PAGE 7: Keith Haring sculpture to be featured at AIDS Garden Chicago
PAGE 3: 2017 Fire and Safety Security Report shows a large decrease in incidents
PAGE 9: Learn the drawing process for seasonal art challenge Inktober PAGE 10: Editorial: Kavanaugh trial reveals flaws in unjust system Volume 54, Issue 6
“WE THE JURY
FIND THE DEFENDANT,
JASON VAN DYKE,
GUILTY” SEE PAGE 13
Activist Jedidiah Brown celebrates the verdict outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Oct. 5.
» ORLANDO PINDER/CHRONICLE
October 8, 2018
ColumbiaChronicle.com
editor’s note
Travis Truitt selected as general manager of Student Media » ARIANA PORTALATIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
T
he Chronicle and student media outlets will have a new general manager overseeing operations and supporting student workers. Travis Truitt, a 2009 graduate journalism alumnus, is being welcomed back to Columbia as the new general manager of Student Media, effective Oct. 8. Truitt is taking over the position following the departure of former general manager Chris Richert, who left Columbia after 20 years to join Michigan State University as general manager of The State News student publication in August. In his new position, Truitt will provide leadership to several student media outlets, including The Chronicle, Echo Magazine, WCRX and the ChicagoTalks and AustinTalks community websites. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” Truitt said. “I went to grad school at Columbia and had a great experience there. I was challenged, I was pushed out of my comfort zone, I was given the chance to do things I’d never done before. [It’s] an honor to be taking on this job, so I’m really excited to get started.” Before joining Columbia, Truitt was the director of Student Media and Communications at Northeastern Illinois University, where he advised NEIU’s student–run media groups, including WZRD, the Independent newspaper, Que Ondee Sola magazine and Seeds literary and visual arts journal. He also held positions as the advertising sales director at Illini Media Company and a reporter and producer at WBEZ, during which he reported on politics, breaking news, courts and law, economy and sports. While studying at Columbia, Truitt was a news reporter at WCRX, a senior writer for Echo Magazine and an editor and contributing writer for ChicagoTalks.org. “This role was really enticing because it builds upon the things I’ve done in my career,” Truitt said. “To work with students who are high-level is exciting. Columbia’s media is what it’s known for and it’s always at the forefront of innovation, doing strong work and it seemed like a logical progression.” In addition to working closely with the student editorial staff, Truitt will 2 THE CHRONICLE OCTOBER 8, 2018
MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITORS
Ariana Portalatin Molly Walsh Blaise Mesa Samantha Conrad Micha Thurston
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AD & BUSINESS MANAGER
REPORTERS NEWS EDITOR REPORTERS
Tessa Brubaker Olivia Deloian Timothy Michalik Jermaine Nolen Katherine Savage Kaci Watt Alexandra Yetter
COPY
also be responsible for overseeing COPY CHIEF production, advertising and marketing COPY EDITORS plans for the student media outlets, as well as assisting with the hiring of student workers. professor SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Len Strazewski, associate ` GRAPHIC DESIGNERS in the Communication Department and faculty advisor of The Chronicle, was Truitt’s professor during his time as a graduate student and helped recruit him to the position. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS “He was the first person I thought of when Chris announced he was leaving and the only person I could think of that would be the full package of skills that we need in a general manager,” MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Strazewski said. “He is a trained jour MULTIMEDIA REPORTERS nalist and is a very shrewd business person and an incredibly empathetic human being.” Chair of the Communication Department Suzanne McBride said she MEDIA SALES REPS is thrilled to have Truitt at Columbia, and that he was the best candidate for the position because of his experience BRAND MANAGER as a journalist and advisor to student journalists, in addition to him being an alumni. WEBMASTER “[It doesn’t] take a lot, even for someone who’s not an alum, to understand what makes this place special and why you would want to work here, but he FACULTY ADVISER already knew all about us,” McBride said. “Since he’s been elsewhere, he GENERAL MANAGER knows other places as well.” Truitt said The Chronicle is a strong organization that he is excited to join. “The Chronicle is doing some really cool things,” Truitt said. “What Columbia offers its students presents a lot of opportunity for collaboration. College media is where you can really take some chances.” @c cchronicle
aportalatin@columbiachronicle.com
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Jay Berghuis Eden Bunna Kristen Nichols
GRAPHICS Jocelyn Moreno Patrick Casey Jeremy Marynowski Grace Senior
PHOTOGRAPHY Steven Nunez Halie Parkinson Orlando Pinder Mike Rundle
MULTIMEDIA Zack Jackson Bridget Ekis Miranda Manier Kevin Tiongson
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The Chronicle is a student-produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of college administrators, faculty or students. All text, photos and graphics are the property of The Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission. Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The Chronicle. Columns are the opinions of the author(s). Views expressed in this publication are those of the writer and are not the opinions of The Chronicle, Columbia’s Journalism Department or Columbia College Chicago. Letters to the editor must include full name, year, major and phone number. All letters are edited for grammar and may be cut due to a limit of space. The Chronicle holds the right to limit any one person’s submissions to three per semester.
