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(03/12/15 6:30pm)
Elon University Planning, Design and Construction Management has recently completed the construction of a new volleyball court in between the Global Neighborhood and the Loy Center.
Originally intended to just be a continuation of the parking lot, Student Residential Life thought that volleyball and basketball courts would be of better use to the students living in both the Global Neighborhood and in Loy Center.
According to Brad Moore, architect and director of Planning, Design and Construction Management, the project only had a couple snags that caused delays.
Because Elon selected two different contractors for construction on the Global Neighborhood itself and for the court project, construction on the volleyball and basketball courts had to be delayed until construction on the Global Neighborhood had been completed.
Additionally, the recent snow storms that have hit Elon caused a few delays in the original plans.
“So they have been working on it through the fall and the weather has put a little stress on it,” said Moore. “They started in September and October and they’ve worked since then.”
Elon students are excited about the new addition. However, most are just waiting until the weather is warm again to be able to use it.
“It’ll definitely be fun when it’s warm and we can tan outside and just hang out when it’s sunny,” said freshman Global Neighborhood resident Lizzie Griffin.
The new courts will certainly be a welcome addition when the weather is warm and students want to spend more time outside.
Looking forward, Moore says his team’s main focus is on the current construction in Danieley, as well as some construction in Arts West.
“We’re working on two projects over at Danieley Center;” said Moore. “A new recreation building in addition to work on Danieley Commons, along with the additions to Arts West.”
The new additions to the Violet Hoffman Daniel Commons Building will include neighborhood offices, a demonstration kitchen, an outdoor patio, a larger common room and an Einstein Bros. Bagels.
Moore and the rest of the construction management team are also working on a recreation center that will hold a fitness center, staff offices and a new recreation space.
These are welcome additions for the current freshmen who are set to live in Danieley next year.
“A lot of sophomores have to live in Danieley now, so it’s really nice that there’ll be more options close to them,” said Griffin. “I’ve heard the walk from Danieley is pretty bad, so if I end up living there I’ll definitely be happy to have a gym and more food options close by.”
While University Planning, Design and Construction Management get to work on these future projects, students are just getting ready to put the new volleyball and basketball courts to good use.
(02/21/15 10:22pm)
Valentine’s Day this year brought a variety of celebrations to Elon University —one of them being a performance of “The Vagina Monologues.” Written by playwright Eve Ensler and first performed in 1996, the play was created through Ensler’s interviews episodic play with more than 200 different women.
The women ranged from 6 to 72 and were interviewed about their views on relationships, sex and violence against women. Raising awareness for violence against women was one of the main focuses of the play for Ensler.
The play has carried that focus into 2015. The proceeds of Elon’s performance went to Crossroads Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center. According to its website, Crossroads serves “child and adult victims of sexual abuse through confidential counseling, advocacy, child medical treatment, education, and community awareness.”
While the play features some serious monologues highlighting sexual violence — including those about rape and child molestation —the humorous bits stole the show, especially the performance titled “The Angry Vagina.”
The monologue, highlighting the many ways people find to change and “torture” women’s vaginas, inspired shouts and applause from the audience in agreement.
“When something is hidden, it goes along with being guilty,” said Sharon Eisner, professor of gender studies and communications. “When something is spoken of, we’re able to take a sense of empowerment, and women should not feel that they have to hide who they are, a very basic part of who they are. We shouldn’t feel like [a vagina] can’t be spoken of, like it’s a dirty word.”
Acknowledgement is a huge part of “The Vagina Monologues.” While introducing the monologues, the narrators, senior Brianna Duff, freshman Zaria Zinn and sophomore Sarah Wright, explained that when the original interviews were conducted, women were reluctant at first to discuss the questions. But as the interview proceeded, they found it hard to stop talking.
The interviewees were reluctant because they had never been asked about it before. As Eisner said, “The Vagina Monologues” hopes to increase the conversation and acceptance of discussion about vaginas and women themselves.
“We need to acknowledge our bodies,” said the narrators at the end of the play. “Our vaginas.”
The monologues included quite a few perspectives, including a 6-year-old, a Bosnian rape survivor, a vagina workshop participant, a 72-year-old who had never seen her own vagina and a woman who was just happy to have found a guy who “liked to look at it.”
Male involvement in “The Vagina Monologues” is important. The first monologue in the show, titled “Hair,” is about how women feel the need to change their own bodies to fit the expectations of men.
“We live in a culture where women routinely perform surgery to be more attractive,” Eisner said. “Many people prioritize the experience of being looked at over experience in their own bodies. It’s hard for men to get these issues unless they hear true stories. One or two will really make a difference in their world view.”
“The Vagina Monologues” strives to push these issues to the front of people’s minds. Audience members walk away with a different view of the female body — a view that emphasizes loving your body for what it is.
