Letters to the Editor

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NEWS 9/22/23 12:40pm

2023 Elon University security, fire safety report shows increase in harassment

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Elon University released the 2023 security and fire safety report that details reported crimes located on campus and within buildings owned by Elon in 2022. According to Elon University Police Chief Joe LeMire, the university is still adding cases to the report and will officially release them next week — however, a version is available on the Campus Safety and Police reports webpage as of Sept. 22. There were 17 rapes reported within residential facilities — defined as dormitories and other on-campus student facilities — compared to 10 reported in 2021.

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NEWS 9/22/23 8:37am

Q&A: North Carolinians Against Gun Violence encourage students to contact their lawmaker

By Abigail Hobbs

Within the first month of school, there were two lockdowns at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, one resulting in the death of a faculty member. North Carolina saw 1,839 firearm-related deaths in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children in particular are suffering from gun violence now more than ever: firearm-related death rates for children ages zero to 17 increased 231.3% from 2012 to 2021, according to North Carolina’s Child Fatality Task Force. Becky Ceartas is the executive director at NCGV and spoke to Elon News Network about gun violence prevention in North Carolina.

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NEWS 9/21/23 11:04pm

Elon University common reading author encourages curiosity, thoughtfulness

By Madison Powers and Emily Stabell

Mónica Guzmán — author of Elon University’s 2023-24 common reading book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,” — said it is vital for communities to have difficult conversations to create connection. Guzmán’s lecture on Sept. 21 was a part of Elon’s speaker series — presented by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio — and explored themes of “creating together.” Guzmán, a Mexican immigrant, said it is important to listen and learn from others.

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NEWS 9/21/23 7:16pm

Author of Elon University’s 2023 common reading promotes human connection, engagement

By Camryn Banks

Elon News Network sat down with Mónica Guzmán in the studio before her speech, titled “Curious Questions, Sparking Conversations.” Guzmán's speech will focus on her book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.” All freshmen were required to read Guzmán’s book for this year’s common reading. She said her book was inspired by the political difference between her and her parents. Guzmán said she hopes students understand that people can’t control others and that not every problem is going to be solved or understood immediately. 

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NEWS 9/21/23 3:10pm

Acorn Coffee Shop reopens at Elon University

By Miles Hayford

Acorn Coffee Shop reopened at its new location on the first floor of Belk Library on Sept. 21. The new location — within the Koenigsberger Learning Center — is a fresh start for the shop, which was previously located in downtown Elon at 116 N. Williamson Ave.  Following its closure in 2022, Mediterranean Deli will be taking over Acorn Coffee Shop’s previous location on Williamson Avenue. The deli will reopen in 2024 following a fire at its sister location in Chapel Hill. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/21/23 1:16pm

Hillel, Chabad celebrate Rosh Hashanah, bring Elon University community together

By Nia Bedard

Elon University Jewish student organizations Chabad and Hillel gathered from Sept. 15 to 17 to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah — which means “head of the year” — consists of many different practices throughout the weekend, including community dinners, services and holiday’s traditions. The blowing of the shofar — a ram’s horn — as well as dipping bread and apples into honey to signify the desire for a sweet new year are just two of the many traditions for the holiday.

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SPORTS 9/21/23 9:25am

Community weighs transgender sports ban

By Miles Hayford

North Carolina lawmakers overrode Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act with the power of the Republican supermajority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The new law went into effect at the start of the academic year and bans “students of the male sex” from playing on all “athletic teams designated for females, women or girls.” This includes teams at the middle school, high school, intramural and collegiate level. With the passing of the bill, North Carolina joins a long list of states that have prohibited transgender women from playing in women’s sports. 

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SPORTS 9/20/23 7:00pm

Historical halfback play surges Elon University football to first conference win of season

By Benjamin Berfield

With an experienced offensive line, along with redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Hampton primed to build off a 1,000 yard freshman campaign, there were high expectations for the Phoenix to continue its success with run games, according to head coach Tony Trisciani. While Elon averaged 116 rushing yards per game in the first two losses against Wake Forest and Gardner-Webb, Triscianni said Saturday night’s 27-3 victory over the North Carolina A&T Aggies was the type of dominating performance the Phoenix were counting on.

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NEWS 9/20/23 4:01pm

Bike to Burlington brings Elon University students into community

By Audrey Geib

Elon Outdoors’ will host a Bike to Burlington event Friday, Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. in which participants will use the Burlington Greenway to make the three-mile journey from the Koury athletic center to downtown Burlington. Harer said this will give students the opportunity to experience the accessibility of the greenway and downtown Burlington. Registration is required through a form on the sustainability website. Bikes are provided for students who wish to borrow an Elon Outdoors bike, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The event is open to everyone. 

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NEWS 9/20/23 8:12am

App launches as hub for Elon University recreation, wellness events

By Anne Thyfault

Elon’s Campus Recreation and Wellness released RecWell, an app designed to provide students with information on various recreation and wellness activities. According to Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Larry Mellinger, the app released in late August and already has a good response from students with over 1,000 downloads. Personal training sessions, Elon Outdoor Adventures and HealthEU resources are all available on the platform. Students are able to sign up for programs, rent equipment and pay for events directly from the app by logging in with their Elon username and password. 