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College to hold new media conference Oct. 20 » ColumbiaChronicle.com
Security and Fire Safety Report released, shows decrease in incidents » TESSA BRUBAKER AND OLIVIA DELOIAN NEWS EDITOR AND STAFF REPORTER
and Fire Safety Report for 2017 was released Oct. 1, showing an overall decrease in the majority of reported incidents. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is issued by the college in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization of 2013. The reporting period is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017. The report showed decreases in the following areas: burglary, domestic violence, dating violence and rape. However, the report showed an increase in some categories including: fondling cases, from four to seven, on campus property and student housing; an increase in robberies from five to 10 on public property; and an increase in aggravated assault from THE ANNUAL SECURITY
zero to two on campus and zero to one in on-campus housing. Ronald Sodini, associate vice president for Campus Safety and Security, said a possible reason for the increases in fondling could be that more victims are comfortable coming forward. Sodini said the increase in robberies occurred in public spaces instead of on campus property, therefore some reports were made by the general public and not necessarily Columbia students. “We know that in 2017, as a whole, there was a general increase in crime in the area, and we’re not immune to that—we’re part of the city,” Sodini said. “But relatively speaking, when you compare our area to the [entire] city, we’re in one of the safest areas. So the city is seeing decreases in crime and we’re hopeful that we’ll see those as well.” Junior cinema art and science major and President of Student Government Association Jazmin Bryant said she’s seen
campus security improve a lot over the years, particularly with the added blue light emergency system and new addition of the Security Escort Program. The Security Escort Program was implemented during the summer to provide students with escorts from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. seven days a week during the Fall and Spring semesters. It officially started Sept. 4, 2018. Students can be escorted to various CTA train stations as well as select Metro stations in the Loop. “If you have the Columbia app, they have a new section where the escort program is on there, there’s fire safety notifications [as well as] safety alerts,” Bryant said. “Students have 24-hour access to those types of opportunities.” The college could improve its security outreach by updating its website to be more user-friendly, she added. The project is currently underway with updated videos, and separately, there has been an inclusion of safety alerts on the Columbia app to keep
students aware of incidents on campus, she added. “A cool tip for me is just always [to make sure] someone knows where you are, whether it’s a roommate, a family friend, or someone from class,” Bryant said. “Just making sure you’re always communicating and you’re never by yourself late at night.” Freshman photography major Julia Sudie said overall, she feels a sense of safety on campus. “It feels like a very safe place, I’ve never felt like I’m not safe,” Sudie said. “Even if it’s super busy or it’s super barren, there’s always someone there who has your back.” Sudie, who is a commuter, said she does wish there were security guards placed at train stations near campus as added security measures that would ensure safety. “It just gives you that sense of comfort that there’s someone there since it is bigger and downtown,” Sudie said. Sodini said he does believe the new safety measures have allowed the reports to decrease. “We believe that those are wise investments, and that they’re the right thing to do to help make our community safer,” Sodini said. chronicle@colum.edu » PHOTOS KEVIN TIONGSON/CHRONICLE
The annual Security and Fire Safety Report for 2017 was released Oct. 1, showing an overall decrease in reported on-campus and off-campus incidents. Ronald Sodini, associate vice president for Campus Safety and Security, said a possible reason for the decrease is the added security efforts such as blue lights and the Security Escort Program put in place to aid students safety.
OCTOBER 8, 2018 THE CHRONICLE 3
campus
Alumni to be welcomed back for Theatre Department Reunion » MOLLY WALSH DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR
all-female cast for this contemporary version of the show features 12 student performers. Penrod said she chose the show because it represents the idea of creating a community and taking care of each other, which is an ideology the Theatre Department strives to follow. “We have brand new spaces that are going to enable us to create art— create theater—which is what we are here for,” Penrod said. The combination of the student cast and alumni production team makes this performance special because it intertwines the program’s past and future, she said. “Theater itself can feel a bit dated. I hope that alumni coming back see a very contemporary-looking, feeling and sounding production that feels like it matches the space that has been built for the students,” Ware said.
