about the drag and a realization of youth.

Swat Says: Thanksgiving Edition

Rafi KarpowitzandErin Picken

November 20, 2025

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.