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» PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/CAMILL A FORTE, MIKE RUNDLE AND SHANE TOLENTINO
2020
PUSHING FORWARD Campus leaders reflect on college’s strengths, missteps and the future Story by Alexandra Yetter
See “Columbia 2020,” pages 4-5
Campus, page 3
Arts & Culture, page 8
World, page 12
Opinions, page 15
The School of Fine and Performing Arts’ search for a permanent dean is underway
Find your new go-to joint in the Chronicle’s 2020 restaurant guide to Chicago
In Hong Kong, pro-democracy activists continue to take to the streets
Modern day hustle culture can be easy to get wrapped up in; balance it with self care
editor’s note
Don’t leave us out when you envision Columbia’s future » ALEXANDRA YETTER
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“More study abroad options [and] study abroad scholarships so trips are more accessible for more people.” —Mari Devereaux, managing editor “It would be great if the school made our many artistic resources available to all students. For example, opening film studios to fine arts majors even if they don’t take a [black and white] photo class. Many artists dabble in multiple things, and limiting resources that they pay for anyway stifles possible independent experimentation and growth.” —Camilla Forte, photojournalist “I’d like to see more opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration [and] mingling, and I think that removing barriers from resources that divide students by major would help in that. Most of the time, I only get to interact with students from other [departments] if I’ve worked with them at a job, if they’re a friend of a
MANAGEMENT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
s the new decade begins at Columbia, it is the perfect time for students and staffers alike to look back on how far the college has come and where it can go in the next 10 years. As administrators and notable figures at the college—such as President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim and Columbia part-time faculty union President Diana Vallera—contemplate that very thought on pages 4–5 of this issue, I wondered what students wanted out of Columbia. Before Columbia students trickled back onto campus for the first day of classes, I turned to the Chronicle’s staff, who were hard at work on their first stories of the semester. Our staff represents much of the demographic at Columbia. We have commuter students and students who live in dorms; international students, transfer students, traditional and nontraditional students; students from different majors including journalism, cinema art and science, creative writing and more; and students representing a wide array of genders, sexual orientations, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. So I asked all 35 of them: “What would you want Columbia to change about itself in the next decade?” Here are some of their responses:
>> staff
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Main Line: (312) 369-8977 Editor-in-Chief: (312) 369-8834 Director of Photography: (312) 369-8961
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REPORTERS
NEWS EDITOR
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OPINIONS EDITOR
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friend or if we’ve taken a [general educa tion class] together.” —Shane Tolentino, senior graphic designer “It would be nice to see the college work toward becoming more environmentally friendly. If Columbia created a comprehensive green initiative, I think the school would be a lot more attrac tive for prospective students.” —Justin Anderson, photojournalist
REPORTERS
Isaiah Colbert Dyana Daniels Nick Forsythe Lauren Leazenby Myer Lee Mateusz Janik June Keating Val eria Mancera-Saavedra Jonah Ocuto Ryan Rosenberger
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What I so often hear from students in my classes is that the college is run too much like a business rather than like an educational institution made for GRAPHIC DESIGNERS creative-minded students. This decade is Columbia’s chance to change that narrative by actually sitting down with students across all facets, not just during the regular Let’s Chat event with Kim. PHOTOJOURNALISTS Rather, all administrators, from the provost to deans of different schools to department chairs to leaders of the college’s unions and even to administra tors like Vice President of Enrollment Management Michael Joseph or EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Associate Vice President of Security Ronald Sodini should sit down with students frequently and find out what they actually need out of Columbia. What I suspect they’ll find are desires MEDIA SALES REPS for better access to different resources, more modern diversity initiatives that may align with Columbia’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office and, most frequently, better mental health GENERAL MANAGER resources. What truly matters though FACULTY ADVISER is that Columbia takes the time to listen to what we have to say. Don’t just analyze our data, don’t seek out select students, but take a minute to stop us at the Student Center or while we’re getting coffee and talk to the students who keep you in business.
