On the first day of the fall semester, Columbia students crowded the streets around campus, hugging each other and catching up after returning from summer break.
In the Student Center, groups of friends gathered on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for a slew of welcome week events in the lobby, filling the space with chatter.
First-year animation and computer graphics major Elizabeth Jennings stood with a friend just one floor above the lobby in the MakerSpace, exploring the different materials and tools available to students.
Jennings said she got to her Big Chicago course “Haunted Stockyards” early on Tuesday. The course explores a variety of neighborhoods and cultural events in the city like “Arts in the Dark.”
“It was really cool,” she said. “We talked a lot about kind of gory topics, like the stockyards that were in Chicago years ago where they slaughtered millions of animals.”
Columbia reported that they are welcoming a class of 1,100 new students for this fall semester, compared to 632 first-time, first-year students last fall.
Among these first-year students was music production major Ethan Tanner, who has been adjusting to the city, exploring and using the Chicago transit system.
“I don’t come from a metropolis like this, so it’s definitely an adjustment, but it’s one I like a lot.” said Tanner. “There’s a lot more to do, I like not having to drive anywhere.”
For some instructors, the best part of a new academic year is seeing students back in the classroom.
“I am really pleasantly surprised by how people show up on the first day,” said Molly Schneider, an associate professor in the School of Film and Television.
Jeff Wieck, adjunct faculty in the School of Film and Television, taught “Television Studio Production” on the first day of classes.
“This class is already cool. Everyone is relaxed, and I detect a lot of interest,” Wieck said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone blossom and become more confident.”
Starting in Fall 2024, the college reduced the number of required core credits from 42 to 30, opening up space for students to take more electives.
Brennan Thompson, a junior creative writing major, took his first journalism course this semester.
“I figured that this was going to help me get a better perspective on seeing everyone else’s life, so that I could write better in my own stories,” Thompson said.
Kairi Alm, a first-year audio arts major, registered for a class in comedy, despite it not being related to her major.
“I’m feeling really excited because my first class of the week is my Big Chicago class,” said Alm. “I’m taking the comedy one, which has nothing to do with my major, but I love comedy so I’m excited.”
For returning students, many are entering the semester after watching the college undergo significant changes, including the layoff of 54 full-time faculty since January 2025.
“Certain people have gotten laid off,” said senior fashion design major JC Alicea. “It’s made it a little bit more sad and dreary because we’ve seen them since our freshman year to our senior year, and now they’re not here.”
But Alicea said they were still excited about the start of the semester. “Overall, it has been great.”
Belen Enriquez, a senior arts and entertainment management major, said she was ready to finish her final year and was looking forward to “Art Now!: Speaker Series.”
“I’m kind of an introvert, and I’m not very good at speaking. But with the class I’m going to, I’m trying to speak up more. Because for the future, if I have a future project with business, I should speak up a lot.”
Marketing major Lewie Fletcher said he felt “bittersweet” on his last first day of school as a senior at Columbia.
“This has been my home for the past three and a half years,” he said. “A lot of change has happened, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”
Additional reporting from Jenna Kottke, Serenity Burgos, Katie Peters, Art Ruitong, Zadyn Higgins, Shawn Katz, Cameron Johnson, Jubilee Becker-Hall, Angel Cal, Levi Lebison, Mia Smith, Nico Waugh, Mya DeJesus, Kameron Clepper, Isaac Russo, Ava Simone Forester, Zoey Hill-Hernandez
Copy edited by Isaac Russo
