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The Columbia Chronicle
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The Columbia Chronicle
Olivia Cohen

Olivia Cohen, Former Editor-in-Chief

ocohen@columbiachronicle.com

 

Olivia Cohen is a senior journalism major, minoring in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She primarily reports on Columbia’s financial health, administration and unions, but has also written about personnel and department changes, COVID-19 policies and abortion. She joined the Chronicle in August 2021.

 

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

All content by Olivia Cohen
John M. Holmes chairman of the Board of Trustees addresses guests at the Unleashed Gala at the student center 754 S. Wabash Ave. on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

Explainer: Breaking down the role of a Board of Trustees in higher education

By Olivia Cohen, Senior Editor
Editor’s Note: Mental health solutions are more than just talk     

Editor’s Note: Mental health solutions are more than just talk     

By Olivia Cohen , Editor-in-Chief

Chronicle TV: Outgoing and incoming editors share advice on the role

By Patience Hurston and Olivia Cohen
Exclusive: Columbia board chair says cuts, changes to college must be ‘bold’

Exclusive: Columbia board chair says cuts, changes to college must be ‘bold’

By Olivia Cohen and Patience Hurston
Explainer: Diving into Columbia’s recent credit rating 

Explainer: Diving into Columbia’s recent credit rating 

By Olivia Cohen , Editor-in-Chief
Madhurima Chakraborty takes notes in the Faculty Senate meeting, on Friday, April 12, 2024. The senate met to discuss their response to the president's advisory report.

College will hire turnaround consulting firm AlixPartners to advise on restructuring 

By Olivia Cohen , Editor-in-Chief
Faculty Senate Secretary Ted Hardin, associate professor in the Cinema and Television Department Arts and Faculty Senate President Madhurima Chakraborty, associate professor in the English and Creative Writing Department, listen to faculty ask questions on Zoom. The Faculty Senate meeting was held in a hybrid format on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Breaking: Faculty Senate pushes back on timeline of changes in president’s draft advisory report, asks for more data to justify cuts

By Olivia Cohen and Miranda Bucio
Students gather under a tent at Manifest's main stages at Manifest, in May 2023. Last year's Manifest theme was "Unlock."

Breaking: College could downscale future commencement, Manifest celebrations to help save costs

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Breaking: College postpones tenure-track appointment decisions, ‘shocking’ faculty who were up for promotion

Breaking: College postpones tenure-track appointment decisions, ‘shocking’ faculty who were up for promotion

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Breaking: More than 100 staff would lose their jobs in administrative cuts 

Breaking: More than 100 staff would lose their jobs in administrative cuts 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim speaks with students at convocation in Grant Park on Sep. 1, 2023. Kim, who announced in February that he plans to step down in July, told the Chronicle that he had already started to think about leaving last summer.

Exclusive: President Kim talks resignation, layoffs amid fiscal crisis

By Olivia Cohen and Patience Hurston

Chronicle TV: Chair of the Board of Trustees addresses Columbia’s future

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
File Photo

President recommends layoffs, eliminating academic leadership positions in draft advisory report

By Miranda Bucio, Vivian Richey, Leah Love, and Olivia Cohen
Exclusive: Chair of Columbia’s Board of Trustees optimistic about college’s future but said changes will be ‘tough’

Exclusive: Chair of Columbia’s Board of Trustees optimistic about college’s future but said changes will be ‘tough’

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
File photo

Breaking: Columbia Board of Trustees member remains on board amid probe of inflated revenue at his former company

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Columbia President Kwang-Wu Kim addresses the Student Government Association in their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at the Student Center. Kim’s announcement to step-down was made the day after he met with SGA.

