News

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NEWS 2/12/25 11:45am

Immigrants in Alamance County adjust to evolving policies

By Avery Sloan

In the less than 30 days Trump has been in office, Trump has tried to pass an executive order to block citizenship for children in the U.S. born to undocumented immigrants and has significantly increased ICE enforcement. Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson said the sheriff’s department has had a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2007 and has been holding ICE detainees in the county jail since 2012. In 2022, ICE released a press release saying it would no longer use the county’s detention facility for long-term detention, only short periods of custody.

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NEWS 2/11/25 8:44pm

Elon Town Council approves two new downtown sponsorship programs

By Fiona McAllister and Avery Sloan

Elon is launching two new downtown sponsorship programs, one allowing residents or businesses to sponsor an event and the second allowing sponsors to pay an annual fee. Elon Town Council unanimously approved this fundraising program on Feb. 11 at its council meeting. The downtown Elon event sponsorship opportunities have four levels of sponsorship, ranging from a platinum sponsorship costing $3,500, a gold sponsorship costing $2,500, a silver sponsorship costing $1,500 and a bronze sponsorship costing $500. These sponsorship levels will be for individual events, but for a series with multiple occurrences the sponsorship will last for individual occurrence. 

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NEWS 2/10/25 9:04pm

Elon students prepare for housing selection for the 2025-26 academic year

By Nia Bedard

As Elon University Residence Life prepares for housing selection for the 2025-26 academic year, rising juniors and seniors are faced with the decision of whether or not they want to continue to live on-campus. This housing selection, with applications due Feb. 10, comes after the new construction of East Commons and Loy Farm Ecovillage, which added 102 beds for students, according to Elon University, and Residence Life allowing students who live in Crest, Oaks and Danieley Center to renew their leases. Last year, Residence Life announced that students living in those apartments would be unable to renew their leases.

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NEWS 2/10/25 3:40pm

The Alamance County Community Remembrance Coalition honors Black history education

By Anjolina Fantaroni

As Black History Month continues, the Alamance County Community Remembrance Coalition works to acknowledge and educate the community about racial terror. Through historical projects, educational events and vigils, the coalition fosters conversation about race and justice, making sure victims of racial violence in Alamance County are never forgotten. One of the coalition's initiatives is the Equal Justice Initiative’s soil collection project. This project included collecting soil from sites where documented lynchings occurred, honoring the lives of Wyatt Outlaw, William Puryear and John Jeffress. The coalition works closely with the African-American Cultural Arts & History Center to showcase the soil collections.

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NEWS 2/8/25 4:05pm

Holocaust survivor visits Elon, tells story of courage and reconnecting with faith

By Abby Gravely

At age 4, Renée Fink’s parents loaded her onto a stranger’s bicycle with no explanation. She was taken to live with a Catholic family in Holland, and she never saw her parents again. To a standing-room-only Turner Theatre crowd on Feb. 6, Fink shared her story as a childhood Holocaust survivor to an audience of Elon students, staff and community members. Her conversation with retired professor of journalism Richard Landesberg marked the latest event in an Elon tradition lasting more than eight years: inviting Holocaust survivors in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

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NEWS 2/7/25 9:21am

East Burlington residents fight for environmental equity

By Julia Donaghy

Just five miles east of Elon sits a 22-acre property called by different names within the east Burlington community. Some refer to it as Western Electric, others, the Tarheel Army Missile Plant. The property’s buildings are dilapidated and come with a list of public health concerns. Because of this, Donna Vanhook, an Alamance County soil and water conservation district supervisor, believes it needs to be torn down. Originally constructed in 1927 as a synthetic fabrics factory, the 22-building site has a checkered past and present.

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NEWS 2/6/25 5:27pm

Q&A: Professor emphasizes the impact the TikTok ban could have on the First Amendment

By Charlotte Pfabe

As time ticks on President Donald Trump’s 75-day extension for TikTok, millions are wondering about the fate of the app and the precedent the ban may set. TikTok has been unavailable to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store since the platform’s original ban on Jan. 19. Under Trump’s recent executive order, he advised the U.S. Attorney General to not enforce the ban. Elon professor of journalism Israel Balderas, has been outspoken about the impact the executive order and ban could have on future interpretation of the First Amendment.

