The Edge: Vol. 4, Ed. 3

edge the

THE MAGAZINE OF THE PENDULUM

VOL. 4 | EDITION 3 FALL/WINTER 2013 ELON, N.C.

DISSECTING DIVERSITY

Do the initiatives matter?

PAGE 10

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We’ve heard a lot of talk about diversity on this campus. It seems like everywhere we turn, we hear this buzzword being thrown around. But how, exactly, do we define diversity? And are we really making strides toward a more diverse university?

For this edition of The Edge, our cover story investigates whether or not Elon walks the walk, or just talks the talk. It looks at how the university conceptualizes diversity and where we stand compared to other schools.

This edition also covers lighter pieces appropriate for the fall season; from tutorials on how to start a fire without matches to the best hot chocolate recipe, we’ve got you covered for the fast-approaching colder weather. Also, in honor of our 125th anniversary, we’ve pulled together the most notable fashion through the years. It ranks as my favorite #tbt thus far.

Thanks for reading!

Alison Ryncarz | Editor of The Edge

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16 26 IN THIS ISSUE

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Make the most of what this season has to offer Elon’s new band director has a new vision for this season The ultimate #tbt of Elon fashion Find out if protein shakes are helping or hurting you Is this social media platform playing into gender stereotypes?

Three international students discuss their transitions to Elon

THE EDGE

Editor of The Edge Alison Ryncarz Design Editor Madison Margeson Features Editor Katie Kolls

Entertainment & Travel Editor Lindsey Lanquist

Check out all the exclusive Edge content online at elonpendulum.com/edge The Edge is Elon University’s only general-interest magazine, published quarterly by The Pendulum student news organization.

Students of all years and majors are encouraged to contribute.

Fashion Editor Katie O’Han

Health & Wellness Editor Kathleen Harper

Opinions Editor Erin Valentine Sports Editor Rajat Agarwal

Photo Editor Katy Canada

Contributing Writers Alyssa Baxter Courtney Campbell J.C. Craig Kaitlin Dunn Amanda Garrity Kyra Gemberling Tom Hamzik Alex Jakaitis Katie Kolls Lindsay Lodge Ashley McGetrick Tatum Pederson Karina Pepe Lauren Phillips Megan Porter Ethan Smith Nathan Smith Vaughn Vreeland

Contributing Designers Miranda Siwak Chelsea Weber

This edition investigates the success of Elon’s diversity tactics. Flip to page 10 to read more.

Photographers Rajat Agarwal Katy Canada Kaitlin Dunn Stefan Fortmann Ruth Gray Alaina Kiesel Virginia Kluiters Alison Ryncarz

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FEATURES

FALL F U N at elon Megan Porter

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Fall announces itself in so many ways; leaves slowly change color, the daylight disappears and the temperature drops. But there are other signs, besides the changing of the season, that signify fall has arrived on Elon’s campus. Even though the days are growing shorter, don’t let time get the best of you! Below are some great ways to make the most of the fall season.

Elon football will switch to a new conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, next year and start playing teams different than the ones we have traditionally played against.

Experience the last time we will play schools such as Western Carolina or Georgia Southern by tailgating with apple cider and going all out in Elon spirit with classic Elon scarves, sweatshirts and maroon and gold face paint. Enjoy the crisp, autumn air and scream along with your fellow Phoenix fans, “E-U you know!”

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Pumpkin carving is a fun fall activity all season long. They are a perfect decoration for any dorm room or apartment. Visit www. extremepumpkins.com for basic to extreme carving ideas such as crazy faces, a phoenix, Disney characters and more. If carving isn’t your strongest skill, then roast pumpkins seeds with salt at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes for a delicious snack!

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PHOTO BY ALISON RYNCARZ

If you’re looking to see what the local community has to offer, check out Iseley Farms where you can buy fresh, organically-grown vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, figs, green peppers, watermelon, butternut squash and more. While there, be sure to visit the pumpkin patch and enjoy a classic hayride. But hurry, Iseley Farms closes on October 31. Visit www.iseleyfarms.com for more information.

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The fall season isn’t complete without Halloween. Even with a poor college student’s budget, put together a costume with the help of your neighbors’ closets or the local thrift store. Come up with a costume idea by dressing up with a friend, or a group of friends. It’s a myth that college students are too old for trick-or-treating. Organize time to trick-or-treat in your building so everyone gets a share of candy, or start a round of “You’ve been Boo’ed!” by secretly leaving a bag of candy for one of your hall-mates and asking them to continue the game.

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Thanksgiving is another wonderful part of fall, but it can be hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle over the holidays with the abundance of food. Establish some healthy habits before leaving for break with Campus Rec’s annual Turkey Trot on November 22. Check out www.runningintheusa.com for a complete listing of other races near Elon or in your hometown.

On Thanksgiving Day, recruit your relatives for a game of touch football.

Make it interesting by separating teams by age or gender for bragging rights until next year.

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This fall, don’t let the stress of classes and exams prevent you from appreciating the little things. Fall in North Carolina is a beautiful, exciting time, so take advantage!

Fall is here, which means boots, jeans and bonfires. For that last one, knowing how to start a fire is crucial to making the bonfire happen — even if you find yourself without matches on hand. Maybe you started out with matches on hand, but then lost them. Or maybe the bonfire was a completely spontaneous (and brilliant) idea. Either way, there are plenty of ways to start a fire without matches. You’ll just need some grit, determination and elbow grease to make it happen.

START A FIRE WITHOUT MATCHES RECONNECT WITH PRIMAL MAN Ethan Smith

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

THE HAND DRILL METHOD Also known as the caveman method, starting a fire this way is outright primal. You’ll need tireless hands, some wood and the sweat of your brow.

There’s also the chance that it’ll put some hair on your chest, so be ready for that. Here’s how to do it: Make a tinder nest of anything that catches fire easily — like dry grass, bark or leaves. Then, make a v-shaped notch in a piece of wood and lay the bark and tinder in the notch. Grab a stick and start spinning it between your hands with the end of it pressed into the tinder. Once you see an ember, spin harder. The fire will catch and you can start a larger, better fire with that ember.

THE CONDOM METHOD Being in college, condoms are abundant. This is by far the most unconventional method, but a wholly effective one nonetheless. Fill the condom with water and tie the end in a knot. You now have a lens. The focal point will be much smaller than a magnifying glass, but the principle is the same. Allow the sun to shine through the condom, let the light hit the tinder and watch the tinder begin to burn. When you’re done creating fire with the condom, dispose of it properly. Reuse is not recommended.

MAGNIFYING GLASS METHOD If you were ever a slightly deviant kid, you know how this works. Grab a magnifying glass and gather some dry tinder in a bundle. Allow the sun to shine down through the magnifying glass while pointing it at the tinder, and it’ll catch fire in no time. Transfer the tinder to your fire pit, and enjoy.

PHOTOS BY KATY CANADA

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SPORTS

ELON MARCHING BAND BRINGS TO THE STANDS

e r i F

Kaitlin Dunn

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“Ladies and gentlemen, the Fire of the Carolinas,” the voice over the loudspeaker roars, prompting a huge cheer from the crowd, as Elon’s marching band takes the field. This is the scene at every home football game, as the band comes out, rain or shine, pumping up the crowd and cheering on the team to victory.

“A football game isn’t just about football,” said band director, Dr. Raul Barcenes, “It’s everything, band, cheerleaders, concessions, ads. It’s all part of the experience.

We’re just one component, but good, bad or missing, we’re noticeable. We have an extreme duty to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves.”

