LETTER THE EDITOR
We've got you covered

The Columbia Chronicle
We've got you covered

The Columbia Chronicle
We've got you covered

The Columbia Chronicle

Blaise Mesa, Former Executive Producer

All content by Blaise Mesa
Column: That’s all for this graduate—it has been an honor, a pleasure and a privilege

Column: That’s all for this graduate—it has been an honor, a pleasure and a privilege

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
May 16, 2020
Chronicle Headlines: Difficult to Transfer and commencement

Chronicle Headlines: Difficult to Transfer and commencement

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
May 12, 2020
The 2019 edition of Echo, a magazine produced in a course offered by the Communication Department each spring semester. The 2020 edition of Echo will still be printed, despite the coronavirus pandemic and campus closures.

Echo magazine balances timelines and deadlines during pandemic

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
May 6, 2020
'It puts us at a disadvantage': Fashion students grapple with online classes, lack of resources

‘It puts us at a disadvantage’: Fashion students grapple with online classes, lack of resources

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 24, 2020
The Dwight Lofts dorm building, 642 S. Clark St., lies empty after students were forced to vacate in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After contradicting emails, Columbia clarifies policy on retrieving belongings from dorms

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 23, 2020
Columbia part-time faculty union president Diana Vallera.

Part-time faculty to receive additional payment for online transition; college to limit ‘surveillance’ of instructors

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 14, 2020
Marcus Andre, a 2016 interdisciplinary alumnus and an office worker for a home service company, is finding he now has more time to spend with his boyfriend as they shelter-in-place together.

Columbia’s community searches for purpose while sheltering in place

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 9, 2020
Students who were living in Columbia's on-campus residence halls before being sent home because of the coronavirus pandemic will be able to collect whatever belongings they left behind beginning April 6.

Breaking: Students have ‘through April’ to fully move out of dorms

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 3, 2020
'Virtually impossible' or 'raring to go'? Students and faculty have mixed feelings about going online

‘Virtually impossible’ or ‘raring to go’? Students and faculty have mixed feelings about going online

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
April 1, 2020
College and CFAC agree to working conditions during 'extraordinary circumstances'

College and CFAC agree to working conditions during ‘extraordinary circumstances’

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
March 27, 2020
Breaking: Commencement canceled; Manifest may go virtual

Breaking: Commencement canceled; Manifest may go virtual

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
March 23, 2020
(From left) Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announce a "stay-at-home" order asking Illinois residents to stay at home except for essential travel, such as to grocery stores or for medical assistance.

‘This is the new normal’: Stay-at-home order given, officials urge people to stay calm

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
March 20, 2020
Democratic presidential primary and the CHIditarod race

Democratic presidential primary and the CHIditarod race

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
March 11, 2020
Metra looking into changes to proposed Metra Electric schedule

Metra looking into changes to proposed Metra Electric schedule

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
March 4, 2020
Chronicle Headlines: Student vlogs and rideshare 'deadheading'

Chronicle Headlines: Student vlogs and rideshare ‘deadheading’

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
February 26, 2020
Trans Student Union aims to ‘empower’ students

Trans Student Union aims to ‘empower’ students

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
February 19, 2020
Chronicle Headlines: A chance meeting leads to a lifetime bond

Chronicle Headlines: A chance meeting leads to a lifetime bond

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
February 12, 2020
Chronicle Headlines: CFAC's Steering Committee looks ahead

Chronicle Headlines: CFAC’s Steering Committee looks ahead

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
February 5, 2020
An expanding Sahara and 'Death by Dying'

An expanding Sahara and ‘Death by Dying’

By Blaise Mesa, Executive Producer
January 29, 2020
CFAC elections, Fred Hampton, American Medina and a south suburb tutoring center

CFAC elections, Fred Hampton, American Medina and a south suburb tutoring center

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
December 11, 2019
Editor's Note: Student loan borrowers need better support from the government

Editor’s Note: Student loan borrowers need better support from the government

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 8, 2019
CFAC election and Black Friday strike

CFAC election and Black Friday strike

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
December 4, 2019
Starbucks roastery, a steamy musical and an LGBTQ+ ball

Starbucks roastery, a steamy musical and an LGBTQ+ ball

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
November 20, 2019
Editor's Note: Trump sinks to a new low during impeachment inquiry

