Letters to the Editor

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NEWS 3/19/24 9:15pm

NC Court of Appeals rules Graham Confederate monument cannot be removed by Alamance County

By Joseph Navin

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was the first in a long line of plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Alamance County and its Board of Commissioners for protecting the Confederate monument located in front of the county courthouse in Graham. The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the county commissioners on March 19, stating that the commissioners lack the authority to move the monument due to North Carolina’s Monument Protection Law. The monument has been the subject of numerous controversies, events and protests — especially at the height of the George Floyd era in 2020.

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NEWS 3/19/24 3:25pm

Delta Delta Delta faces probation

By Elon News Network

Delta Delta Delta, otherwise known as Tri Delta, is one of Elon’s nine Panhellenic sororities and has been placed on probation. According to student involvement ambassador Aidan Connolly, Tri Delta is not allowed to recruit new members next spring and the organization's operations have been briefly suspended. According to university spokesperson Owen Covington, the sorority will face disciplinary probation for two years due to multiple violations of the Code of Conduct. This comes after investigations of activities related to its new member education program.

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LIFESTYLE 3/19/24 12:15pm

Student art gallery shapes future artists, promotes diverse perspectives at Elon University

By Ruth Cruz

The annual Juried Student Exhibition will be open through April 18 in Gallery 406 at Arts West. The student gallery featured 28 unique pieces that reflected concepts of identity, race, and community. A Juried Exhibition is an artwork gallery and competition that selects the best expressive art in a showcase. Chair of the art department Samantha DiRosa collaborated with students in the art program to promote the gallery. She said the gallery was a student effort that provided career opportunities for students to gain experiences in their field.

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LIFESTYLE 3/19/24 10:17am

Elon University DJs electrify college party scene

By Charlotte Pfabe

There’s a new wave of musical entertainment on the rise that has swept through Elon’s campus — DJs. DJs, also known as disc jockeys, are performers that play and mix pre-made music live. Shawn Kelly, an Elon senior and computer science major, found DJing during his sophomore year of college. Performing under the name 'djskelly,' he used his musical background and computer science knowledge to teach himself how to mix music. Since beginning his journey of making music and performing, Kelly has amassed over 24,000 followers on Instagram.

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NEWS 3/18/24 8:16pm

County Commissioners welcome ABSS interim superintendent

By Joseph Navin

Hours after being sworn in as Interim Superintendent of the Alamance-Burlington School System, Bill Harrison was welcomed into his role by members of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners during their meeting on March 18. He replaced former Superintendent Dain Butler who resigned earlier this month. Harrison is no stranger to Alamance County, he previously served as both interim superintendent and superintendent of the school system between 2014 and 2018. Before that, he served as the chairman for the State Board of Education from 2009 to 2013.

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LIFESTYLE 3/18/24 5:55pm

Original play by Elon student explores intersections of LGBTQ+ identities, Catholicism

By Sarah T. Moore

Senior Mallorie Sievert is determined to fill a gap in Catholic theater exploring LGBTQ+ themes and narratives. Inspired by the combined experiences of seeing a queer retelling of Joan of Arc at the Globe Theatre in London, visiting Santa Catalina monastery in Peru and her own Catholic upbringing, Sievert wrote a play about LGBTQ+ Catholic nuns in the 17th century. The play, which is part of her honors thesis, follows the love story of Ana and Teresa, who Sievert said were based on the biblical archetypes of the “whore” and the “bride,” respectively.

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NEWS 3/18/24 1:27pm

Three individuals trespass on campus; false rumors circulate

By Elon News Network

Last night, multiple Elon resident assistants sent messages to their halls warning students about going outside alone, as there were rumors circulating about three individuals targeting girls on campus. Elon University Campus Police Chief Joe LeMire said three individuals were found making rude comments and “racially charged words.” Elon News Network reached out to the office of campus police for comment at roughly 11:30 p.m. on March 17, and was told police were actively dispatched and unavailable for comment. Elon News Network then reposted the messages sent from RAs to Instagram and Facebook.

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NEWS 3/18/24 9:51am

Elon upperclassmen face challenges with on-campus housing changes

By Monika Jurevicius

Elon University upperclassmen face challenges with housing following residence life’s announcement no longer allowing all residents in the Crest, Danieley and Oaks apartments to renew their leases. Students living in Park Place and Station at Mill Point apartments were allowed to renew at designated times earlier this semester. Students living in Crest, Danieley and Oaks are able to participate in the housing selection process, the same as students who did not previously have leases in these neighborhoods. This is the first year the change will be implemented.

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SPORTS 3/17/24 9:52pm

Photo gallery: Elon Baseball wins weekend series over Minnesota

By Will Moss

The Elon University baseball team hosted the University of Minnesota team at Latham Park over the weekend on March 15, 16 and 17. Elon opened the series with a 2-1 win on March 15, followed by a 6-5 win on March 16. The series then wrapped up on March 17 with a 9-7 loss for the Phoenix. Elon’s Latham Park will host another game on March 19, with a game against East Carolina at 4 p.m.

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NEWS 3/17/24 6:29pm

Student Government Association hosts spring 2024 elections: meet the candidates

By Elon News Network

After extending the deadline for applications to run for a Student Government Association race, 44 candidates applied across all 60 spots. The deadline was extended twice — as no one applied to run for student body president. Voting opens on PhoenixConnect at 8 a.m. Monday, March 18 and closes 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. Elon News Network asked each candidate what they hope to accomplish in their role if elected, as well as how they plan to accomplish it.

