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THE PENDULUM
Wednesday, march 3 2021 Volume 50, edition 20 Elon, North Carolina
ELON LAW STUDENTS PETITION FOR PORTRAIT REMOVAL A painting of a former Greensboro mayor is under fire at the law school campus Emery Eisner
Elon News Network | @eisneremery
GRACE TERRY | MANAGING EDITOR
The Elon University School of Law has refused to remove a portrait of former Mayor of Greensboro Jim Melvin after students requested the painting be taken down, a representative for Elon University said. The painting originally hung in the Cemala Foundation Commons at Elon Law in Greensboro but was moved to a private conference room in the dean's suite as part of "a planned remodeling of the law school's second floor in July," according to a statement by Elon University. The students' issue with the painting ties back to Melvin's comments over a 1979 Greensboro shooting now known as the Greensboro Massacre.
The portrait of Jim Melvin located at Elon Law School in Greensboro, North Carolina.
See PORTRAIT | pg. 4
Redesigning the Elon University bias reporting system The group conducted research based on peer institution systems and will submit recommendations in April
from community members. The university community came together to create the new system with campus needs in mind, rather than one department or one office changing individually.
Kyra O'Connor
“
Elon News Network | @ko_reports
The working group to design the Elon University bias response system will begin to hold listening sessions with students, faculty and staff this week. The sessions will allow university community members and those who receive bias reports to provide feedback before a preliminary report is delivered to vice presidents Jon Dooley and Randy Williams on April 15. Redesigning the bias system started last July, when President Connie Book charged Williams and Dooley to lead the task. In the statement Book gave to the campus community, she requested the new bias system include a public dashboard which would provide data about racism on campus and the actions taken by the university after the incidents occurred. The working group to redesign the bias response system includes co-chairs Associate Dean for Academic Success and professor at the Elon Law School in Greensboro Wendy Scott and Director of Student Conduct Jenni Spangenberg, and an additional eight faculty and staff members. The group meets twice a month. Spangenberg said redesigning the bias report system came from a growing response
Elon to receive vaccines for faculty and students
SEEING WHERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR STRENGTHENING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM IN PLACE TO SUPPORT EVERYBODY.
CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
The coronavirus vaccine will become available to certain Elon members beginning March 3.
Resident assistants and apartment managers are among the first slotted to be vaccinated Jess Baker
Elon News Network
JENNI SPANGENBERG DIRECTOR OF STUDENT CONDUCT
“That’s a lot of what our committee is trying to do,” Spangenberg said. “Seeing where those opportunities are for strengthening and make sure that we have a good system in place to support everybody.”
See BIAS REPORT | pg. 5
Elon University faculty and support staff, including any students working as resident assistants, apartment managers or in a capacity that creates direct exposure to the virus, will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 3, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Originally slated for March 10, this change comes after a press conference from Gov. Roy Cooper on
March 2, announcing the rollout date change to March 3. Dean of Students Jana Lynn Patterson verified with the NCDHHS on Feb. 24 that student staff qualified for the second part of North Carolina’s Group 3 of vaccine distribution. “We did sit in on a meeting with the state [on Feb. 24], and we asked [the state] directly about student staff including RAs,” Patterson said. Though Patterson specifically clarified with the state regarding RAs and AMs, as long as student staff are employed on campus with an elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19, they are eligible for the vaccine in Group 3.
See VACCINE | pg. 8
NEWS • PAGE 9
LIFESTYLE • PAGE 10
LIFESTYLE • PAGE 10
Elon Day proceeds during
'The Workshop' provides
Ex-Elon student writes
pandemic restrictions
creative outlet for artist
book about serial killers
2
extras
Wednesday march 3, 2021
THE PENDULUM MACKENZIE WILKES A PUBLICATION OF
GRACE TERRY JACK NORCROSS
Elon News Network is a daily news organization that includes a newspaper, website, broadcasts and podcasts. Letters to the editor are welcome and should be typed, signed and emailed to enn@elon.edu as Word documents. ENN reserves the right to edit obscene and potentially libelous material. Lengthy letters may be trimmed to fit. All submissions become the property of ENN and will not be returned.
