News

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NEWS 9/2/21 11:47pm

Enrollment and exemptions: complying with Elon University's vaccine mandate

By Nyah Phengsitthy

Vaccine exemptions forms rolled into Dean of Students Jana Lynn Patterson’s email when the university declared a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all students. While the university reached 96% of its undergraduate students fully vaccinated, only 307 vaccine exemptions were approved. There’s an additional number that Elon has reached: zero student disenrollments after the vaccine requirement. 

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NEWS 9/2/21 1:09pm

Elon University Class of 2020 to return for in-person commencement

By Madison Powers

Like other universities across the country, Elon University’s class of 2020 was unable to hold an in-person commencement ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after a year and a half of planning, the class of 2020 will return to campus for the long-awaited event on Sept. 5 Under the Oaks.

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NEWS 8/31/21 10:37am

Elon University physician discusses Delta variant, masking

By Kyra O'Connor

Elon University Physician Ginette Archinal spoke with Elon News Network about the Delta variant, why masking is still an important mitigation strategy and what coronavirus can look like on campus going forward.

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NEWS 8/30/21 4:24pm

Selected city of Burlington police chief steps back

By Kyra O'Connor

Rich Austin, who was selected as Burlington police chief in August, chose to step back from the position due to a family circumstance. Austin said he plans to remain in his current role as chief of the Milton, Georgia police department.

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NEWS 8/30/21 4:00pm

Benevolence Farm launches tiny house initiative

By Graysen Shirley

In efforts to support formerly incarcerated women and advocate for social justice issues in Alamance County, Kristen Powers joined Benevolence Farm as interim executive director. Now, nearly four years later, she hopes to give back to the residents of Benevolence Farm through launching a tiny house initiative — just one more way to get residents back on their feet.

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NEWS 8/29/21 4:23pm

Elon University Life Trustee Wallace L. Chandler dies at 94

By Miranda Ferrante

Wallace L. Chandler, who served three years as chair of the Board of Trustees and adviser to Elon presidents died Aug. 25 at the age of 94. In 1967, Chandler was elected to the board of trustees and was elected a life trustee in 2008. His service to the university spanned more than four decades.

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NEWS 8/27/21 2:17pm

Committee on Elon History and Memory addresses plans for 2021-22 academic year

By Miranda Ferrante

Originally launched as the Commemoration Committee, the Committee on Elon History and Memory as of fall 2021 is chaired by Evan Gatti, associate professor of art history, who said this new name is representative of the work the group plans to continue. 

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NEWS 8/26/21 11:33am

Colorado water shortage is a first, but not the last

By Kyra O'Connor

While the Colorado River is almost 1,900 miles away from Environment North Carolina’s headquarters in Raleigh, State Director Drew Ball said what is happening in the Southwest will make its way through the country, impacting water insecurity in North Carolina and other Southern states. 

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NEWS 8/26/21 8:07am

Alamance Virtual School continues remote learning for 2021-22 academic year

By Nyah Phengsitthy

Alamance Virtual School will join ABSS this year as a new learning space for students who applied for the virtual school option. The school system’s response to the pandemic offered a perspective to both an in-person and online option for K-12 students this year. 

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NEWS 8/26/21 6:47am

CHEAT SHEET: The impacts of Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan

By William Wood

Thomas Kerr, instructor in political science and policy studies, discusses the global impacts of the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan. 

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NEWS 8/25/21 5:38pm

Redistricting data reveals population shifts for Alamance County

By Graysen Shirley

In the coming months, legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly will use redistricting data from the 2020 Census to redraw state congressional districts, state senate districts and state house districts. The redistricting data for North Carolina, including for Alamance County, was released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Aug. 12.

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NEWS 8/25/21 10:01am

Indoor mask requirement extended

By Kyra O'Connor

Elon University announced Aug. 25 an extended indoor mask requirement on campus until the high transmission rates in Alamance and Guilford County decrease. 

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NEWS 8/24/21 3:50pm

Elon welcomes 151 first generation students in class of 2025

By William Wood

After receiving 17,834 applications for the class of 2025, Elon University will welcome 1,600 freshmen to campus this fall. Vice President for Enrollment Greg Zaiser calls this year’s class, “smart, motivated and eager to be at Elon.”

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NEWS 8/24/21 1:09pm

Elon University common reading serves as starting point for conversations on campus

By Miranda Ferrante

During a time of continued dialogue about racism across the country, “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You,” was selected as the 2021-22 common reading for incoming students. Written by New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds and historian Ibram X. Kendi, the book will serve as a starting point for conversations about racism in the United States. 

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NEWS 8/24/21 10:53am

Funds and finances: A Q&A with Janet Williams

By Nyah Phengsitthy

Janet Williams joined Elon’s faculty in April to serve as the vice president for finance and administration. Her role at the university includes having an executive oversight for a broad range of financial, business, and support operations and planning. 

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NEWS 8/23/21 10:08am

FDA gives full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

By Kyra O'Connor

The Food and Drug Administration formally approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine this morning. The decision replaces the emergency use authorization the FDA granted the vaccine last December.

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NEWS 8/22/21 1:54pm

International student looks to adopt the Elon culture

By Graysen Shirley

Claire Mapes is one of 102 new international students starting at Elon this fall. According to Vice President for Enrollment Greg Zaiser, 6% of the incoming freshman class are international students. 

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NEWS 8/21/21 10:28pm

Elon University trustee, Medallion recipient dies unexpectedly

By Kyra O'Connor

Jeanne Robertson, Elon University Board of Trustees member and longtime supporter of Elon University athletics, died unexpectedly on Aug. 21 at the age of 77. 

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NEWS 8/21/21 3:29pm

Incoming students experience first College Coffee of the semester

By Jess Baker

Incoming students headed to Young Commons where they gathered for the first College Coffee of the year following the conclusion of New Student Convocation on Aug. 21, 2021.

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NEWS 8/21/21 11:35am

New Student Convocation marks start of new journey for incoming students

By Elon News Network

Students passed by the old Main Bell in the Alamance building as they made their way to New Student Convocation. Over 1,600 freshmen and 70 transfer students from 43 states and 23 countries sat in the rows of chairs, Under the Oaks, where convocation took place for the first time since 2019. 

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