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.

Swarthmore Should Prove It’s Worthy of Tax-Exempt Status

by The Editorial Board

September 18, 2025

The Editorial Board argues that the college should use its newfound financial flexibility to embrace an expansive vision of social responsibility.

Transfer of Information Systems and the Future of Cygnet

by Ella Walker

September 18, 2025

The future of Cygnet is uncertain as Swarthmore undertakes the largest information technology project in the college's history.

SEPTA Funding Saga Ends With Solutions Only for the Short-Term

by Daniel Perrin

September 18, 2025

On Sept. 8, Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D-PA) administration allowed the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to use $394 million from a state trust fund designated for long-term public transportation maintenance. The money represents a one-time infusion that will enable the agency to

Lead Contamination Delays Kohlberg’s Reopening

by Xinto Xu

September 18, 2025

A welder working in Kohlberg tested their clothes for lead. One positive led to another, and now the reopening is delayed.

Weekly Column: Swat Says

Rafi KarpowitzandErin Picken

September 18, 2025

In this edition of Swat Says, students reflect on their summer excursions, react to the recent drama surrounding SEPTA cuts, and share bizarre stories about former teachers.

Queeries: It’s Only Life After All

by Ari Froehlich

September 18, 2025

Queer & Music? A new column on the fire combo. This time, we focus on the Indigo Girl.

Artist of the Week Annie Lu ’26: A Literary and Musical Expedition

by Perxi Pu

September 18, 2025

Words come to life under Che's pen, and her music offers you a breath of fresh air - AOTW Annie Lu'26

Charlie Kirk and the Incoherence of Political Violence

by Erin Picken

September 18, 2025

Erin Picken '27 criticizes the public discourse surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination, including attempts to rationalize fundamentally incoherent political violence.

In Troubled Times: Swarthmore Friends Meeting on Campus Protest and Quaker Values

by Swarthmore Friends Meeting

September 18, 2025

Swarthmore Friends Meeting implores the Swarthmore administration to consider the demands of student protestors and argues that sustained dialogue is essential to address the hostility on campus.