Breaking: President Kim to step down on July 1 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Editor's Note: Whether it’s at the college or in relationships, embrace change

Editor’s Note: Whether it’s at the college or in relationships, embrace change

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief

Chronicle TV: College announces tuition increase for 2024-2025 school year

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief

Chronicle TV: College deficit grows to $38 million

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
File photo

Breaking: College reaches tentative deal with part-time faculty union to end historic strike

By Olivia Cohen and Miranda Bucio
College, union still not in agreement as winter break looms 

College, union still not in agreement as winter break looms 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
A protester standing outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave. on Dec. 8, 2023 in solidarity with the part-time faculty union, who has been on strike to fight unfair labor practices.

Explainer: Federal mediators can be effective but so far the union, college remain apart

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Two part time faculty members stand outside of 916 S. Wabash Ave. in support of the CFAC strike on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.

Faculty raise concerns about use of student course evaluations during strike

By Lily Thomas, Vivian Richey, and Olivia Cohen
College, union agree to federal mediator as historic strike continues into sixth week 

College, union agree to federal mediator as historic strike continues into sixth week 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Student work is displayed on the first floor of the student center during the "Unleashed 2023" gala on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

Amidst strike, college hosts annual benefit to raise money for student scholarships

By Miranda Bucio and Olivia Cohen
Joe Lapsley part-time instructor for classes including queer history and Junior Film major, Jeremy Rivera Davis stand near Fat Cat and Scabby on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, outside the 618 S. Michigan Ave. building. Strikers are spread among campus buildings instead of centralized locations like 600 S. Michigan Ave. and 1104 S Wabash. Ave.

Students come back from break to face new instructors, other class changes during the fifth week of part-time union strike

By Olivia Cohen, Cierra Lemott, and Allison Shelton
Editor's Note: As classes come to a halt due to the strike, music still persists at Columbia

Editor’s Note: As classes come to a halt due to the strike, music still persists at Columbia

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Part-time faculty and students march outside 1104 S. Wabash Ave. to protest the administration's labor practices on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. This marks the third day of the strike and its expected for the strike to continue throughout the rest of the week.

Provost: Students are expected to return to class after fall break as negotiations with union continue 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Students and faculty bundle up march in the cold weather outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave. on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. In support of the CFAC strike, participants chant "Hey, ho, Dr. Kim has got to go."

Explainer: Breaking down the bonuses

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Columbia students try to find a way to access the 5th floor provost's office during a protest in solidarity with the CFAC union strike on Thursday, Nov. 16. Security had blocked the elevator and stairs to the 5th floor where students had planned a sit-in at the office of Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David.

Breaking: College to offer pass/fail option for fall classes, tells students to return to class if part-time instructor is replaced

By K'Von Jackson, Lily Thomas, and Olivia Cohen
A part-time faculty member stands outside in his union t-shirt on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Union says part-time instructors will strike into third consecutive week 

By Cierra Lemott, Olivia Cohen, and Leah Love
Part-time Audio Arts and Acoustics professor, Nick Eipers, sophomore photojournalism student Maize Hummel-Logee and part-time Communications professor Deb Doetzer stand outside 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Tuesday marked day seven of the strike.

Not all courses missing from the Spring 2024 course catalog have been ‘cut,’ a Chronicle review finds

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Part-time animation professor Tim Decker and Cameron Sweeny, a supporter of the strike with IFT, stand on Michigan Avenue, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Decker created the signs held including the backs calling for cars to honk.

Explainer: Breaking down the deficit – how we got here

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
‘It’s surreal’: Independent Chicago production company talks navigating first months of business

‘It’s surreal’: Independent Chicago production company talks navigating first months of business

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Despite the cold temperatures, some faculty and students continue to strike while standing outside of the Columbia Theatre Department building on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. With bargain efforts denied by the college, the strike is planned to proceed throughout this week.

Far from campus, students in Semester in LA program see little impact of strike

By Olivia Cohen and Connor Dore
Part-time faculty members gather outside of the 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. building holding "On Strike" signs on Nov. 6, 2023. This marks day six of the strike which is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the week.

