How Columbia's Student Journalists Collaborated on New York Magazine's Cover Story

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In mid-April, amid the pro-Palestinian student protests at Columbia University, New York magazine wanted to cover the story. The features editor in charge of the publication's coverage decided to take a creative approach.

Instead of sending his own writers to the Morningside Heights campus, editor Nick Summers decided to email Isabella Ramirez, the editor-in-chief of Columbia Daily Spectator.

The Spectator, a student newspaper that has been around since 1877, had already covered the story extensively. Summers wanted to take advantage of their connections, campus expertise, and the trust they had built with students and faculty over the years for New York's May issue.

Summers explained to CNN over the phone on Monday that The Spectator was clearly leading the coverage. This inspired the idea to approach them with an offer: would they like to collaborate on the next cover package?

The end result, released on Monday, is a special report on the campus unrest. This project was a complete partnership with The Spectator and includes an oral history of the encampments and Hamilton Hall takeover, portraits of both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators, and a 700-person poll of the campus community.

The student journalists wrote the entire package, which was then edited by Ramirez in collaboration with Summers and features editor Rye Spaeth. The photographs for the package were taken by the student journalists, with freshman Stella Ragas capturing the cover image. They worked alongside New York photo director Jody Quon during the process.

Protesters gathered at the gates of Columbia University in support of students who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, April 30, 2024.

Protesters gathered at the gates of Columbia University in support of students who barricaded themselves in Hamilton Hall, April 30, 2024.

David Dee Delgado/Reuters

Summers, who was once the top editor at The Spectator, praised the depth of reporting delivered by the team, exceeding their expectations.

Quon shared that working with the magazine gave students the opportunity to learn from experienced industry professionals who were happy to share their knowledge with the next generation. She mentioned a time when she visited the campus to assist with photography, introducing students to renowned photojournalists who took the time to offer valuable advice.

Quon expressed how touched he was by that moment.

However, gathering news on campus for the issue posed some challenges for the student journalists. The Spectator's team consists of students, and the protests peaked right as finals and end-of-semester papers were looming. On top of that, many student demonstrators were hesitant to talk to the press, questioning the accuracy of media coverage.

Palestinians in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, are seen examining the aftermath of an Israeli strike on a residential house. The incident occurred during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas on May 5, 2024. The image captures the devastation caused by the violence in the region.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip May 5, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled.

Hatem Khaled/Reuters

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The Israeli military has taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. This development has provided The Spectator with a unique advantage. Students who were protesting and seeking media attention were more inclined to trust their peers from The Spectator rather than the large number of reporters from various national and international news outlets who had arrived on campus.

Ramirez expressed to CNN that there is a higher level of trust in local outlets like theirs compared to national ones that only come in temporarily and may not have a deep understanding of the community.

He emphasized that their team has been reporting on the issue since October 7th, being present before, during, and planning to stay after. Ramirez stated that this commitment shows their dedication to the story even before it gained widespread attention, allowing them to build strong relationships with the people involved.

The journalists at The Spectator felt a strong sense of duty to keep the campus community informed about the tense and politically polarizing situation. They have dedicated the past few weeks to providing constant updates on the issue.

When the encampments first appeared on campus, Ramirez shared with CNN that the student journalists were hesitant to leave the scene. They worked tirelessly for the first few days, leading to the implementation of a shift system. This system allowed reporters and editors to continue reporting on the protests around the clock.

Ramirez emphasized the importance of someone doing history and record keeping.

She mentioned that The Spectator constantly provided breaking news alerts, but the collaboration with New York magazine gave journalists the opportunity to delve into long-form storytelling. Ramirez highlighted that this allowed for a more comprehensive approach, providing crucial context to the historical record.

“I think it will stay for us forever,” Ramirez said, “and I hope it will stay with our community forever.”

Editor's P/S:

The collaboration between New York magazine and Columbia Daily Spectator highlights the valuable role of student journalism in providing in-depth coverage of campus events. The Spectator's team of student journalists, with their deep connections and understanding of the campus community, were able to deliver a comprehensive special report on the pro-Palestinian student protests. Their work exceeded expectations, showcasing the depth and quality of reporting that student journalists are capable of producing. The partnership also underscores the importance of trust between journalists and their sources, particularly in politically polarizing situations. The Spectator's commitment to reporting on the issue since its early stages allowed them to build relationships with student protesters, enabling them to gather accurate and nuanced information. This collaboration serves as a model for how professional and student media can work together to provide valuable news coverage.