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NEWS 9/19/23 12:03pm

Elon University expands academic opportunities at Charlotte Regional Center

By Erin Martin and Madison Powers

Elon University officially announced a greater presence in Charlotte through the Charlotte Regional Center. The university held an opening ceremony Sept. 19, where university representatives made various announcements for the future of Elon in Charlotte, including the Elon Law FLEX program, a summer finance program and new events to be held at the center. The Charlotte Regional Center is located at 330 W. Tremont Ave. in South End, which is an expanding Charlotte neighborhood.

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NEWS 9/19/23 1:09am

Alamance County board of commissioners highlight needed repairs for ABSS facilities

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance County board of commissioners voted unanimously to hire engineers and assess heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems within both the Alamance-Burlington schools and Alamance County facilities. In the wake of the discovery of mold within roughly 30 ABSS schools and facilities in August and September, Builder Services Inc. of North Carolina was hired to conduct remediation services. Ben Bass, the executive vice president of Builder Services, warned the board that roof leaks inside ABSS facilities will lead to a resurgence of mold unless the district takes immediate action.

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NEWS 9/18/23 4:52pm

ABSS receives bomb threat, Sheriff Office gives all-clear

By Madison Powers

Alamance Burlington School System received threats by email stating the existence of “multiple explosives” in a “district school” this morning, according to a press release by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office. Les Atkins, public information officer at ABSS, said other North Carolina districts, like Alleghany County, received similar emails. Atkins said ABSS believes this email was a “swatting email” — meant to falsely report a situation in order to provoke an emergency response. Atkins also said instructional hours were not severely interrupted.

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NEWS 9/18/23 2:51pm

Elon University students concerned for school safety

By Anne Thyfault

Following the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill's two firearm-related lockdowns within the first month of the 2023-24 school year, Elon University students express concerns over the possibility of gun violence occurring on campus. Elon sophomore Addison Fry said the stress she felt following University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s recent lockdowns impacts her daily life — down to the start of her daily routine with getting dressed for movement and practicality over comfort and looks. With UNC, Chapel Hill roughly 45 minutes away from Elon University, other Elon students said they have been hyper aware and conscious of their safety. 

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NEWS 9/17/23 9:44pm

NC Democrats rally for gun regulations in wake of UNC shooting, lockdowns

By Joseph Navin

Roughly 300 people met at the Halifax Mall in Raleigh beside the North Carolina Legislative Complex to protest gun violence and promote gun control legislation. The “People > Guns” rally was organized by the Young Democrats of North Carolina and comes weeks after University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill professor Zijie Yan was shot and killed on campus Aug. 28. Yet, it only comes four days after UNC's second lockdown of the school year on Sept. 13, where an individual was reported waiving a firearm inside a cafe in the middle of campus.  

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LIFESTYLE 9/17/23 4:46pm

Elon University a cappella group, Sweet Signatures, releases album “Bitter Sweet”

By Rachel Holley

Two years in the making, Elon University’s all-female a cappella group Sweet Signatures released their fifth studio album, Bitter Sweet. Sweet Signatures was first established in 2001 by 15 women ready to entertain, compete and further develop their love of singing. It has since grown into the reputation as Elon’s premiere all-female a cappella group. The new album released Aug. 31 and is composed of 12 songs — four of which are live. It can be found on Apple Music and Spotify.

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SPORTS 9/16/23 1:44pm

Elon University ultimate frisbee team sets sights on nationals

By Alex Sterne

Elon University’s club ultimate frisbee team, appropriately named “Big Fat Bombs,” began an unprecedented run after starting the season being ranked 138th in its division. While this could have diminished the motivation of the team, team president Tyler Myers said he discovered the team’s value didn't reside in the speed or the strength of the individual players. Riding off the progress of last fall, the team looks to improve for this season.

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NEWS 9/15/23 8:07pm

Elon Law files application for new Charlotte campus

By Erin Martin

Elon University School of Law submitted an application for accreditation to the American Bar Association to establish a separate location in Charlotte. If the ABA approves Elon's application, it would mark the first instance of a law school operating in Charlotte since the Charlotte School of Law ceased operations in 2017. There will be a press conference Sept.19 at 330 W. Tremont Ave. where the university plans to announce the opening of its new "Elon in Charlotte Regional Center." 

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NEWS 9/15/23 2:57pm

Illness spreads through Elon University campus

By Monika Jurevicius

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has seen a spike in respiratory virus hospitalizations, with a 1% increase from the start of the school year, from 5.6% to 6.6%. Elon University Health Services also no longer tracks cases as the state no longer needs them to be reported to NCDHHS, according to Elon’s Medical Director and University Physician Ginette Archinal. Students are encouraged to stay in their living areas and speak to staff on their health status based on current CDC guidelines.

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LIFESTYLE 9/15/23 9:41am

History of El Centro, Elon University's Latinx, Hispanic center

By Lilly Molina

Located on the first floor of Carlton, El Centro is an immersion space on campus for Latinx and Hispanic students to feel supported, according to Center of Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education Director Sylvia Muñoz. Muñoz came to Alamance county from Costa Rica in 1995 and, in her free time, taught Spanish to the Board of Trustees. Muñoz said she later shared the idea to create an Hispanic immersion space at Elon University, which soon became El Centro de Español. 

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