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NEWS 2/5/25 10:00am

Town of Elon’s diversity committee stands firm amid DEI rollbacks

By Fiona McAllister

The town of Elon’s Diversity, Equity and Belonging Committee held its first meeting of 2025 on Feb. 3. As the meeting unfolded, the committee covered its plans for the next few months, along with addressing the possibility of issues with diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the near future.The DEB was started around two years ago and holds monthly meetings. President Donald Trump recalled DEI programs within the federal government through an executive order during his first few days in office. Through this executive order, Trump said he aims to target DEI within private businesses and higher education.

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NEWS 2/4/25 8:36am

Elon Haggard corridor project finalizes grant plan during federal cutbacks

By Alex Nettles

Elon’s Haggard Avenue corridor project submitted its plan in hopes of federal grant funding this week. The project is the result of years of community feedback and would require an estimated $7.6 million. This move coincides with a government vocalization for cutbacks and a now-rescinded memorandum freezing all federal aid. The corridor plan was approved by the town council on Jan. 14. The Haggard Avenue corridor project proposes enhanced safety, increased visibility and looks to encourage multiple types of transportation. The plan places an emphasis on connectivity and safety with pedestrian and bicycle routes.

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NEWS 1/31/25 1:08pm

Undergraduate tuition, housing, meals to increase by 3.81% for the 2025-2026 academic year

By Avery Sloan

Elon’s tuition and fees will increase by 3.81% for the 2025-26 academic year. This is the total cost of attendance at Elon and is an increase of about $2,300, according to Janet Williams, Elon’s vice president of finance. The increase in tuition will go toward hiring more faculty members to maintain Elon’s 11 to one faculty to student ratio, increasing pay for faculty and staff and student focused initiatives such as free laundry across campus. 

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NEWS 1/31/25 9:45am

Elon Information Technology Services faces system-wide outage

By Elon News Network

All services have been returned to normal. An E-Alert was sent out at 10:59 a.m. stating that services are being gradually restored. The message thanked the Elon community for their patience and assured that facilities management and IT worked diligently to ensure full restoration. The disruption was caused by issues in the heating system of a campus technology building. Those still experiencing connectivity issues can call the IT service desk at (336)-278-5200. 

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NEWS 1/23/25 9:49am

Elon University prepares to enact anti hazing law through training, transparency

By Abigail Hobbs

Starting this year, all colleges participating in the Title IV program must collect statistics on hazing incidents that are reported to police for their annual security reports — including Elon University. President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act in late December, amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include requiring institutions participating in the Title IV program to track and include hazing in their annual security reports. The annual security reports track all crime that has occurred on campus and within buildings owned by the university as part of the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, which states that all institutions that participate in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are required to disclose campus crime statistics and security information. For the 2026 annual security report, all reported hazing incidents from 2025 will be included. 

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NEWS 1/22/25 8:10am

Elon University delays opening until noon due to unsafe roads

By Elon News Network

An email sent earlier this morning by Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley informed Elon students that the university would be delaying its opening until noon. Last night, around half an inch of snow fell onto Elon’s campus and due to the cold temperatures, the snow stuck to roads, making it unsafe for drivers. According to Dooley, facilities management crews have been working since last night to clear roads and pathways from snow. Due to this delay, morning classes will start at noon and end at 2 p.m. and afternoon classes will start at 2:30 and end at 4:30 p.m. 

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NEWS 1/21/25 10:01pm

Elon University builds relationships between students, staff by hosting the Racial Day of Healing Luncheon

By Lauren McCowan

The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Education Development and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education hosted their annual Racial Day of Healing Luncheon in McEwen Dining Hall. This event was created to give the Elon community a chance to hear and learn from each other's stories of racial differences.  Jameka Pinnix, assistant director of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development, said she hoped for this event to bring educational awareness and relationship building to Elon.  “Everyone doesn't know this event is for everyone – it can be assumed in so many ways, but this isn't just about racial healing, it’s also racial education,” Pinnix said. 

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NEWS 1/20/25 9:45pm

Alamance County Democratic Party marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Inauguration through service

By Abby Gravely

Alamance County resident Elaine Malone taught theater in Atlanta when Martin Luther King Jr.’s children began to attend her school soon after his death. She formed a personal connection to the family, which is why she makes it a point to recognize MLK Day each year by participating in community service.  This year was no different. On Monday at 4 p.m., Malone volunteered at the Alamance County Democratic Party Headquarters, where she has been volunteering and attending events since she moved to the area five years ago. Participating in one of four events ACDP hosted for its “day of service,” she and other volunteers made Valentine’s Day cards for community members in senior living facilities.

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NEWS 1/20/25 3:21pm

Elon Votes hosts inauguration watch party

By Trista Panagakos

On Monday Jan. 20, Elon Votes hosted a watch party of the second inauguration of Donald Trump in Moseley Student Center as part of a year-long Active Citizen Series. The series aims to host events that foster civic engagement among students on campus. Previous events include the presidential and vice presidential debate watch parties, also hosted by Elon Votes. Director of Outreach for Elon Votes and senior Allison Durand said Elon Votes wanted to provide a space for students to watch the inauguration and enhance civic engagement on campus. She noted how all of Elon Votes events have a similar goal in creating an open space for students to gather and experience political events together. 

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NEWS 1/19/25 12:59pm

Elon in Los Angeles grapples with effects of California fires

By Lilly Molina

In a swift 30 minute decision, sophomore Sarah Hanchey’s professors told their students to grab the small bag they were told inadvanced to pack — they would be evacuating from the Elon in Los Angeles campus on Jan. 8. Hanchey was left scrambling in frustration as she packed only a fraction of what she brought, leaving behind some clothes, toiletries and the boots she got for Christmas. Her and her classmates drove an hour south to Irvine, which had the closest hotel with a vacancy capacity to fit their 10-student class.  Hanchey recalls before they evacuated, going up to the roof of the LA campus and seeing the beautiful hue of a pink sunset become enveloped by smoke. A North Carolina native, Hanchey now faced a reality she was never accustomed to, wearing masks due to risk of asbestos contamination and seeing fires in the distance destroy and affect many people’s lives.  “It just put a damper on the whole trip,” Hanchey said. “Now it's not like we can just be out enjoying LA, looking at all the views, because people literally blocks away have lost their homes.”

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NEWS 1/10/25 9:30pm

‘King: A Life’ author shares Martin Luther King Jr.’s untold story with Elon University

By Lauren McCowan

Jonathan Eig has spent seven years traveling the country to record stories of Martin Luther King Jr. At the beginning of the lecture, Eig reminded the audience who King was to the world. He then posed the question, “Does anyone know about Mike?” This simple question led to Eig’s seven-year research project on King.   Elon University marked its 39th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in McCrary Theatre, filled with students and guests eager to honor the civil rights hero. 

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NEWS 1/10/25 4:29pm

Elon University classes end early Jan. 10 due to snow

By Elon News Network

Afternoon class ended early and certain campus offices closed at 3 p.m. Jan. 10 due to a winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service, according to an email from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley.  Some campus facilities such as the Moseley Center, Student Health Services and Campus Recreation facilities will still be open throughout the evening and weekends. However some scheduling changes have been altered. The women’s basketball game against Hampton will be moved earlier to 5 p.m.. Dining halls and dining retail locations have also altered their hours which students can check on the Elon Dining website. Belk Library will also close early at 4 p.m. and will open tomorrow at 11 a.m.

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NEWS 1/3/25 5:37pm

Elon University’s sustainable efforts see high price tag

By Fiona McAllister

Elon University’s greenhouse gas emissions were 26% lower in the 2023 fiscal year than in 2008 fiscal year in efforts to reach Elon’s goal of becoming fully carbon neutral by 2037, according to Senior Director of Sustainability Elaine Durr. On Oct. 14, 2024, Elon University released its updated Sustainability Draft Master Plan for feedback from the campus community, both online and in group sessions, which will soon be voted on for final approval. Right now, Elon is working off the 2015 Sustainability Master Plan, which outlines becoming fully carbon neutral by 2037. 

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