News Director of Elon Local News
Social Media Coordinator
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Chief Copy Editor
AVA GIRARDI
New Member Coordinator
NYAH PHENGSITTHY
Design Chief
CLARE GRANT
Photo Editor
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Politics Editor
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Lifestyle Editor
KYRA O’CONNOR
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BEN MUSE
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Sports Director
The Pendulum publishes weekly on Wednesdays
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: ENN is committed to accurate coverage. When factual errors are made, we correct them promptly and in full, both online and in print. Online corrections state the error and the change at the top of the article. Corrections from the previous week’s print edition appear on this page.
Jacob Kisamore, Ted Thomas, Andrew Zagari, Henry Zinn, Caroline Bunder, Livy Smith and Emma Farrell contributed to the design of this edition. Amelia Arcaro-Burbridge, Max Crider, Madalyn Howard, Mary Jenks, Kyra O’Connor, Olivia Romano, Miranda Ferrante and Sophie Rosenthal contributed to the copy editing of this edition.
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crossword
corrections
Themeless
There are no corrections from the last issue of The Pendulum.
By Thomas Denome | @tddenome
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WHEN WE PUBLISH:
EDITORIAL POLICY: ENN seeks to inspire, entertain and inform the Elon community by providing a voice for students and faculty, as well as serve as a forum for the meaningful exchange of ideas.
Managing Editor of The Pendulum
ELLIS CHANDLER
Established 1974 Volume 50, Edition 20
Executive Director of Elon News Network
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extras
| PHOTOS OF THE WEEK |
Wednesday march 3, 2021
3
Chung-Han Tsai stretches to save the point against Kennesaw State on Feb. 27. The Phoenix won 4-3.
HENRY ECHT | PHOTO EDITOR
HENRY ECHT | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Lizette Reding returns the ball with a forehand against North Carolina State on Feb. 22. The Phoenix won 6-1.
Elon students flock to the outdoors on Feb. 24, an unseasonably warm 70 degree day.
FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
An Elon student reads a book by Lake Mary Nell on Feb. 24.
FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
4
NEWS
Wednesday march 3, 2021
Elon Law students advocate for removal of portrait PORTRAIT | from cover The shooting occurred at a “Death to the Klan” rally put on by members of the Greensboro Communist Workers Party on Nov. 3, 1979, during Melvin’s tenure as mayor. Armed members of the Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party arrived and shot into the crowd. Five people died and 10 others were wounded. The city of Greensboro issued a formal apology for its handling of the event in a 2020 city council resolution, recognizing the shortcomings of leadership at the time. The Greensboro Police Department, “along with other city personnel failed to warn the marchers of their extensive foreknowledge of the racist, violent attack planned against the marchers by members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party,” the resolution said, adding that “numerous factors have contributed to an atmosphere of blaming the victims of the Greensboro Massacre rather than encouraging an objective investigation and comprehensive trial process.” Melvin has gone on the record expressing different opinions about what happened. In a 2015 interview with the Greensboro News & Record, Melvin said although he sympathized with the victims of the attack, he would not use the term “massacre” to describe it, and “the [Communist Workers Party] picked a fight” even though he said they never intended to be killed. Elon University declined to respond to Melvin’s comments. Two of the students leading the charge to remove the painting, Madison Fields and Paris Henderson, take issue with his previous comments on the attack. “We’re celebrating a man who contributed to the erasure of an entire massacre,” Fields said. Melvin declined Elon News Network’s request for comment. The request to remove Melvin’s portrait was initially part of a list of demands in a letter sent by Fields, Henderson and a host of other law students to Elon Law’s administration last summer following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The letter asked administration to become more proactively anti-racist, including by removing “any paintings and photographs of historical perpetrators of social injustice and racial inequity currently present at Elon Law.” Many of their demands have been met, such as the hiring of Laké Buggs, the new director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education. But Melvin’s
GRACE TERRY | MANAGING EDITOR
Portrait of Jim Melvin at Elon Law School in Greensboro. The picture was moved from a public commons over the summer, but some students want it removed entirely.
portrait is still an issue, according to Fields and Henderson. There have been several meetings discussing the issue of the portrait’s removal, said a representative for the university. Ultimately, the university decided not to take it down. In an email from Nov. 3, 2020 obtained by Elon News Network, Dean of Elon Law Luke Bierman wrote that the painting was moved to the conference room “that is more private and appropriate to the circumstances while additional consideration is given to this matter.” But according to Fields and Henderson, removal of the painting was the goal, not relocation. “Can you imagine someone perpetuating a violent act against a family member and having to know that that person is hanging in infamy inside a law school in your own city to be glorified?” Henderson said. “How dare we minimize life, because at the end of the day, you have a picture and you have someone’s life. It’s always gonna be life first for me, personally.”