The band is under new direction this year with Barcenes taking over from Tony Sawyer (affectionately known to players as T-saw) who departed at the end of last year.

“It was sad to see T-saw go,” said sophomore mellophone player Kirby Vuocolo, “But Dr. Barcenes has done a great job getting us more involved. He’s tougher, but we can definitely see the results.”

Barcenes began over the summer, working hard to recruit as many incoming freshman as possible to join band. The members

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We’re just one component, but good, bad or missing, we’re noticeable.

-DR. RAUL BARCENES Band Director

of the band moved in to Elon a week early, enduring all-day rehearsals in order to build a stronger unit.

“I want everything about the band to be bigger this year,” said Barcenes, “As the band gets bigger, the shows will be much better, and then even more people will want to join band. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

The football team and the band work closely together throughout the season, making games an optimal experience for both players and spectators.

“We have a great working relationship,” said Barcenes “I’ve been in meetings with the cheerleading and football coaches, and we’re just glad to have the opportunity to

help them out at the games.”

“The band is such an important part of the experience,” said Elon Football Coach Jason Swepson, “When we take the field at the beginning of the game, it really gets us excited to hear the music.”

After every home football game, win or lose, the band plays for the football team, the Victory song for a win, and the Alma Mater for a loss.

“It’s really great that they play for us after every game,” said Swepson, “The guys really seem to enjoy that.”

“It’s always great when we get to play the Victory song,” said Vuocolo, “The team is excited from winning, and they sing along with us. Everyone’s so happy, and it’s just a fun atmosphere.”

The band performs a pre-show, a halftime show, and they play between every play that is made on the field.

“The best part is when you’re marching in the middle of a show, and you look up into the stands and see everyone jumping and dancing and cheering,” said Vuocolo, “When we get everyone cheering along with us, it’s the best part, seeing how excited they get.”

Barcenes has incorporated many modern hits into his shows this year, includ-

PHOTOS BY STEFAN FORTMANN

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When we get everyone cheering along with us, it’s the best part, seeing how excited they get.

-KIRBY VUOCOLO

Sophomore Mellophone Player ing Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us,” Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” and a Beyonce medley.

“We want everyone to be having a good time,” said Barcenes. “I redesigned pregame to get people in their seats before kickoff so they have a show to enjoy.”

After football season ends, Barcenes will be focusing much of his energy towards pep band, which plays at the basketball games.

While Barcenes’s contract is up at the end of this year, he will have the opportunity to apply for a permanent position then.

“I would love to see him stay on,” said Vuocolo, “I’ve seen some of his future plans for dances and shows, and I think it would be great to see them carried out. I’d love to get a chance to see what he can do.”

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they’ve got

GAME outside their game

THREE ELON PLAYERS SHARE THEIR TALENT OUTSIDE OF THEIR SPORT

JACK ISENBARGER BASKETBALL// PINGPONG

TROY BEAVER GOLF// HUNTING

JACOB INGLE FOOTBALL// MUSIC

Elon senior guard Jack Isenbarger comes off as a calm, relaxed and easy-going person. But the basketball player has quite a competitive side that comes out not only on the court, but also during his favorite hobby, pingpong. Isenbarger, from Zionsville, Indiana, grew up playing table tennis in his basement with his father and older brother. “It’s so competitive, yet it’s so simple,” said Isenbarger. “It’s a social game where you can have fun and talk to friends, but at the same time, we’re going at each other and being really competitive. It’s the perfect combination.”

The 6’2”, 180lb senior sees many connections between pingpong and basketball.

Important lessons can be keys to success in both games.

“Pingpong is a game of runs, just like basketball is a game of runs. Also, in both games, you have to be focused on the next play,” said Isenbarger. “You can’t dwell on any mistakes you’ve made previously in the game, or else it will track you down mentally. You have to be thinking about the next point, or else your opponent can slide in and make a run.”

At first thought, a golf enthusiast and hunter seem to have little in common.

However, for sophomore golfer Troy Beaver, the two sports are one in the same. Beaver first began golfing at the age of four with his grandfather, and picked up hunting at a young age as well.

Beaver finds similarities in his two passions, thus adding to their individual appeal.

“I love the challenge that comes with hunting. It’s like golf in that you have to adapt and be on your toes. They both depend on the weather and different conditions, and you just always have to be thinking.”

Beaver’s two passions have taken him to several interesting places throughout his life. This past summer, Beaver and his father traveled to South Africa for a hunting excursion. Even on this journey across the globe, Beaver couldn’t separate himself from golf.

“I carried my putter in my gun case,” Beaver says, “I got some strange looks from TSA, but I couldn’t not bring it.” Not even spending thirteen days in the Limpopo Province in northeastern South Africa could keep Beaver from playing golf.

As an athlete and outdoorsman, Beaver applies the skills he has learned in golf to hunting and vice versa, and brings a different, interesting perspective to Elon Athletics.

It’s not every day that you find a 6’2”, 299lb offensive lineman finding time away from the field to practice the guitar, banjo or piano. Elon sophomore Jacob Ingle is quite an exception to the football team. The Burlington native has found harmony playing music and football, two passions of his since he was a young boy.

“As far as preparation goes, they’re basically the same thing,” Ingle said. “With football, there are so many different techniques involved with every position. When you’re struggling with those techniques, that’s what you focus on. When you’re working on a song, you don’t work on the stuff you’re good at, but you find spots you had trouble with.”

Ingle practiced music throughout high school and decided to pursue a major in music at Elon while still playing on the football team.

He is now completing a Bachelor’s in music.

With two hugely demanding extracurriculars to be a part of, it seems nearly impossible to balance the two. However, according to Ingle, “If I didn’t love it, it would be.”

When Ingle was in fourth grade, the school orchestra needed a bass player, and his stepfather encouraged him to take up the string instrument. From there, his love of music took off. Before he even got to middle school, he had picked up the guitar, banjo and mandolin, focusing primarily on bluegrass music.

Tom Hamzik

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J.C. Craig

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Tom Hamzik

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TOP

SCARIEST INJURIES FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES

October is a month of ghouls, monsters, spooks and scares. But for athletes, physical injuries are a year-round scare more frightening than Freddy or Jason. Check out some of sports’ all-time scariest injuries, and be wary of black cats and open ladders for your own safety!

Nathan Smith

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BROKEN BONES CONCUSSIONS

Having a concussion is one of the scariest injuries for an athlete. The challenge with concussions is that they are difficult for trainers and doctors to diagnose. “I’ve had athletes who can’t remember questions within five minutes,” said Elon Director of Athletic Training Services Eric Storsved. “They can’t remember questions I just asked them, and that’s when it gets scary.”

PHOTOS BY RAJAT AGARWAL

TORN LIGAMENTS

This injury is scary for athletes because it definitely means that the athlete will be out for a long time, usually at least six to eight months. Although torn ligaments (such as MCL’s and ACL’s) can come from big hits, they can result from non-contact injuries as well. This often has a psychological toll on an athlete, too, said Elon Assistant Athletic Trainer Eric Lengas.

Do You Suffer from Headaches?

ACHILLES TENDON

Though not as common, Achilles tendon injuries can be very severe and especially scary because athletes don’t usually know what has happened. Storsved has seen the injury a few times during his 15 years at Elon. “Every time, the kid thinks they were either shot or they were kicked really hard,” Storsved said. “They always think something else happened to them. You can’t move your foot. It’s almost like they’re paralyzed in that area.”

