SGA passed two new resolutions in an effort to demonstrate support of the victims of the two recent natural disasters. It is customary and normally appropriate for a legislative body to pass a resolution following a tragedy in order to demonstrate sympathy for the victims, according to Darien Flowers, junior class senate member. SGA voted 29-0-1 to pass S.R.
An Elon senior filed suit against Elon University and N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper for withholding Campus Safety and Police records concerning the arrest of a student last year. Nick Ochsner, a reporter for Phoenix14 News, Elon's student television news program, filed the lawsuit April 13, 2011. "I filed the lawsuit because I believe that the documents I am seeking are public records," Ochsner said. Ochsner said he was trying to obtain an arrest narrative, a document that describes the events surrounding an arrest. "(Campus Safety and Police's) practices subvert state law and I believe that the state public records law intends for the information that I am seeking to be public," he said. This is not the first time records have been withheld, he said, and about half of the police departments across the state do not release the records. Dan Anderson, director of University Relations, released a statement concerning the pending litigation. It states: Elon University is surprised that this case moved to litigation despite the best efforts by the university and its attorneys over the past year to respond to this student's request for records concerning the arrest of another student.
Elon’s license with Blackboard expires October 2012 and the Teaching and Learning Technologies department is evaluating other options. According to Chris Fulkerson, assistant vice president of technology, although the license expires in October, the university would switch over to another program during the summer of 2012 in order to cause less stress and confusion during the following semester. The university is very interested in Moodle, a learning management system very similar to Blackboard, but it does have some differences. Moodle is a free web application and open source learning management system software, while Blackboard is a proprietary form of software partially owned by Microsoft. Unlike Blackboard, Moodle would not require the university to pay for the software since it is an open source learning management system software.
This past weekend, a tornado from a deadly storm touched down in the Town of Elon. Although there was no serious damage and no injuries at Elon University, other tornadoes from the storm flattened certain areas of North Carolina, killing some and leaving others homeless.
In the interest of student accountability, the entire student body, not only SGA, should be aware of the Elon Student Government Association constitution and bylaws.
Rumor had it that Elon University's Spring Convocation was a sold-out event. However, attendees who sat in Alumni Gym on the afternoon of April 7 noticed hundreds of empty seats surrounding them. What was the reason responsible for contradicting the event's sold-out status with its actual attendance that left approximately 300 seats empty? A large number of unexpected no-shows, according to Jeff Clark, executive director of cultural and special programs. To find out more about the attendance issues of Convocation, the students who were placed on waiting lists and the policies that the cultural and special programs department is going to enforce from this point forward in order to avoid similar situations, check out this week's issue of the Pendulum, out on April 20. -Sam Parker, senior reporter
The body is a temple, as the old saying goes, but in college some people stray from this mindset and, voluntarily or involuntarily fall into unhealthy eating habits and exercise patterns and experience high stress because of school work and outside activities, internships and jobs. This blog from Elon University's student-run newspaper The Pendulum, will keep you in the loop on all things wellness for the body, mind and spirit.
Friday night was an intense one on Capitol Hill as Republicans and Democrats fought over the budget.
A few weeks ago, one of our news editors Kassondra Cloos, wrote a column about a proposal before the Texas legislature to allow guns on college campuses. Well yesterday, the Arizona House of Representatives voted on a similar bill, allowing guns to be carried on any state university or community college campus.
North Carolina lawmakers are debating over the possibility of passing a ban that would make talking on cell phones while driving illegal unless an individual is using a hands-free device, such as a voice-activated phone or a Bluetooth. If passed, the ban would override North Carolina’s current cell phone driving law that allows individuals over the age of 18 to use handheld devices when driving a vehicle, according to a wcnc.com article.
Dr. Mould presented ideas concerning the new general studies program at the SGA meeting Thursday. The GST program has not changed in 15 years, and the review process began two years ago.
Friday was an interesting day in the tech world. Did you hear about all the new inventions that premiered?
There is something special about Elon all the time. Special good, special bad, call it what you want, but it's undeniable each day has something unique about it. Now, there's no doubt that Elon in the warm glow of an early spring day is something to marvel at.
Ginette Archinal never wanted to work in the American health care system. But after marrying an American, Archinal entered the system she had long characterized as unjust. "I have fundamental problems with a nation that denies basic health care to people," she said.
Want to stay informed about everything related to Elon and the community? Don’t forget to check The Pendulum daily for constantly updated news and coverage of campus that matters to YOU. Here’s what you can expect from us this week! Tuesday, March 29: Check out coverage of the media and politics conference as well as speaker Jessica Dallow's presentation. Wednesday, March 30: Look for a story about changes in the funding of Elonthon this year. Thursday, March 31: Check out stories about three speakers on campus: Jacob Hacker, Golan Levin & Mike Berenstain. Friday, April 1: Look for a profile about Crista Arangala, associate professor of mathematics. Saturday, April 2: Check out coverage of the Diversity Coverage and a presentation from essayist Time Wise.
Because of the Easter holiday, tax returns are due April 18 this year instead of the traditional April 15.
Wednesday means a fresh copy of The Pendulum is at newsstands all over campus and online at Issuu.com. This week's front page story is about the controversy surrounding the recent tenure appointments (or lack thereof). Loyal followers will note that last week, the Opinions section published a submitted cartoon on the topic and the week before, we ran a letter to the editor about it.
How many times have you interrupted class to talk about a relevant current event that literally had happened in the past two minutes?
Currently providing only 52 students with need-based scholarship funds, Elon University looks to expand its financial aid opportunities next fall. Lauren Flinn, assistant director of the multicultural center, said Elon's Odyssey and Watson scholarship programs serve as the only need-based scholarships on campus.
Dr. Brooke Barnett facilitated discussion at the SGA meeting concerning Elon's number one theme in the 10-year Strategic Plan, which is an unprecedented commitment to diversity and global engagement. The goals for the decade long plan include doubling need based financial aid, tripling international enrollment, establishing some signature domestic study away program, ensuring 100 percent access to study abroad and constructing the Mutli-faith Center.
