The Edge

Clothing drive swaps excess for consciousness of social issues

They built their project on a simple fact. Elon students don't use nearly as much as they have. “We have these huge closets and we feel the need to fill them up to the brim, but we wear about 30 items,” said sophomore Meaghan Fabrycki, one of the coordinators of Elon University’s service learning core. This realization inspired the members of the service learning core, which constitutes the former residents of the service learning community, and residents of the service learning community to transform Oaks 212 into a thrift store Sunday, March 4. Thrift stores attract the members of the service learning community because consumers are able to buy used clothing rather than support production where unethical labor practices could have been used, Fabrycki said. Those in the service learning community included Elon students in their promotion of socially conscious consumer behavior. Elon students were able to bring their clothes and accessories to the room and exchange them for another item.

Elon Poll indicates job approval for Obama slowly climbing in state

The most recent Elon University Poll surveyed 605 North Carolinians regarding their views on the presidency of President Barack Obama.

Sparking discussion as a journalist

This week was hectic but fulfilling. Profiling Darien Flowers allowed me, and our readers, to get to know the new top dog in the SGA as more than just a student politician.

Getting it right the first time

Sometimes it’s difficult to think on your toes, but it’s much more difficult to come back from not thinking on your toes.

Twittercide: How 140 characters can ruin your life

[quote]The digital age has rendered nobody anonymous. But the simple fact of the matter is some are less anonymous than others.[/quote] It’s no secret: We live in a digital age. Walk anywhere on campus and try spotting even a handful of students not connected to their iPhone or some other piece of newfangled technology.

Faculty find outreach resources grounded within university

It started with lunch and a simple conversation. April Post, senior lecturer in Spanish, attributes the Brown Bag Lunch Session to the genesis of the Amigos Club, a program that partners Elon students with Spanish speaking students at Broadview Middle School.

SGA executive president-elect examines passions in, out of office

In short, he’s a voice. When he speaks, people typically listen. And he doesn’t just speak for himself. Darien Flowers, Student Government Association executive president-elect, said he has known since childhood that words have power.

Communication, teaching tools part of Moodle’s package

A dependency on the Internet transcends generations on Elon’s campus. The transition to Moodle, a learning management system, provides faculty with a new set of online learning tools to utilize in their courses. Starting in June, Blackboard will be a platform of the past, and the university will completely switch to Moodle. “Moodle has allowed us to introduce faculty to the full capability of our instructional technologies to let them think about what they want to do in their course and then how to do that,” said Roger Gant, an academic support specialist. The moving process has taken about two years, according to Gant.

Paging Mac Miller...

When I say Mac Miller has got me jumping through hoops, I don’t mean literally (although that would be hilarious). I mean that, much to my poor editor Rebecca’s chagrin, I have been tugging and pulling at strings for the past month or so trying to secure an interview with Mac, who is one of the artists performing at Elon’s Spring Show 2012. Now let me say this: the lack of contact thus far is not one particular person’s fault.

Guest speaker condemns economic policies prevalent throughout Europe

David Blanchflower, professor of economics at Dartmouth College, explored the issue of economic austerity, a policy reducing government spending, in Europe, and presented alterior methods to address deficit. He criticized the current economic policies prevalent in Europe in which reduced government spending is often used to pay off national debts and in turn, reduce the deficit, but generally leads to an increase in tax rates or a decrease in the supply of public services. The event was co-sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Religious diversity remains a subject of student debate

Elon University was founded by the modern-day United Church of Christ in 1889. In the 1930s, our mascot was coined as the Fighting Christian.

Fresh, local food common to Costa Rican natives

In the United States, food is equivalent to social time, cultural events and celebrations. In order to eat fresh, healthy foods in the United States, it costs significantly more.

Little-known metal band rocks campus, gains following

Senior Jack Ruley, vocalist for Elon’s only metal band, Wake Leviathan, is working with his band members to bring the group into the spotlight. The band, which played its first show in a local garage last week — dubbed “The Crowbar” — said it recognizes the novelty of performing on campus. “This is all very new territory,” Ruley said. The band only prepared for three weeks before hitting the stage Friday. Wake Leviathan’s music spans different genres, from fast-paced black metal to ominous doom metal.

Biscuitville attracts students hungry for business challenge

The combination of a $5,000 prize and a create-your-own menu item at Biscuitville calls to students' imaginations.

Elon applicants, current students aim to impress during Fellows Weekend

The applicants aren't the only ones competing Fellows Weekend. While Fellows Weekend provides Elon faculty with the opportunity to assess perspective students, the weekend also enables the faculty and current students to impress fellows applicants. This year’s annual Fellows Weekend hosted the largest number of potential fellows students in the university’s history.

Awareness of higher learning starts early

College seems like a distant future for the North Graham Elementary School fifth graders, but Elon Academy Ambassadors recently introduced them to the possibility of continued learning. “Is college something you have to do?” asked John Pickett, assistant director of Elon Academy and director of the ambassadors program. “No,” students said. “What is college?” Pickett said.

Students experience others’ struggles with poverty simulation

At Elon University, to experience is to learn — and studying the issue of poverty is no exception.

Bringing the farm home: Agricultural campaign produces local partnership

Local farmers have a hand in Dining Services. Elon University adopted the 10 Percent Campaign, a state-wide initiative establishes trade agreements between local farmers and businesses. Businesses involved in the program pledge to purchase a minimum of 10 percent of all food locally, which largely determines from where and from whom the university purchases produce. Fresh produce is an important aspect of Elon Dining Service’s involvement in the 10 Percent movement, according to Kate Nelson, marketing manager for Elon Dining Services. “You not only get a closer relationship with those growing your food, but you get to know about how that food is produced and the values that the farmer lives by,” said Michelle Ferrier, associate professor of communications and the creator of locallygrownnews.com, a site devoted to sharing and promoting local food experiences. The relationships between local farmers and the university produce environmental benefits as well, according to Ferrier.

New director’s reporting experience advances Elon Poll communication

Elon Poll projects people’s voice into public light

Elon students reach into the community and out to the public with the Elon Poll. The increased use of social media and partnership with North Carolina media organizations contributed to the political dialogue that characterizes the Elon Poll. The Elon Poll, held from Feb.