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.”

How the Rise of AI Puts Swarthmore’s Values to the Test

by Maria Victoria Almarza

September 17, 2026

Maria Victoria Almarza '28 argues that Swarthmore must reckon with the emergence of generative AI, the continued tolerance of which undermines Swarthmore's commitment to environmental and social justice.

Erich Geiger on His New Vision for Swarthmore Dining

by Reina Jones

September 17, 2026

New Executive Director of Dining Erich Geiger discusses increasing dining hall quality and building community.

March of the Blank Placards: Photos from a Fringe Festival Dance Performance on the City Streets

by Amelia Candeub

September 17, 2026

Amelia Candeub '30 captures the the 2026 Philly Fringe Festival with her camera.

We Should Talk About It

by Nasrin Ahmed

September 17, 2026

Opinions Editor Nasrin Ahmed ’28 dives into the discourse around discussions at Swarthmore, arguing that Swat students too often abandon the liberal arts ideal of collaborative classroom engagement in favor of performative self-absorption and one-upmanship.

Swat Says: Ed Board Edition

Nasrin AhmedandRafi Karpowitz

September 17, 2026

In this special edition of Swat Says, the Phoenix Editorial Board shares their opinion on a variety of topics concerning the Swarthmore community and the newspaper and offer advice to new students.

Artist of the Week: Akira Franco Tanglao-Aguas ’27 on the Roles We Play

by Yijia (Jessica) Qin

September 17, 2026

Actor Akira Franco Tanglao-Aguas '27 reflects on the many ways collaboration has impacted his art.

The Phoenix in Conversation with Former Ambassador David L. Cohen ’77

by Xinto Xu

September 17, 2026

Former Ambassador David L. Cohen ’77 discusses his time in office, the United States’ relationship with Canada, and the liberal arts.

Dugout Renovations Continue on Clothier Baseball Field

by Charlie Watson

September 17, 2026

Swarthmore baseball players returned to campus this August to find their dugouts entirely gone, with construction fences taking their place. While potentially shocking to some, the sight was neither unwelcome nor a surprise to the team. The baseball program has been aiming