Others have also spoken out about the law
“
CAN YOU IMAGINE SOMEONE PERPETUATING A VIOLENT ACT AGAINST A FAMILY MEMBER AND HAVING TO KNOW THAT THAT PERSON IS HANGING IN INFAMY INSIDE A LAW SCHOOL IN YOUR OWN CITY TO BE GLORIFIED? PARIS HENDERSON ELON LAW STUDENT
TIMELINE OF JIM MELVIN’S PORTRAIT Clash between the Communist Workers Party and American Nazi Party and KKK results in five deaths and 10 injuries, coming to be known as the Greensboro Massacre.
Melvin's most recent public comments about the Greensboro Massacre say the Communist Workers Party "picked a fight.”
NOV. 3, 1979
Administration moves the portrait from the Cemala Foundations Commons to a conference room in the dean's suit.
JAN. 22, 2015
SEPT. 19, 2006 Portrait of former Mayor of Greensboro Jim Melvin is unveiled at Elon Law's dedication ceremony.
JULY 2020
JUNE 1, 2020 Elon Law students send a letter to administration demanding anti-racist initiatives.
school’s handling of the issue. On Nov. 2, 2020, Elon professor of law Catherine Dunham wrote a letter to Bierman about the situation. “The issue for Elon Law is not what exact role Melvin played in this chapter of Greensboro’s history,” Dunham wrote. “Rather, the issue is how we respond to our students when they identify a portrait, one displayed in our shared space, that serves as a tribute to a person who has expressed a racist ideology.” The Elon Law Student Bar Association posted an online petition requesting the removal of the portrait. The petition has 157 out of its 200 signature goal as of March 2. The petition states that Elon Law “prioritizes profits over principles” given its refusal to remove the painting. Melvin has long been involved with Elon, going back to before the law school’s 2006 founding. In his role as the president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, Melvin led a $10 million fundraiser for Elon Law, according to a 2004 column in the Triad Business Journal. The portrait was unveiled during the law school’s dedication ceremony in 2006, according to a statement by Elon University. “Mr. Melvin played a central role in the law school’s creation, leading efforts to raise the necessary funds, making arrangements for the school’s facility in downtown Greensboro and rallying broad community support,” the statement said. Administration recommended that Fields and Henderson read the university’s History and Memory Report released last fall, the students said. But they still don’t feel like they have hope of any concrete solutions. One of the recommendations outlined in the report is to “develop and implement a new procedure for naming and renaming spaces.” According to a representative for Elon University, the new Division of Inclusive excellence is “in the early stages of developing new processes and adjusting existing processes” for concerns related to diversity, equity and inclusion, but there is not yet an anticipated timeline for this work to be complete. Now, nine months after initially sending a letter to Elon Law’s administration, Fields and Henderson said they are frustrated with their progress in getting the painting taken down. Moving forward, Fields and Henderson said they plan to continue speaking about the issue as well as contacting survivors of the 1979 attack. “I’m more passionate about it today than I was,” Henderson said. “These people that lost family members are still alive. They matter. That picture does not matter.”
