President Leo Lambert joined SGA Thursday night to update the organization on the progress and plans for the Elon Commitment projects, while also addressing the recent incidents on campus involving diversity.
A key theme was a question raised Tuesday at College Coffee by some of the 2,500 people in attendance - now what?
Lambert first said that people need to use their heads and that the actions that occurred this week were thoughtless.
"Think about the consequences of those actions on your future," he said. "What does that say about you as a person?"
Second, he said Elon will be developing a system that is like the one in place for sexual assault. This system will include a number that students can call where there are people who are specifically trained to deal with another issue like this. Lambert hopes to have people trained and the program and number in place by spring.
Lambert said the investigation into the events, which involved the use of a racial slur, is still ongoing and police are following up with every owner of the specific type of vehicle as well as going through videotapes from cameras located throughout campus.
He also stated that Elon will continue to have discussions and forums like the one's it has been having.
Before moving into the campus update, Lambert called upon SGA to take leadership on campus as well. SGA Executive President Sam Warren said SGA would be putting out a statement next week that the incidents that occurred on campus are not acceptable.
As for the update on the Elon commitment, Lambert said Career Services will be moving to the Mosley center where the old bookstore was located. Elon is currently looking for a director of employer relations who will help bring in employers to interview and meet with students on campus.
He stressed the importance of internships especially in the current job market.
"Seventy percent of those graduating are going to be looking for a job.," Lambert said. "Internships are so important. Your time at Elon is about how effective you are at building a bridge that can get you off campus (after graduation)."
His goal is get students to start earlier, especially by getting more sophomores into the new career services.
The Francis Center will be the new home for the School of Health Sciences and will also be the new home of the doctor of physical therapy program and the new master of physician assistant studies program.
Elon is about to break ground on the multi-faith center that will be located in the Academic Village adjacent to Phi Beta Kappa Plaza. It will be 14,000 square feet and will include a meditative garden and a place that will be called sacred space where all faiths are welcome. Lambert said they hope to break ground by Thanksgiving.
The Station at Mill Point, a living residence for juniors and seniors, is hoping to have models of the homes due by late fall or early January so students can look around and see what they might be like.
Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of Student Life, said the houses will give the students a more community feel.
"They will be more like houses with a variety of shapes and colors so it feels like an actual community," he said.
There will be four singles per unit in each apartment with a kitchen and living area. Other amenities include a common area for each building with a fireplace, a gym, and an outdoor pool.