Wednesday night, Irazu Coffee opened its doors to students for the semesterly fireside chat. The event, organized by Elon’s Student Government Association, allows students to ask questions about campus happenings and Elon affairs face-to-face with President Connie Book and Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley.
“I think the beauty of the event is its simplicity,” said Anya Bratić, SGA’s executive president. “It's the ability to raise a hand and ask a question and Dr. Book is right there to answer it.”
The meeting was filled with raised hands as a microphone was passed from student to student. Book and Dooley covered a variety of topics, including the recent awarding of five stars to Elon’s child care center, Acorn Academy; funding for the Elon Academy’s Periclean Scholars Program and plans to update and renovate residence halls.
One topic front and center for many students was an update on the construction of the new HealthEU building. Book assured students the building will open in the fall of next year, although a specific date has not yet been determined. Answering students' questions, she said the new facility will include an indoor track, a swimming pool and the addition of a highly requested rock-climbing wall for students' recreational use. Book said construction of the new building was the “most significant” project Elon has undertaken in terms of size and complexity.
Another topic heavily discussed throughout the fireside chat was the Elon-Queens merger, with several students asking about details and expectations for students from both universities moving forward.
“We are walking into the merger, not running,” said Book.
Students gather at Irazu Coffee during the SGA fireside chat event Feb. 11.
Book shared that she hopes the merger will eventually create opportunities for more Elon students to spend time in Charlotte during their four years and provide additional chances for students to complete internships during the school year that would otherwise be difficult. Vice President of University Advancement James Piatt was also in attendance and explained his work with the SOAR strategic planning committee, where he collaborates with leaders at Queens University to navigate how the two institutions will function moving forward.
Dooley and Book also spoke about plans to create more opportunities for students from both universities to come together, noting that a group of Queens University students will attend the Ripple Conference hosted at Elon this weekend.
One student asked how the university plans to engage students with artificial intelligence. In response, Book pointed to the AI certification the university released for alumni in January, as well as efforts across the Elon curriculum to “embed AI in all courses.” She also said the university plans to create an AI sandbox where students can experiment and learn with AI tools.
Book described the sandbox as “a makershub for AI,” and said it may be located either in the Steers Pavilion—currently home to the Internet Center and a media analytics lab—or in the long building, which houses classrooms, a state-of-the-art computer studio, and six editing suites. Dooley added that the university also wants to focus on the ethical implications of AI. “People often ask me what AI can not do,” said Book. “Build trust. AI cannot build trust.”
Both Dooley and Book said they hope to continue promoting AI as a tool that will aid students in their future careers.
Chris Guider, a Class of 2029 senator for Elon’s SGA, said he was surprised the topic of the new first-year parking lot did not come up.
“I know most freshmen would probably say that was the most important issue on a lot of our minds,” Guider said. “People obviously want to figure out what the deal is with that. Is there better transportation getting out there or is there like an alternative place of where to park?”
Bratić said the issue is on SGA’s radar and that parking was discussed during a meeting last week. She encouraged students who were unable to attend the fireside chat to come to the SGA office hours or reach out to their senator if they have questions or concerns.
Bratić said one of SGA’s priorities this past year was encouraging students beyond SGA membership to attend these events. Along with the executive board, Bratić said senators have been encouraged to bring friends to increase attendance.
“This is what's so encouraging to like, see a senator that I know walk into the room with three people that I don't know,” Bratić said.
Freshman Hunter Klinger-Cooley said he attended the fireside chat to stay informed.
“We're paying, you know, a lot of money here, and it's great to see where our money is going, what the school has planned for us in the future,” Klinger-Cooley said.
According to Book, that sentiment reflects the purpose of the meetings, to stay engaged and informed within the Elon community.
“Selfishly, I like it because it gives me a chance to have one-on-one conversations as well as hear what's on their mind and just have a conversation about it without a lot of fanfare, you know, just to talk,” Book said in an interview with ENN after the event.