Columbia’s graduation gowns come with an environmental price tag
Commencement regalia divides students on affordability and sustainability.
Emma Jolly, Deputy Editor
Bolton presents strategic priorities to trustees in push to stabilize Columbia
The board also approved a 4:3 teaching load increase for tenured faculty and revised the college’s severance and termination procedures under adverse circumstances to set the notice period to 10 business days but to retain one year of compensation and health benefits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chronversations with Emma Jolly: Dec. 10, 2024
What happened to the Gen Z tipping point?
Fact Check: Can he do that?
The Chronicle answers some of the biggest questions students have about President-elect Donald Trump’s plans when he takes office again.