NEWS
Wednesday march 3, 2021
Working group for redesigning the bias reporting system to meet with students, staff and faculty
5
BIAS REPORT | from cover Scott originally served as co-chair of the group with Leigh-Anne Royster, who formerly served as the director for the center for equity and inclusive excellence. Royster left Elon in the fall to become Duke University’s assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. When Williams asked Scott to co-chair the working group, she was not very familiar with the bias response system. Her immediate reaction when she looked at the website was the need to simplify. “We’ve seen examples at other institutions where you go to the webpage and there’s a graph that graphs out the process, or there’s a timeline,” Scott said. “There’s something very clear. How do I do this, what would constitute as bias and how do I report it … that’s a good place to start, make the process more user friendly.” Spangenberg, who started as a member of the working group, was also asked to become a co-chair after Royster left. In the group’s preliminary research, members looked at almost 30 bias response systems at institutions across the country, including Elon’s peer and aspirant institutions. Two topics Spangenberg said the working group will be looking further into are training for community members around the bias risk reporting process and what options can be available to those who report incidents of bias. In December, the working group held a listening session with alumni to hear what concerns and issues they had dealt with while at Elon. Scott said what stood out to her during the session was the alumni experiences with bias off campus and with the surrounding community, as well as some alumni not knowing where to start the reporting process. “Many of the alum shared experiences they had, but had challenges with understanding where to go, who to report to, what role the faculty might play in helping students who have had those experiences,” Scott said. “Their input was helpful as well, hearing from the whole constituency of the Elon community.” The working group was provided a list of students from Dooley and Williams to work in a consultant role. In the first round of listening sessions this week, students will be sharing their experience with the bias reporting system Spangenberg said. Students will also offer feedback on the research conducted
NYAH PHENGSITTHY | DESIGN CHIEF
Redesigning the bias reporting system had led to meeting with students, staff and faculty.
“
THAT’S A LOT OF WHAT OUR COMMITTEE IS TRYING TO DO. SEEING WHERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR STRENGTHENING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM IN PLACE TO SUPPORT EVERYBODY. JENNI SPANGENBERG DIRECTOR OF STUDENT CONDUCT
and the preliminary report to be submitted to Williams and Dooley in April. “I hope that we will get to hear what their experiences are,” Spangenberg said. “I think that will better inform what the needs are and see what our community is looking at, and just a better understanding of what would be beneficial when we’re looking at bias response.” The bias response system can be used not just by undergraduate students, but for graduate and law students as well. Scott said the appointment of Laké Buggs, director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education, has helped graduate students and faculty and staff not on Elon University’s main campus better understand how the bias system can work for them as well. Students can also report incidents of bias outside of the university — such as bias at internships or residencies — through the university system. Scott said while these cases have been handled on a case by case basis in
the past, submitting them through the bias response system allows data to be collected. “The important thing about that is while we may have resolved those incidents in house before, the reporting system collects data,” Scott said. “Because once you have that data, then you can take the next step which is okay, what can we do to minimize these incidents from occurring.” After the listening sessions take place, the working group will submit a preliminary report to Williams and Dooley by April 15. After the report is submitted, Scott said there may be a legal counsel review of the suggestions then a revision and redrafting process will take place. In June, the bias system final report will be submitted to Dooley and Williams. “It’s good work, it’s important work, and I think the collegiality of the group is very strong,” Scott said. “I look forward to our work resulting in some significant changes and ultimately a better campus environment.”
TIMELINE OF REDESIGNING ELON’S BIAS REPORTING SYSTEM President Connie Book charges vice presidents John Dooley and Randy Williams with the task of redesigning the bias response system.
The working group will begin holding listening sessions with students, faculty and staff.
JULY 2020
The final report will be presented to Dooley and Williams.
MARCH 2021
DECEMBER 2020 The working group holds a listening session with alumni to hear about their experience with the current bias response system.
JUNE 2021
APRIL 2021 The working group will give Dooley and Williams their preliminary report.
NEWS 6 ELON’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT Wednesday march 6, 2021
LEAVES LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WARY
GRACE TERRY | MANAGING EDITOR
Elon University is currently in the annual mutual aid agreement for 2021 but proposed changes to the agreement.
Campus police signed onto the annual mutual aid agreement, but a proposed amendment failed to attract support from other law enforcement Mackenzie Wilkes
Executive Director | @macwilkes
Elon University’s proposed amendment to the 2021 Annual Alamance County Mutual Aid Agreement between local law enforcement groups was rejected by other police agencies. The amendment to the agreement would have addressed social justice and equity initiatives with regard to policing. The proposed amendment is “no longer under consideration” after discussing it with local law enforcement, according to Steven House, executive vice president of the university who is filling in for Gerald Whittington as chair of the mutual aid review committee. House did not respond to Elon News Network’s request for comment on what the university is considering instead of the amendment. This proposed amendment comes after the annual agreement came under scrutiny when campus police responded to multiple requests for aid at the Confederate monument in Graham last summer. This past fall, the committee to review the mutual aid agreement recommended that the university stay in the agreement in case an emergency or disaster happened on campus. If some emergency were to happen on campus, the committee found that university police would need additional aid from other law enforcement agencies. The amendment would have allowed the EUPD to develop goals and programs that would encourage social justice and racial equity. The amendment would have also established an advisory commission that would address law enforcement issues and serve as a community liaison. The Elon amendment also says the university will not provide mutual aid
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“WE ALREADY HAVE OUR CORE VALUES AND HOW WE INTERACT WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH ENSURING THAT WE MAINTAIN TRUST AND WE DON’T CAUSE HARM AND ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE EMBEDDED INTO [US] AS AN AGENCY.” BRIAN LONG ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF OF THE BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
FILE PHOTO BY ANTON L. DELGADO
Elon University Campus Safety and Police proposed an amendment to the 2021 Annual Alamance County Mutual Aid Agreement.