CHICAGO’S GOLDEN TICKET
“I don’t remember attending any reunions when I was in school,” Smith said. “I hope it is beneficial to everyone involved. We learn from the students, and they learn from us, so hopefully everyone is inspired at the end [of the day] and also more informed about what to expect from the industry.” mwalsh@columbiachronicle.com » MIKE RUNDLE/CHRONICLE
COLUMBIA ALUMNI ARE invited to return to campus for a Theatre Reunion Weekend starting Oct. 19, where they will connect once again for a reception, performances and panel discussions. Albert Williams, associate professor of Instruction in the Theatre Department, said the formal opening of the newly updated Getz Theater Center, 72 E. 11th St., marks the perfect opportunity for a reunion. More than 200 Theatre Department alumni from the past 37 years are expected to attend. “[The reunion] will bring people back into the mold to see the changes that are going on at the old space. They might have some interest in seeing what we are doing with the new space,” Williams said. “It is a chance to get the alumni to
see and use our history to celebrate launching into the 21st century.” The Theatre Reunion will feature a special performance of the 2018-19 mainstage season opener, “The Penelopiad” by Margaret Atwood, as well as receptions, industry breakout panel discussions with distinguished alumni, building tours and a keynote speech by 1990 theatre alumna Anna D. Shapiro, artistic director of Steppenwolf Theatre. “The Penelopiad” is the first performance to take place at the recently renovated theater. It is solely produced by Columbia alumni, according to Theatre Department Associate Chair Jacqueline Penrod. Directed by 2009 theatre alumna AJ Ware, “The Penelopiad” is a tragedy adapted from the book and is based on Greek author Homer’s “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.” The
The reunion will include breakout sessions, featuring panel discussions from notable alumni, such as actor and 2011 acting alumna BrittneyLove Smith, a current ensemble member at Eclipse Theatre Company. Smith said she is eager and excited to return to campus to reconnect with teachers and friends and to see the new features in the building.
More than 200 alumni are expected to return to campus for the Theatre Reunion Weekend starting Oct. 19.
The Music Center at Columbia College Chicago 1014 S. Michigan Avenue
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4 THE CHRONICLE OCTOBER 8, 2018
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Professor creates scholarship to mark his Columbia anniversary » KACI WATT STAFF REPORTER
“It’s important to have scholarships designed for certain majors and making them more specific, so it is not as competitive and there is more of a chance to get the scholarship,” said sophomore public relations major » STEVEN NUNEZ/CHRONICLE
AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR in the Communication Department is celebrating his 20th teaching anniversary in a unique way: creating a scholarship for public relations students. Dominic Calabrese said he donated personal money to create two $2,500 scholarships for public relations students with at least two semesters completed. “I wanted to do something to honor Columbia, to thank them for giving me the opportunity to teach here,” Calabrese said. “There [are] no young people like Columbia students. They’re unique, very creative, they have a lot of street smarts [and] they’re eager to learn.” While Calabrese donated the money, he said the scholarship
will come from the Publicity Club of Chicago, of which he is the current president. The scholarships, formally known as the “Dominic Calabrese Publicity Club of Chicago Scholarship Awards,” are taking applications until Nov. 1.
Applications for the Dominic Calabrese Publicity Club of Chicago Scholarship Awards are available online for all Columbia public relations majors now through Nov. 1.
Eddy Saindon, one of Calabrese’s students who plans to apply for the scholarship. According to Calabrese, the end of his term at the Publicity Club will coincide with the distribution of the scholarships. “I leave office roughly a week after we present the awards as a final gift to the Publicity Club of Chicago, and more importantly, to the Columbia College students,” Calabrese said. Calabrese said he has always wanted to create a scholarship and was instrumental in the creation of the Publicity Club of Chicago’s Scholarship Awards program. The Publicity Club was unsure if it could find money in its budget this year for scholarships, so he decided to donate the money to keep the tradition alive. “[The scholarships] recognize two outstanding students here who have excelled in public relations and want to pursue a career in it,” Calabrese said. “To provide them with financial support to ease the financial burden I know college students face today.”
Students must complete an application form and four essay questions to qualify for a scholarship. Additionally, students will submit their resumes, a letter of recommendation and their FAFSA Student Aid Report. “The way [the scholarship] is structured speaks to the needs of our students in public relations,” Associate Chair of the Communication Department Anne Marie Mitchell said. “[Calabrese’s] generosity is just without parallel.” As the donor, Calabrese said he will not be a part of the selection committee, but applications will be judged by other former presidents of the Publicity Club. There is currently no set date for when recipients will be notified. However, scholarships will be presented Dec. 5 at the Publicity Club’s monthly lunch meeting. “I thought it would be cool to do it in December because it coincides with the holiday season,” Calabrese said. “The two scholarships [will] be a terrific gift.” kwatt@columbiachronicle.com
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PRESIDENT KWANG-WU KIM IS PLEASED TO OFFER
STUDENT OFFICE HOURS FOR THE FALL 2018 SEMESTER Do you have a suggestion about how to make Columbia better? Want to share your story and experience with President Kim? Appointments are 20 minutes and are held in President Kim’s office, on the 5th floor of 600 South Michigan.