Editor’s Note: Trump sinks to a new low during impeachment inquiry

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 16, 2019
Switching majors, addressing academic disparity at the college and trend-defying international enrollment rates

Switching majors, addressing academic disparity at the college and trend-defying international enrollment rates

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
November 13, 2019
One venti college degree to go, hold the crushing student debt

One venti college degree to go, hold the crushing student debt

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 8, 2019
The Obamas, predicting the future and restricted resources on campus

The Obamas, predicting the future and restricted resources on campus

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
November 6, 2019
Editor's Note: Do not applaud the NCAA for dragging its feet

Editor’s Note: Do not applaud the NCAA for dragging its feet

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2019
Suzanne Blum Malley, senior associate provost an associate professor in the English and Creative Writing Department, will take over the provost position at North Carolina's Methodist University Jan. 15.

Suzanne Blum Malley named provost at Methodist University

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2019
Hair Trigger goes digital, a retired detective investigates an unsolved murder and director Rian Johnson visits Columbia

Hair Trigger goes digital, a retired detective investigates an unsolved murder and director Rian Johnson visits Columbia

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
October 30, 2019
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a new Moroccan mural and the college's annual safety report

Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade, a new Moroccan mural and the college’s annual safety report

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
October 23, 2019
Columbia confessions and CFAC election

Columbia confessions and CFAC election

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
October 16, 2019
‘Challenging task at best’: Global Education carries on after reorganization

‘Challenging task at best’: Global Education carries on after reorganization

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2019
Climate strikes, scam emails and impeachment

Climate strikes, scam emails and impeachment

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
October 9, 2019
Editor's Note: Trump’s border ideas are a sign of ignorance

Editor’s Note: Trump’s border ideas are a sign of ignorance

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2019
Hollywood, commuting and the bookstore

Hollywood, commuting and the bookstore

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
October 2, 2019
Roughly two-thirds of college students "have to juggle work, families and school and also commute to classes."

Oh, the lengths Columbia students will go to shave off student expenses

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 30, 2019
Climate crisis inspires people all over the world to take action, a look at how student evaluations affect professors

Climate crisis inspires people all over the world to take action, a look at how student evaluations affect professors

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
September 25, 2019
Editor's note: Books should be read, not banned

Editor’s note: Books should be read, not banned

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 22, 2019
Columbia composting efforts and reflection room

Columbia composting efforts and reflection room

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
September 18, 2019
Mexican Independence Day commemorates the start of the war for independence from Spain.

‘Proud to be Mexican’: Chicagoans celebrate Mexico’s independence

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 16, 2019
CFAC, Aguijón Theater and nonbinary IDs

CFAC, Aguijón Theater and nonbinary IDs

By Blaise Mesa and Yasmeen Sheikah
September 11, 2019
Editor's Note: Stop blaming people when corporations kill the planet

Editor’s Note: Stop blaming people when corporations kill the planet

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
September 8, 2019
College ends decade of new student decline with most diverse freshman class in Columbia’s history expected for Fall 2019

College ends decade of new student decline with most diverse freshman class in Columbia’s history expected for Fall 2019

By Alexandra Yetter and Blaise Mesa
August 14, 2019
Pangratios Papacosta 'epitomized the best of what this college stands for'

Pangratios Papacosta ‘epitomized the best of what this college stands for’

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 24, 2019

Staff transition at Center for Black Music Research a ‘slap in the face’ | For the Record Ep. 1

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 24, 2019

Activists protest Customs and Border Protection symposium, demand immigrant rights

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 23, 2019
Staff transition at Center for Black Music Research a ‘slap in the face’

Staff transition at Center for Black Music Research a ‘slap in the face’

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 22, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 30

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 16, 2019
John Hickenlooper on climate, the Senate and education

John Hickenlooper on climate, the Senate and education

By Blaise Mesa and Alexandra Yetter
July 16, 2019
Professor Emeritus Pangratios Papacosta has died in London

Professor Emeritus Pangratios Papacosta has died in London

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
July 3, 2019
Four Columbia teachers achieve excellence

Four Columbia teachers achieve excellence

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
June 17, 2019
OPINION: LaGuardia Arts High School can learn from Columbia

OPINION: LaGuardia Arts High School can learn from Columbia

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
June 9, 2019
House bill could help transgender and undocumented students

House bill could help transgender and undocumented students

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 31, 2019
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim believes creatives can bring transformative change to the world.