Most fans of the college basketball (or viral YouTube videos, for that matter) have seen the clip of Kevin Ware’s compound fracture of his right leg in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, and we all cringed as we saw it happen.

Seeing a bone stick out of a leg is quite a nausea-inducing experience. Although not as common as other injuries, and certainly not as severe (Ware is already back to dunking a basketball less than six months after the injury occurred), there is also a psychological aspect to a broken bone. “It’s not a totally debilitating injury, but for a kid to see their bone sticking out like that, yeah it’s scary,” said Lengas.

BACK INJURIES

For athletes, back injuries are not half as scary as they are for the trainers who keep them healthy. The scary part about back injuries is that they can affect players later in life. The job of a trainer is to not only to help an athlete return to health, but to think of their life after sports. Back injuries can affect athletes for a few days and then go away, or they can cause problems well into their later years.

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Hillary Tester, PA-C, and Hemang Shah, MD, with the Neurology Department can help you find relief and manage your headache pain so you can get back to enjoying life. We offer:

• Explanation & Understanding of Your Headache • Lifestyle Modification • Medication Management Self-referrals are welcome, and urgent visits for headaches are available.

For appointments, call:

(336) 538-2365

Department of the Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC

1234 Huffman Mill Rd. Burlington, NC

Hillary Tester, PA-C Duke University

Hemang Shah, MD Neurologist

COVER STORY

DEEPENING DIVERSITY As campus expansion continues, will our student body change with it?

Katie Kolls

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PHOTOS BY KATY CANADA

D

iversity. It’s a term that has been thrown around campus a lot, a term some say has been beaten to the ground. But what does the term really mean at Elon beyond serving as a buzzword for growth?

When most people hear the word “diversity” their minds may jump to racial and ethnic differences, but diversity encompasses much more than appearance. Where do we stand as a university when it comes to diversity of all types?

creating a diverse environment simply based on our geographic background.

“You cover many areas of diversity if you think about racial and ethnic diversity, gender and sexual identity diversity, religious and worldview diversity, and place of origin – so international but also geographic differences within the United States,” Barnett said.

“Your place of origin determines a lot about who you are and how you interact with people.”

DEFINING DIVERSITY

WHERE DO WE STAND?

Elon defines diversity in many ways. Their official definition is: “The Inclusive Community council at Elon University embraces diversity in its broadest sense, including, but not limited to, diversity of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, and intellectual viewpoint.”

When all of the above factors are considered, diversity can be observed on a much broader spectrum. Dr. Brooke Barnett, Interim Associate Provost for Inclusive Community, defines diversity as simply, “All the ways we are alike and different as human beings.”

Barnett explained how the university approaches diversity and how to foster it.

“Theme one of the Elon Commitment is unprecedented university commitment to diversity and global engagement,” Barnett said.

“We look to see what are we doing, what do we need to be doing, how do we keep getting the experiences we already have going and how do we create new and meaningful ones based on the best practices.”

In terms of defining where the campus stands with diversity, there are many factors to be considered. “There’s some differences that are more salient than others, and there’s some that become more salient because they are non-majority identities on a majority campus,” Barnett said.

While there may be a tendency to consider diversity in the traditional sense of cultural and ethnic differences, it is important to keep in mind that we all contribute to

Elon’s student body represents 48 states and 48 countries. “Elon has students from more geographic regions than we have had in the past, as well as from places around the world,” Barnett said. Although the student body does technically represent almost the entire country, a large 25 percent of students are from North Carolina. The other top states represented are comprised mainly of the Northeast, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania.

As for racial and ethnic diversity, Elon is improving. “We’ve significantly increased our racial and ethnic diversity over a 12 to 14 year period and even more dramatically in the past three years,” Barnett said.

According to the 2012-2013 Diversity and Global Engagement progress report, 17 percent of the class of 2017 is racially and ethnically diverse, while 10 percent are Jewish. In addition to increased student diversity, the Elon faculty rose from nine to 14 percent in diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

While we may be improving in ethnic and racial diversity, compared to other regional universities Elon continues to fall short.

The US News compiled a rankings list of ethnic diversity on college campuses based on the 2012-2013 student body. Their index is on a scale of 0.0 to 1.0. Regional universities at the top of the list include UNC Pembroke, Marymount, and St. Thomas, with scores around .65.

Elon is placed much further down the list with a diversity index of .25.

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I think rather than focusing on diversity we should focus on education of different cultures and acceptance.

-JILLIAN KRONEMER, Elon Hillel Member Although Elon may not be close to the top of the list when diversity is compared to other schools, our numbers are increasing. Another area where Barnett said the campus is growing is religious and worldview identity, although it is an area that is difficult to properly judge.

“We know we’ve increased our religious diversity because that’s something we do ask people, but about 20 percent of people don’t identify that or identify as none. But within the people who identify we are seeing an increased number of Jewish students and of Muslim students, and Buddhistand Hindu-identified students,” Barnett said.

CAN WE DEFEAT DISCRIMINATION? Unfortunately despite our increasing growth, discriminatory acts have still occurred on Elon’s campus. Jillian Kronemer, a Jewish student and member of Hillel, spoke about the incident earlier this semester involving offensive slurs aimed at the Jewish community.

“Obviously the recent events are frightening and don’t sit right with me, but I think it’s just going to make our community stronger,” she said. Kronemer believes minority groups on campus such as the students involved in Hillel have a strong sense of community within themselves. When asked about the campus’s response to the incident, Kronemer said she at

first was not fully satisfied, but then had the opportunity along with other Hillel members to meet with President Lambert and Smith Jackson to discuss it.

“We talked about their response and our opinions as leaders of the Jewish community here, and how we think they could have handled it differently and what to do going forward.”

Kronemer thinks the university’s stance on increasing diversity should focus more on educating current students about the differences amongst our student body.

“I think rather than focusing on diversity we should focus on education of different cultures and acceptance,” she said. “[Diversity] is here obviously so let’s learn more about it so we don’t have any more hate acts.”

In mid-September, Smith Jackson sent an email to the student body regarding a new opportunity called “A Campus of Difference.” As stated in his email, the program “…encourages campus members to explore the impact of stereotypes, bias and discrimination on individuals and on the entire Elon campus climate.” Student groups, organizations and teams are invited to attend program sessions led by trained facilitators on 2nd Mondays, 2nd Tuesdays, and 4th Fridays. The program accompanies Elon’s new Bias Prevention and Response Initiatives that are under the new office of Inclusive Community.

AN EVER-EVOLVING CAMPUS Elon is measurably experiencing growth in racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, but other areas that contribute to a diverse campus can be very difficult to judge.

“There are areas of diversity we don’t know as well, such as intellectual diversity, political perspective, and gender and sexual identity,” according to Barnett. “Those things aren’t particularly known about students, but in interactions with students and through survey information we get a sense that that is becoming a more enriched and diverse environment option.”

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Though Elon is certainly making visible strides towards creating a more culturally enriched campus, some students feel there is still a long way to go before Elon can be considered a diverse campus. Senior Abby Demarest believes Elon is trying, but is not yet there.

“I think the steps that Elon is taking right now are vital and really important to Elon becoming more culturally competent and increasing diversity in the long run, but I think that these are baby steps,” she said. “It’s helping get where we need to go, but we’re not there yet.”

Demarest believes Elon has a reputation for catering to a certain demographic of students that may be hindering its ability to increase diversity.

“People think of Elon as mainly white, upper-middle class students, so maybe some people don’t feel like applying if they are diverse in some form outside of that, because they don’t think they’ll fit in,” she said.

