News

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NEWS 8/23/23 3:51pm

Elon University dean of the College of Arts and Sciences steps down

By Abigail Hobbs and Madison Powers

Gabie Smith, the dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, will step down after the 2023-24 school year and return to a teaching position in the Department of Psychology. Smith stepping down marks the fifth senior staff member to leave their position in the last two years, following Jeff Stein, former vice president of strategic initiatives; Rebbeca Neiduski, former dean of the School of Health Sciences; Rochelle Ford, former dean of the School of Communications; and Aswani Volety, former provost. 

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NEWS 8/23/23 10:11am

Elon University admissions implements new application questions, initiatives after Supreme Court overturned affirmative action

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University will focus on new initiatives and recruitment resources after the Supreme Court overturned the consideration of race in the college admissions process in June. According to Vice President of Enrollment Greg Zaiser, Elon will focus on different sub-groups of incoming applicants to maintain diversity, including first-generation and low-income students. Though the University of Michigan and University of California have been practicing race-neutral admissions for roughly two decades, both universities stated to the Supreme Court that the practice has led to a drop in diversity on campus.

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NEWS 8/23/23 7:23am

Elon University common reading starts conversations, prepares students for new perspectives

By Sophie Rosenthal

Elon University's common reading book committee chose “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times” by Mónica Guzmán as its 31st common reading book. The committee is comprised of 17 faculty, staff and students who meet over a span of 15 to 18 months. According to Paula Patch, chair of the reading committee and English professor, “I Never Thought of It That Way” will spark meaningful conversation on campus and prepare incoming students for new perspectives. 

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NEWS 8/22/23 7:43pm

ABSS delays academic year to Sept. 5 after recurring mold issues

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance-Burlington School System announced that the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year will be delayed to Sept. 5, as opposed to Aug. 28, following reports of pathogenic mold inside over a dozen ABSS facilities. These facilities include Cummings High School, Williams High School, Broadview Middle School, Andrews Elementary School and Newlin Elementary School. Andrews Elementary School has been clean from mold as of Aug. 18, while an Alamance County Health Department Report shows molds issues inside of Cummings High School and Broadview Middle School dating back to 2017.

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NEWS 8/22/23 12:45pm

Harris Teeter introduces 10% discount, 20%-off sale day for Elon University students

By Alex Nettles

Harris Teeter, a grocery store chain located along the East Coast, announced a 10% brandwide discount for various university students — including Elon University — that will run through Oct. 3. To claim the offer, students must bring their Phoenix Card. The local location on south Church street in Burlington will also host a College Night Aug. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., at which the store will provide any student with a college ID and VIC card 20% off on all store goods. The event will also feature a gas discount, a live DJ, wine and food samples and 10% off all Starbucks drinks.

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NEWS 8/21/23 4:00pm

ABSS discovers mold inside schools

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance-Burlington School System discovered mold inside multiple schools across the county, including Cummings High School, Broadview Middle School, Newlin Elementary and Andrews Elementary School. According to ABSS Public Information Officer Les Atkins, ABSS aims to clean the mold before its 2023-24 school year begins Aug. 28. While Newlin Elementary is being cleaned, students are scheduled to transfer to Ray Street Academy until Labor Day. Contingency plans for Cummings and Broadview will be made after the district determines how quickly both schools can be cleaned.

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NEWS 8/21/23 8:47am

Elon University Advancing Equity Requirement courses to educate on societal issues

By Madison Powers

This fall, an Advancing Equity Requirement — approved by faculty in May 2022 — will be integrated into courses across major, minor and core curriculum courses. The new eighth requirement in the core curriculum will begin with the class of 2027 and will also be required for students who change majors or switch to the new curriculum. In AER-designated courses, students will complete four learning outcomes: to interrogate racial identities, connect race and identity to U.S. systems, evaluate systemic inequity and apply solutions to systemic racism. 

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NEWS 8/19/23 1:56pm

Elon University incoming freshmen say goodbye to their families

By Abigail Hobbs

Incoming Elon students said final goodbyes to their families at the 2023 Family Send-Off Picnic outside the Koury Center Aug. 19. The 2023-24 New Student Convocation took place earlier in the morning Under the Oaks, where university faculty, staff and student leaders welcomed the class of 2027 to Elon. After Convocation and the picnic, parents and families will go back home to leave their incoming students to finish up move-in weekend activities and start the fall semester Tuesday, Aug. 22.

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NEWS 8/19/23 11:47am

Elon University president encourages class of 2027 to form community, learn at convocation

By Madison Powers

Elon University faculty, staff and student leaders officially welcomed the class of 2027 to the Elon community at the 2023-24 New Student Convocation located Under the Oaks on Saturday, Aug. 19. Student Body President Britt Mobley welcomed the new students and committed to supporting them, cheering them on, and lifting them up throughout his term. University President Connie Book also said she is looking forward to watching incoming students grow into their strengths. After experiencing Convocation, families of the class of 2027 said they were excited for the opportunities available to their children. 

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NEWS 8/18/23 1:26pm

Elon University welcomes class of 2027 to Global Neighborhood

By Fiona McAllister

Rounding out Move-In Day 2023, Global Neighborhood's orientation leaders and peer educators brought excitement to the incoming freshmen making campus their home on Aug. 18. Elon 1010 peer educator and sophomore Avery Underwood said she made sure to greet new students with a friendly wave as they arrived at Global's basketball courts, eager to unpack and get settled in. “I get to see all the new faces and see that they're excited,” Underwood said. “Some are a little nervous, but being able to just say ‘welcome,’ I hope it can take a little bit of the stress off of move-in day.”