Please RSVP for a date You must be available within a 10:00 a.m. − 11:40 a.m. window.
September 21, 2018 October 26, 2018 November 30, 2018 To register for a slot, please visit: about.colum.edu/president/student-office-hours Space is limited so register today! Limit one slot per student. If you have any questions, please contact officeofthepresident@colum.edu
6 THE CHRONICLE OCTOBER 8, 2018
arts culture
We Three blends musical genres in newest album » ColumbiaChronicle.com
Pop artist Keith Haring to be featured in AIDS Garden » JERMAINE NOLEN STAFF REPORTER A NEW GARDEN coming to Chicago next year will feature a sculpture by late LGBTQ activist and artist Keith Haring, commemorating and continuing his work in AIDs education. AIDS Garden Chicago will provide a space for reflection and education on the AIDS Epidemic and ongoing efforts to eradicate HIV and AIDS. It will be located on the north side of the Chicago lakefront between the Belmont and Diversey harbors. Development of the garden is scheduled to begin in early 2019 and be completed by fall 2019. “[The sculpture is] great because it’s showing their support of [people] who have AIDS and HIV,” said Logan Square resident Blanca Parra. “[Keith Haring] was
a huge advocate for street art and creative programs for kids. He was a positive image, so I think it’s great.” According to the Keith Haring Foundation, Haring devoted much of his time to public works of art. He created more than 50 public pieces between 1982 and 1989, most of which carried social messages. Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, and in 1989 he established the Keith Haring Foundation to provide funding and imagery to AIDS organizations and programs for children. Before dying in 1990 at the age of 31, he dedicated his art to speaking about his own illness and to increase AIDS awareness. “AIDS is still a [prevalent] disease, and I feel like a lot of people still don’t know much about it,” said second
year journalism graduate student Simone Malcolm. “There are still a bunch of myths about the disease, so the [AIDS Garden] will bring more attention to it.” There is not much news coverage or education about HIV or AIDS today, but it remains an issue, Malcolm added. The 30-foot sculpture, titled “Self Portrait,” is being provided as a gift by the Keith Haring Foundation with support from the Rosenthal Fine Art, Inc., 640 N. LaSalle Drive. The sculpture will be surrounded by newly planted trees, plants and landscaping, all as a tribute to Chicago residents affected by AIDS. This will be one of many works by Haring on display in Chicago, including a mural he created with CPS students in 1989. “I’ve been into pop art for a long time—I’m a big fan of Lichtenstein—so
that’s how I learned about Keith Haring,” said Auburn Gresham resident Isaac Glover. “His work reminds me of the ‘90s. It’s very colorful. It’s so smart and has so much energy to it.” Glover said he has really enjoyed seeing Chicago’s recent dedication to displaying public art from wellknown artists. “You see a lot of that in New York and Melbourne in Australia, and I hope this becomes a bigger part [of Chicago],” Glover said. “It’s all over Pilsen. Street artists are becoming an integral part of that neighborhood, and you see it in other places around the city, too. I hope it continues to grow and more artists continue to have a greater effect on the city.” jnolen@columbiachronicle.com » COURTESY/GETTY IMAGES
Keith Haring’s pop art paintings and sculptures were famous for seemingly simplistic drawings that carried deeper meanings and political undertones. His work is featured in galleries around the world.
OCTOBER 8, 2018 THE CHRONICLE 7
arts & culture
» ALEXANDRA YETTER STAFF REPORTER
CHICAGO’S LATINO FASHION Week will kick off Oct. 11, showcasing unique designs ranging from lacy bridal wear to a collection of men’s underwear worn by androgynous models. Latino Fashion Week—held at 108 N. State St. the first and third nights and 900 N. Michigan Ave. the second night—began 12 years ago to elevate the perception of Chicago’s Latino community, said Arabel Alva Rosales, co-founder and producer of the event. “People of color, like me, don’t get invited to [fashion shows],” said Chicago-based designer Hector Martelle. Latino Fashion Week provides an opportunity for them to show off their work. The first day will feature local designers, including Richard Dayhoff, a men’s athleisure desi-
gner. The second day will include art galleries, informal modeling, VIP parties and networking opportunities, Rosales said. “[You get to] meet a lot of different people,” Rosales said. “[Everyone] from fashionistas to engineers, doctors, accountants [and] lawyers.” The third and final night, Oct. 13, will feature international designers from Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Argentina and Honduras. The runway will open with a performance by the Latin Grammy-nominated high school band Mariachi Herencia de México, she said. The event will include a new addition to the list of nonprofits who benefit from the shows. Rosales will introduce a new digital nonprofit “Pivoting in Heels,” which focuses on empowering women with academic and leadership scholarships.