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Dean candidates discuss their vision for the School of Fine and Performing Arts » KENDALL POLIDORI
MANAGING EDITOR AFTER MORE THAN a year of an interim dean in the School of Fine and Performing Arts, the college is conducting an internal search for a permanent replacement. The role was formerly occupied by Onye Ozuzu, who left
Rosita Sands
the college in August 2018 to become dean of the University of Florida College of the Arts. Since, Rosita Sands has been operating as the interim dean of the school. Sands is one of two finalists for the dean position, along with Colbey Reid, chair of the Fashion Studies Department. In a two-day candidate pre-
» STEVEN NUNEZ/CHRONICLE
Sands said the Dance Department is an example of a curriculum that is already going in the right direction. She said most institution’s dance curriculum core is solely based on European ballet, however Columbia has championed the inclusion of West African dance into its core. Although Sands has ideas for how to implement this form of innovation into other departments and programs, she said it needs to come from the specific departments because they know their discipline best. Along with goals of continuing the momentum of the “significant work” the school has accomplished over the past three years, Sands said her vision for the college is to be known as the “school of choice.” She said this will require the school’s programs to provide modern and contemporary training within the context Rosita Sands, interim dean of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, is one of a liberal arts education. of two candidates for the dean position. “We are, sic Department before becoming chair of and will continue to be, known for the department in 2016. cutting-edge programs across dis“The entirety of my experience, train- ciplinary areas of our curriculum,” ing and commitment to the institution’s Sands said. To enhance this, Sands said there needs mission and goals will enable me to [fill to be continued work in confronting the this role] effectively,” Sands said. For Sands, an innovative curriculum challenges and opportunities at the colwould deliver students with more than lege for “deeply embedding the principles just one approach toward their goals. She and concepts of diversity and inclusivity said her ideal curriculum is one that is in a transformative manner” across all disciplines, which she said will benefit bold and challenges the “status quo.” To put the curriculum in perspective, all students. WITH
sentations was President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim, who said in an interview with the Chronicle that he is looking for a dean with experience and a balanced approach. “A dean must be steady in the face of challenges and motivated by values that align with the institution’s values,” Kim said.
Kim added a dean should be both practical and inspirational, staying focused and hopeful. Following the presentations, faculty and staff completed online surveys evaluating each candidate’s performance. There is no set date for when the dean position will be filled, according to Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David.
the Fash- gested the introduction of a design core to ion Studies Department, the college’s curriculum, which would adReid said she does not dress society’s desire for visual learning want to be dean of the and disciplines. Regarding money, Reid said she wants School of Fine and Performing Arts simply to advance through the ranks at the to implement business models that would college. Rather, she has ideas and goals generate revenue for projects and introthat are larger than her current role duced the idea of “Columbia Collaboracan reach. “I am quite energized by thinking through traditional arts and humanities problems in business contexts,” Reid said during her Wednesday, Jan. 15 presentation. Reid came to Columbia to become a department chair in Colbey Reid gives a presentation Wednesday, Jan. 15 on why she is the best June 2017 and, candidate for the dean position, and what she would bring to the school. before that, was an associate professor and the director tories,” which would create partnerships of Consumer Innovation Consortium at with businesses and the production of different projects. York College of Pennsylvania. Reid pointed to the Fashion Lab, which Reid gave a number of in-depth examples as to what she wants to implement was launched a year ago, which has in the school if appointed as dean, which raised nearly $122,500 in revenue. Reid were split into four categories: image, said she wants to introduce more labs of this kind to bring different disciplines money, network and people. For image, Reid said the school, and the together from the college’s three schools, college as a whole, can start rethinking including the School of Liberal Arts the college’s “brand” by “skipping school and Sciences and the School of and starting a movement,” which she said Media Arts. “If we only ever talk about what the means to step outside of the college’s regular curriculum—especially given the col- future is or could be in hypothetical or lege’s mission and position to shape an theoretical terms, we will never get down to the business of actually making it,” artistic movement. She said the college needs to do some- Reid said. thing aesthetically distinct, which would kpolidori@columbiachronicle.com bring all forms of art together. She sug-
Colbey Reid
AS CHAIR OF
JANUARY 27, 2020 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE
» STEVEN NUNEZ/CHRONICLE
MORE THAN a year as interim dean under her belt, Sands is no stranger to the dynamic and vision of the School of Fine and Performing Arts—and with the desire to fill the role full-time, Sands wants to expand the boldness and innovation of curriculum and goals for the school, she said during her Tuesday, Jan. 14 presentation. Sands came to Columbia in 2000 where she has been the associate director and then executive director of the Center for Black Music Research, as well as the associate chair and interim chair of the Mu-
sentation on Tuesday, Jan. 14 and Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the Ferguson Auditorium, 600. S. Michigan Ave., each finalist spoke on their respective day about two points: Why they are interested in the position of dean, and their vision for the School of Fine and Performing Arts, as well as the college. In attendance for both pre-
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feature » FILE PHOTO
PUSHING FORWARD
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Campus leaders reflect on college’s strengths, missteps and the future » ALEXANDRA YETTER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BY THE NUMBERS The 2010s for Columbia were marked with challenges, similar to those faced by many higher education institutions throughout the country. According to data from Institutional Effectiveness, the decade began with enrollment down by 4% from its high of more than 12,000 students in Fall 2008; by the midpoint of the decade, enrollment was down by approximately 28% comparatively between Fall 2008 and Fall 2015. Finally,
by Fall 2019, enrollment saw its first “[Columbia] was always focused on uptick in more than a decade when it in- the right principles, and I would say creased by 122 students compared to the about 10 years ago, unfortunately, is previous year. when I started to see ... this shift ... to Still, by the end of the decade, the this corporatization,” said Diana Vallera, size of Columbia’s student population president of Columbia’s part-time faculty was just more union and adthan half that junct faculty of the start of member in the the decade. Photog raphy “The key to Depa r tment. continuing the “In the last degrowth is to be cade, we were very mindful really guided of what young on how much people are lookwe can cut out. ing for,” said … It was a very President and limited way of CEO Kwangthinking and Wu Kim in an one that realinterview with ly removed the the Chronicle. creative visions As enrollof Columbia.” ment began One of Coto decrease, lumbia’s most so did the coltouted successlege’s essenes of the decade, tial source of though, was its income: tuiability to check Kwang-Wu Kim has filled the role of president and tion. off a Strategic CEO of Columbia since 2013. In response to Goal by diversithe shortfall, the fying the enrolled college needed to adjust to a significantly student population, as reported Sept. smaller student population, as well as the 27 by the Chronicle. From Fall 2010 to changing landscape of higher education. Fall 2019, the number of minority stuThe result was job cuts through the elim- dents had risen more than 10%, fortiination of positions and faculty buyouts, fying the college’s public commitment streamlined resources at the student lev- to its strategic Diversity, Equity and el, campus buildings sold and increases Inclusion initiatives. in tuition.
