The Columbia Chronicle

Overall crime and liquor issues decrease in 2015-2016 report

October 10, 2016

The college’s most recent annual crime and safety reports saw a decrease in crime collegewide, including a 40.9 percent drop in liquor violation referrals and a 35.6 percent drop in drug violation refe...

Students from Chicago-area institutions, including Columbia, have lobbied for MAP grant funding from the budget-stymied state. The most recent rally (above) was on Feb. 16.

Lost without a MAP: College unable to fund monetary awards for 2016– 2017

April 4, 2016

Columbia will not fund student Monetary Award Program grants for the 2016–2017 academic year, according to President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim.The decision announced on April 4, two days after more than 3,000 pro...

Getting Down Under The Influence

By ARTS & CULTURE REPORTER

February 9, 2016

The phrase “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” has been in use since the ‘70s, but remove the rock ‘n’ roll and an all-too-common combination among today’s young adults is center-stage—one that can have harmful health effects. Lauren Zerbst, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in sex therapy, said young adults and college students are more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol during sex. “It’...

Alumna Suzanne Pearman remembered for her gift of words and humor

Suzanne Pearman, a 2012 cinema art + science alumna, died on Oct. 25.

By Lauren Kostiuk

November 9, 2015

Suzanne Pearman, a 2012 cinema art + science alumna, died Oct. 25 at the age of 25.Pearman was a poet, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, social media expert, humanitarian and filmmaker most recently enrolled in ...

Notable Native: Shannelle Armstrong-Fowler

May 4, 2015

From working in public office to creating a dress made completely out of McDonald’s gift cards, Shannelle Armstrong-Fowler has done it all. During her 15-year career in the public relations field, she worked for...

Alderman Edward Burke (14th Ward) is seeking to ban the sale of Palcohol, powdered alcohol, in Chicago this summer with an ordinance he proposed May 18.

Palcohol may be available for sale in Chicago this summer

April 6, 2015

While powdered alcohol could conceivably be sold in Chicago this summer, legislators, mirroring the concerns of health professionals, are working to keep this from happening. The state legislature is con...

Metra plans to launch an app early this summer to make ticket payment easier, by allowing riders to purchase tickets on smartphones and other devices, as well as add transit value to Ventra accounts, according to a Jan. 23 Metra press release. Metra is test-running the app before its release to catch any technical glitches.

Metra goes mobile with app payment method

March 2, 2015

Metra is scheduled to release a mobile ticket-purchasing system early this summer, allowing riders to pay from their smartphones and other mobile devices. To promote the upcoming app, Metra is increa...

Dry campus a wet blanket

By Editorial Board

February 16, 2015

Columbia proudly touts itself as a “dry campus”—drinking, possessing or distributing alcohol is strictly prohibited on campus and at college-sponsored events held off campus, unless the college’s administration approves otherwise. While the college’s dry campus policy means well, it is a laughable and barely enforceable policy at best.The Chronicle in no way condones underage drinking or providing alcohol to minors...

Risky drinking habits prevalent among young adults

By Assistant Sports & Health Editor

December 8, 2014

It is common for young adults to first experiment with alcohol in their college years, but given the stresses that come with the transition to college and their newfound freedom, those students are at risk o...

College eases transfer process with IAI

September 2, 2014

With the decline of transfer student enrollment in recent years exceeding the decline in new freshmen enrollment, Columbia’s administration is implementing transfer-friendly policies. Effective this semester, the school has joined the Illinois Articulation Initiative, making tran...

Relax Sunday liquor sale laws

February 10, 2014

A long-standing rule in Chicago prohibits the sale of alcohol before 11 a.m. on Sunday, but the City Council is debating an ordinance that could end the ban. The law cuts into profits, is arbitrary and impedes commerce.Alderman Pat O’Connor (40th Ward) proposed extending the liquor sale hours on Sunday to 8 a.m. to help grocers generate extra income. The original rule is a relic from the days of blue laws, which barred bus...

Punk Flock: Uncovering Chicago’s subculture of eccentric nomads

September 3, 2013

At 18 years old, D.J. Pommerville was eating pizza out of the trash, sneaking onto cross-country rail cars and getting drunk under highway bridges. Now, he's 33 and still dumpster diving. The only thing that's changed is he gets asked for his autograph. Pommerville is known as the crust lord, the figurative leader of a community of young panhandling travelers called crusties.Every summer, packs of crusties—mostly white, reb...