“It’s a million-dollar production that’s done on a shoestring, but it’s done because of the volunteers and the support we [have],” Rosales said. The show, advertised as “by Latinos, for everyone,” highlights inclusivity of all colors, sizes, genders and backgrounds, Rosales said. Models and designers will represent the 22 countries that make up Latin America, in addition to people from China, the Ukraine and more. With this year’s theme of evolution, Dayhoff said he wanted his underclothes collection to represent the evolution of inclusion. “Fashion really does say a lot,” Dayhoff said. “If you look at magazines from 10 years ago, you can tell where we were collectively as people.” Kelly Clark, designer and 2015 Columbia fashion alumna, said she works to create an accepting
» COURTESY @LATINOFASHIONWK
Latino Fashion Week takes social activism to Chicago runway
Latino Fashion Week values inclusivity on the runway, with models of different backgrounds and ethnicities, from China to the U.S. to Latin America.
atmosphere in her bridal shop. LGBTQ and other diverse people often have a hard time finding inviting bridal spaces, Clark said, but Sew Bridal aims to fix that problem. “Everybody can feel sexy, whatever that means to them. In a way, that’s our birthright, to feel that energy in a spiritual way. That’s what I do. I try to educate men and women,” Dayhoff said. “$80 underwear [makes] you think [differently].”
Martelle said, above all, Latino Fashion Week proves Latino designers can compete with designers on the world stage at New York and Paris Fashion Week. “Until we showcase that we can do just as good of a job as they can, that’s where we can break that stigma,” Martelle said. “[By] Latinos, for everyone. Everyone includes anyone under the rainbow.” ayetter@columbiachronicle.com
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arts & culture HOW TO DRAW FOR
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OCTOBER 8, 2018
THE CHRONICLE 9
opinions We cannot trust a system that does not represent us
A
rticle III of the Constitution states that Supreme Court Justices “shall hold their offices during good behavior,” a clause which has long been interpreted to mean justices will serve for life. The purpose of life appointments is, in theory, to stop justices from being swayed by political lobbying and the threat of being fired. But Judge Brett Kavanaugh has left an unforgettable stain on the history of the judicial branch. The discussion seems to be less about the validity of sexual assault allegations and more about whether such criminal acts should disqualify him from service. According to a Sept. 26 NPR/PBS poll, 54 percent of Republicans believe Kavanaugh should be confirmed even if proven to have committed a crime. We could debate for hours whether Kavanaugh has already violated the “good behavior” stipulation of Article III before his confirmation, but it’s equally important to remember Kavanaugh is
only 53 years old. Trump’s other appointee, Neil Gorsuch, is even younger at 51. According to a July 4 Economist article, the average Supreme Court justice serves for 27.5 years, longer than most Columbia students have been alive. The generation of Black Lives Matter, Me Too and March for Our Lives cannot be represented by nominees who have shaky track records on human rights. Make no mistake: The choice to nominate and consider extremely conservative men more than three decades younger than, for example, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is a deliberate attempt by the Republican party to gain control of the government and push their ideals for years to come. The Supreme Court is meant to be apolitical, but it is being used as a tool by rightwing politicians to further the agendas of for-profit lobbyists who stuff their pockets. Trump’s appointees will likely outlive the other justices and ensure a Conservative majority on the court long after the
Crisis is inevitable on a campus without mental health resources
W
orld Mental Health Day is October 10, and according to a Jan. 22, 2014, CNN article, creative people are more prone to mental health struggles. On a campus full of artists and performers, Columbia students are well aware. There is a high-pressure culture on campus driven by creativity. We are encouraged to always work on projects outside of class, to take on demanding jobs in our field and, often, to do more than we can handle. Classwork often requires as many hours of homework as hours spent in class. This is the equivalent of two part-time jobs even, and many classes offer little room for accommodation.