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» MIKE RUNDLE/CHRONICLE
WHEN COLUMBIA WAS founded in 1890—at the time, called the Columbia School of Oratory—it was by two radical, progressive women named Mary A. Blood and Ida Morey Riley. The idea it was founded on was simple but revolutionary in higher education at the time: a place for creative-minded people to become skilled in the creative industries. More than a century later, that core value of creativity—a focus many use as a distinguishing characteristic of Columbia from other institutions—is still highlighted. But due to declining enrollment in recent years and its consequential budget shortfall, administrators felt they had to rebuild the college’s business model. That, in turn, caused some to say the college was adopting a corporate mentality. As campus leaders contemplate goals for the next decade, administrators, faculty and students have been looking back on the past ten years to evaluate where the college fell short and where it triumphed.
STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN In the midst of many of these obstacles, which Kim inherited when he took over as president in 2013, he worked with administrators to create his vision for Columbia, called “Achieving Our Greatness: A Strategic Action Plan for Columbia College Chicago, 2015–2020.” In the Strategic Plan, six goals were outlined: student success; a 21st-century curriculum; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; community engagement; optimizing enrollment; and aligning resources with goals. “A phase of rapid and heady growth is behind us, and we now have an opportunity as well as an obligation to reexamine our programs, structures and practices to ascertain if, and how, they continue to advance the college’s mission and purpose,” the plan states. Many of the action items in the plan designed to achieve these six goals included tasks such as re-evaluating whether certain resources like the Center for Black Music Research were still valuable to students; adding or modifying majors and programs; increasing enrollment rates and financial stability; and meshing DEI initiatives into students’ core curriculum, to name a few. Kim pointed to the DEI goal as one of the most successful initiatives in the Strategic Plan, crediting it with changing the conversation surrounding diversity and issues of race on Columbia’s campus. “We’ve begun to shift the culture in terms of how we think about how we re-
feature » FILE PHOTO
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Photo Captions 1. Members of United Staff of Columbia College Chicago (USofCC) attempt to meet with President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim to discuss the elimination of positions. 2. Along with student residences, Plymouth Court played host to the Student Health Center and Counseling Services. The building was sold to 3L Real Estate in the summer of 2018.
» FILE PHOTO
3. The Center for Black Music Research at Columbia underwent changes in staff over the summer of 2019, resulting in an uncertain future.
