All content by Editorial Board
The college said a projected decline in federal work-study funding led it to cap most student workers at 15 hours per week. But reducing hours equally across campus does not affect all students equally, writes the Editorial Board.
The administration changed a student moderator role ahead of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s visit to the college last week without public explanation, raising questions about its commitment to student leadership at high-profile events, writes the Editorial Board.
This spring’s Admitted Students Days brought record registrations and early deposits to Columbia. The long-term success will depend on whether the college delivers on the experience students expect when they enroll, writes the Editorial Board.
The shift to broader, interdisciplinary courses may ease degree requirements, but it also risks compressing subjects that require sustained focus and dedicated instruction, writes the Editorial Board.
After eliminating two residence halls, Columbia may have anticipated the need for additional housing and placed students on a housing waitlist without clearly explaining what that meant. Students only received firm assurances after rooms had already filled and the Chronicle reported the shortage, writes the Editorial Board.
The college laid off three senior administrators, including a former interim president and a long-time chief of staff under former President Kwang-Wu Kim. But layoffs alone do not prove fiscal discipline. If the college expects us to trust there will be a turnaround, it must account for how money is spent, saved and lost.
Illinois held one of its most consequential elections in decades on March 17. A high-stakes election is a test of how well institutions like Columbia reach students who are not already engaged, writes The Editorial Board.
President Shantay Bolton’s investiture brought celebration and reason for optimism. But as the college's $40 million deficit looms, the community deserves more than a ceremony, writes The Editorial Board
Columbia paused its annual Persistence Scholarship gala ahead of President Shantay Bolton’s investiture and plans a new fundraiser in the fall, but the college has yet to explain how it will sustain one of its student scholarships, writes The Editorial Board.
Even though it makes sense to close the residence from a financial perspective, Columbia has yet to explain how it will replace this crucial community space for first-year and transfer students, writes The Editorial Board.
The college’s Center for Student Wellbeing hosted a sexual health event last week, but with no permanent health center on campus, occasional events can only go so far, writes The Editorial Board.
Columbia’s Student Government Association held spring elections with nine open seats and only one student was elected. The results reflect a deeper problem of student engagement and visibility of SGA, writes The Editorial Board.
As a majority BIPOC and Hispanic-Serving Institution, Columbia has a responsibility to protect students as federal immigration enforcement grows more aggressive.
The Faculty Senate’s decision aligns grading standards across programs, but the college must ensure students understand the change and receive academic guidance when needed, writes the Editorial Board.
Ending the lease may be disappointing to Arc residents, but the decision reflects the college’s new financial and enrollment realities.
The college will freeze tuition for 2026–27, but ongoing financial challenges raise deeper concerns that deserve answers.
Due to recent flight delays and cancellations because of the government shutdown, Columbia should prioritize travel by giving students the week off.
Columbia’s decision to move its annual Manifest Arts Festival from Friday to graduation weekend opens the door to broader audiences. But the college must ensure students remain at the heart of the celebration, writes the Editorial Board.
If Columbia President and CEO Shantay Bolton wants to live up to her promise as a student-first president, she should make open forums, regular campus updates and visible engagement with students a permanent part of her administration, writes the Editorial Board.
The college’s State of the College meeting offered optimism but little clarity on how Columbia plans to close a widening budget gap.
The college's new platform for student information was designed to streamline how students manage their academic and financial information, but unresolved integration issues are undermining that goal.
Data show Columbia students perform better and participate more in face-to-face courses. While online options provide flexibility, the college should continue prioritizing in-person learning to foster engagement and collaboration, writes The Editorial Board.
The temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death shows how quickly free speech can be chilled. As President Trump escalates attacks on the First Amendment, student journalists must defend their right to report freely and critically, writes The Editorial Board.
The end of the U.S. Department of Education‘s grant program for Hispanic-Serving Institutions like Columbia will hurt Latino students. But the college still has a chance to strengthen services and support, writes the Editorial Board.
We are putting our faith in Columbia’s new President and CEO Shantay Bolton to turn things around. But enthusiasm alone won’t fix depleted resources or a budget crisis that continues to affect faculty, staff and students, writes The Editorial Board.
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