To get accommodations for a mental illness, students have to file a formal diagnosis with a disability office—a lot to ask of someone with symptoms that affect their ability to function. The alternative is to suffer in silence under the weight of their workload and others’ expectations. Some teachers allow doctor’s notes for excused absences, but how can a student be expected to get a note if they can’t get out of bed? Three therapy dogs in a crowded library twice a year is not enough. Waitlisting students who are “non emergencies” for counseling is unacceptable. Some organizations are picking up the slack. Black Student Union, for example, hosts a mental health meeting
Editorial Board Members Jay Berghuis Copy Chief Ariana Portalatin Editor-in-Chief Blaise Mesa Managing Editor Micha Thurston Ad & Business Manager
10 THE CHRONICLE OCTOBER 8, 2018
Jocelyn Moreno Senior Graphic Designer Kaci Watt Staff Reporter Timothy Michalik Staff Reporter Jermaine Nolen Staff Reporter
Trump administration has become a bitter aftertaste for the American people. Though there are no landmark cases set to be heard in the 2018-19 term—yet— Trump’s nominees will be on the court for life, and it is certain they will help decide cases that impact millions. The system by which these justices should be confirmed ought to be infallible, but it is broken. In a representative democracy, the people should have a say in who serves in the judicial branch. Only 18 states are represented in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and some states, such as Texas and Utah, are overrepresented with multiple senators serving, so it is impossible for these 21 people to make a decision on behalf of all Americans. Allowing not even two dozen men and women to make a decision on behalf of 326 million Americans, all of whom will be affected, is
at least once per academic year, but it should not be the responsibility of students to do what the college fails to. Many colleges have lenient absence policies that allow students to take mental health days, but Columbia is an outlier in this regard. DePaul University’s absence policy includes mental health specifically as a valid reason to miss class, and Roosevelt’s states that professors are only required to take attendance in the first two weeks. Most Columbia department policies state that if a student misses more than two or three classes, they will fail. Some courses do not allow any absences before grades are impacted. Students should not have to choose between their mental health and their education. This attitude of constant work has created a culture of rampant mental illness on campus. The positive side of this culture is that students are open to discussions about mental illness and
EDITORIAL unjust. Even beyond the judiciary committee, allowing 50 representatives to make a decision for generations is unjust. Though a popular vote to elect justices would introduce a host of problems, the people should have some say in the matter. Perhaps there could be a popular vote for nominees the Senate could confirm. Even limiting the terms of Supreme Court Justices to 15 years so they will not serve for the entire length of a voter’s life would increase the court’s ability to progress with the times. The system must be changed before it can be trusted. Without a change, the people are not represented and, therefore, the laws made, adjusted and overturned by the court cannot be fair. jberghuis@columbiachronicle.com
» JEREMY MARYNOWSKI/CHRONICLE
EDITORIAL there is less stigma than at colleges with fraternity-esque cultures, for example. The downside is that this openness is mistaken for understanding and growth, while the reality is that most of us use black humor and sarcasm as a shield. The Black Sheep’s Columbia team publishes articles including “4 Columbia Campus Buildings to Joke About Dropping Out In” that highlight this attitude. We are not advocating for no homework and time to nap during class, but we deserve understanding and accommodation. The counseling center may not want to take on students who are not in immediate crisis, but pushing away people who want to seek help could have deadly consequences. If students are required to pay more than $20,000 to go here per year, they should be allowed to do it on terms that allow them not just to struggle by, but to thrive. jberghuis@columbiachronicle.com
Did you catch a mistake, think we could have covered a story better or have strong beliefs about an issue that faces all of us here at Columbia? Why not write a letter to the editor? At the bottom of Page 2, you’ll find a set of guidelines on how to do this. Let us hear from you. —The Columbia Chronicle Editorial Board
opinions 2017, WebMD article, a recent study of 300 patients found that those who breathed in a combination of ginger, spearmint, peppermint and cardamom suffered much less nausea after surgery. Others have shown that lavender oil can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and inhaling lemongrass aroma before a stressful event can prevent anxiety. However, the same article states the trouble with essential oil companies COMMENTARY is over-stating what oils can be used for. Even if oils can work in these specific instances, they’re much less significant in treating actual anxiety disorders or a chronic illness. In 2014, the FDA sent warning letters to essential oil companies doTERRA and Young Living for making unsubstantiated claims that their oils could treat every» OLIVIA DELOIAN thing from herpes to Ebola. STAFF REPORTER “There is definitely credible science s I’m typing this, I’m diffusbehind certain benefits for certain ing essential oils. Orange essential oils,” said dermatologist and patchouli—my favorite Cynthia Bailey, MD, in Sebastopol, blend—engulf the room as my diffuser CA, in the WebMD article. “But you blinks in colors from blue to green to have to choose wisely, and you canpurple. It smells amazing and brings not use them indiscriminately.” a peaceful ambiance to the room. According to a 2016 article by the LA But I remain skeptical of essential Times, other laboratory studies have oils, not because someone has told shown lavender and tea tree oil can kill me these specific oils do nothing, common strains of fungi and bacteria. but because essential oils are marBecause of the documented small keted as an end-all, cure-all, when benefits, essential oils are continthat is simply not the case. Although uously marketed as having positive essential oils are commonly used to effects on various health conditions, treat various ailments as a natural but research shows otherwise. solution, they should not be used as The same article states, “a 2012 anala replacement of modern medicine. ysis of 10 scientific reviews looking at Essential oils have become a growing various students on the effects of oils trend among Americans within the last for some health conditions (including few years, but they have been around hypertension, depression, anxiety, for centuries. Essential oils are natuchronic pain and dementia) concluded ral, typically obtained by distillation, that ‘the evidence is not sufficiently retaining the fragrance of the plant or convincing that aromatherapy is an other source from which it is extracted. effective therapy for any condition.’” According to Organixx—a company If someone diagnosed with an that sells natural supplements— anxiety disorder or depression only oils are used for various uses oils as a form of treatment, this reasons, such as lavender could lead to worsening symptoms for stress relief; peppermint or even suicide. If someone is using for aches; and orange for oils strictly to treat chronic pain, it cold and f lu prevention. is not sufficient to treat the pain. According to an Aug. 8, Essential oils should not be used to replace medicine. With misinformation and marketing from these oil companies, individuals strictly using these to treat any ailments are taking a risk and could end up creating more harm than good. Don’t throw away your oils, but be mindful that these cannot fully cure your ailments.
