A primary goal for the Native American Student Association has been to develop more of a long-term relationship between Elon and the Occaneechi Band. However, the first step of this is to educate and unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous students across Elon, which begins with the organization’s meetings. NASA held “Crafting in the Commons” on Nov. 4 in Global Commons, which was one of three planned events to celebrate the month of November as Native American Heritage Month. The organization will host “Soil to Soul: Indigenous Planting” on Nov. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. in Moseley 221.
Senior Bo Dalrymple said he has felt a different, more positive energy on campus this year regarding politics and civic engagement. The midterm elections voter rate across all institutions was 30.6% and Elon’s was 25% — 3.3% less than in 2018, according to data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement. As co-coordinator for Elon Votes, Dalrymple said the organization has been working to increase the voter rate on campus and reach students politically who might be less likely to seek out civic engagement.