News

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NEWS 10/22/24 8:55pm

Elon University hosts deepfake discussion 2 weeks ahead of election day

By Monika Jurevicius

Purdue University doctoral student Christina Walker visited Elon University on Oct. 22 to discuss the impact of political deepfakes on social media users and how labeling could help stop the spread of misinformation. Deepfakes are a form of artificial intelligence that can add someone’s face and voice to another user. Walker and her team capture information on who shares these systems on social media and tracks its original source when available. The main goal of the political deepfake database is to track media users’ understanding of a specific watermark for AI-generated content, which signals the material posted is fake.

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NEWS 10/22/24 6:54pm

Railroad arms experience malfunctions in downtown Elon; intersections now cleared

By Miles Hayford

The railroad gate arms at the intersections of West Lebanon Avenue and North Williamson Avenue, West Lebanon and Church Street, and East Lebanon and Oak Street were down, according to Elon Police Chief Joe LeMire. According to an E-Alert sent at 7:21 p.m., the intersections at Oak, Williamson and Church have been cleared. These gate arms have been having issues all day and prevented the flow of traffic in downtown Elon.

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NEWS 10/22/24 3:36pm

Elon Students for Peace, Justice walk through campus

By Fiona McAllister

The Students for Peace and Justice at Elon University walked from Medallion Plaza, throughout Young Commons and eventually ended at the Moseley Center patio. Ten advocates led the march through campus holding signs with slogans like, “Humanity must prevail.” Leading the walk was Elon junior Natalia Sendawy. Sendawy said in a speech to the crowd that their purpose for this event was to stand in solidarity with oppressed people around the world. Adviser to Students for Peace and Justice Thomas Arcaro also encouraged actions of passion and said involvement with current events is something not to be taken lightly.

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NEWS 10/19/24 6:46pm

The Rosemary opens at Elon under Park Place

By Nia Bedard

Following a month of renovations, The Rosemary, located underneath Park Place, opened to the public on Oct. 19. There were no customers present at the time of the opening. Owner and Elon alum Derek Bates ’85 said that The Rosemary will have multiple options for students and Elon locals, including grab-and-go items, coffee, sandwiches and soups and fine dining. The Rosemary will be having a student appreciation and introduction night where they will be giving out free chicken and brisket tacos Oct. 22 from 8 to 10 p.m.

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NEWS 10/18/24 2:13pm

Executive director of OpenSecrets shares role of money in 2024 election with Elon students

By Alice Morrissey

Students gathered in the forum space of East Commons on Oct. 17 to learn about the role money plays in a political campaign. In a conversation hosted by Carrie Eaves, chair of political science and public policy at Elon University, students were able to get first-hand insights about donation tracking from Hilary Braseth,  executive director of OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets is a nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit database website dedicated to tracking where and to whom money donated to election campaigns goes.

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NEWS 10/15/24 11:01pm

Author of 'Wastelands' comes to Elon for sustainability week keynote

By Evan Cooper

Lawyer and author Corban Addison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 15 about the legal battle between industrial hog farming and residents of eastern North Carolina. This keynote is a part of Elon University’s Campus sustainability week. Oct. 14 to 18 serves as a chance for Elon students, faculty and staff to come together to learn about and celebrate sustainable practices. As part of Elon’s sustainability week, Addison focused on holding Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, accountable for long-time environmental damage.

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NEWS 10/14/24 8:27am

Campus political engagement surges as Elon Votes mobilizes students

By Cassie Weymouth

Senior Lydia Cohen recently changed her voter registration from New Jersey to North Carolina. Cohen, who is planning on voting for Democratic candidates, felt it made more sense to vote in North Carolina. Lindsay Bialecki, a coordinator for Elon Votes, has seen this in registrations. According to Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, in the 2020 election, almost 90% of Elon students were registered to vote and 74% cast their ballots. In the 2016 election, almost 79% of Elon students were registered to vote and 49% cast their ballots.

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NEWS 10/9/24 10:43pm

Elon University’s Yom Kippur events mark solemn time amid Fall Break

By Landon Lepley

Elon University’s Jewish community is preparing to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, despite falling during the university’s Fall Break for the first time in almost 10 years. Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, director of Elon Chabad, said the usually large turnout for this celebration will be “much smaller this year” due to many students being away for fall break. Yom Kippur begins Friday, Oct. 11, at sundown and ends Saturday, Oct. 12, at sunset. In the Jewish community, it is a day marked by fasting, prayer and reflection.

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NEWS 10/7/24 3:21pm

Elon business, locals collect emergency donations for Hurricane Helene survivors

By Charlotte Pfabe

With communities in western North Carolina picking up the pieces from Hurricane Helene’s destructive path, businesses and community members in Elon and Burlington are collecting donations to send to those in need, 180 miles away. For the past week, the right-hand corner inside Beer Republic in Elon has been crowded with goods. Mike and Jill Avillion, owners of Beer Republic, started collections Sept. 30 — posting on the business’ Instagram account about the collection spot. According to Mike, Beer Republic is collecting all types of donations, from toilet paper to baby formula. He said any donations are welcome.

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NEWS 10/6/24 2:31pm

Elon partners with Occaneechi Tribe for language revitalization course

By Avery Sloan

The Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation has been what Tribal Chairman Tony Hayes considers a well kept secret within Alamance and Orange counties — something he is hoping is changing. In two weeks on Oct. 12 and 13, the tribe will host a Powwow — the Occaneechi’s largest event of the year, Hayes said. Corey Roberts, professor of Native American and Indigenous studies, will be running a language table for the Occaneechi language Yesa:sahį́, featuring a board game he created incorporating the language. 