Essential oils should not replace modern medicine
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COMMENTARY: If media outlets spent less time on high school and middle school sports and more time on professional female athletes, women in sports would have a larger fanbase, says Blaise Mesa.
COMMENTARY: If media outlets spent less time on high school and middle school sports and more time on professional female athletes, women in sports would have a larger fanbase, says Blaise Mesa.
odeloian@columbiachronicle.com » GRACE SENIOR /CHRONICLE
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Van Dyke photo gallery » ColumbiaChronicle.com
20142015201620172018 » BLAISE MESA & TESSA BRUBAKER MANAGING EDITOR & NEWS EDITOR
DEMONSTRATORS RALLIED ACROSS
Chicago Oct. 5 after Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. “My sons, like me, they’re afraid of police. Now to show
them as a black man, they can walk the street and not have to worry about the police shooting them,” said Jerry Coleman, a South Side resident. “If [the] police pulled me over, I’m keeping my hands up until they leave. I’m scared for my life. You shouldn’t feel like that when you see the police; you’re supposed to feel protected.”
Second-degree murder is defined as a non-premediated killing, and carries a sentence of 4-20 years with the possibility of probation. Aggravated battery with a firearm carries an average sentence of 6-30 years per charge. The judge ruled Van Dyke will be sentenced on Oct. 31.
Demonstrators rallied at multiple locations, including outside City Hall and the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. “For the youth [this verdict] means they matter,” said Ursula Phoenix, a Pullman resident. “For Chicago, it means that Rahm Emanuel needs to resign today.” Janette Wilson from Rainbow
PUSH said she was disappointed Van Dyke was guilty of second-degree murder instead of to first-degree murder. “We have to wait to see how the judge issues a sentence,” Wilson said. “Police officers now know you can’t shoot African American males.” chronicle@colum.edu
» FILE PHOTO
» ORLANDO PINDER/CHRONICLE
» FILE PHOTO » FILE PHOTO
Police respond to reports of a teen breaking into vehicles. Jason Van Dyke arrives with his partner at the scene, where other CPD officers were, around 9:57 p.m. and fatally shoots 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times.
Cook County Judge Jason Franklin Valderrama orders the release of the dashcam video on Nov. 19, the video is released five days later on Nov. 24. The video shows McDonald walking away from police officers before being shot and killed, contradicting the police report.
» ORLANDO PINDER/CHRONICLE
Officer Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of official misconduct. Aggravated battery with a firearm carries a 6-year minimum sentence, and second-degree murder carries a 4-year minimum sentence.
» KEVIN TIONGSON/CHRONICLE
» KEVIN TIONGSON/CHRONICLE
Demonstrators marched through Chicago Oct. 5 to celebrate the verdict of the murder trial of Chicago Police Office Jason Van Dyke.
Jurors are questioned in preparation to serve on People v . Van Dyke. The final juror is selected Sept. 13 multiple days before Van Dyke would be tried.
Nearly four years after the fatal shooting of McDonald, Van Dyke is found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. Van Dyke will be sentenced Oct. 31.