to protect the Graham Confederate monument or court square. EUPD will, however, provide traffic control in the area or assistance if there’s “extreme threat to life or property.” The Elon amendment would have been added to the 2021 agreement that the Elon University Police Department and eight other law enforcement agencies in Alamance County signed. The mutual aid agreement came under scrutiny after a lawsuit claimed the city of Graham, Graham police and the Alamance County Sheriff ’s Office were prohibiting people’s ability to gather and protest at the Confederate monument and court square. Some law enforcement agencies in the annual agreement found that the amendment would have been unnecessary for their department. Graham Police Chief Kristi Cole said the annual agreement that’s already been signed addresses “all of the issues we need legally for mutual aid.” Cole did not respond to Elon News
Network’s call or email for further explanation. Assistant Police Chief of the Burlington Police Department Brian Long said his department already has their own set of goals they would like to address. “We already have our core values and how we interact with the community with ensuring that we maintain trust and we don’t cause harm and all of these things that are embedded into [us] as an agency,” Long said. The sheriff ’s office declined to comment further than confirming that they did not sign the proposed agreement. The Alamance County’s Sheriff ’s Office, town of Elon, Graham, Burlington and Mebane police departments have not signed the proposed Elon amendment, according to representatives from the respective departments. Alamance Community College Public Safety and the Gibsonville and Haw River police departments did not respond to Elon News Network’s requests for comment.
NEWS
Wednesday march 3, 2021
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May Term programs remain uncertain as deadlines pass The Global Education Center will make more decisions on the status of “Maymester” programs in mid-March Cailey Cetani Elon News Network
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some upperclassmen who were planning on studying abroad were not able to complete their ELR requirement. To solve this problem, the university has introduced the Elon May Term Global Short-Term program, also referred to as Maymester by students. It has not been verified whether the program will pull through due to the unpredictability of how the pandemic will evolve in the future. Shanna Van Beek, communications manager of global education, said that for the May Term programs, Elon University has been active in ensuring that students feel safe when participating in the program. “Each program is in line with the social distance requirements of the local destination or country,” Van Beek said. “In the Winter Term of 2020, we could have just one bus for the group of students. This year, for certain programs, we might need to book two busses to have folks spread out.” The decision on whether the program will be cleared to continue for the planned May Term will occur around mid-March when the Global Education Center will conduct an evaluation. They encourage students interested in the program to wait to buy plane tickets and other travelrelated purchases until the program gets approved to continue. Van Beek said the university has made it clear that there is no pressure to apply especially when there is a pandemic going on. “Elon’s position has been to try to maximize opportunities as much as we can. We’ve been a very optimistic institution in that way,” Van Beek said. “Elon, program by
JACK NORCROSS | NEWS DIRECTOR
The Singapore skyline. Singapore was one of the countries that short-term program BUS 281, Business In the Pacific Rim, was supposed to travel to in 2021.
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ELON NEVER HAS DONE A MAY TERM BEFORE. WE DON’T ANTICIPATE WE’RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN, SO THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY. IT’S BRAND NEW TO THE UNIVERSITY. SHANNA VAN BEEK COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER OF GLOBAL EDUCATION
program, student by student, is trying to keep global engagement opportunities available where it makes sense to.” The university is waiving withdrawal fees to help ease students’ wariness on whether to apply for a short-term program and ensures those who do apply have no repercussions if the program is canceled. Additionally, if any programs are canceled because of student health concerns, those registered will receive a full refund. Van Beek said the move to extend the deadlines is to help ease the stress of students thinking about applying to May Term programs. “We wanted for students to make sure they had as much time as possible to have all the information that we have in front of them to make a decision on whether the program still made sense for them,” Van Beek said.