Students confused by conflicting messages about whether they should go to class during the strike

By Allison Shelton and Olivia Cohen
Students, faculty and supporters hold the picket line outside 600 S Michigan Ave. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

Explainer: How we’re reporting on the strike

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Students and part-time faculty huddle together for a press conference during a strike in support of fair contracts for part-time faculty, held by theColumbia Faculty Union on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Part-time faculty, students and member other unions joined to speak outside 600 S. Michigan Ave.

Part-time faculty strike for second day, bargain in closed-door session

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Students and part-time faculty join the picket line on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 in support of Columbia Faculty Union fighting for fair labor practices outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave.

Faculty, students hit picket line for first day of part-time union strike

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Part-time faculty union leadership stands in front of the 600 S. Michigan Ave. building on Oct. Thursday, 26, 2023, after a bargaining session with the college. After the multi-hour bargaining session, the union announced they intend to strike starting the following Monday.

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Part-time faculty speak out after union sends email ordering them to strike or face disciplinary action

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
CFAC President Diana Vallera addresses students outside of the 600 S. Michigan Ave. building after concluding a meeting with Chief of Staff Laurent Pernot on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2023.

Ahead of strike by part-time instructors, faculty work to support students

By Ruth Johnson and Olivia Cohen
On Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, students and faculty rallied outside 600 S. Michigan in support of the part-time faculty union. Many people are wearing red and holding signs to show support for the upcoming strike starting Monday, Oct. 30.

Breaking: Part-time faculty union to start strike on Monday

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Delia Pless, part-time faculty of English and Creative Writing, grabs supplies for making picket signs. Columbia Faculty Union gave an open invite for students, faculty and staff to join in on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 600 S. Michigan Ave.

Breaking: Union authorizes to strike with 88% approval vote

By Olivia Cohen, Leah Love, Kimberly Vazquez, and Miranda Bucio
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim listens to students and faculty raise concerns over course cuts, increased class sizes and more budget transparency after the part-time faculty union led students into the Student Center during the President’s address on Saturday, Oct 21, 2023.

Columbia part-time faculty has long history of fighting over class size, financial transparency. Here’s what students need to know

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Sophomore creative writing major and TRIO peer mentor James Rabon addresses President Kwang-Wu Kim in response to several changes in the college’s spending and class structure during a protest at the Student Center on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Possible union strike would disrupt the semester but not stop students from completing credits toward graduation, Columbia chief of staff says

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Diana Vallera, CFAC president, speaks to a crowded theatre of students, faculty and staff in the union-hosted town hall event on at Columbia's 1104 S. Wabash Ave. building, on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. The union has started voting on whether or not they will go on strike next week.

Part-time faculty union heads to vote on whether to strike 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
College considers cutting programs, reducing credit requirements to close deficit 

College considers cutting programs, reducing credit requirements to close deficit 

By Vivian Richey and Olivia Cohen
Grace Overbeke, assistant professor in the Threatre Department, moves a blue crash pad out of the Reflection Space on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. The college's new sensory room was moved from the Reflection Space to the third floor of the Student Center, in the New Student Programs area.

BREAKING: Sensory corner moved from prayer room after student objections

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Columbia faculty members sit together for presentations given at the college's Student Success Summit hosted at 754 S. Wabash Ave. on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023.

Faculty, staff leaders push for more involvement in helping the college confront its financial problems

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Boise, Idaho, on Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)

BREAKING: U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland to speak on campus during national journalism conference

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim speaks to Columbia faculty and administrators at their Faculty Retreat on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. One of the college's main goals for the Fall 2023 semester is to balance the college's current $20 million deficit.

BREAKING: College remains ‘off track’ in efforts to address financial crisis

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Columbia professors can make their own AI course policies, with guidance from provost's office

Columbia professors can make their own AI course policies, with guidance from provost’s office

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Incoming students in the audio and acoustics department greet each other with warm smiles on the fifth floor of 33 E. Ida B. Wells building on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Faculty of the audio department host a space for new students to get to know each other before the fall semester begins.

