Latest Story
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.
Campus
-
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.
-
Columbia students march in national walkout against immigration enforcement
Roughly 60 students rallied in the Student Center before joining high school and college demonstrators across the city on Friday, Feb. 13.
-
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: 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Staff, students seek alternatives to ease financial strain of textbook prices
Students told the Chronicle that they could not afford the rising cost of Columbia’s tuition and fees, which have gone up 15% in the last three years. A new student group aims to help alleviate the burden of textbook costs.
-
Young voters struggle to talk to their families among growing political divide
As the Nov. 5 election approaches, tensions have increased for many students and their family members when they don’t agree on core issues like reproductive and gender rights, the environment and economic policies.
Arts and Culture
-
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.
-
Madison Yager keeps art history alive despite program’s elimination
Columbia’s Madison Yager, a junior double-majoring in art history and arts management, created a space on campus for art history students to escape misinformation, network between grade levels and find a supportive community.
-
Museum of Contemporary Photography raises $325,000 at annual benefit auction
The Museum of Contemporary Photography hosted their annual benefit auction on the fifth floor of the Student Center, premiering both artworks and interactive experiences to raise money for the museum’s exhibitions, programs and educational initiatives.
-
Student-led Musical Theatre Dance Cabaret brings bold, loud, diverse numbers to center stage
The sold-out two-day performance showcased diversity in various ways, from the songs and musical theatre shows chosen to the dance styles included and even the casting of students.
-
Record numbers attend INK Fest on first day
INK Fest has become one of the college’s largest student-led events that is open to the public. An estimated 500 people were expected to visit based on ticket reservations, which exclude Columbia students and faculty.
-
Museum of Contemporary Photography welcomes new exhibit by Regina Agu
The new “Shore⏐Lines” exhibit, created by the Chicago-based visual artist, is the third in her nation-wide series focused on connecting the sociocultural geographies of Black heritage in North America through waterways and natural environments.
Metro
-
Thousands protest near Columbia after Trump threats
Demonstrators filled Ida B. Wells Drive and Michigan Avenue on Saturday night, Sept. 6, 2025, denouncing plans to send National Guard troops to Chicago and to expand immigration enforcement.
-
Protestors in Chicago rally against ICE raids, federal troops in Los Angeles
Thousands of protesters gathered under Alexander Caldwell’s famous “The Flamingo” arch in Federal Plaza on Tuesday night, June 10, 2025, to protest the Trump administration’s immigrant policies, including ICE raids and deportations.
-
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.
-
All eyes on swing states again with races too close to call
With polls closing and results coming in, all eyes are on the seven swing states across the country that could tip the scales in the 2024 presidential election. No swing state winners had been called by 9 p.m.