Elon has a lot to offer and, as a freshman, sometimes it can be hard to grasp everything. Here are some FAQs to help you navigate your first weeks on campus.
What’s the best way to meet new people?
Organizations and clubs are a good place to start, and classes are a great way to meet people who have similar interests as you. Elon’s students tend to be eager for involvement. If you want to join an organization or club, go to the Org Fair.
What is the Org Fair?
The Organization Fair is Sept. 7 this year. It’s a big conglomeration of Elon’s organizations held on the lawn in front of Moseley Center. Leaders of various clubs will be available to talk and answer your questions. Mark your calendars — this is a great event to help you get involved and active on campus.
Phoenix Cash, meal dollars, food dollars, meal plans. What’s the difference?
Freshmen, sophomores and anyone living in a residence hall must have a meal plan. Elon offers several different options to accommodate all needs. With a meal plan comes meal dollars. These are automatically added to the student’s account with the purchase of a meal plan and can be used almost anywhere on campus for various food items, as well as toiletries in downstairs Colonnades. Food dollars are almost the same, but they are like extra meal dollars you can add into your account. They can only be used on food items, but they provide a 15 percent discount. Phoenix Cash can be used at all venues on campus as well as some places off campus.
So, where can I use Phoenix Cash off campus?
There is a lengthy list on Elon’s website of places in and around the Town of Elon that accept Phoenix Cash. Some of the popular locations include Domino’s, Local Yogurt, Pandora’s Pies, The Root, University Grill and The Town Table.
What are print dollars?
Elon students receive print dollars each semester, and those unused in the fall and winter roll over into the spring semester. Students receive $40 for the fall and winter and $30 for the spring semester. Black and white print jobs that are less than three sheets are free. You can use Phoenix Cash for print jobs if you run out of designated print dollars.
What is the dining hall being built next to Moseley?
The brand new Lakeside Dining Hall will have three stations: a Local Station, featuring a local North Carolina menu, an International Station and a Home Station. Lakeside is replacing Harden Dining Hall, which was knocked down during the summer. This new facility will open in the spring.
What are sports like at Elon?
Phear the Phoenix! Elon has a variety of varsity sports to go to year-round. They attract pretty big audiences and the crowd is always cheering on its Phoenix athletes. There are also intramural and club sports teams. These will be represented at the Org Fair.
What are some highlights of the school year?
SUB’s Spring Show, Convocation, Festival of Holiday Lights, the Turkey Trot 5K, Elonthon (24-hour dance party) and the Christmas Party at Leo Lambert’s house, to name a few. Keep an eye on bulletin boards and notices on Moseley tables for other events. You should also keep your eyes on student media (The Pendulum, WSOE and Elon Local News) and E-Net for university updates, news and calendars.
What is the library like?
It will be your home during tough semesters. But luckily for you, Belk Library is a perfect place for studying, researching and working. The librarians are extremely helpful and will assist you as you work through major papers or projects. Belk also houses the Writing Center and Tutoring Center, among many other offices. During finals week, if your timing is lucky, the library staff may give out free coffee and treats.
What is the most popular major?
There are more than 50 undergraduate majors at Elon. Currently, the most popular majors are business administration, communications, education, psychology, biology, political science, history and English.
What campus lingo should I know?
There are lots of terms and you will learn them in time. The “Nades” are the Colonnades, which not only encompasses dorms, but a dining hall, grocery store, Boar’s Head and Elon’s salad bar, Croutons. Club Belk is a synonym for Belk Library. HBB is the Hook, Brannock and Barney dorms. Fireside is the area with a fireplace, couches and tables next to Octagon in Moseley. Fake Break is the small break between Winter Term and the spring semester. “Smitty J” is the students’ nickname for Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of Student Life.
What do I need to get used to right away?
How you will handle your time. Elon offers a lot, and many students try to grab it all at the same time. Take your time exploring all that our campus and professors have to offer.
I don’t have a car. How can I get around campus?
We have a beautiful campus. Most students walk or bike, especially if it’s warm and sunny. But Elon is not immune to the rain and cold, and that’s where the BioBus and E-Rides come in. The BioBus is a scheduled shuttle that rides around various parts of Elon and Burlington. The University Drive Line goes to Lowes Foods and Alamance Crossing. E-Rides provides a one-way ride for students to anywhere within a two-mile range of campus. You can request a ride by calling Campus Safety and Police. Safe Rides is a student-run organization used on weekends to safely transport people and to prevent drunk driving and walking alone at night.
Where are the intramural fields?
They’re in a section called south campus. The cross-country track and golf course are there as well. It’s a great place to run or kick around a soccer ball. Sportsfest will be held there Aug. 31.
What on earth are “The Boobs”?
The double-hill in front of Moseley Center. It’s the perfect place to lay out and do work or throw a Frisbee around.