cruit people, how we think about racism in the institution and what we’re doing about it systematically,” Kim said. Many leaders at the college found the objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan a quantifiable success. Sean Johnson Andrews—Faculty Senate president and associate professor in the Humanities, History and Social Sciences Department—said one of the best things Columbia accomplished in the past decade was the development of the Strategic Plan, which he said allowed the college to identify those who would be a good fit for the institution. “What we’ve done well in the last decade is take stock of what we should be doing in the future,” Johnson Andrews said. “We could’ve been working on [that] the whole time, ... so, I guess, we’re back to where we should have been, on a certain level, but maybe that detour was necessary to figure out where we stood.” The administration has faced backlash for certain changes, such as the discontinuance of some majors and the current lack of dedicated staffing in the Center for Black Music Research. Vallera, who sat on a committee for the Strategic Plan when it was in the works, said the plan operated as more of a showand-tell checklist rather than a guiding set of objectives based on Columbia’s unique values that go back to its radical, progressive founding. “It was honestly a leadership that was following instead of leading,” Vallera said. She said throughout its history Columbia embraced “pretty radical changes as
an institution, not afraid to be progressive and really ahead of its time.” Vallera would like to see the college once again embrace that mentality. “We have to change the way we’re thinking.” Kim discounted the criticism, and said he has seen quality go up. “I’ve never understood how people use the word ‘corporate’ as a negative because this is a $200 million business, basically, and the money—unlike corporations—doesn’t come from people buying things, it comes from tuition dollars. So, we have a moral obligation and responsibility to use that money as responsibly and effectively as possible,” he said. “The key to this plan for sustained growth is that we’re trying to get the college into a healthier financial condition so that there’s more resources to reinvest in the college and programs.” Johnson Andrews, who echoed this pivotal overlap of serving students while being fiscally responsible, said Columbia’s idiosyncratic features, such as its budgeting or curriculum model, may give it the appearance of being corporatized, but that needs to happen because it “is an economic institution, as well.” In large part, Johnson Andrews attributed this amplified campus culture of perceiving corporatization throughout the past decade to nationwide changes, specifically with former President Barack Obama’s changes to the Department of Education. Those changes, and ensuing requirements, in turn, caused some “growing pains.” “We have to have that data in order to prove to the world and the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education and the parents who are thinking about sending their kids to this school, we have to have that data,” he said. “But that shouldn’t be the only data we’re using to figure out if we’re successful as an educational institution.” Vallera said the result of the changes at Columbia is a “smokescreen” for students who come here after being marketed one version of Columbia, only to enroll and find the administration more focused on profits. “Even if [the Strategic Plan] resulted in financial stability in some capacity, it’s at what expense?” Vallera said. “We think that our students aren’t smart enough to realize what’s going on, and that’s just not true.” Isaiah Moore, co-president of the Black Student Union, and junior TV and cultural studies double major, wants students to have the resources they’re promised when they are admitted. Moore said students who attend Columbia are looking for an inclusive, art-focused space, but feel as though the Career Center or portfolio creation is “rushed” onto them too early. In turn, they said students often decide to leave to find a different campus culture. “Sometimes, it feels like they’re not as focused on the student experience, they’re just focused on a corporate feel,” Moore said. “There’s growing pains in some of the changes the school has been going through. It can be frustrating because we’re not hearing about it a lot of the time from a student point-of-view. … At the end of the day, the administration does work for us in our experience
here, but sometimes it feels like that’s not the case.” One solution Moore proposed is having a rotating student representative sit on all college committees to provide a fresh perspective on what students truly desire out of the college. Moore pointed to their position as a representative on the National Alumni Board as a model for how this plan could operate. “If no one came to Columbia, Columbia wouldn’t exist,” they said.
PUSHING FORWARD Despite differing opinions on how intact Columbia came out on the other side of the 2010s’ many challenges, the goal for what Columbia may embody by 2030 remains in-line with Columbia’s founding value of being a place for creatives. Going forward, campus leaders hope to expand on the goals laid out in the Strategic Plan, focusing on areas with underwhelming results, such as with community engagement, Kim said. “By 2030,” Kim said, “I want it to be really clear that this is the school that a young creative comes to because they want to be successful in the real world; because they want to learn how to be very skilled at complex collaboration; because they believe that, as a creative, part of the definition of who they need to be is someone who is deeply engaged with the world and social issues. … And that we have the physical infrastructure to support those students.” ayetter@columbiachronicle.com
JANUARY 27, 2020 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 4
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“Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot” captivates longtime fans » ColumbiaChronicle.com
» COURTESY “MEAN GIRLS”
arts&culture
Q&A: The nicest ‘Mean Girl’ there is, Mariah Rose Faith as Regina George
text to the show by describing Regina George and her merciless rule over the social hierarchy, asking, “Will she braid your hair; will she eat your heart?” Faith shed her Plastics persona to speak with the Chronicle about portraying the queen bee, the musical’s message about feminism and staying true to oneself.