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NEWS 10/4/24 4:00pm

North Carolina small towns rebuild after Hurricane Helene

By Monika Jurevicius

Fairview, North Carolina, residents Cory Weller ’20 and Shelby Sizemore were not concerned about Hurricane Helene when they got notice of a flash flood warning for their town. They didn’t fill their car with gas. They moved their basement furniture and prepped their sand bags like they usually do for storms. Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida Gulf coast on Sept. 26 and impacted the Southern Appalachian region the most. The Category 4 hurricane has raised the death toll to 72 in Buncombe County, where Asheville and Fairview are located, since Oct. 3.

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NEWS 10/3/24 2:31pm

Hurricane Helene leaves mark on Western North Carolina, recovery efforts underway

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Western North Carolina is picking up its pieces following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through the region in a 500-mile-wide path Sept. 27. The Category 4 hurricane left over 292,000 people without power and caused severe property damage. According to the Associated Press, the death toll has reached 200. Asheville, Boone, Canton, Lake Lure, and Rutherford Counties experienced extreme flooding from the French Broad River — with water levels rising over 20 feet. The flooding caused water to run through many buildings, including Asheville Community Movement Gymnastics. Co-owner Rebecca Hall said that the flooding lifted up the flooring of the gymnasium.

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NEWS 10/2/24 10:05pm

Elon’s Chinese Club to host karaoke, game night

By Megan Walsh

Karaoke, traditional games and unique snacks — all things students can expect from the Chinese Club’s karaoke and game night. Elon University’s Chinese Club will host its karaoke and game night from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education located upstairs in the Moseley Center. This is the third year the Chinese Club has hosted the event. The club’s vice president of communications senior Bryn Hall said after the event,  Chinese club has many other events planned for the semester.

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NEWS 10/2/24 9:14pm

Elon Jewish community prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashana 1 year after Hamas attack

By Alice Morrissey

Now almost one year after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz — director of Elon Chabad — said he was initially concerned students would not want to participate in celebrating Rosh Hashana this year. But instead, Minkowitz said he noticed "a renaissance in Jewish pride" throughout the Elon community. Rosh Hashana is the celebration of the Jewish new year. This year, Rosh Hashana falls from Oct. 2 to 4. Throughout the rest of this week, Elon's Truitt has partnered with Elon Chabad and Hillel groups to host several events for students.

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NEWS 10/1/24 11:22pm

Elon Votes hosts vice presidential debate watch party in Moseley Student Center

By Trista Panagakos

Elon Votes hosted a watch party for the vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Oct. 1 in Moseley Student Center. Director of Outreach for Elon Votes and senior Allison Durand said she believes the organization can help to create a community on campus by providing a place for students to gather and talk about issues involving the election. Student turnout was only about half of the presidential debate watch party at around 50 — with many leaving before the end of the debate.

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NEWS 10/1/24 10:51pm

Elon alumna returns to campus to discuss career in politics

By Nia Bedard

Elon University alumna Austin Moore ’22 returned to campus Oct. 1 as a part of the speaker series titled “Alumni Voices: Conversations with Political Insiders on the 2024 Elections.” The speaker series was organized by professor of political science Jill Auditori and professor of journalism Israel Balderas as a way to inform students about the upcoming 2024 elections. The first speaker in the series, Moore graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international and global studies. She currently works as the deputy field director for Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s campaign and decided to return to be a resource for current students.

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NEWS 9/30/24 12:22pm

2024 Elon University security, fire safety report shows increase in substance violations

By Nia Bedard

Over 100 more liquor law violations were referred for disciplinary action than the year before, according to Elon University's 2024 security and fire safety report. This report details reported crimes that occurred on campus and within buildings owned by Elon, and pulls from data from 2023. As part of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, institutions that participate in student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are required to disclose campus crime statistics and security information.

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NEWS 9/28/24 6:11pm

Happiness expert shares ‘tricks’ for college success at Elon's Fall Convocation

By Cassie Weymouth

Arthur Brooks, social scientist, bestselling author and columnist for The Atlantic, spoke at Elon’s 2024 Fall Convocation on Sept. 27. Brooks is the author of 13 books as well as a professor at Harvard where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Prior to convocation he spoke to Elon News Network about the key to setting yourself up for happiness and success during college. Brooks opened convocation by speaking about expectations that college students have about happiness.

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NEWS 9/28/24 3:16pm

Elon anatomy lab opens space for Family Weekend

By Avery Sloan

This year is the second year the program had permission from Elon to invite families to see the students’ work in the lab over Family Weekend. During the open house Sept. 28, parents could come by the lab and see a human brain, spinal cord and heart; tools for dissections; and models of bones and parts of the body. The human brain on display was one students had used in a craniotomy a couple of weeks ago, removing the brain from a donor. Elon’s anatomy lab uses human donors, through Elon’s Anatomical Gift Program, allowing students and professors to study human bodies after death.

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NEWS 9/27/24 4:51pm

Fallen tree closes entrance to campus off O’Kelly Avenue

By Nia Bedard and Monika Jurevicius

The O’Kelly Avenue entrance to the university, also leading to the Inn at Elon, has been closed due to a fallen tree. A campus security car has been damaged, according to Elon Campus Security Police Chief Joe LeMire. There are no reported injuries. At 3:52 p.m., an E-Alert announced that the entrance was blocked and to avoid the area. The tree fell to the left of the Inn at Elon. Rain and wind damage from Hurricane Helene is a possible cause for the tree’s fall. At 5 p.m., an E-Alert announced the road to O’Kelly Avenue was reopened.

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