Emma Jolly

Exclusive: Columbia promises housing for all waitlisted students after shortage

Senior Vice President of Enrollment Strategy and Student Success Emmanuel Lalande told the Chronicle in an interview on Wednesday, April 8 that the college is in the process of securing additional housing for all students who were waitlisted during the housing application process. Between 220 and 240 students were waitlisted after housing spots for returning students quickly filled.

Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
April 8, 2026

Breaking: Columbia runs out of on-campus housing for returning students

After the college cut two residence halls, beds for students returning in the fall were claimed within days of room selection opening despite earlier assurances that there would be sufficient capacity.

Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
April 7, 2026

Exclusive: Columbia cuts former interim president, two other senior leaders amid $40 million deficit

Jerry Tarrer and former chief of staff Laurent Pernot were both laid off, the Chronicle has learned. Jeffrey Reuter, associate vice president of budget, planning and analysis, also lost his job.

Kate Julianne Larroder and Emma Jolly
March 31, 2026

Breaking: Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins hotly-contested Democratic primary race

In one of the most consequential Illinois elections in decades, Stratton secured the Democratic nomination in a race reshaping the state’s political landscape. She now advances to the November general election, where she will face Republican candidate Don Tracy in a race that will test whether Democrats can maintain their long hold on the seat.

Emma Jolly and Sydney Richardson
March 18, 2026

Columbia students march in national walkout against immigration enforcement

Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
February 13, 2026

Darkroom benefit auction strengthens community support, access to art

The Museum of Contemporary Photography held its annual auction with the goal of raising $500,000 to support exhibitions, public programs and the museum’s permanent collection.

Kate Julianne Larroder and Emma Jolly
February 27, 2026

Provost finalist emphasizes faculty investment amid budget pressures

A search committee has narrowed the finalists for Senior Vice President and Provost to three candidates. Melissa Rands was the first one to address the campus community on Monday, Feb. 23.

Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
February 23, 2026

[Photo] Disengaging to engage: Why I’m skipping swipes and hookups

Kate Julianne Larroder, Campus News Editor
February 25, 2026

Why young Americans still want children — and why fewer are having them

As U.S. birth rates hit a record low in 2024, Columbia students and faculty say the decline reflects not a rejection of family, but the rising costs, limited social supports and economic uncertainty shaping young adulthood.

Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
February 17, 2026

Accessible art in action

The Chicago Park District runs a multi-week ceramics course in the Irving Park neighborhood that is designed to be accessible to Deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired artists.

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
December 23, 2025

Exclusive: Columbia considers counting C-minus grades toward major

If approved, the change would affect how some students stay on track academically when they fall just short of current grading requirements.

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
December 18, 2025

How Gen Z is rethinking fitness in the age of FitTok

Although more than half of Gen Z continues to rely on social media platforms like TikTok for health guidance, students at Columbia are rediscovering their own meaning of fitness through research, professional advice and smart media consumption habits.

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
December 15, 2025

[Photo] Columbia students prepare for graduation as unemployment rates rise

Guadalupe Loza-Sanchez, Reporter
November 20, 2025

Breaking: Columbia freezes tuition but raises fees

The Board of Trustees approved next school year’s rates on Monday, Nov. 17, holding tuition steady but increasing required fees and housing to keep up with rising operational costs.

Kate Julianne Larroder and Emma Jolly
November 18, 2025

Love it or hate it, candy corn remains at the heart of Halloween

The nation’s most divisive Halloween candy continues to sweeten memories — and stir opinions

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
October 30, 2025

[Photo] Maybe candy corn isn’t the problem — it’s how we judge it

Andria Childress, Cont
October 30, 2025

Breaking: Manifest to take place on Saturday for the first time

Columbia’s annual arts festival will include ticketed events for the public, an alumni homecoming and possible street closures the weekend of commencement.

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
October 27, 2025

The Dark Market returns to ShopColumbia with ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’

From silly little pumpkins to eyes in jars, Dark Market’s 2025 theme brings every side of Halloween to Columbia.

Emma Jolly and William Blakley
October 22, 2025

[Photo] 47th Chicago Marathon brings out thousands of participants, spectators

Carlos Alanis-Avila
October 12, 2025

Breaking: Columbia’s budget deficit grows to $40 million, but State of the College offers few specifics

Faculty told Chronicle that the annual address struck an upbeat tone but avoided details about how the college plans to close the gap.

Vivian Richey, Sydney Richardson, Kate Julianne Larroder, and Emma Jolly
October 9, 2025

Breaking: Columbia sees sharp enrollment decline

The college reported 4,461 students enrolled this fall, down from 5,571 a year ago. Despite the smaller student body, President and CEO Shantay Bolton told the Faculty Senate she remains optimistic about the path forward.

Emma Jolly, Assistant Campus News Editor
October 3, 2025

Trump administration ends funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions like Columbia

The college's HSI status remains intact, but the new Department of Education policy will close off a critical funding source intended to bolster student support.

Emma Jolly and Vivian Richey
September 11, 2025

Thousands protest near Columbia after Trump threats

Demonstrators filled Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue on Saturday night, Sept. 6, denouncing plans to send National Guard troops to Chicago and to expand immigration enforcement.

Emma Jolly and Marc Balbarin
September 6, 2025

Breaking: College will remain open if National Guard comes to Chicago

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said at a news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 2 that the Trump administration had already begun preparing the Texas National Guard to deploy into the city.

Emma Jolly, Vivian Richey, and Allison Shelton
September 3, 2025

Explainer: What Columbia’s recent credit rating shift to ‘junk’ really means

S&P Global Ratings lowered the college’s credit rating this week one notch from BBB- to BB+, citing declining enrollment and financial challenges. The downgrade reflects a national trend among small and mid-sized private colleges facing significant fiscal pressures.

Emma Jolly, Copy Chief
July 25, 2025

Documentary pioneer Michael Rabiger, co-founder of Columbia’s film and video program, dies at 86

Rabiger, a professor emeritus, directed or edited over 35 films in his lifetime and was the author of a widely used directing textbook considered foundational in the field. His work shaped generations of filmmakers and helped define standards for nonfiction storytelling. Columbia’s Documentary Center, which he founded, carries his name.

Emma Jolly, Copy Editor
June 11, 2025

Protestors in Chicago rally against ICE raids, federal troops in Los Angeles

Matt Brady and Emma Jolly
June 10, 2025

Columbia holds farewell party for departing faculty members

Eleven people took voluntary buyouts at the end of last summer and 23 full-time faculty were told in January that they would be laid off at the end of the spring semester, as the Chronicle previously reported. Other faculty members retired.

Emma Jolly and Kate Julianne Larroder
May 29, 2025