» PAIGE BARNES
NEWS EDITOR
of misfit cliques known as high school, “Mean Girls” the musical reminded us that in “Girl World,” the limit does not exist with how “fetch” and satirically difficult it is to be a girl in high school. And yes, you could still see the musical even if you do not wear pink on Wednesdays. The comedy-musical—which took over the James M. Nederlander Theater, 24 W. Randolph St., through Sunday, Jan. 26—featured the new girl at a suburban Illinois high school, Cady Heron, played by Danielle Wade, who attempts to befriend the school’s it-crowd after moving there from Kenya. She becomes entangled in a trio of mean girls, known as the “Plastics,” led by ring leader Regina George, played by Mariah Rose Faith, who determines the rules of popularity at the school. The show paralleled the plotline of the original 2004 film written by Tina Fey, with some added original music and minor plot adjustments. The added songs aligned with the story and reemphasized the difficulties of high school. The musical number “Apex Predator”—sung by Mary Kate Morrissey, who played Janis Sarkisian—added more con-
REVISITING THE LAND
How do you relate to your character? In a lot of ways I don’t relate to her but in a lot of ways I’ve had to ask myself where I could exist and [in] what universe I could have been her. We’re both very direct people. I’ve also interpreted my Regina to be very entertained by herself, so a lot of the times when she’s being mean, she’s thinking she’s being comical, or it’s all just a joke, which I’m very entertained by myself. But I don’t make cruel humor. It’s not my thing, but it’s definitely her, so I think I just try
» COURTESY “MEAN GIRLS”
THE CHRONICLE: What made you want to take on the role of Regina George? FAITH: When I first heard the album, back when it came out, I was just like, these songs are absolute insanity. ... Then, when I started thinking about how fun it is to play a villain, and
life. It was also a better way to understand those people that are so different from myself.
“Mean Girls” the musical features Mariah Rose Fath (third from left) as the infamous Regina George.
someone that’s also just your everyday villain, it’s [a] really interesting take into your own
to understand where that could come from, just by seeing my own tendencies in real life.
What advice would you give your younger self going into high school? You don’t always have to be the funniest in the room; you don’t always have to be the prettiest in the room, or whatever your opinion on that is because it really is so subjective to you. You’re going to have more fun if you don’t care so much about what other people are thinking about you. ... Try and find real friends and people who really care about you to build you up because there’s no use in investing energy in others who have selfish intentions and don’t really care that much about you. Do you view “Mean Girls” as a feminist story? Absolutely, but it’s also so weird because—I wouldn’t view it this way, but so many people do or they go, “Feminist story, that means it’s for girls”—but it’s absolutely not just for girls or for women, if you identify that way. [It] follows a young girl who goes along with these tropes of high school that are so hard for young women and now, especially in this age of social media for everybody, it hits close to home in that way. Do you consider yourself a feminist? It’s so interesting because I would say I’m very passionate about being a feminist, which
some people take like it’s such a negative light, which is so weird to me. I don’t know how you could not be passionate about being a feminist when there are so many [strides] to still be done. ... I feel very passionately about [it] so you know, if people disagree with me, that’s OK. This is a great show, too, because it’s led by female leads and we have three female stage managers and somebody female on the creative team. I mean, written by [Fey] alone, it’s really awesome to be a part of it. What message do you hope women take away from the show? There’s so much in the beginning [of the show] that talks about how to be popular, which is also just how to be powerful. And I think, especially when we’re young, we try to mold ourselves or just highlight certain parts of ourselves that we think will be likable by others when really, it’s just if we own our own power and who we are; that’s what’s exciting to other people in the world around us and also more exciting for yourself because you just get to have an amazing time being you. That’s what this show really is—[to] be so excited in your own individuality. pbarnes@columbiachronicle.com
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arts & culture
SEE THE COMPLETE LIST ON COLUMBIACHRONICLE.COM
Golden House Restaurant and Pancake House Red vinyl seats, cigarettes for sale, bottomless diner coffee lingering in the air— Golden House Restaurant and Pancake House, 4744 N. Broadway, gives patrons a renewed appreciation for classic, homey diners of days past. You want that with toast or a side of pancakes? Classic breakfast dishes and more are served all day long.
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Happy Camper Old Town With one location in Old Town and one in Wrigleyville, Happy Camper, 1209 N. Wells St., is a cozy-chic bar, illuminated by neon signs and featuring a trademark silver camper. With drinks titled “The Hooch” and “Trailer Park Queen” as well as pizza with endless sauces and toppings, why not take a trip—whether it’s for drunk pizza, dinner with your friends or just more drinks.
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Handlebar Casual, vegetarian bar scene and patio—all of this describes Handlebar, 2311 W. North Ave. With a backbone devoted to customer-first service, the bar and restaurant offers variations of fan favorites, most of which can be upgraded to fit a vegetarian or vegan diet. Grab some buddies and head over, but be prepared to stand in line—good things like this are worth the wait.
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Grant Park Bistro Looking for a place to dine close to campus? Grant Park Bistro, 800 S. Michigan Ave., is the spot to check out. Impress your parents while brunching on eggs Benedict or impress your crush by sharing grilled octopus, and if the prices seem a little out of your range—with an average meal ranging from $10 to $20—be sure to mention you go to Columbia for a 15% discount.