Melissa Jordan, director of the Multicultural Center, believes Elon is taking the proper steps towards creating a more diverse campus.

“I think that all of the things we have in place will set us up five or ten years from now to be more proactive as it relates to diversity initiatives in comparison to how we’ve been a little bit more reactive,” she said.

Elon’s lack of visibly noticeable diversity contributes to the notion that we are not a diverse campus. Jordan believes that in the next ten years Elon will experience significant increases in visual diversity, including a doubling of the Hispanic population. As of now, she believes the lack of visual ethnic and racial diversity is a large setback of the university for both incoming and current students.

“I’ve had a lot of students tell me Elon’s not very visually diverse,” she said. “And that’s not the only type of diversity, but it’s a really important part.”

Jordan also says it is not only the underrepresented populations who feel that way. A lot of majority students who identify as white have expressed disappointment

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I’ve had a lot of students tell me Elon’s not very visually diverse. And that’s not the only type of diversity, but it’s a really important part.

-MELISSA JORDAN Multicultural Center Director

in the lack of ethnic diversity on campus.

“Especially students that come from urban cities and come here expecting something a little bit different,” she said, “then they get here and think ‘this place is really white.’”

DIVERSITY DETERRANTS At over $40,000 a year, Elon’s price tag is another deterrent when it comes to drawing in students who do not come from a particular socioeconomic background. Watson-Odyssey scholar Destinee Pray says Elon needs to take more effective measures to draw in diverse students from lower socioeconomic classes.

“Elon has to understand that in order to increase diversity they’re going to have to make initiatives for different socioeconomic statuses to be here,” Pray said. “[Elon] needs to find ways to not lose money but focus money they already have to make that a priority.”

As for the new initiatives Elon is already taking, the Global Neighborhood opened this year as a living-learning opportunity for students to expand their global and cultural knowledge. The neighborhood will house various communities including La Casa de Español, La Maison Francaise, Japanese House, La Casa Italiana, and Deutsches Haus. Pray is optimistic about this new addition to campus, but curious to see how well it will play out.

“I think [the Global Neighborhood] is a really good idea, but it will be interesting to see what kind of students will live there,” she said. “Whether it be students that already have knowledge of whatever culture or learning community they’ll be living in that they

can bring in, or if they’re going to try to target more students who would be outside of their comfort zone. I think Elon should definitely try to make it a mix of both.”

GOING GLOBAL Alexa Bobadilla, an international student from the Honduras, thinks Elon has done a good job with international recruiting, but could go further.

“In terms of going to countries they’re doing a good job, but I know they only go to specific schools so maybe they could branch out and go to more,” she said.

Bobadilla also believes price is a major factor in discouraging international students from attending Elon, and thinks there should be greater scholarship options. “I know a lot of [international] people interested in coming here but they can’t afford it financially,” she said.

As far as feeling comfortable as an international student on campus, Bobadilla finds El Centro to be a great resource.

“This is like home for me,” she said. “When I come here I get to speak Spanish with not just other international students, but people who are trying to learn. We do a lot of activities that remind me of home.”

Bobadilla says she experiences a lot of interest from other students in her culture, and thinks Elon should have more places like El Centro that appeal to and educate on other cultures.

Pray has similar thoughts after going abroad for a semester. “Being in the infamous Elon bubble for so long, you get used to being surrounded by a certain type of people,” she said. “I think going abroad really changed my

ability to interact with people who are different from me.”

Along with Bobadilla, Pray would like to see more of an international presence on campus.

“Elon could work more towards using the resources it has on campus to bring abroad here,” she said.

FOR THE FUTURE As for continuing diversityrelated growth and engagement, there are many avenues Elon can continue to venture down, and many resources already available, like programs offered through the Multicultural Center. Some students express an interest in recruiting a more diverse population, while others worry there is not enough diversity engagement among current students.

“I think in terms of students who will be here in the future, they’re setting up very well,” Demarest said. “But as for students who are currently here, I think a lot are not very culturally com-

petent and don’t understand how to interact well with people who are different from them. I think in order for people to feel accepted in the future, it needs to start changing now.”

Jordan believes something that Elon does well but does not get enough attention for is its efforts in educating all current students around diverse issues and engaging all types of students in conversa-

“

Being in the infamous Elon bubble for so long, you get used to being surrounded by a certain type of people.

-DESTINEE PRAY Watson-Odyssey Scholar

tion. She also would like to see more focus on helping students find their voice when it comes to social activism.

“We’re focusing really heavily on diversity education and identity formation, which is great… but I think what we can think about doing better is helping students find their voice around social change,” Jordan said. “…What does that look like on Elon’s campus, how does a student effect change, what are the resources they can use, and how do they do it effectively.”

Ultimately Elon has instigated several new changes to improve the campus’s diversity standing, such as the new multi-faith center, the Global Neighborhood, the Inclusive Community initiatives, and more. Elon’s plans for recruiting greater numbers of international students, racially and ethnically diverse students, and students from various socioeconomic backgrounds are outlined in the Diversity and Global Engagement Plan. As for whether these new plans will be

efficient and bring desired results, that is up to current and future students to decide. One thing about diversity on Elon’s campus is certain: it is a vital component of enhancing a student’s education and overall experience.

Jordan finds a diverse environment to be crucial on college campuses. “It challenges students to think even more critically around things they probably wouldn’t pay attention to. It is beneficial for all parties when we discuss diversity and recruit people from diverse populations.”

The benefits of having a diverse campus are endless.

“There’s new ideas, innovation and creativity that may not come when you have the same people with the same experience,” Jordan said.

There is no question Elon has made serious changes over the past few years, and is continuing to do so. As a student body we all have the opportunity to experience these changes firsthand and see where they take us.

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FASHION

fashion FYI WRITTEN AND WORN BY TATUM PEDERSON

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATY CANADA

New York’s Fashion Week featured outfits with bold and crazy pattern combinations. Patterns included polka dots, stripes, animal print, tribal, floral, hounds tooth, etc. When choosing what patterns to mix, keep in mind color pallets. Traditional softer colors mix better with other soft colors and same goes for bold colors.

It makes the transition of patterns seem effortless.

patterns

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pajama pants

Pajama style pants have been popping up everywhere this summer and fall. For fall we’re seeing this style in a different array of patterns. Matching these pants with a dressy top and cute pair of flats is perfect for a dinner with girlfriends or a date night. You can also dress them down for an everyday look with an oversized cotton t-shirt and boots.

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125

1949

YEARS OF

FASHION Alyssa Baxter

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

1952

1914

1920

1920

16

1931

1964

1992

“

Feminine dresses made a comeback and created the iconic 1950s image.

In

2009

2013 1995

2004

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PHI PSI CLI AND ALISON RYNCARZ

1975

celebration of Elon’s 125 years, we were curious to find out how the university’s fashion has changed since its birth. From the corsets of the 19th century to the shoulder pads of the 1980s, we’re looking at all the decades of fashion shown right here on Elon’s campus. Hold on tight and prepare for our school’s throwback of the century.

From the time Elon was founded in 1889 to the early 1900s, modest fashion at the time consisted of full-length dresses, corsets, lace and tight collars. Narrow shoes and baggy trousers were popular for men, as were wide overcoats. More masculine silhouettes started to appear into the 1920s with shapeless fits, dropped waists and the iconic image of the flapper. Moving into the 1930s we saw a more militarized look with square shoulders and military inspiration. Military met Hollywood Glam in the 1940s with sleek curve-hitting dresses, pumped-up makeup, curled hair and classic sleekness.