“I think it’s a great way to spend your Valentine’s Day,” said sophomore acting major Emily Collins, who performed in the play last year. “The show contains material that is funny, sentimental and powerful.”
Collins also believes that “The Vagina Monologues” addresses issues that are especially prevalent on college campuses.
“The pressures and issues of assigned gender roles and insecurities about physical appearance are present at most, if not all, college campuses,” she said. “So, on the day to celebrate love, [“The Vagina Monologues”] reminds us to love each other for who we are. The show encourages women to embrace all that makes them unique and beautiful.”
Eisner also believes it is important for men to see women and vaginas in a different way than they see them in pornography.
“I really, really feel strongly that a lot of our culture experiences vagina as a part of porn rather than as a life experience,” she said. “I am of the opinion that it would be good if men would watch [the show].”
In a society where porn is readily available at all times on the internet, the need for plays like “The Vagina Monologues” has become more significant. Gender professionals think both men and women need to have a more respectful and realistic view of the female body.
When the play was first performed almost two decades ago, people were skeptical because of the discussion of controversial subjects. As society rapidly continues to change, some critics accuse “The Vagina Monologues” of not being inclusive enough.
Though the play seeks to achieve such basic goals, it has received acclaimation for its exclusivity and honest approach to such harsh topics.
The play was canceled this year at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts for excluding the experiences of transgender women who don’t actually have vaginas.
Elsewhere, it was well received at Elon. Audience members laughed throughout the performance at appropriate moments and fell silent at moments when tough issues were addressed.
Senior and narrator Brianna Duff attributes her decision to the uniqueness of the opportunity and how it addressed issues that affect her personally.
“I wanted to challenge myself to be a part of something that pushed me outside my comfort zone and in how I spoke about women’s issues,” Duff said.
The acknowledgement of these issues is something Duff thinks “The Vagina Monologues” approaches in a unique way.
“‘The Vagina Monologues’ is an unapologetic examination of a number of things burdening women all over the world,” she said. “I think ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is an amazing way to bring awareness to these issues without feeling too technical or too removed from those who are affected.”
(02/05/15 12:00am)
Tony’s Pub-N-Subs, better known as Tony’s to Elon University students, has drawn attention in the weeks since opening. The new bar, featuring sandwiches and pool tables, has seen some success so far.
According to Tony Caruso, co-owner of the bar, the support from Elon students has been “almost overwhelming.”
The latest addition to Elon provides a new source of competition for current hot spots West End Terrace and Fat Frogg Bar and Grill.
Caruso, who co-owns the bar with his wife, Rita, knows there will be some competition but insists Tony’s is striving to offer something a little different.
“I want to try to be a little different [by offering reasonable prices],” Caruso said. “I want to stand out from both Fat Frogg and West End.”
After opening, it has become clear that Caruso and the rest of the Tony’s staff has worked towards that goal. With unique specials and deals, the bar has been able to attract students looking for cheaper options to eat, hang out and drink.
On opening night, Tony’s brought in crowds with a special of $5 for all sandwiches, top shelf drinks and mixed drinks. Other deals included half off all wine and a pitcher of Bud Light for $6.50. The grand opening also offered giveaways and door prizes.
Even bigger crowds showed up for $1 tequila shots, a Tuesday special
It’s these deals that have the owners hopeful students will continue to make the trek to Tony’s. The bar is located near Dominos Pizza at 415 W Haggard Ave. somewhat out of the way for most students, especially those who live on campus.
“If they continue to offer the same deals, then it will definitely attract students and make them want to go there instead of West End, even though it’s closer to campus,” said junior Katie Armstrong, who visited the bar opening week.
Caruso previously owned Sandy’s Steaks & Subs, a late-night favorite for Elon students until it closed in 2013 because declining business. A year and a half after the closing of Sandy’s, Caruso knew there was a gap that needed to be filled.
“Sandy’s was a real popular place to eat or to come have a few drinks in the afternoons,” said Caruso. “It had been closed for a while, and just being in Elon and talking to other people, they were looking for a place.”
The bar is getting attention not only for its great deals and specials but also for its unique, relaxing atmosphere. Tony’s offers a bar and dance floor along with pool tables, seating and lots of open space.
“It’s pretty original in terms of what it offers to students,” said sophomore Holly Carlton, who also attended the bar opening week. “The bar itself actually has seats, which makes it more of a bar and gives it a friendlier, more social vibe.”
As the weather gets warmer and students want to spend more time outdoors, Caruso hopes the support and excitement from the Elon community remains strong.
“Elon has come out and treated us well,” said Caruso. “And I hope they think we treated them well."
(01/26/15 5:43am)
During a lecture in Whitley Auditorium Wednesday, Mei-Ling Hopgood shared how her cultural roots and immersions, which have taken her from Asia to Detroit to Argentina, have shaped her perspective and personality.