College welcomes new students with scavenger hunts, faculty meet-ups

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
South Loop garages offer one-time free pass in August for Columbia students, employees

South Loop garages offer one-time free pass in August for Columbia students, employees

By Olivia Cohen, Senior Editor
Students gather outside the US Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., in support of President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan on June 30, 2023. The Supreme Court struck down the plan in a 6-3 decision.

[Photo] Students ‘disheartened’ after Supreme Court strikes student loan forgiveness

By Patience Hurston, Copy Editor
File photo

Campus clinic to close at end of Fall 2023 semester

By Olivia Cohen, Senior Editor
College administration considers clinic’s low use, other available health care options as it weighs whether to close on-campus employee facility

College administration considers clinic’s low use, other available health care options as it weighs whether to close on-campus employee facility

By Olivia Cohen, Senior Editor
Exclusive: College considers closing on-campus employee health clinic to cut costs

Exclusive: College considers closing on-campus employee health clinic to cut costs

By Olivia Cohen, Senior Editor
CTVA Chair Thelma Vickroy to be interim dean of LA programs

CTVA Chair Thelma Vickroy to be interim dean of LA programs

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Columbia students cheer in celebration of graduating on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at the Arie Crown Theatre, located at 2301 S. Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Dr. The Sunday ceremony included students from Design, Music, Art and Art History, and Interactive Arts and Media departments.

‘I finally made it’: Columbia wraps up its commencement ceremonies for the 2022-2023 academic year

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
A Columbia graduate embraces a family member after receiving their diploma on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The college's 2022-2023 commencement was broken up into four different ceremonies by department and was held at the Arie Crown Theatre, located at 2301 Jean Baptist Pt. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

‘Commencement is why we serve’: Graduation weekend kicks off with first day of ceremonies 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Chris and Oliver Wood play the guitar on their knees while performing one of their newly released songs, on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Salt Shed, located at 1357 N. Elston Ave. Band’s new album “Heart is the Hero” was written amidst the pandemic and is about trusting your heart.

The Wood Brothers return to Chicago with new music and a performance at The Salt Shed

By Olivia Cohen and Abra Richardson
College to merge Art and Art History, Design Departments 

College to merge Art and Art History, Design Departments 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Yonty Friesem, an associate professor in the Communication Department, talks to the Chronicle about being one of the four winners of the Excellence in Teaching Award, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. One of Friesem's instructional areas is working to increase media literacy.

College selects four faculty for Excellence in Teaching Awards

By Olivia Cohen and Abra Richardson
Chicago Tribune critic, jazz professor to be awarded honorary degrees at 2023 commencement

Chicago Tribune critic, jazz professor to be awarded honorary degrees at 2023 commencement

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Students grapple with possibility of larger class sizes to help close college’s financial gap

Students grapple with possibility of larger class sizes to help close college’s financial gap

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Faculty retention declines at Columbia – especially among instructors of color

Faculty retention declines at Columbia – especially among instructors of color

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Editor’s Note: We have come a long way, but we still have far to go

Editor’s Note: We have come a long way, but we still have far to go

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
College promotes four faculty members to full-professor status

College promotes four faculty members to full-professor status

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Former Faculty Advisor to the Columbia Chronicle and former Associate Professor Curtis Lawrence talks with Opinions Editor Justice Lewis on the set of Media Hub Minute, on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Communication Department loses its only full-time Black faculty member as Curtis Lawrence departs the college for Block Club Chicago

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
College selects new chair of Science and Mathematics Department

College selects new chair of Science and Mathematics Department

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Wenhwa Ts’ao, Eric Scholl named interim co-chairs of CTVA department

Wenhwa Ts’ao, Eric Scholl named interim co-chairs of CTVA department

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Tom Dowd named interim dean of the School of Media Arts

Tom Dowd named interim dean of the School of Media Arts

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Peg Murphy, associate professor and associate chair of the Communication Department, asks a question in the faculty town hall, on April 13, 2023. Murphy has been selected to be the next chair of the Communication Department.

