At the Columbia Chronicle, we take seriously our responsibility to be the voice of the campus community. Our reporting strives to be transparent, fair, diverse and inclusive.

That work also requires us to move with thoughtfulness and to prioritize safety.

On Election Day in 2024, the Chronicle newsroom worked late into the night as we covered Donald Trump’s return to the White House. We reported on the reactions of students, faculty and staff, capturing the fear, anxiety and uncertainty many expressed for themselves and their loved ones.

Those concerns have only deepened in recent days, as Chicago braces for the possible arrival of ICE and other federal law enforcement that will target Latino communities in the city. For now, Trump seems to have pulled back on his threat to deploy the National Guard.

In covering this story, we remain committed to our core values. But, we also recognize the need to balance the public’s right to know with the journalistic principle of minimizing harm.

The Chronicle identifies sources by full name whenever possible and will continue to do so. In coverage involving immigration and enforcement, however, individuals who are undocumented or at risk of retaliation may be identified by first name only. This new policy, which will be posted on our website, reflects our dual responsibility: protecting vulnerable individuals while maintaining accountability to our readers.

Our goal is to ensure that all students feel seen, heard and protected, while upholding the standards of accountability that define our work as journalists.

Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco