News

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NEWS 8/31/23 4:47pm

UNC Chapel Hill holds vigil for professor as classes resume

By Joseph Navin

University of North Carolina faculty member Zijie Yan was shot and killed Aug. 28. Gun shots were reported in Caudill Labs at roughly 1 p.m. on Monday. Tailei Qi, a 34-year-old UNC graduate student, is the primary suspect and is in custody on charges for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on education property. The university held a vigil for Yan inside the Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center and estimated 5,000 in-person attendees, along with 10,000 viewers on its livestream. UNC canceled classes Aug. 29 and Aug. 30, but resumed them Aug. 31.

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NEWS 8/30/23 12:02pm

North Carolina declares state of emergency as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall

By Joseph Navin

North Carolina declared a state of emergency due to expected hazards from Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida the morning of Aug. 30. Idalia is projected to weaken to a Tropical Storm and hug the southeast coast of Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday. The National Weather Service in Raleigh reports that North Carolina's worst of  effects will take place on the southeast coast, east of I-95. NWS Raleigh also issued flood watches in both Orange and Chatham counties, which border Alamance county, for Aug. 30.

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NEWS 8/30/23 8:45am

UNC Chapel Hill students share experiences in lockdown

By Abigail Hobbs

Two University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill seniors describe their experiences in lockdown and hearing rumors, news and university communications differ. “That was the most nerve-wracking part,” Ava Dobson said. “It was pretty scary — just the initial hour — because there was so little was known about what exactly was going on.” Elon University Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley advises students in an email to update their contact information and review safety protocols.

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NEWS 8/28/23 2:30pm

Faculty member killed in shooting at UNC Chapel Hill

By Abigail Hobbs

A faculty member has been killed in a shooting at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on Aug. 28. Tailei Qi is in custody on charges for first-degree murder and possession of a firearm on education property. Classes and non-mandatory operations on campus are canceled for Aug. 29. The weapon and the motive have not been identified by police. 

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NEWS 8/26/23 9:12am

Elon University Station at Mill Point residents frustrated at parking permit prices

By Naomi Washington and Sophie Rosenthal

For the first time, Elon University students living in the Station at Mill Point have to pay for a parking permit — which already began for the 2023-24 academic year. Previously, students were not required to pay anything. Now, Mill Point parking permits cost $160, and students will be permitted to park in Colonnades, Innovation Quad and Schar Center Hunt B lots in addition to their own. According to program assistant Marcia Dodson, campus police began ticketing cars without parking passes on Aug. 22 and ticket fines have increased from $50 to $100. 

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NEWS 8/23/23 3:51pm

Elon University dean of the College of Arts and Sciences steps down

By Abigail Hobbs and Madison Powers

Gabie Smith, the dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, will step down after the 2023-24 school year and return to a teaching position in the Department of Psychology. Smith stepping down marks the fifth senior staff member to leave their position in the last two years, following Jeff Stein, former vice president of strategic initiatives; Rebbeca Neiduski, former dean of the School of Health Sciences; Rochelle Ford, former dean of the School of Communications; and Aswani Volety, former provost. 

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NEWS 8/23/23 10:11am

Elon University admissions implements new application questions, initiatives after Supreme Court overturned affirmative action

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University will focus on new initiatives and recruitment resources after the Supreme Court overturned the consideration of race in the college admissions process in June. According to Vice President of Enrollment Greg Zaiser, Elon will focus on different sub-groups of incoming applicants to maintain diversity, including first-generation and low-income students. Though the University of Michigan and University of California have been practicing race-neutral admissions for roughly two decades, both universities stated to the Supreme Court that the practice has led to a drop in diversity on campus.

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NEWS 8/23/23 7:23am

Elon University common reading starts conversations, prepares students for new perspectives

By Sophie Rosenthal

Elon University's common reading book committee chose “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times” by Mónica Guzmán as its 31st common reading book. The committee is comprised of 17 faculty, staff and students who meet over a span of 15 to 18 months. According to Paula Patch, chair of the reading committee and English professor, “I Never Thought of It That Way” will spark meaningful conversation on campus and prepare incoming students for new perspectives. 

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NEWS 8/22/23 7:43pm

ABSS delays academic year to Sept. 5 after recurring mold issues

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance-Burlington School System announced that the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year will be delayed to Sept. 5, as opposed to Aug. 28, following reports of pathogenic mold inside over a dozen ABSS facilities. These facilities include Cummings High School, Williams High School, Broadview Middle School, Andrews Elementary School and Newlin Elementary School. Andrews Elementary School has been clean from mold as of Aug. 18, while an Alamance County Health Department Report shows molds issues inside of Cummings High School and Broadview Middle School dating back to 2017.

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NEWS 8/22/23 12:45pm

Harris Teeter introduces 10% discount, 20%-off sale day for Elon University students

By Alex Nettles

Harris Teeter, a grocery store chain located along the East Coast, announced a 10% brandwide discount for various university students — including Elon University — that will run through Oct. 3. To claim the offer, students must bring their Phoenix Card. The local location on south Church street in Burlington will also host a College Night Aug. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., at which the store will provide any student with a college ID and VIC card 20% off on all store goods. The event will also feature a gas discount, a live DJ, wine and food samples and 10% off all Starbucks drinks.