Exclusive: College selects Peg Murphy to be chair of Communication Department

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Provost Office announces two assistant professors to join the tenure ranking

Provost Office announces two assistant professors to join the tenure ranking

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim speaks to faculty and staff members in the Film Row Cinema at 1104 S. Wabash Ave., on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Columbia’s budget deficit, along with student recruitment and retention efforts were discussed during the over an hour and a half town hall meeting.

College administration says its time for ‘serious, honest conversations’ to address deficit

By Olivia Cohen and Elizabeth Rymut
Dusk wraps over Sunset Las Palmas Studios, in Los Angeles, California. Columbia's Semester in LA classrooms sit on the same lot as the studio. Braden Bates

Associate Dean for Los Angeles programs takes role at Massey University

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
For Women, By Women celebrates female artist’s voices through second exhibition

For Women, By Women celebrates female artist’s voices through second exhibition

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
College to hold spring commencement at Arie Crown Theatre

College to hold spring commencement at Arie Crown Theatre

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Provost encourages faculty to add AI clause in course syllabi

Provost encourages faculty to add AI clause in course syllabi

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Exclusive: CTVA faculty rally behind Wenhwa Ts'ao for interim chair

Exclusive: CTVA faculty rally behind Wenhwa Ts’ao for interim chair

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
After being stationed at the corner of East Harrison Street and South Wabash Avenue due to a suspected gas leak, Columbia students, faculty and staff were allowed back inside of the 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Building, at approximately 1:50p.m. on March 15, 2023.

Campus security gives the all clear after evacuating due to gas leak

By Elizabeth Rymut and Olivia Cohen
Dean to appoint interim chair of CTVA 

Dean to appoint interim chair of CTVA 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
New AI Task Force prepares recommendations for how college will manage ChatGPT use in classroom

New AI Task Force prepares recommendations for how college will manage ChatGPT use in classroom

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Exclusive: Chair of CTVA department to step down this summer 

Exclusive: Chair of CTVA department to step down this summer 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pauses during her concession speech as her spouse Amy Eshleman applauds during an election night party for the mayoral election Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Lightfoot concedes; Vallas and Johnson heading to April runoff

By Leah Love and Olivia Cohen
'We are not a monolith': Jewish people of color talk balancing both religious and racial identities

‘We are not a monolith’: Jewish people of color talk balancing both religious and racial identities

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Sophia King

Sophia King

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
File photo

College hires Title IX consulting company, fills key positions vacant for most of last year

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
After college announces possible masking change, Columbia community weighs in

After college announces possible masking change, Columbia community weighs in

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Editor's Note: Sex is just the start of the conversation

Editor’s Note: Sex is just the start of the conversation

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Although masks are no longer being handed out from the security desks in the campus buildings, masks are still required in classroom settings. These guidelines will remain in place for the upcoming semester.

College to lift mask requirement in classrooms by next week if COVID-19 levels remain ‘low’

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., applaud.

Biden calls for better access to college for middle class in State of the Union speech

By Olivia Cohen and Elizabeth Rymut
College to launch Intimacy Certificate program for graduate students

College to launch Intimacy Certificate program for graduate students

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Exclusive: Candidates for new Communication Department Chair to speak at forums in March

Exclusive: Candidates for new Communication Department Chair to speak at forums in March

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Editor's Note: A new era for the Chronicle

Editor’s Note: A new era for the Chronicle

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
COVID-19 update – Here’s what you need to know before the semester starts

COVID-19 update – Here’s what you need to know before the semester starts

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Freedman talks School of Media Arts transition plans in light of Truman announcement

Freedman talks School of Media Arts transition plans in light of Truman announcement

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
Exclusive: Dean of School of Media Arts selected for provost role at Truman State University

Exclusive: Dean of School of Media Arts selected for provost role at Truman State University

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
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