The 1950s introduced us to poodle skirts, simple white t-shirts and leather jackets.

Remind you of Grease? Feminine dresses made a comeback and created the iconic 1950s image. Tweed, high-waisted skirts and synthetic fabrics defined this decade, as did tea-length dresses and full skirts. The hippie revolution of the 1960s rocked headbands and earth tones. This decade’s collectively bohemian style characterized the free-spiritedness of the generation. Mod style and plaid patters of the 1960s transformed into polyester and denim in the 1970s. The age of the disco brought out shorter skirts and high-waisted bottoms eventually leading up to the punk movement.

Flannel was popular for the men as were large bowties and longer hair. Feathered and sleek hair for the ladies was seen in this decade and played a large contrast to what was about to come.

Shoulder pads, crimped hair and legwarmers, oh my! The 1980s were anything but subtle with bright colors and bright makeup for the girls. Big hair and even bigger prints represented the decade. Don’t forget about the ankle socks! White ankle socks were an 1980s staple and paired with sneakers, it was trendy look everyone had to have. Moving into 1990s, grunge took over. More simplistic and neutral patterns and colors were introduced and black became more popular than ever. In the early 2000s, girls sported trendy choker necklaces and middle-parts and the guys rocked frosted tips. The denim moved from high-rise to lowrise with both men and women.

Back to the future! Looking at modern day, we Millennials have recycled numerous past trends. High-waisted styles are back and bohemian, and vintage looks highlight the best parts each decade has given us. Our generation is known for our skinny jeans and leggings as well as our recent obsession with yoga pants. Looking back on Elon’s 125 years of fashion shows the distinct image each decade holds. What will Elon students think of our current style 125 years from now?

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Revolution à la mode Vaughn Vreeland

MEDIA ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

S

itting at Gate A6 I must have seemed like a pale, inanimate ghoul. Every ounce of blood that rushed from my head was replaced with the overwhelming thought: What in the world have I just done?

Studying abroad. You’ve just ordered a whirlpool of emotions served in a picturesque packaging of mountains, oceans and 11th century castles. History is an inescapable discipline of the abroad experience. What you may not realize, however, is the opportunity before you to make history while living it.

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People often classify an era by the nuanced style that besets it.

Fashion has inspired generational mindsets and dictated cultural institutions such as music, art and film.

Life abroad is a renaissance; it’s a rebirth away from the clouded slate we call “home.” Assimilation into your host nation’s culture is the key to success overseas – fashion is what propels it.

While abroad, don’t be afraid to embody the revolutionary attitude of today. Absorb your surroundings and take note of the contrasting old and new.

Three hundred year-old buildings adorned with graffiti murals.

Ancient temples with dazzling

sundown light displays. It’s modernity juxtaposed against a backdrop of the past.

Forward thinking is what built everything that surrounds you.

Let this serve as your sartorial storyboard. Break down barriers and challenge the antiquated ideas you arrived with. In order to find yourself you have to take chances.

International fashion is heading back to its roots: Fun. Living in France, I have taken note of this avant-gardist uprising everywhere.

The idea behind this principal is simple. Take something humdrum and make it extraordinary.

Test the waters of black and white by injecting them with something

exciting. Go beyond the limits of yourself in an effort to interact with your new home.

Before going abroad, someone gave me the best advice I could have ever gotten: Do something once a week that places you outside of your comfort zone. Daring yourself allows you to make the most of your experience. You’re already trying something new, so why not go beyond?

Allow your clothes to be a reflection of this new perspective … this personal revolution. Life abroad is the most fun, carefree and daring thing you’ll do in these four precious years. Make the most of it. Make history your personal accessory.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOCKHOLM STREETSTYLE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

HEALTH&WELLNESS

SHOULD

YOU

GE T A FLU SHOT?

Lindsay Lodge

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

IT’S HERE.

The sniffles, the incessant coughing, the increase in class absences: flu season is back and ready for another round of victims. For college students living in such close quarters, it’s important to know how the flu spreads and how you can protect yourself from getting sick this season; whether that means getting – or not gettingvaccinated against the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seasonal flu typically peaks in January or February but can begin as early as October and end as late as May. The flu is known to spread through interaction with others, mainly when those infected with the flu sneeze cough and talk. The flu can also be spread by touching objects and surfaces and then proceeding to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages six months and older gets vaccinated every year. Flu vaccines come in a few different forms. Traditionally, a three-component vaccine is offered every year, meaning it is aimed to protect against 3 strands of flu virus: H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. Brand new for the 2013-2014 flu season is a vaccine that is supposed to protect against four influenza strands.

How effective is the vaccine?

It is impossible for the vaccine to work perfectly for every person, and its effectiveness differs from

season to season. According to the CDC, during the 2012-2013 season, the vaccine was 56% effective for adults and children, and nine percent effective for those 65 and older. According to flu. gov, getting a flu vaccine does not always prevent the flu, but has shown to make it 60% less likely to need treatment for the flu and it can also offer other benefits such as reduced likelihood of illness, need for antibiotic use and time off from work or school.

For Hannah Bowe, Elon sophomore biology major, the choice of whether or not to get vaccinated is a no-brainer.

“I have never gotten vaccinated against the flu and I won’t this year,” Bowe said. “My dad is a doctor and doesn’t encourage me to get a flu shot. They aren’t very effective and the scientists don’t always predict the correct strands to put into the vaccine, anyway.”

Bowe manages to keep the flu bug away by washing her hands often and trying to avoid close contact with others, especially in public.

It’s a different story for Victoria Vigilante, a junior strategic communications major.

“My dad is a doctor and he gives me a flu shot every year,” Vigilante said. “I have never gotten the flu since I’ve gotten vaccinated so I definitely wouldn’t choose to not get a shot.”

Vigilante remains cautious of spreading germs during flu season since the vaccine isn’t 100% effective, but feels “much safer” knowing that she

“

It is impossible for the vaccine to work perfectly for every person, and its effectiveness differs from season to season. has some protection provided by the vaccine.

Whether or not you get vaccinated against the flu is a personal decision; however, it is obvious that being cautious of spreading germs is important during flu season. For college students there are always desks, computers, books and other items continually being shared. It is important to wash your hands, avoid close contact with others and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Where can Elon students get vaccinated?

Elon University and Alamance Regional Medical Center are partnering to offer free flu vaccinations to Elon students. In addition to the free clinic, students can receive a flu vaccine at the R.N. Ellington Health Center by appointment, or in Burlington at CVS, Walgreens and FastMed.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT THE POWDER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS

Courtney Campbell

Are protein shakes harmful for your health?

PRINT & ONLINE JOURNALISM

B

uild bigger muscles, recover faster and get faster results – all common promises made by the consumption of protein shakes. However, how helpful is this “magic powder” and is it really necessary in order to get body builder results?

Protein is a key catalyst for anyone trying to build muscle. Our bodies use it to create hormones and enzymes and to strengthen the immune system, which allow us to maintain our cells. According to Men’s Fitness, the average male requires 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day. If they are exercising frequently, they require almost double that amount.

A quick fix to the dilemma of a protein deficiency for athletes seems simple: a proteinpacked powder that is mixed with either water or milk. It can be broken down faster than solid food, allowing, in turn, the muscle to begin its healing process faster.

“Me, personally, I don’t have anything against protein shakes, but I choose not to drink those shakes as an athlete,” said junior Antonio Owens.

