This month, the University of Chicago community has been rocked by two cases of reported sexual assault at fraternity houses. One incident occurred in February at Alpha Delta Phi, and the other took place just weeks ago at the off campus Alpha Epsilon Pi house. These reports emerged in the midst of an already tense national debate about collegiate sexual violence, spurred by the recent revelation of Cornell University’s perceived mishandling of an alleged frat house gang rape in 2024.
UChicago students are now calling on administrators to improve its assault prevention and survivor support programs. At a Wednesday night rally, national advocates came together with student organizers to stand in solidarity with victims and propose new policies for a safer campus.
How I got this photo:
The rally began at 6 p.m., so I was shooting outdoors after sunset, which is always a struggle. Thankfully, the local TV crews were also on the scene with their large LED lights pointed at the podium. I piggybacked off their lighting to capture each speaker and any faces in the crowd that the light spilled onto. I spotted senior student Jack Huber standing on the front line of ralliers. I was initially standing directly across from him, and after capturing a few wide shots head on, I walked around the media set up to shoot from inside the crowd. I stood flush with the front line and crouched down to shoot up on Huber. Only his face and sign were lit, so I dropped my ISO and allowed all the surrounding elements to fall into shadow. That helped preserve the details on the two main focal points — his expression and the call to "EXPEL HIM."
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with an RF 28-70mm f/2L lens
Plus, 15 more photos from Sun-Times and WBEZ photographers from this week in news:
Reporter Stefano Esposito announces that Susie Jendro and Mike Colesworthy won the Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ Halloween house decoration contest Thursday in Galewood.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Mike Colesworthy and Susie Jendro sit at a miniature picnic table with a skeleton customer in front of their “Jaw-Knee’s Char-Ghoul Broiled” Halloween yard display Thursday in Galewood.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet jumps up to block Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis during the second half at the United Center on Wednesday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson watches the opening ceremony Wednesday before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones drives through a New York Knicks player during the second half of Wednesday’s home game at the United Center.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Members of the FBI investigate under the I-90 on South Union Avenue near West 17th Street in Pilsen on Tuesday, after an FBI agent fatally shot 27-year-old Oscar Isaya-Corrales in the area Monday evening.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Family members and mourners watch Wednesday as authorities investigate near 145th Street and Cooper Avenue after an FBI agent fatally shot 22-year-old Chadwick Clark inside a home in south suburban Dixmoor. Clark was killed just two days after an off-duty FBI agent fatally shot another man who was allegedly firing into a crowd in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Rapper Vic Mensa performs at Garcia’s Chicago in the Loop on Wednesday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Actress Carrie Coon stands outside the Music Box Theatre in Chicago before the Oct. 23 premiere screening of her psychological thriller “The Liberation.”
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Pastelón is served at Casa Yari at 2743 W. Division St. in Humboldt Park on Oct. 15.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Mike Repay, Lake County commissioner and head of the county’s Democratic Party, sits in his office at the Lake County Courthouse in Hammond, Indiana, on Monday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
High school students and supporters cheer while lining up to vote Wednesday during Chicago Votes’ Parade to the Polls at the voting Super Site in the Loop.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade travels north on Columbus Drive on Oct. 24.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Performers dance during the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade as it travels on Columbus Drive on Oct. 24.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Featured artist Dorian Sylvain attends the official unveiling of the West Edge Arts mural park in North Lawndale on the West Side on Tuesday. Sylvain designed the park’s inaugural work, “Bring It With You,” a 50-foot-high mural pillar.