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NEWS 8/18/23 1:08pm

Colonnades and Danieley neighborhoods welcome Elon University freshmen in the heat

By Alex Nettles

With about 41% of Colonnades occupants being freshmen, Colonnades and Danieley neighborhoods welcomed a smaller batch of Elon University incoming freshmen on Aug. 18. In the 85-degree heat and nearly 50% humidity, members of the class of 2027 transitioned into their residence halls and reflected on their personal goals for their first academic year at Elon. “It is a new experience with new people. I am looking forward to that,” freshman Wrigley Koch said.

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NEWS 8/18/23 12:40pm

Elon University freshmen looking forward to community, new experiences in Historic neighborhood

By Madison Powers

The class of 2027 portray a recurring feeling of looking forward to the sense of community and new experiences that Historic neighborhood has to offer. Historic neighborhood in particular has undergone recent renovations and 86% of its occupants are freshmen. Kenley Bidwell, a junior and resident assistant who has lived in Hook, Barney and Brannock her entire time at Elon, said  Historic residence halls are more community-based than other buildings on campus.

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NEWS 8/18/23 12:25pm

Elon University freshmen move into East Neighborhood amid expansion

By Sarah T. Moore

East neighborhood, Elon's newest residential housing space, hosted a flurry of emotions as incoming freshmen met their roommates and residence assistants — many for the first time — on Move-In Day 2023, Aug. 18. Freshman Neve McGowan traveled to East from Raleigh and is the oldest of three siblings. "“t’s surreal. It's weird, being the oldest and not knowing how my siblings are feeling and not being with them anymore,” McGowan said. “But I'm excited to start a new chapter.”

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NEWS 8/18/23 11:33am

Elon University staff greet incoming freshmen, parents at Schar Center

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University staff were up before 8 a.m. to greet the class of 2027 as they began checking into their residence halls at Schar Center on Aug. 18. University President Connie Book was present, along with assistant director of regional alumni engagement Katie Kuczkowski ’17. Kuczkowski said she arrived on Elon's campus as a freshman in 2013, and Move-In Day was her favorite event of the year. "To be a part of the start of their Elon experience is just so special and it is not something I take for granted," Kuczkowksi said. 

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NEWS 8/18/23 6:59am

Elon University welcomes class of 2027 to community

By Elon News Network

Elon University officially welcomes the class of 2027 to its campus on Friday, Aug. 18, amid one of the hottest summers on record — according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The class of 2027 joins the community with 20% identifying as either African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaska Native or multiracial. In addition, 10% identify as first-generation students, 12% as members of the LGBTQIA community and 7% as international students. Compared to the class of 2026, this is a 1% increase across each group. 

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NEWS 8/17/23 1:14pm

North Carolina General Assembly overrides Gov. Cooper’s veto of bills directed toward LGBTQ+ communities

By Sarah T. Moore

The North Carolina General Assembly voted Aug. 16 to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes of HB574, HB808 and SB49, which restrict transgender education, healthcare and participation in sports. Republican lawmakers hold supermajorities in both the state House and state Senate, giving them the ability to override vetoes made by Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper. Republican State Sen. Amy Galey, who represents Alamance and Randolph Counties in District 25, voted in favor of all three bills. Galey was also a cosponsor of Senate Bill 49.

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NEWS 8/15/23 4:08pm

Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Elon, Burlington

By Sarah T. Moore and Ryan Kupperman

Elon Alert sent out a severe thunderstorm warning on Aug. 15. The warning advised community members to seek shelter and monitor local weather. According to the National Weather Service, the storm could produce up to 80 MPH wind gusts and ping pong ball sized hail. The severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m Tuesday night. Despite this, NOAA predicts clear skies by Wednesday and continuing through Sunday — in time for Elon University's move-in weekend which officially begins Friday, Aug. 18. 

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NEWS 8/14/23 7:35pm

Elon University President Connie Book stresses importance of mentorship, relationships

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University President Connie Book stressed the importance of mentorship and relationships at the 2023-24 President's Address in Alumni Gym Aug. 14. At the address, co-chairs of the Mentoring Initiatives Design Team Buffie Longmire-Avital and Emily Krechel also announced six pilot programs, which will include developing awareness on how to recognize meaningful relationships, integrating meaningful relationship learning outcomes and supporting retention efforts by connecting incoming students with a peer who is trained as a student success coach.

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NEWS 8/14/23 7:15pm

Exclusive interview with Elon University president

By Naomi Washington and Ryan Kupperman

Elon News Network sat down with Elon University President Connie Book for an exclusive interview before the start of the 2023-24 academic year. Book discussed plans for campus-wide expansion, as well as impacts on the admission process after The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action earlier this summer. Book also said Elon's continued expansion is grounds for the trend of tuition increases over the last few years, and will likely continue into the following school year.

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NEWS 8/8/23 1:42pm

ABSS assistant principal arrested for alleged sexual misconduct

By Madison Powers

James Tyler Kelly, assistant principal at Southern Alamance Middle School, has been arrested for alleged misconduct with a student. He was charged with one count of felony sex act with a student and his bond is set at $50,000. This is the Alamance-Burlington School System's second alleged inappropriate conduct incident between within four months. In May, Ivan Danilo Ardila-Perez, former Southern Alamance Middle School Spanish teacher and soccer coach, was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a student and two counts of indecent liberties with a child. 

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