Some programs have already been canceled, such as the Ghana and Dominican Republic trips. The May Term programs that are still open are Jazz and Opera in Italy; Mediterranean: East Meets West; Tanzania: Wilderness and Adventure Therapy; and Great Structures of Europe: Technology and History. Although the idea of May Term came about during COVID, there are no plans on continuing the program in the future, Van Beek said. “We are trying to emphasize that this is a special one-time opportunity. Elon never has done a May Term before,” Van Beek said. “We don’t anticipate we’re going to do it again, so this is a unique opportunity. It’s brand new to the university.” To learn more about the programs and see their statuses, go to the short-term program page on the GEC website.
Elon’s virtual IFC recruitment to take place this spring Elon Interfraternity Council will be holding its spring recruitment in March in a virtual format
despite it being held virtually. “We are actually on par with where our numbers were last spring, so that is exciting,” Miller said. Ferring said that the chapters are in high spirits and are looking forward to meeting PNMs. “The IFC works together closely with school and all chapter presidents to ensure a nice recruitment week,” Ferring said. “It is definitely something to look forward to and nothing to be worried about.”
Claire Schoenfeld Elon News Network
For Vice President of IFC Recruitment and member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity Matthias Ferring, spring recruitment for chapters of Elon University’s Interfraternity Council is something to look forward to. “I know that it might not be what a lot of people initially thought about when rushing a fraternity. However, I went through the same process last semester and found a brotherhood I am really grateful for,” Ferring said. After many weeks of planning, IFC will be holding spring recruitment virtually from March 8 to March 14. All events will be held on Zoom to ensure physical distancing practices are followed and so men who are in quarantine or living off campus can participate. During recruitment, each potential new member will be connected to a recruitment mentor. A recruitment mentor is someone who already is a member of a fraternity but disassociates from their chapter so they can help guide the PNMs through the recruitment process and can answer questions a PNM may have. “I did not know a lot about greek life, so [the recruitment mentor] sort of gave me an insight into what he looked for when rushing a fraternity and looking back what aspects and qualities of greek life he appreciates the most,” Ferring said. “That sort of helped me to put into perspective
Panhellenic bid day January 2017.
what I learned about the different chapters during recruitment week.” The schedule includes a virtual orientation on March 8 which is required for all PNMs. During the orientation, PNMs learn about each fraternity and the rules and requirements of IFC life at Elon. On March 9 and 10, PNMs have the opportunity to drop into “open house” style Zoom rooms where they can meet members and ask questions about philanthropy, values and why members joined their chapter. “Brotherhood Days” will be hosted on March 11 and 12 and are an opportunity
ELON NEWS NETWORK FILE PHOTO
for PNMs to showcase who they are and for the chapters to ask questions directly to the PNMs. March 13 is “Voting Day,” and it is meant for chapter members to determine who will receive official bids or invitations for membership to a fraternity. March 14 is “Bid Day” where PNMs will find out whether or not they received a bid. More information on how PNMs will receive a bid will be communicated to them during orientation. Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Fraternity and Sorority Community Development Robbie Miller expects normal recruitment numbers
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NEWS
Wednesday march 3, 2021
ELON STUDENT WORKERS AND FACULTY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE IN GROUP 3
The coronavirus vaccine has already been distributed to some health care workers and older citizens throughout Burlington and Alamance County.
