Features

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NEWS 9/2/23 6:48pm

ABSS delays school year again; new start scheduled for Sept. 11

By Sophie Rosenthal

The Alamance Burlington School System has delayed the first day of school a second time after finding mold in more than half of the system’s 38 schools, according to a press release Sept. 2. Schools are now scheduled to open on Monday, Sept. 11. The first day of the school year was originally planned for Aug. 28, but after mold was found in Andrews Elementary in July, ABSS began testing all 38 of its schools. Now, all schools have been tested and 26 are currently being cleaned.

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NEWS 9/2/23 11:22am

Elon University welcomes 4 new majors, minors

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University introduced four new majors and minors at the start of the 2023-24 academic year, which include a mechanical engineering concentration and a financial technology major, as well as expressive arts and health communications minors. According to designer of the mechanical engineering concentration and professor of engineering Jonathan Su, mechanical engineering is in high demand as one of the broadest and oldest engineering sectors. Similarly, professor of strategic communications Julie Lellis said the health communications minor can be applied to a variety of professions as an interdisciplinary avenue, including government, healthcare and community settings.

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NEWS 9/1/23 11:35am

Elon University prepares for annual sand mandala ceremony

By Jenna Rudolph

Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Sangpo is scheduled to arrive at Elon University on Sept. 6 for the ninth year to construct a sand mandala — an intricate piece of art created with marble dust and sand used to symbolize several Buddhist philosophies, such as impermanence and the deconstruction of ego. Sangpo, a member of the Kadampa Center for the Practice of Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelugpa Tradition in Raleigh, has visited Elon each year since 2013 — with the exception of 2020 — to create a Green Tara Sand Mandala.

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NEWS 9/1/23 10:14am

Elon University approves Glean for 2023-24 academic year

By Michael Leung

After a pilot program last year, Elon University has approved Glean, a browser-based note taking application, as an additional accommodation resource for the 2023-24 academic year. Students with approved note taking accommodations through Disabilities Resources will have access to Glean, which records the audio of the professor’s lecture and maintains notes in a centralized area for more efficient studying. According to Associate Provost of Academic Affairs Jennifer Platania, students with note taking accommodations were reliant on peer notetakers before Glean was introduced to Elon. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/1/23 8:51am

Elon University students, professors value syllabus despite Moodle, courseware sites

By Betsy Schlehuber

Students have historically relied on syllabuses for assignments, readings, due dates and more. But with the introduction of coursework technology such as Moodle, where students can check assignments and due dates virtually, School of Law professor Sara Ochs said she mostly relies on trusting her students to read the syllabus.  Since she started teaching six years ago, Ochs said she has observed that college syllabuses have gotten longer and more complicated — tempting students to skim or skip reading vital information.

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SPORTS 9/1/23 12:21am

Elon University football falls in season opener

By Mason Willett

Elon University football officially started its 2023-24 season Aug. 31 at Wake Forest, ultimately losing 37-17. After a slow start with senior Matthew Downing as quarterback, coaching staff made the change to red-shirt senior Justin Allen. The first half ended with the Phoenix down 24-0, but Allen said thanks to locker room pep talks, the team outscored Wake Forest in the second half 17-13. One of the big scores in the second half was a pick-six by redshirt sophomore Caleb Curtain taking the ball 49-yards for the touchdown.

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NEWS 8/31/23 4:47pm

UNC Chapel Hill holds vigil for professor as classes resume

By Joseph Navin

University of North Carolina faculty member Zijie Yan was shot and killed Aug. 28. Gun shots were reported in Caudill Labs at roughly 1 p.m. on Monday. Tailei Qi, a 34-year-old UNC graduate student, is the primary suspect and is in custody on charges for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on education property. The university held a vigil for Yan inside the Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center and estimated 5,000 in-person attendees, along with 10,000 viewers on its livestream. UNC canceled classes Aug. 29 and Aug. 30, but resumed them Aug. 31.

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SPORTS 8/31/23 10:03am

Elon University Football prepares for season starting

By Mason Willett

Elon's football team is set to travel to Wake Forest Aug. 31 to begin the 2023-24 season against the Demon Deacons. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as the team looks to start its push for the playoffs once again by facing a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Head coach Tony Trisciani said he is hopeful that new additions to the team coupled with last season's accomplishments will lead to greater success this year. Senior quarterback Matthew Downing and redshirt sophomore Dylan Tucker also said they are setting their sights high.

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NEWS 8/30/23 12:02pm

North Carolina declares state of emergency as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall

By Joseph Navin

North Carolina declared a state of emergency due to expected hazards from Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida the morning of Aug. 30. Idalia is projected to weaken to a Tropical Storm and hug the southeast coast of Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday. The National Weather Service in Raleigh reports that North Carolina's worst of  effects will take place on the southeast coast, east of I-95. NWS Raleigh also issued flood watches in both Orange and Chatham counties, which border Alamance county, for Aug. 30.