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NEWS 8/21/23 4:00pm

ABSS discovers mold inside schools

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance-Burlington School System discovered mold inside multiple schools across the county, including Cummings High School, Broadview Middle School, Newlin Elementary and Andrews Elementary School. According to ABSS Public Information Officer Les Atkins, ABSS aims to clean the mold before its 2023-24 school year begins Aug. 28. While Newlin Elementary is being cleaned, students are scheduled to transfer to Ray Street Academy until Labor Day. Contingency plans for Cummings and Broadview will be made after the district determines how quickly both schools can be cleaned.

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NEWS 8/21/23 8:47am

Elon University Advancing Equity Requirement courses to educate on societal issues

By Madison Powers

This fall, an Advancing Equity Requirement — approved by faculty in May 2022 — will be integrated into courses across major, minor and core curriculum courses. The new eighth requirement in the core curriculum will begin with the class of 2027 and will also be required for students who change majors or switch to the new curriculum. In AER-designated courses, students will complete four learning outcomes: to interrogate racial identities, connect race and identity to U.S. systems, evaluate systemic inequity and apply solutions to systemic racism. 

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NEWS 8/19/23 1:56pm

Elon University incoming freshmen say goodbye to their families

By Abigail Hobbs

Incoming Elon students said final goodbyes to their families at the 2023 Family Send-Off Picnic outside the Koury Center Aug. 19. The 2023-24 New Student Convocation took place earlier in the morning Under the Oaks, where university faculty, staff and student leaders welcomed the class of 2027 to Elon. After Convocation and the picnic, parents and families will go back home to leave their incoming students to finish up move-in weekend activities and start the fall semester Tuesday, Aug. 22.

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NEWS 8/19/23 11:47am

Elon University president encourages class of 2027 to form community, learn at convocation

By Madison Powers

Elon University faculty, staff and student leaders officially welcomed the class of 2027 to the Elon community at the 2023-24 New Student Convocation located Under the Oaks on Saturday, Aug. 19. Student Body President Britt Mobley welcomed the new students and committed to supporting them, cheering them on, and lifting them up throughout his term. University President Connie Book also said she is looking forward to watching incoming students grow into their strengths. After experiencing Convocation, families of the class of 2027 said they were excited for the opportunities available to their children. 

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NEWS 8/18/23 1:26pm

Elon University welcomes class of 2027 to Global Neighborhood

By Fiona McAllister

Rounding out Move-In Day 2023, Global Neighborhood's orientation leaders and peer educators brought excitement to the incoming freshmen making campus their home on Aug. 18. Elon 1010 peer educator and sophomore Avery Underwood said she made sure to greet new students with a friendly wave as they arrived at Global's basketball courts, eager to unpack and get settled in. “I get to see all the new faces and see that they're excited,” Underwood said. “Some are a little nervous, but being able to just say ‘welcome,’ I hope it can take a little bit of the stress off of move-in day.”

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NEWS 8/18/23 1:08pm

Colonnades and Danieley neighborhoods welcome Elon University freshmen in the heat

By Alex Nettles

With about 41% of Colonnades occupants being freshmen, Colonnades and Danieley neighborhoods welcomed a smaller batch of Elon University incoming freshmen on Aug. 18. In the 85-degree heat and nearly 50% humidity, members of the class of 2027 transitioned into their residence halls and reflected on their personal goals for their first academic year at Elon. “It is a new experience with new people. I am looking forward to that,” freshman Wrigley Koch said.

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NEWS 8/18/23 12:40pm

Elon University freshmen looking forward to community, new experiences in Historic neighborhood

By Madison Powers

The class of 2027 portray a recurring feeling of looking forward to the sense of community and new experiences that Historic neighborhood has to offer. Historic neighborhood in particular has undergone recent renovations and 86% of its occupants are freshmen. Kenley Bidwell, a junior and resident assistant who has lived in Hook, Barney and Brannock her entire time at Elon, said  Historic residence halls are more community-based than other buildings on campus.

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NEWS 8/18/23 12:25pm

Elon University freshmen move into East Neighborhood amid expansion

By Sarah T. Moore

East neighborhood, Elon's newest residential housing space, hosted a flurry of emotions as incoming freshmen met their roommates and residence assistants — many for the first time — on Move-In Day 2023, Aug. 18. Freshman Neve McGowan traveled to East from Raleigh and is the oldest of three siblings. "“t’s surreal. It's weird, being the oldest and not knowing how my siblings are feeling and not being with them anymore,” McGowan said. “But I'm excited to start a new chapter.”

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NEWS 8/18/23 11:33am

Elon University staff greet incoming freshmen, parents at Schar Center

By Abigail Hobbs

Elon University staff were up before 8 a.m. to greet the class of 2027 as they began checking into their residence halls at Schar Center on Aug. 18. University President Connie Book was present, along with assistant director of regional alumni engagement Katie Kuczkowski ’17. Kuczkowski said she arrived on Elon's campus as a freshman in 2013, and Move-In Day was her favorite event of the year. "To be a part of the start of their Elon experience is just so special and it is not something I take for granted," Kuczkowksi said. 

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NEWS 8/18/23 6:59am

Elon University welcomes class of 2027 to community

By Elon News Network

Elon University officially welcomes the class of 2027 to its campus on Friday, Aug. 18, amid one of the hottest summers on record — according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The class of 2027 joins the community with 20% identifying as either African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaska Native or multiracial. In addition, 10% identify as first-generation students, 12% as members of the LGBTQIA community and 7% as international students. Compared to the class of 2026, this is a 1% increase across each group. 

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