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The Chronicle’s 2020 restaurant guide to Chicago » MARGARET SMITH OPINIONS EDITOR BEFORE YOU WALK into fine-dining establishments and spend $40 to $50 on a single plate as
a part of Chicago Restaurant Week, consider walking into these casual eateries instead. In most of these hot spots, you can get a bite and a drink for under $20, the sweet spot in pricing for anyone on the prowl for a new go-to joint.
msmith@columbiachronicle.com
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Majani Restaurant Putting the soul in vegan dining, Majani Restaurant—located in both Pullman, 756 E. 111th St., and South Shore, 7167 Exchange Ave.—has customers covered from breakfast to dessert. Reasonably priced, flavor-filled, locally-sourced favorites are sure to be a hit with whomever you bring with you, whether they are vegan or not.
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» PAGE DESIGN/JEN CHAVEZ, MIKE RUNDLE AND STEVEN NUNEZ
$ - Easy on your wallet $$ - Affordable, but after pay day
arts & culture
» PAIGE BARNES NEWS EDITOR INSIDE SAM & GERTIE’S ,
snug seating arrangements prompt most customers to opt for take-out rather than dine-in, as the slightly too loud ’60s and ’70s music rings throughout the cozy deli. Rows of bagels and stacks of cream cheese beg to be eaten as customers line up around the deli counter waiting to place their order. It is as chaotic and fast-paced as expected in a delicatessen. Chef and owner Andy Kalish’s ingenuity for a unique take on an all-vegan, Jewish deli is bonafide excellence. Because all items on the menu are vegan-friendly at Sam & Gertie’s, located at 1309 W. Wilson Ave., open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., dishes are pre-
pared free of meat, eggs, dairy and all other animal products. The menu also includes gluten-free options for bagels. The restaurant’s widespread popularity resulted in the deli running out of literally everything within the first two days of opening on Friday, Jan. 10. Friends Viktoriya Oyvetsky and Alex Kranzberg, who has been vegan for seven years, said they drove approximately eight hours from Kansas City, Missouri, to try the food after reading about it on a Facebook page for vegans. “We got some T-shirts to bring back and wear. I definitely will come back,” Kranzberg said. “More reason to come to Chicago.” Kalish is a savant in finding alternatives for common Jewish delicacies, which makes it possible for someone who keeps kosher—keeping dairy and meat dishes separate in a meal—to
now eat the two together using vegan alternatives. This is due to the dishes being pareve, a Jewish term for food made without dairy or meat. Bagel sandwiches at Sam & Gertie’s resemble something out of a food magazine as the bagels are taken out of the display case and layered on the spot with ingredients for prices ranging from $3.75 to $9.75. The “Goldie’s Läks,” a popular bagel sandwich made with cold-cured lox, tomato, red onion, cucumber, dill, pickled cream cheese and a pickle on the side, for $9.75 is a mélange of savory flavors that are not overpowered by the salty capers and fresh-tasting vegan lox. Even more intriguing was “The Levin,” a vegan pastrami sandwich on rye with sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and melted Swiss cheese. Sandwiches start at $12.75 and go up to $14.75. Anyone could mistake Kalish’s dishes with real meat, such as the pastrami, because not only does it look like traditional pas-
» ZACHARY CLINGENPEEL/CHRONICLE
Review: The one-of-a-kind vegan, Jewish deli you knead
Chef Jorge Vega prepares sandwiches as the vegan deli Sam & Gertie’s, 1309 W. Wilson Ave., begins to fill in with hungry customers.
trami with brined fat on the perimeter, but it eerily tastes like genuine pastrami. However, the texture of the meat contrasts bitterly with the sauerkraut’s vinegary aftertaste. Some words of advice: Hold the sauerkraut to make this sandwich five out of five stars. Many of the dishes offered on the menu are inspired by Kalish’s visits to his grandmother Gertie’s house in Detroit throughout his childhood on Friday nights, and memories of the smells
and flavors in the air of Jewish home-cooked meals, which have ultimately become part of his DNA. He wanted to honor his grandparents by naming the deli after them. “Deli is for anybody and everybody,” Kalish said. “There are foods that bring joy to you and others, and when you give somebody something that is from your heart, that is from your past, people respond well.” pbarnes@columbiachronicle.com
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world
#MeToo founder Tarana Burke addresses Chicago » ColumbiaChronicle.com » CAMILLA FORTE/CHRONICLE
Desertification threatens a way of life in the Sahara Desert » CAMILLA FORTE PHOTOJOURNALIST THE last six years, Herrah and her family have gone against tradition by remaining in the Erg Chigaga region of the Western Sahara Desert. Despite it being one of the most untouched parts of the Sahara—a place that is vast and wild, a place where nature still rules—climate change is causing a life-altering problem for nomadic people like Herrah. It is unusual for Berber nomads to stay sedentary for long, but since 2014 Herrah, her husband and children have been constrained to the same region with little more than a hut, two tents, some camels and a new motorcycle to their name, all due to changing weather patterns related to the climate crisis. While arid conditions in the desert are characteristic, climate reports have raised concern over an accelerated rate of desertification—the process by which fertile land becomes desert—in the Sahara. But desertification is not just happening in the traditional, human-made sense, where, for example, farmers allow the land to be over-grazed. Instead, the climate crisis is causing deserts to expand, depleting natural resources such as food and water, which is adversely affecting communities like the Berber nomads by making more areas uninhabitable. Although Herrah’s family continues to maintain their traditions by living off the land, a visit to their encampment hints at the ways in which their lives are being altered. But for some Berber families, changing climatic conditions have caused them to completely abandon their traditional nomadic lifestyle, Herrah said. While this shift may be viable for some, Herrah said it would not be a good option for her. “I love the desert,” she said. “Here, people stay strong. They’re getting old, but they stay strong.”