“I have tons of friends who are upper level athletes and even some who are not. However, among them all, the majority drink protein shakes/drinks and I have seen a physical change in growth.”

The best time to consume protein is after a workout, when the muscles are just beginning to heal. Protein will provide the fuel required for muscles to heal and grow.

With millions of protein advertisements, brands, and supplements it can be hard to pick the best one. Men’s Health suggests a blend of whey and casein, two of the primary proteins found in milk.

Whey is a “fast protein” meaning that it is quickly broken down into amino acids and absorbed into your bloodstream. On the other hand, casein is digested more slowly, allowing the body to get a more constant supply of a smaller amount of protein for a longer period of time. Combining these two proteins allows for an optimal protein intake.

Another option is a soy protein powder, which comes from a soybean plant.

However, the major issue with this kind

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of protein is that the active compound in soy, isoflavones, has been shown to increase estrogen levels in men. When taken in high amounts it could also potentially damage thyroid function.

Although these powders seem like a quick and easy way to get the desired amount of protein, when too much is consumed it becomes a problem.

According to Livestrong.com, too much protein can put a strain on your kidneys that now are forced to work harder in order to remove the excess protein waste from the bloodstream. It can also lead to dehydration, which can lead to dry skin, hair loss and tiredness.

“The reason I do not drink any protein drinks is because my cousin, Kyle, took what was called ‘Jacked’ back in high school during football season and over the course of the time he was taking this protein drink he noticed that he started to lose hair,” Owens said. “Right away we didn’t think it was the protein, but once he stopped taking it he stopped losing hair at the that rate he was.”

Although protein shakes do seem like the quick and easy fix for muscle building, they are not a necessity. Other great sources for protein include chicken, fish, lean red meat, egg whites and low-fat dairy products.

“Honestly, a whole food diet trumps any form of supplementation hands down,” said Elon Assistant Training and Conditioning Coach Brian Tracz. “We try to promote this to our athletes, and we cannot provide them with any supplements that are considered outside the realm of recovery only. This means the ratio of what’s in the product cannot be intended for muscle gain, but strictly for recovery or replenishment.”

To achieve this, coaches will provide chocolate milk as a more natural post workout recovery aid.

“Supplementation should really just be a supplement to a well balanced whole food diet for any serious athlete or someone who wants to increase their overall body composition,” Tracz said. “If it is tough for athletes to get in the calories they need throughout the day, this is when a meal replacement or the extra calories included

“

Too much protein can put a strain on your kidneys that now are forced to work harder in order to remove the excess protein waste from the bloodstream.

-LIVESTRONG.COM in a whey protein shake can help supplement their eating routine.”

Another way that people have incorporated liquid supplements is through juicing. Instead of eating fruits and vegetables, they are compressed into a juice allowing for more nutrients without the need to eat more. This is especially helpful if you don’t enjoy the taste of fruits and vegetables.

Some of the best things that you can include in the juices are carrots, kale, ginger, apples, celery, spinach and berries, all of which are high in essential vitamins and minerals. Drinking juices are a great way to assure that your body gets these nutrients.

Despite these benefits, juicing can be expensive, high in calories and there are still certain nutrients that are in the skin and pulp that is normally discarded. Additionally, when juices are used for cleansing purposes, your body is missing essential fiber and protein. With calories being cut it causes your metabolism to slow down, which in turn will lead to weight gain in the form of fat cells after eating solid food.

Both protein shakes and juices can be excellent supplements for someone trying to get enough of the proper nutrients. The key is to not overindulge, and only consume in addition to a balanced diet.

OPINIONS

T C E F R PE

Lauren Phill

ips

ENGLISH

PHOTOS BY ALAINA KIESEL

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According to Pinterest, the perfect woman will get married shortly after graduating from a prestigious university and passing her extensive collection of sorority paraphernalia on to her little. She will plan every detail of her wedding, from the perfect princess-cut engagement ring to the picture poses to the goodie-bags distributed at the end of the reception. She will take her honeymoon at an exotic beach resort, probably in the Caribbean (Paris will do in a pinch). After that, she and her new husband will move to their Colonialstyle house in the suburbs, where she will remodel everything until it looks like a Pier 1 or IKEA catalog.

Eventually, it will be time to start a family. Mrs. Pinterest will paint murals of giraffes or airplanes in the nursery and take a picture of her growing tummy every week.

After the baby is born, she will send adorable birth announcements and photographs to friends and family.

The next eighteen-plus years will be years of blissful domesticity in which Mrs. Pinterest will create magnificent crafts and plan epic birthday parties for her offspring.

Sounds like every woman’s real life, right? I didn’t think so either.

In the past few years, Pinterest has become one of the biggest stars of the social media world. On Pinterest, users can build online boards and digitally “collect” images and web links, from recipes to clothing ideas to wedding inspiration.

Ever since its launch in 2010, Internet-users have flocked to Pinterest. According to expandedramblings. com, in August 2013, Pinterest had more than 70 million users. If Pinterest users formed a country, it would have a larger population than France.

A staggering majority, 83%, of all Pinterest users are women. That is over 58 million women. According to a 2012 study by research company Engauge, the top two board categories on Pinterest were “Fashion” and “Desserts”. Other popular categories include “Clothes”, “Kids”, “Cute”, and “Romance”.

Does this imply that female Pinterest users are completely fixated on preparing the perfect layer cake or creating their dream wardrobe? What about the women who make “Dream Wedding” boards before they’re even engaged? What about when your sheep-shaped cupcakes don’t look exactly like they did on the pin? Or when your blow dryer explodes during an attempt to make melted-crayon art?

“Pinterest Stress” is an acknowl-

“

Pinterest makes it seem like every woman, no matter her race, past, or preferences, has the same life plan.” edged problem. According to an informal TODAY Show survey, 42% of moms feel guilty because they can’t live up to the fictional lives they build on Pinterest. Shape.com defines Pinterest Stress as a “nagging feeling that everyone else is prettier, funnier, smarter, and craftier than you — and they’re all having a party without you.”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t need Pinterest piling its stress on top of all the other things I have to deal with. Moms may have been the first to feel the pinch, but Pinterest Stress doesn’t just affect moms.

We’ve all seen those pins by the girls with the perfect hair and the flawless wardrobes. They make allnatural, healthy meals. Every one of her DIYs turns out perfectly. Those pins flood Pinterest, and they make people who can’t do all those things — in other words, real people — feel inadequate.

While many women may dream of the perfect “Pinterest Life”, others may have different plans. Not every woman is going to own a house with a wide front porch and French doors. Not every woman is going to have kids, or even get married. But Pinterest makes it seem like every woman, no matter her race, past, or preferences, has the same life dream.

The most outspoken population of Pinterest homogenizes women. A select group of women, women who actually know how to decorate cakes or who are professional party-planners and photographers, post pictures of the amazing things they have done, and the masses repin them fanatically. These are passed around until all 58.1 million women on Pinterest think that they represent real life.

But the truth is that real life is messy. Real life is unique and singular and completely customizable and, often times, Pinterest fails to represent those differences. While Pinterest is a great place to find an obscure chicken recipe or to get ideas for hairstyles for prom, it’s not a great place to build a life plan. Don’t try to turn your life into a Pinterest board.

ONLINE DATING

Worth the risk

Kaitlin Dunn JOURNALISM

“I

met my boyfriend online.” Say that one simple sentence and watch as people start cringing and looking at you like you’re crazy. “Online?” they question. “But how can you be sure it’s safe? What if you’re being catfished? You’re so much better than that.”

