Around Campus

Dwayne M. Thomas/Chronicle Columbia students share a dance Oct. 10 in the Hokin Annex, 623 S. Wabash Ave., during the Jam of the Year. The Jam was sponsored by the Student Programming Board.

Security tight after string of sex crimes
PART 1 of the Chronicle’s Campus Safety Series looks into recent sexual assaults in the area

A string of sex crimes, including two criminal sexual assaults and five documented indecent exposure incidents in the South Loop, have prompted Columbia to step up security measures.

Thursday, Oct. 3, a Loop employee returning to work from lunch was attacked while taking a short cut through the alley behind 224 S. Wabash Ave.

The unknown perpetrator, who has been described as a 25- to 35-year-old African-American male with a medium complexion with a missing front tooth has not yet been caught. Read more...

Convocation ’02
Near-capacity crowd turns up for speakers, music

Speakers at Columbia’s Fourth Annual Student Convocation stressed that new students make the most of their time in college by getting involved and using the college’s resources to the fullest.

Students packed the second floor of the Congress Plaza Hotel to capacity at lunchtime on Oct. 11. The event, by some accounts the most heavily attended in its short history, had much more to offer than the freebies. Read more...

First student event in Carter house
SGA, SOC honored at informal reception in presidential mansion

Columbia President Warrick L. Carter invited student leaders and faculty advisers to an informal reception at the college mansion Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m. The president’s office, along with the office of student leadership, directed by Dominic Cottone, organized the sandwiches-and-soda lunch to honor the contributions of student leaders to the college. Read more...

Panel continues debate on ‘Barbershop’ controversy
Discussion explores issues raised by remarks made by Cedric the Entertainer’s character in movie

On Oct. 8, more than 75 people gathered at the Burnham Plaza Theater to engage in a screening and discussion of the film Barbershop.

Released a month ago, Barbershop is a comedy that gives viewers a glimpse into the day-to-day happenings of a Barbershop on the South Side of Chicago, where the film was shot. The film’s producers, George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel, are graduates of Columbia’s film program. Read more...

CAT offers prizes to involved students
Program offers chance of winning up to $500 in books

In an effort to encourage student attendance at on-campus events, the Student Programming Board and the Student Affairs Office have launched the Columbia Activity Track Program. The program—in which students are issued a card to track the school-sponsored events they attend—will give four participating students the opportunity to win up to $500 in books at the end of each semester. Read more...

Council challenges U.S. stand on Iraq
Teachers discuss ways to get college community involved in foreign affairs

On Friday, Oct. 11, Columbia’s College Council voted to send a message to Washington D.C. when the organization passed a resolution protesting the escalating actions against Iraq.

“Iraq is a country, Iraq is not Saddam Hussein,” said Liberal Education Department faculty member Louis Silverstein, who drafted the resolution. “[Iraq is made up of] fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and teachers.” Read more...

Harrison Street closure more than nuisance; area safety on students’ minds
PART 2 in Campus Safety Series—New concerns about walking at night

Columbia and the Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland hosted the Seventh Annual Radio Career Day at the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. on Tuesday, Oct.1. The career day has been held at different campuses each year, and this was the first time Columbia hosted the event. Read more...

Library art series features staff work
Columbia begins revolving exhibition of community pieces

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of Columbia’s new “Art of the Library” exhibit is its declaration that the stereotypical view of libraries today is changing.

Stepping out of the elevator on the third floor of Columbia’s library, things initially look pretty standard. Students diligently study amid shelves of books and several computer terminals, trying hard to uphold the institution’s predetermined code of quietness. But, beyond this rather mediocre setting, is what could pass as the site of an art gallery. Read more...

DanceAfrica brings beats and rhythm to Chicago audiences for another year
Religion, tradition and ritual focuses of troupe

Celebrating its 12th year in Chicago, DanceAfrica has evolved into a year-long celebration that works to educate audiences of all ages about the traditions and customs of the African culture that have influenced aspects of societies throughout the world.

This year’s program, entitled “Carnaval! Blessing of the Drums, Rhythmic Echoes,” focuses specifically on uniting diverse communities through the unique language of the drum and its connection to nature and African heritage. Read more...

DanceAfrica brings beats and rhythm to Chicago audiences for another year

(U-WIRE) ANN ARBOR, Mich. - According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the past decade has seen a 20 percent increase in the number of annually awarded bachelor's degrees. But the job scarcity caused by the economic recession has caused many students seeking premium employment positions to realize that an undergraduate education may no longer be enough. Read more...

Graduates can lock in low interest rates with consolidation loans

Like homeowners who refinance their houses, many college graduates also stand to gain by consolidating their student loans and locking in the lowest interest rates on record. Read more...

Artist enters gaming biz

CHICAGO -Whoever said “all work and no play makes for a dull boy” likely didn’t work as a video game designer. And for those who want to morph a childhood hobby into a career, there is plenty of opportunity. Read more...

The Editor's Desk

Adam Palinski peeked his head around the corner of the walkway, smiled, and then sauntered into Room 4004 of the DuPage County Courthouse to meet his lawyer. It was 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, and I had come to see one of Columbia’s more infamous former students appear for a status report on his trial. Read more...