From South Korea to Koreatown: In the middle, a fire
Jihu Kang, an international art student, lost everything in the Palisades Fire. The college community is her strongest stalwart for rebuilding, filling in where the administration faltered.
Brawls break out at Republican rally arranged by Jan. 6 rioter, resulting in arrest
There was no shortage of scuffling at the conservative #WalkAway march and rally in Beverly Hills on Sunday. The march’s founder was one of 1,500 recently pardoned by Trump for storming the Capitol.
Finding strength after destruction: A conversation with Dr. Sion Roy on the Palisades Fire
As many parts of the Santa Monica College (SMC) community have been affected by the Palisades fire, SMC Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Dr. Sion Roy opens up about his experience.
Fighting food waste through the Santa Monica College Bodega
The Bodega, a free food pantry at Santa Monica College, relies on food rescuers and volunteers like Pasquale Galante, a 78 year old SMC Student. Spending his time rescuing uneaten food from local restaurants, he works on fighting food waste and insecurity.
Crime Alert: SMCPD investigates on-campus sexual battery in the library, suspect not yet apprehended
Santa Monica College police is searching for the suspect of an on-campus sexual battery incident on April 30.
Special Elections at SMC posit opportunity to reform student government
Four Associated Students director positions for the 2025-26 academic year are vacant, as well as two vacant seats on the Judicial Board. Students at SMC have until April 29 at 5 p.m. to apply to run for these positions, potentially remedying reports of Board-wide ennui.
A month into demotion, students attest, Judith is still the Math Lab
Judith Eckstein hasn’t worked as the Math Lab coordinator since March 5, though her return as a tutor is forecast. Several students took to the Board of Trustees to argue her cruciality.
SMC has the worst fund balance in the state, second only to College of the Canyons, report finds; and other budget updates
It’s a “sobering and scary time” for community colleges. The state of California prospered in February, but SMC is still floundering. SMC’s fund balance to expenditures ratio is 12%, the second lowest in the state. Legislative advisors are recommending California cut back on special programs and focus on core costs at community colleges.
Get a load of this
Sperm racing, an all-new sport, is set to premiere at the Hollywood Palladium on April 25, where a USC and a UCLA student will face off and race their sperm. The Sperm Racing company aims to combine technology and sport to raise awareness for male infertility.
Inside Fight Oligarchy LA, largest Bernie Sanders rally of all time
Bernie Sanders’ rounds of cross-country, no-cost speaking engagements have produced crowds more populous than the Vermont senator saw in both his bids for President; here, an up-close view on what he had to say in LA, at his largest event yet.
Associated Students assists with organizing fundraiser for Ukraine
Students from six different Santa Monica College clubs collaborated to help raise money for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, organized by the Associated Students.
A.S. resolution upholds F-1 students’ free speech, among visa revocations and ICE crackdowns on “illegal ideas”
SMC’s student government will vote on a directive declaring students’ right to speak freely at school; meanwhile, the federal government boasts about eradicating ideas and intellectual property that are “illegal,” and student visas are revoked from coast to coast.
Trump, round two: largest protest of second admin draws thousands downtown
Half a million rallied nationwide against Trump and Musk on Saturday; in Los Angeles, tens of thousands joined in at City Hall.
Ten F-1 visas of SMC students terminated this month; as of April 28, all are reinstated
Over 300 student visas have been revoked in the U.S. in recent weeks; according to ICE databases, the federal government terminated ten F-1 visas belonging to SMC students as of Thursday.
FEMA wildfire relief deadline extended to April 15, with more properties eligible
In the wake of the wildfires, a special program by FEMA offers debris removal for private, and some commercial, estates. Now, the program applies to condos and multi-family buildings with occupied units.
Geriatrics get down for Tesla Takedown
Concerned citizens and SMC staffers rallied at Tesla facilities across the country and the planet to air every last grievance about the current state of the federal government.
2025-26 Associated Students Election results: Ortiz wins President, Li wins External Affairs, SJP resolution passes
At 10 a.m., Associated Students announced 2025-26 election results, including two contested positions and a controversial legislative initiative.
“Oxymoronic,” “harmful,” not “actionable” enough: Students and community members voice criticisms of SJP resolution
The A.S. ballot features a resolution by Students for Justice in Palestine that sparked controversy among Jewish students, the Jewish student center, and even students who “support SJP wholeheartedly.”
In dire straits, Health Center and BoT increase mandatory student fee
After years of using reserves, the Health Center hopes to balance the budget by increasing student fees.
A.S. Director candidates face trial by fire at the Corsair’s Election Forum
Candidates running for next year’s student government faced a jury of their peers, who brought the heat.