In this era of technology, people do everything online, from ordering pizza to banking, yet there is still a stigma associated with online dating. Well, I’m here to admit that, yes, I have tried online dating. Have I met my soul mate? No, but have I enjoyed talking to people who share similar interests as me? Yes, I have.

Whether that makes me desperate, weird or a loser is still to be determined, but my argument is that online dating is not a bad thing. It’s fast, there’s less pressure, and it’s fun.

It’s not as easy to meet someone in the “traditional” way anymore.

You can’t rely on magically meeting someone and falling in love. Many times, you have to work at it and actively search out a person. And with Facebook, Twitter, Tinder and

more, it’s not as if finding someone by reading a short bio about them is a new concept.

For college students, online dating is a practical way to meet people. One website for this is called datemyschool.com. On it, you can only be a member with a valid school email address. Then, not only can you limit who you can see, but you can also limit who sees you. You can find someone at your own school, schools that are close by or someone across the country.

It’s a good way to find someone you know is serious about wanting a relationship at an age where it’s quite rare to find that.

When you meet someone online, the possibilities are endless. The two of you might be soul mates, or you may take one look at their profile and realize you have no interest in continuing a conversation. It’s all up to you.

The popular reality show “Catfish” shows the dark side of online dating, but not all online dating is bad. There are just a few rules to keep in mind to stay safe and meet someone compatible.

First, be honest about yourself.

A common misconception is that if you lie all over your profile, put

“

You can’t just expect to magically meet someone and fall in love. You have to work at it and actively search out a person.”

up a fake picture and don’t reveal a single detail about your real life, then you’ll stay safe. You won’t get catfished. Yes, you probably don’t run the risk of something bad happening to you, but you also won’t meet anyone real. The key to finding someone on an online dating site is to find someone who shares your interests. You can’t do that if they don’t actually share your interests. You have to put yourself out there. Don’t let your profile picture be of a car, or a puppy, or you with a bunch of friends. If you can’t see a person’s face, that’s a huge red flag.

That being said, don’t be too honest.

Don’t reveal any personal information. Most people tend

PHOTO BY VIRGINIA KLUITERS

to not put things out on their profiles, but once you start talking to someone, you might feel more comfortable doing so. If you decide to meet someone in person and want to exchange phone numbers, go for it, but I wouldn’t recommend friend requesting the person you’ve been talking to for five minutes.

Thirdly, it’s okay to say no.

Don’t be afraid not to talk to someone, or to tell him or her you’re not interested. If there isn’t a connection, or you’re not getting a good vibe, then cut them off. Trust your instincts. If a person seems too good to be true, they probably are.

Finally, if you meet someone, do it in a public place.

Better safe than sorry! If you do decide to take the plunge by meeting someone in real life, do it in a public place for the first time and make sure someone knows where you’re going and who it is you’re meeting.

Online dating may not be for everyone. If you don’t feel comfortable putting yourself out there, then I wouldn’t suggest it. But if you’re willing to take the risk, it just might pay off!

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“

You’ll notice that this blonde belle has more in common with Eminem than meets the eye.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCTCAMPUS

Rap culture takes the rap

Ashley McGetrick BROADCAST JOURNALISM

S

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ince its birth, music has been a universal language. But in recent years, certain offspring of the music industry have been sternly instructed to wash their mouths with soap by the disapproving critics who cringe at the immoral compositions being performed on the world stage.

To the naked eye, it seems as if our culture is being thrown to the wolves with the advent of pimp praising, sexually explicit and violent lyrics projected through the speakers of nightclubs and ear buds alike. We constantly wag our fingers at hip–hop’s poster children like Eminem and Nicki Minaj for their deplorable behavior (and rightfully so.)

The tab for these less-than-virtuous ideals has been charged to the accounts of hip-hop and rap while the rest of the industry watches these musical martyrs

take a beating from critics.

Ironically enough, sitting in the front row of this crucifixion is none other than country music. The All-American, rootin’ tootin’ cowboys and southern belles earned themselves the reputation of being “raised right” and anchoring themselves to traditional values as waves of pop culture poison wash over our society.

In 2010, rapper Eminem released his collaboration with Rihanna, “Love the Way You Lie.” The tune depicts an abusive relationship and the push and pull of a toxic romance. The single, off Eminem’s album Recovery, received five Grammy nominations along with countless other recognitions.

But of course, this attention did not come without controversy. The song’s violent and unsettling lyrics, such as “If she ever tries to f*****’ leave again, I’m-a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire,” hit a nerve with many critics who condemned the rapper’s lyrical threats. The track was accused of sexualizing domestic abuse in

both its lyrics and its music video.

While criticism was strong, ultimately the societal conclusion was reached that “rappers will be rappers,” that we should know better than to expect these artists to hold them selves to a higher social standard.

Flash-forward two years to 2012 when American Idol’s sweetheart Carrie Underwood released her fourth album “Blown Away”. The CD debuted 20th on the Billboard 200, earning her the title of the third female to do so with three country albums (along with Linda Ronstadt and Faith Hill). Praised for her empowering lyrics and strong vocals, Carrie continues to serve as a pillar of class and talent in the industry, not quite like Eminem.

Take a closer look at the album. You’ll notice that this blonde belle has more in common with Eminem than meets the eye. For instance, one of the most popular tracks on the album, “Two Black Cadillacs,” narrates a story of two women who discover that the man they love has been lying to them both. The two betrayed damsels make a pact to never let the unfaithful man get away with his schemes. So naturally they do what any upstanding women would do: divorce him. Just kidding. They kill him.

The song blatantly depicts two women murdering their lover, and the video doesn’t make it a secret either. Yet somehow Carrie is not abusive or dangerous, she’s just a strong country woman delivering justice. Is Eminem a strong metropolitan man delivering justice? No. Should he be? Absolutely not, and neither should Underwood.

The parallels of inappropriate innuendos don’t end with domestic violence; sex, alcohol and drugs run rampant through the lyrics of country music. Not to worry; just throw on a flannel shirt, hop in your ford pick-up and cruise past the critics.

Sex, drugs, alcohol and domestic violence are bad; we all know that. Is there a way to artistically discuss these things through music? Absolutely. But to exploit these behaviors for the sake of selling records is disgraceful and shouldn’t be celebrated.

We should hold ourselves to a higher social standard in what messages we promote, but there should not be exceptions to the rule. Poor messages are the same whether your rapping them to a techno beat or cooing them over an acoustic guitar.

ENTERTAINMENT

go for the music, not the instagrams Alex Jakaitis

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

For the majority of the kids who attended my high school, the beginning of August was consistently defined by a single, memorable juggernaut of an event: Lollapalooza.

Living in a Chicago suburb, I would’ve been considered insane to miss out on the annual weekend – happening nearly in my backyard – that always marked the steady and miserable countdown to the back-toschool blues. Ticket prices inflated by the year and sold out faster than ever, and arguments over the quality of the lineup would always flare up shortly after it was announced. But nevertheless, everyone went. So, I went too.

Conceived more than 20 years ago, Lollapalooza began as a summer music event that stayed true to a vision: a place where attendees could appreciate a lineup of “non-mainstream” and up-and-coming artists on one stage.

Unique in its inclusion of art displays and counter-cultural awareness, it rapidly grew in popularity.

After only a few short years, with the addition of more stages and

PHOTO BY RUTH GRAY

days, more “relevant” bands began to dominate the list of performers. And over time, Lollapalooza has expand magnificently: not just in numbers, but also in hype.