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OPINIONS 3/17/24 1:49pm

OPINION: Elon University's silent streets: Closer look at lack of public activism

By Alex Nettles

On a small corner of green in Young Commons lies the Speakers’ Corner. All public demonstrations are supposed to be concentrated here. Events can be planned and registered to the university, but it rarely happens. The corner is virtually always empty. The campus is too. In 2024, we face an election and global upheaval. There has been the occasional protest, but they are not part of the daily rhythm of the university. Elon’s administration has fostered debate, but you don’t see overwhelming input from the students.

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LIFESTYLE 3/17/24 1:33pm

Professors handle students' mental health issues with university resources

By Jordyn Forni

Allen Russell, a professor of mathematics, has recognized a shift in campus mental health. Russell has been teaching at Elon for 27 years. While he saw its presence, he said mental health didn't appear to be a larger issue on campus until the 2000s. Russell himself struggled with anxiety during his return to campus after teaching virtually, and he believes that many students share in this experience. He has encountered students in tears stressed about "college life," he said. Sociology professor Karen Wirth attributes the uptick in the need for mental health resources partially to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NEWS 3/16/24 3:34pm

Elon University’s Student Professional Development Center helps students with job, internship opportunities

By Emilio Nunez

Junior Chris Murphy has been searching for internships that would fit for his major in music or his minor in communications. One way he has been trying to find these options is through the Student Professional Development Center with Brooke Buffington, assistant vice president for the SPDC. Buffington said the SPDC has always had the goal of getting 85 to 90% of graduating seniors to work with the office in one way or another. 

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LIFESTYLE 3/15/24 12:08pm

Student dance concert at Elon University explores connection, female stereotypes

By Sarah T. Moore

Senior Madeline Trigilio has always expressed herself through movement. After receiving a Rhoades Research and Choreography Grant, Trigilio is processing and expressing her emotions through dance — while also presenting her research. Through performances of the Rhoades Grant Dance Concert from March 15 to 16, Trigilio and senior Jessica Werfel will explore their respective research topics through dance in Roberts Studio Theatre. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on March 15, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 16. The March 15 performance is currently sold out, but tickets are free and can be reserved online for the remaining performances.

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NEWS 3/15/24 11:02am

Elon downtown development department to open on 104 N. Williamson Ave

By Michael Leung

Richard Roedner, town manager for the town of Elon, announced that the town government is renting the building on 104 N. Williamson Ave, in downtown Elon. The town will be relocating its new downtown development department there, as well as establishing the Elon Police Department’s community outreach program. The location used to be Elon’s town hall in the 1960’s before moving to their current town hall across the train tracks at 104 S. Williamson Ave. Now, according to Roedner, the town government is reclaiming the spot to expand their office space. They are renting the location from the property owners at $6,000 per month.

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NEWS 3/14/24 9:34pm

Elon University hosts multi-sided discussion on Israel-Hamas War

By Audrey Geib

Elon University hosted Mira Sucharov, professor of political science at Carleton University, on March 14 as part of Elon's initiative to promote discussion and foster understanding of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. The event was called "Identity, Trauma, and Justice: The War between Israel and Hamas," and led by Baris Kesgin, Elon professor of political science and policy studies. Sucharov emphasized the importance of defining the terms people use in a discussion about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Sucharov’s discussion takes place two days after students joined together to march in solidarity and support of victims of oppression.

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NEWS 3/14/24 12:51pm

Stein holds campaign event in Burlington

By Joseph Navin

On the heels of winning the Democratic gubernatorial nomination on March 5, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein spoke at Persnickety Books in Burlington on March 14 as part of a  “Real Time with Stein” campaign event. This marked Stein’s first campaign visit to Alamance County since winning the primary election. Burlington’s Persnickety Books is no stranger to political events. In 2021, the store hosted an election night watch party for former-Burlington Mayor and Elon University alumnus Ian Baltutis.

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LIFESTYLE 3/14/24 11:43am

Juxtapositions, Asian American Composers challenge historical European stereotypes

By Ruth Cruz

Elon’s Department of Music collaborated with Soprano Jennifer Lien to present Juxtapositions: European Orientalism, Asian America, & Asia in Whitley Auditorium on March 13. The program explored the stereotypes portrayed by European Musical Orientalism and created a platform for Asian American voices. The performance emphasized the challenges Asian women endured under European colonialism. Soprano Jennifer Lien and Pianist Douglass Jurs presented a beautiful sentiment of Asian culture within historical contexts. Lien is known for her presence in contemporary and chamber music. As a Classical Western European Opera singer, Lien said she noticed a lack of Asian voices in her studies of European composers.

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SPORTS 3/14/24 7:51am

Freshman guard for Elon women’s basketball takes court by storm going into CAA tournament

By Benjamin Berfield

Going into her first season for Elon University women’s basketball, freshman point guard Maraja Pass didn’t envision herself taking on a significant role for the team. In 29 games this season, Pass has started 19 of her last 23 games. Her 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds are currently second best for Elon’s women’s basketball, while her 3.7 assists lead the team. Only four other players in the Coastal Atlantic Conference averaged more assists this season than Pass.  The team's first game of the CAA Tournament will be on March 14 at 12 p.m. against Campbell University at Entertainment & Sport Arena in Washington D.C.

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NEWS 3/13/24 5:03pm

Elon University webinar highlights AI’s effect on academia, future of thought

By Tucker Price

Elon University President Connie Book and Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center hosted a webinar titled “AI in Academia: Transforming Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era” to discuss issues involving artificial intelligence in higher education. Panelists included Lee Rainie, the director of the Imagining the Digital Future Center; Ethan Mollick, a faculty scholar at the University of Pennsylvania; Udo Sglavo, the Vice President of Applied AI and Modeling R&D at the SAS Institute; and Hoda Mostafa, the director of the Center for learning and teaching at American University in Cairo, Egypt.

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