President Kim on weirdos, transparency and the future

By Blaise Mesa and Alexandra Yetter
May 29, 2019
Renegades remain: Columbia sports keep name, change logo

Renegades remain: Columbia sports keep name, change logo

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 26, 2019

USofCC escorted out of 600 Building after trying to meet with Kim

By Blaise Mesa and Alexandra Yetter
May 22, 2019
P-Fac members and students march along the sidewalk outside 600 S. Michigan Ave. Nov. 29 for the first day of the two-day P-Fac strike.

CFAC ratifies labor contract

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 15, 2019
CFAC holds informational meetings before contract ratification vote this week

CFAC holds informational meetings before contract ratification vote this week

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
May 13, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 29

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2019
Third Mask Festival brings new experience to Chicago

Third Mask Festival brings new experience to Chicago

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
May 2, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 28

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2019
Warren: ‘It’s time for bold action’

Warren: ‘It’s time for bold action’

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
April 26, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 27

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 22, 2019
Transgender students allege mistreatment and lack of support at Columbia College Chicago.

Transgender students allege mistreatment, lack of support on campus

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
April 22, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 26

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 16, 2019
A crowd of Columbia professors, students and supporters participate in a strike outside 600 S. Michigan Ave. held by the Part Time Faculty Union, P-Fac, on the demonstration's second and final day Nov. 30.

CFAC: College retracted key points during bargaining session

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
April 12, 2019
Updated: CFAC members authorize strike, negotiations continue

Updated: CFAC members authorize strike, negotiations continue

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
April 9, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 25

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
April 8, 2019
Mueller Report protestors in Federal Plaza

Mueller Report protestors in Federal Plaza

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
April 4, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 24

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2019
Trump proposed 2020 budget could be end of subsidized loans

Trump proposed 2020 budget could be end of subsidized loans

By Blaise Mesa and Kendall Polidori
March 22, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 23

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 18, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 22

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 11, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 21

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 4, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 20

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 19

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 18, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 18

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 11, 2019

Student veterans receive VA checks after wait

By Blaise Mesa
February 9, 2019
‘Death by Dying’ passes on to Top 150 Podcasts

‘Death by Dying’ passes on to Top 150 Podcasts

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
February 7, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 17

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
February 4, 2019
Coming to Columbia: College has plans to increase enrollment

Coming to Columbia: College has plans to increase enrollment

By Blaise Mesa
January 29, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 16

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
January 28, 2019
Alumni, faculty remember Steven Lattimore

Alumni, faculty remember Steven Lattimore

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
January 25, 2019

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 15

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2019
Joe Maddon and his wife Jaye Maddon served guests during their annual Thankmas dinner at St. Leonard's Ministries, 2120 W. Warren Blvd, Jan. 17.

Cubs, Citypak Project give back at Thanksmas

By Blaise Mesa
January 18, 2019
Pegeen Reichert Powell to step in as chair of English and Creative Writing Department

Pegeen Reichert Powell to step in as chair of English and Creative Writing Department

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
December 17, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 14

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 10, 2018
Tax forms: Salaries and revenue increase, contributions decrease

Tax forms: Salaries and revenue increase, contributions decrease

By Ariana Portalatin and Blaise Mesa
December 10, 2018
VA glitch causes missed payments

VA glitch causes missed payments

By Ariana Portalatin and Blaise Mesa
December 10, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 13

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
December 3, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 12

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 26, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 11

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 19, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 10

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 12, 2018
International students could unknowingly be in violation of visa status

International students could unknowingly be in violation of visa status

By Blaise Mesa, Managing Editor
November 8, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 9

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
November 5, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 8

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 29, 2018
Midterm election: everything you need to know

Midterm election: everything you need to know

By Blaise Mesa
October 29, 2018

Chronicle Headlines | Episode 7

By Blaise Mesa, Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 22, 2018
The Garden of the Dead Walking Tour has run for the past 10 years and is led by Pamela Bannos. It starts at the Chicago History Museum and walks past the Couch Tomb and Lincoln Monument. 

Garden of the Dead tour unearths forgotten history of Lincoln Park

By Blaise Mesa
October 22, 2018
Load More Stories