Far from its original intent, today this spectacle draws names of a spectrum of genres that dominate the music charts. The whole concept was born from the idea of being part of a unique cultural and musical experience, but has become what those attending the first Lollapalooza were trying to avoid: trendy and mainstream.

Yet, on Aug. 2-4, 2013, over 160,000 people filtered through the entrances to Grant Park. One will never really know how many of those people were truly going for the music. And there is no way to tell how many attendees left more satisfied with their Instagrams, Vines and photos that would subsequently end up on Facebook than the acts that they listened to.

An electrified need to not miss out on a fad drew so many of my friends to secure that 3-day wristband year

after year. Lolla left us with memories and our fair share of funny stories, but, when it comes down to it, it was just an expensive means of taking part in a trend.

Was it worth the sweat? The price?

Having to physically take scissors to my mud-caked sandals at the end of the night in order to get them off my feet?

This year I decided it wasn’t.

I didn’t wait in line among the sweaty throng of festival-goers, in their crop tops and high-waisted, cut-off shorts. I didn’t get a tan line from keeping my colorful wristband on for the rest of the summer, like a wearable trophy indicating I was part of the insanity that was Lollapalooza.

And I sat back and watched as social media sites were completely flooded with pictures that I wasn’t in, feeling like I didn’t really miss out on anything.

It’s hard to tell if I’ll venture back into the chaos that was formerly a staple in my summer plans in the same way that there is no way to pre-

“

The whole concept was born from the idea of being part of a unique cultural and musical experience, but has become what those attending the first Lollapalooza were trying to avoid: trendy and mainstream.” dict if the big name festivals will ever lose their mainstream appeal.

As long as the most popular artists are featured, and the masses of attendees continue to buy into the hype, the biggest music festivals have no hope of returning to the way they were at their beginnings. But for those who truly value listening to the performances, the price of music festivals will always be worth having to navigate the crowds of people there for the wrong reasons.

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TRAVEL

W

CULTURE

SHOCK:

Karina Pepe

JOURNALISM AND SPANISH

“

A FEELING OF CONFUSION, DOUBT OR NERVOUSNESS CAUSED BY BEING IN A PLACE (SUCH AS A FOREIGN COUNTRY) THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU ARE USED TO.

”

–MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY

26

ith 72 percent of Elon students studying abroad, there is no doubt that a large portion of our community worries about experiencing culture shock during their semester out of the country.

There is, however, an even smaller group of people within our community that has to deal with this culture shock all four years of their college careers: international students.

There were 158 international students enrolled at Elon University last year, and the university plans to continue to increase its international student population, according to Elon’s website.

Is simply increasing the number of international students enough, or does the university need to do more to combat the culture shock our international students experience?

“I’m trying to keep myself busy so I don’t have time to think of home,” said Cecilia Ibarra, a freshman from Guatemala.

“If I don’t, I’ll be homesick.”

Homesickness is something many freshmen experience, not just those from out of the country. But this common longing for home can be amplified by the language barrier many international students face every day.

“When I’m on the phone with my mom speaking Spanish, people give me really weird looks,” said sophomore Daniela Pereyra from Peru. “It reminds me I’m not from here.”

Many international students, like Ibarra and Pereyra, came from schools where the English language was only spoken in English class, making the transition into Elon that much harder.

In addition, some international students have a hard time adjusting to the classroom procedures of American universities.

“One major issue is working with professors,” said Nada Azem, a senior whose hometown is in Syria. “A lot of professors do not understand a lot about our culture.”

Given the growing population of international students, Azem believes “Elon should focus on creating a diverse faculty and not just a diverse student body.”

PHOTOS BY KATY CANADA

“

I think I was cultureshocked in a good way.

There’s a lot of great things and great opportunities here.

NADA AZEM

Senior International Student Although many of Elon’s international students have to deal with culture shock, the university has several programs in place to help make international students’ transitions a little easier.

One of these is the International Fellows program, which Ibarra participated in.

“It helped me get to know everyone who’s in the same situation as me,” she said, insisting the program helped her become more comfortable here at Elon.

The university also offers a number of great opportunities international students may not get in their home countries, like the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, the Multicultural Center and El Centro de Espanol, making the experience that much more worthwhile.

“I think I was culture-shocked in a good way,” Azem said.

“There’s a lot of great things and great opportunities here”.

It’s clear that the university is already making efforts to help international students become accustomed to life at Elon, but there are still improvements to be made.

“The University could do more to try and integrate the families of international students the way they integrate other families,” Pereyra says.

Pereyra has tried to get information such as letters and pamphlets for her family in other languages, but has not had much luck.

“I wish the school would do more to integrate an international culture, rather than just the international students,” says Pereyra.

I

t’s always a good night when you can enjoy a mug of hot chocolate as you do homework on a chilly fall evening.

Though a packet of Swiss Miss with mini marshmallows is good enough for most college students, imagine the possibility of being able to fly to some of the world’s best, most luxurious hot chocolate destinations instead.

Here are a few locations where drinking hot chocolate is serious business, and your cup of Swiss Miss will likely pale in comparison:

DECADENT DIVULGENCE: The world’s best hot chocolate locations Kyra Gemberling JOURNALISM

CAFÉ ANGELINA: PARIS, FRANCE Rumored to be the best hot chocolate — as well as the most expensive — in the world, refined Café Angelina makes sure its hot chocolate is worth every euro. The rich, creamy drink is served in a large pitcher with your own pot of fresh whipped cream. Customers say the hot chocolate is so thick you can stand your spoon up in it, so no need to even consider ordering dessert.

CAFFÉ BARATTI & MILANO: TURIN, ITALY Hot chocolate is the main event at luxurious grand café Baratti & Milano, located on a quaint corner in Italy’s chocolate capital, Turin. This city’s hot chocolate typically comes very thick, velvety and agreeably bitter, and Baratti’s version is no exception. The café even sells a ready-made mix for customers to drink at home, but many say the drink mix doesn’t match the divine taste of having a cup fresh in the shop.

CAFÉ TORTONI: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA With its stained glass and antique bronze fixtures, Café Tortoni (founded in 1858) claims to be the oldest café in the country. Its steaming hot chocolate is just as famous as, and much more affordable than, some of the lavish hot chocolate selections offered in Europe. Customers suggest ordering the “chocolate con tres churros,” where the café’s hot chocolate is paired with dunkable, baton-shaped fried pastries called churros.

FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATE LOUNGE: ASHEVILLE, N.C. For a location a little closer to home, Asheville’s chic French Broad Chocolate Lounge offers a signature “hot sipping chocolate” called liquid truffle. This super-rich drink comes in unique flavors such as Indian Kulfi (with rose, pistachio and cardamom), Masala Chai, Cayenne & Cinnamon and — of course — pure dark chocolate.

PHOTO BY KATY CANADA

If flying across the Atlantic (or even driving a few hours to Asheville) to splurge on hot chocolate doesn’t sound feasible right now, here’s a simple yet satisfying recipe for making your own hot chocolate at home:

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE INGREDIENTS: 3 ½ cups sugar 2 ¼ cups cocoa One tablespoon table salt Whole milk for serving STEP 1: In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.

STEP 2: For individual servings, pour one cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug and microwave on high until hot. Add two tablespoons of cocoa mix and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil. As it warms, stir in two tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.

YIELD: Makes 5 ¾ cups dry mix or 92 eight-ounce servings Source: Martha Stewart Kids, Holiday

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