MOROCCO—FOR
Herrah (top), a soft-spoken woman who has always lived a nomadic lifestyle, has inhabited the same region of the Sahara Desert for the past six years due to worsening climatic conditions.
Visit ColumbiaChronicle.com for additional reporting. cforte@columbiachronicle.com
Herrah and her family live in an encampment that includes one hut and two tents, reflecting a nomadic lifestyle that is threatened by climate change.
JANUARY 27, 2020 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE 11
world » MENGSHIN LIN/CHRONICLE
A Chronicle photojournalist’s experience:
THE FRONT LINES OF A HONG KONG PROTEST
Riot police wave their batons as they patrol the streets, just before yelling and pointing pepper spray at me. » MENGSHIN LIN PHOTOJOURNALIST HONG KONG—FOR seven months, activists have taken to the streets of Hong Kong by the millions to battle a controversial extradition bill, facing arrests, tear gas and, in some cases, death. The bill initially sparked the widespread outrage in April 2019. It would have allowed China to extradite people from Hong Kong and try them in courts in mainland China, which is led by
Protesters raise their hands while singing “Glory Hong Kong,” as they march through the streets.
the Chinese Communist Party. The bill was later withdrawn in June by Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam due to the backlash. However, the protests are no longer solely about the extradition bill, but increasingly about human rights violations, such as police abuse of protestors, of which the United Nations high commissioner publicly voiced his disapproval. In my first visit to Hong Kong after six months of being away at Columbia, downtown was still bustling and crowded with
12 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE JANUARY 27, 2020
traffic during the daytime. During the lunch hours, however, dozens of office workers and students gathered to protest in the business district. On Sunday, Jan. 19, an estimated 150,000 protesters took over Chater Garden, located in the financial district, in the Universal Siege on Communists Rally. The protesters chanted, “Save Hong Kong; fight for freedom” and sang the song “Glory Hong Kong,” raising their hands to show their support. As the protesters started to
Riot police in Hong Kong point a can of tear gas inches away from a local journalist’s face during the city’s latest protests.
spill onto the street, riot police blocked the road and shot tear gas to disperse the crowd. Later that night, a local journalist and I passed by a group of police in Mong Kok, downtown Hong Kong, and as I took a photo, the police started flashing lights directly at me and yelling in Cantonese, which I do not speak or understand. I tried to document them using the flash of my camera, but they started to run toward me and point their pepper spray. I held my camera and raised my two
hands and said, “I don’t speak Cantonese,” but they did not stop yelling. Eventually, the demonstration was canceled after the rally’s organizer, Ventus Lau, was arrested for encouraging others to partake in unlawful assembly and obstruction of police administration. Mengshin Lin is a photojournalist from New Taipei City, Taiwan. This is her first assignment for the Chronicle. mlin@columbiachronicle.com
metro » JUSTIN ANDERSON/CHRONICLE
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) speaks with supporters after a candidate forum for Illinois’ 1st Congressional District, hosted by the First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave.