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NEWS 8/30/23 8:45am

UNC Chapel Hill students share experiences in lockdown

By Abigail Hobbs

Two University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill seniors describe their experiences in lockdown and hearing rumors, news and university communications differ. “That was the most nerve-wracking part,” Ava Dobson said. “It was pretty scary — just the initial hour — because there was so little was known about what exactly was going on.” Elon University Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley advises students in an email to update their contact information and review safety protocols.

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SPORTS 8/29/23 9:15am

Elon University track and field athlete enters motorway with NASCAR internship

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Elon University senior track and field athlete Lauryn Carlton partnered with NASCAR this summer for her marketing internship. According to Carlton, she didn’t want to make her passion for sports feel like a job, but searched for something during the summer in the industry. In the internship, Carlton said she helped manage the relationship between NASCAR and its official partners. She also said her most memorable assignment was putting together an information packet for the Chicago Street Race — the first street race in NASCAR history.

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NEWS 8/28/23 2:30pm

Faculty member killed in shooting at UNC Chapel Hill

By Abigail Hobbs

A faculty member has been killed in a shooting at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on Aug. 28. Tailei Qi is in custody on charges for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on education property. Classes and non-mandatory operations on campus are canceled for Aug. 29. The weapon and the motive have not been identified by police. 

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LIFESTYLE 8/28/23 8:22am

Elon University alum shares accomplishments, journey as a professional musician, producer

By Betsy Schlehuber

Elon University alum Matthew Clanton ‘18 shared with Elon News Network his accomplishments and journey as a professional musician and producer in Los Angeles. Clanton is Elon a cappella group Rip_Chord's former music director and vice president. He said he attributes his skills and his role as a freelance, self-employed musician to his time and experience in Rip_Chord. In 2021, Clanton collaborated with German EDM artist Neptunica, which blew up and is now sitting at roguhly 39 million streams. The two collaborated again in 2022 on a song that now sits at around 11 million streams.

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SPORTS 8/27/23 11:34am

Elon University’s women’s soccer duo fosters strong relationship on, off the field

By Mason Willett

Sophomores Ashlee Brehio and Rachel Buckle said they have a connection that allows them to know where the other is at all times. The soccer duo's bond started last year as freshmen entering Elon University's women's soccer program and has only gotten stronger thanks to the long road trips on the bus and team dinners spent together. Both Buckle and Brehio said they never let anything get in the way of their friendship, especially if it means jeopardizing the game. 

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NEWS 8/26/23 9:12am

Elon University Station at Mill Point residents frustrated at parking permit prices

By Naomi Washington and Sophie Rosenthal

For the first time, Elon University students living in the Station at Mill Point have to pay for a parking permit — which already began for the 2023-24 academic year. Previously, students were not required to pay anything. Now, Mill Point parking permits cost $160, and students will be permitted to park in Colonnades, Innovation Quad and Schar Center Hunt B lots in addition to their own. According to program assistant Marcia Dodson, campus police began ticketing cars without parking passes on Aug. 22 and ticket fines have increased from $50 to $100. 

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LIFESTYLE 8/25/23 9:16am

Elon University counselors, students advise freshmen on transitioning to college

By Sarah T. Moore

Itumeleng Shadreck, counselor and outreach coordinator for Elon’s Counseling Services, gave advice to new students as the incoming class adjusts to college for the first time. According to Shadreck, newcomers should take time for themselves and students struggling academically, socially or emotionally should give themselves grace — especially since, for many, college is their first time living away from home. Shadreck also said new living arrangements, classes and classmates make adapting to college a difficult task.

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SPORTS 8/24/23 12:46pm

Elon University men’s basketball release 2023-24 non-conference schedule

By Mason Willett

Elon University's men’s basketball team released their 2023-24 non-conference schedule Aug. 23. Head Coach Billy Taylor said that the team has already started preparing for what looks to be a competitive schedule. This is Taylor’s second season and the team's first home exhibition will be on Oct. 31 against William Peace. The full 2023-24 Coastal Athletic Association schedule will be released at a later date, including game times for the non-conference games.

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LIFESTYLE 8/24/23 7:41am

Elon University art exhibit showcases consumer culture with “The Forgotten”

By Abigail Hobbs

Todd Jones developed an interest in consumer culture and materialism while experimenting with nylon and paint skins in graduate school at Ohio University during the COVID-19 pandemic. The collection of carved, discarded paint named “The Forgotten,” of which Jones has created over the last two years, is now on display in Arts West from Aug. 22 to Oct. 19 and breaks off from his traditional paintings. Jones said he noticed an influx of mistinted house paint in 2020, when people were stuck at home doing renovations.

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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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