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marketplace will promote Riverwalk marketplace to The diverse communities and local according to a Sept. spotlight local businesses businesses, 19 press release from the mayor’s » ALEXANDRA YETTER STAFF REPORTER
press office. “It’s good to support small businesses, but you have to find the right balance of how much is down here,” said Laura Bishop, a Bucktown resident who routinely jogs along the river. Luis Jimenez, an Elmwood Park resident, said there would ultimately be more pros than » STEVEN NUNEZ/CHRONICLE
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS leapt at the opportunity to be highlighted by the city with the development of a Riverwalk marketplace, set to open spring 2019. Adding vendors to the Riverwalk allows Chicago businesses to show off their hard work, said Michelle Woods, concessions project manager for the Chicago Riverwalk. “We want people who are down on the Riverwalk to be ambassadors of our city, and not only reflect the cultural diversity of it, but represent the best of us,” Woods said. Business owners were able to apply for one of 10 vendor spaces, she added. A baker turned in her application and apologized for the sugar-covered pages while another told Woods she could not
submit any more information the next Monday because she had four catering jobs that day. Woods said this exemplified the grueling work and dedication of being a small business owner. The Riverwalk got a makeover in 2016 with the addition of cafes, seating areas and artwork.
The Chicago Riverwalk is home to cafes, shops, artwork, tour boats and a soonto-be constructed marketplace.
cons to the implementation of the marketplace. “It’s always nice to boost businesses that really need help,” Jimenez said. “You get tired of seeing all these corporate places.” Woods said she pictures locals and tourists walking through the marketplace and discovering local businesses like a Mexican restaurant from Little Village. They may become intrigued to visit, shop and dine in those neighborhoods. Chicago was inspired to expand Riverwalk projects after seeing financial success by long-term vendors. Woods said she expects revenue from Riverwalk tour boat fees, concession fees, sponsorship programs and other projects to more than pay back the loan that financed it. “The only negative is balance,” Bishop said. “If you get too much down here, when you reach a certain level of crowding it becomes harder to use the space.” The project is meant to increase opportunities for local businesses to get some time in the limelight,
as well as to reap the Riverwalk’s financial success. Nearly 40 applications were submitted to be part of the project, according to Woods, and the next step will be for a committee to review them. The evaluation committee, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, began Oct. 1. In about six weeks, Woods said she expects to start sending out congratulatory emails, with the hope that all 40 are accepted. They will then narrow the field down from there. The BACP will work with the businesses that are not accepted to help them to be eligible for the next round of vendors, Woods said. “We have so many interesting and diverse cultural neighborhoods around our city,” Woods said. “If the regular citizen of Chicago is [the owner] of a small business, they have an opportunity.” ayetter@columbiachronicle.com
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» JERMAINE NOLEN STAFF REPORTER THE CONFEDERATION OF North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced Sept. 27 that its 2019 Gold Cup Final will be hosted at Soldier Field. The tournament is held every two years with matches played at stadiums throughout the United States. This will be the third time the tournament has been hosted at Soldier Field—the most recent in 2013—and its fourth in Chicago. “I grew up on the Southwest Side of Chicago so the main sport at my school was basketball, and I still remember being one of the few kids who liked soccer,” said Pilsen resident and Chicago Fire season ticket holder Ismael Cuevas. “Seeing how the sport has grown, especially in my neighborhood, and [going from] a couple of kids
kicking a ball to full-grown soccer leagues in my neighborhood is pretty awesome.” Cuevas said he hopes the Gold Cup final is something the entire city can be a part of, adding that CONCACAF should make the final match affordable for all fans. In addition to hosting the tournament in Chicago, North America recently secured a bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the 68th FIFA Congress June 13, the organization announced The World Cup will be held in cities throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three different countries. The 2026 World Cup will have 80 matches, 60 of which will take place in the United States. South Chicago Heights resident Deandre Hooks said he first got interested in soccer during the 2017 World Cup in Brazil.
» PATRICK CASEY/ CHRONICLE
Gold Cup Final to shine at Soldier Field
The 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between the United States and Panama drew 57,920 Chicago soccer fans to Soldier Field.
“It’s perfect [that the Gold Cup Final will be hosted in Chicago],” Hooks said. “They had a couple matches—international matches— here last year, and they didn’t have them at soccer stadiums. They had them at Soldier Field, which is one of the biggest venues in the city.” The 2017 Major League Soccer all star game was also held at Soldier Field. According to ESPN, 61,428 fans gathered to watch the MLS all stars take on Real Madrid.
“I got into soccer in the third or fourth grade, and I picked it back up in high school, [because of] Manchester United,” said Peoria native Johnnie Young, “so I’ve been a Man U fan since.” A study conducted in 2017 sought to find out youth sports involvement. The study showed 16.1 percent of children ages 6-12 play outdoor soccer. This percentage is only second to basketball, which was reported at 17.9
percent, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association in June 2018. “Soccer in America is an expensive sport to play,” Young said. “A lot of [the lower income] people can’t afford to play soccer, that’s why they don’t know about it as much. Once [soccer is] open to kids, as they grow up that’s when we will see more popularity of it.” jnolen@columbiachronicle.com
$ 5 OF F A DM I SS ION wi th t h is A D
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