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opinions
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Feeling helpless at work should not be the norm an allegedly unfair performance review. This speculation was led by a fellow coworker of Chen, Yi Yin. In the wake of the death, Yin implored his employers to be transparent in the situation. He was told, “Do not discuss the incident,” and days later was fired from his position, as reported Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, by Vice. The Facebook scenario, while it is an extreme example, is not isolated. These deaths have in common the overwhelming, demanding and sometimes unjust environment humans walk into 9-to-5 everyday. The monotony of this lifestyle and the burden that it brings can show itself in the physical, mental and emotional states of employees. It can also highlight pre-existing issues such as anxiety and depression. To some companies, employees are just bodies in chairs, and bodies are expendable. But, there is power in numbers. It can almost be guaranteed that if someone is feeling helpless in their workplace, they are not the only one. Creating a coalition
» JOHN SAMMIS/CHRONICLE
I
t is not hard to determine what makes an unhealthy working environment: long hours, a sense of powerlessness and high stress with low reward. What is more difficult, however, is attempting to rectify that reality. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its annual report, “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2018.” Among charts, bullet points and explanative blurbs, a harrowing statistic was tucked away: Between the years of 2017 and 2018, workplace suicide increased by 11%, totaling 304 deaths—though some experts believe this is an underestimate. More notable instances of this include a 2019 incident in which a Facebook employee died by suicide at the company’s headquarters. The aftermath of such an event revealed the skeletons in Facebook’s closet. It was speculated that the death of the employee, Qin Chen, happened after unfair treatment in the workplace by his managers and
ED I TO R I A L
between co-workers shows that no one is alone, and this camaraderie only strengthens the call to action when brought to the attention of managers, bosses or CEOs. But recognition needs to happen on both sides. There is no company that can work as a well-oiled machine while glossing over the mental and physical ailments of those whom they employ—just
as employees must assume some responsibility and cannot continue to fly under the radar as their health, and their work performance, begins to plummet. For there to be change in the workplace reality, change needs to be instituted in daily life. Normalizing mental health days; acknowledging heavy, strenuous workloads; and having chances to break away from the desk to de-stress can all impact the way employees view and perform in their job. Similarly, if an employee is protected under a union, they should seek out ways to advocate for themselves. Methods such as suggestion boxes, in-office wellness practices and calling out injustice when they see it happen are key examples of ways to take the workplace atmosphere into your own hands. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-2738255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. chronicle@colum.edu
COMIC
» WESLEY ENRIQUEZ/CHRONICLE
WESLEY’S BRIGHT SIDE
14 THE COLUMBIA CHRONICLE JANUARY 27, 2020
opinions study from the International Journal of Advanced Microbiology and Health Research. The journal found: “The key consequences of chronic working may disrupt the biological rhythm of the body.” Work and stress are undoubtedly linked. Adverse health effects caused by overworking not only impact the body in obvious ways, such as with a downturn in mental health, but it can also increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, obesity and cerebrovascular problems, which can lead O PI N I O N to strokes or aneurysms. Additionally, there may be a correlation between overworking and complications during pregnancy, according to the study. With the evolution of journalism over the past few decades, the number of » JUSTIN ANDERSON employees in the newsroom has plumPHOTOJOURNALIST meted while the number of freelancers has skyrocketed. As someone pursuing right blue light drowns out a a career in photojournalism, I’m almost darkness that should otherwise guaranteed a future in freelancing. engulf the room at an early hour While working for oneself can feel like this. Two sets of hands furiously liberating, the lack of job security type away—one on a class assignment, among freelancers creates the perfect the other on a personal project. environment for someone to fall prey to Around midnight, my mind begins hustle culture. Each new assignment will to wander from the screen toward the depend on the quality of those that came alarm clock set for 6 a.m., and then it before, so freelancers should give their wanders even further to tomorrow night, all to every assignment, right? Well, yes when this will happen all over again. and no. Ideally, freelancers should do My roommate’s typing pierces these the best they can without shifting their thoughts, bringing focus back to the screen. work-life balance into complete disarray. Two sets of hands continue their ritual. If it is not already evident, hustle culture This is not an isodisplayed on social media lated incident reinforces the idea for me, my that unhealthy roommate practices are the or college only way to get students, in ahead in the general. world. The Habits intention of such as those who these spread these contribute ideas is likely to what to provide is known users with as “hustle tough love. culture,” However, or the belief more often that one than not must spend their attempts every waking seem to fall flat, resulting » JOHN SAMMIS/CHRONICLE moment fully in a somewhat disrespectexerting themselves to become successful. ful and misinformed message. This mindset is often romanticized and is How do we counteract hustle culture? seemingly admirable, especially by those When scrolling through social media, just starting off in their chosen fields. ignore hustle culture messages; on your But what hustle culture actually does is day off, skip those early morning alarms, masterfully disguise unhealthy habits especially after a late night working. that glorify working oneself to death. Instead, get that extra hour of sleep, watch Some of the main practices hustle a funny movie with a friend or just take a culture encourages, such as working break. It’s necessary and well-deserved. long hours and late nights, can cause janderson@columbiachronicle.com “severe health issues,” according to a 2019
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It is OK to pause the hustle
B
DEADLINE: February 3, 2020: DEADLINE: February 3,from 2020: We invite faculty nominations students We invite nominations from students and fromfaculty Columbia College Chicago peers. and Columbia College Chicago peers. Tofrom nominate a faculty member, send an To nominate a faculty member, send an email to ETA@colum.edu and include the email to ETA@colum.edu and include the following information: following information: •Your name and status (student or faculty) •Your name and status (student or faculty) •The nominee's name and department •The nominee's name and department •Briefly explain how this faculty •member Briefly explain this faculty made how a difference in your member made a difference in your educational experience or significantly educational or significantly contributed experience to student learning at contributed Columbia. to student learning at Columbia.
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