VACCINE | from cover Despite Group 3 beginning on Feb. 24, Patterson said university faculty and support staff who didn’t already qualify for a shot would not be eligible for vaccine distribution until March 3. “They are prioritizing K-12 teachers and support staff which started [Feb. 24],” Patterson said. Starting March 3, other essential workers including university faculty, support staff and student staff will be eligible. Sophomore Nick Asprea is excited to receive the vaccine as an RA. “Sometimes RAs are put in situations that other students aren’t,” Asprea said. “We encounter a lot of situations where there’s a lot of students around, and that would probably be considered unsafe. Overall, I’m very encouraged that Elon is prioritizing the RAs.” The university has also been approved to become a vaccine distribution site and will be able to directly provide vaccines to those in Group 3. Elon has not been allocated vaccine doses as of March 2. Vaccine shipments are delayed across the country due to winter weather and production shortages, causing states to adjust delivery schedules based on affected populations and regions. When Elon receives vaccines designated for Group 3, the university is prepared with “a freezer, a separate refrigerator … and some really good capacity,” according to Patterson. “Our focus and our priority is to as soon as we get notification that we’re going to get doses — we don’t know how many doses we’re going to get, we don’t know when we’ll get them — but when we get that notification we’re ready to administer vaccines to the best of our capacities,” Patterson said. “We have completed all of the steps in that process.” Residence Life, Student Life and Human Resources are working to create a prioritization list based on job exposure risk. MarQuita Barker, Director of Residence Life, declined to be interviewed but wrote in an email that Elon is continuing to advocate for students, student workers, faculty and staff.
CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
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WE WANT OUR STUDENT STAFF TO BE PROTECTED JUST LIKE OUR FACULTY AND STAFF, WHETHER THEY’RE FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME. WE’LL ALSO INCLUDE IN OUR EFFORTS OUR AUXILIARY STAFF, WHICH IS OUR DINING STAFF, BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO BE PROTECTED. JANA LYNN PATTERSON DEAN OF STUDENTS CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
Alamance County residents wait to recieve their COVID-19 vaccinations at a Burlington drive-thru vaccination clinic on Jan. 18.
While faculty, student staff and part-time support staff are covered in Group 3, Elon’s auxiliary staff — such as the dining hall workers — are not directly covered through the guidelines from the NCDHHS. Elon is determined to find a way to include dining hall staff despite this lack of direct coverage. “We are going to make it as broad as we can,” Patterson said. “We want our student staff to be protected just like our faculty and staff, whether they’re full-time or part-time. We’ll also include in our efforts our auxiliary staff, which is our dining staff, because we want them to be protected.” Patterson said Elon must work within the direction provided by the state, saying the university aims to be as “comprehensive” as possible. It is for this reason that Elon cannot provide vaccines to students with preexisting conditions that make them highrisk, as those students are classified as Group 4. On March 2, Gov. Cooper announced that Group 4 will begin receiving vaccines on March 24. All other college students are in
Group 5. The state has not provided a timeline for when Group 5 will begin, but Patterson is hopeful it will be soon following the FDA’s approval of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, stating that it is Elon’s “preference” for students. However, Elon cannot require the COVID-19 vaccine the way it requires the flu shot due to the experimental nature of the new vaccines. Elon will highly recommend that all students, faculty and staff receive the vaccine if they are able to. “What I’ve heard from students is that they’re looking forward to getting the vaccine and want the vaccine,” Patterson said. “I think we’re going to have a higher rate of on-campus faculty and staff who take the vaccine. Again, they don’t have to take it, but we’ll encourage them to do it if their doctor approves it.” For now, Elon continues to have guidelines on mask-wearing, physical distancing and limits on gatherings.
NEWS
ELON DAY 2021
Wednesday march 3, 2021
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Elon Day on March 2 was marked with college coffee, extravaganzas and a Boldly Elon protest
Juniors Annica Gaebel, Bella Delagarza and Hannah Southern pose at an outdoor Elon Day photo booth.
FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
Boldy Elon Solidarity Collective’s protest at the Elon Day College Coffee on March 2.
CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Paige Sanderson, fan engagement chair, and Emily Sanderson, president of Student Union Board, planned activities at this year’s Elon Day Extravaganza at Iconic Plaza.
Sophomore Morah Caidin and junior Trinity Dixon hold up a “recognize the union” banner during Boldly Elon Solidarity Collective’s protest at the special Elon Day College Coffee on March 2 in front of Alamance Building.
CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
Angela Freeman, food server for Elon dining, hands environmental studies Professor Jacob Rutz a cinnamon bun at the special Elon Day College Coffee on March 2 in front of Alamance Building. CLARE GRANT | PHOTO EDITOR
College coffee and Boldly Elon protest located in front of Alamance Building.
FRANCES O’CONNOR | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior Ethan Krohn sings at the Elon Day Extravaganza at Iconic Plaza.
LIFESTYLE
Wednesday, march 3, 2021 | page 10
The Workshop:
GRAYSEN SHIRLEY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
‘More than just an art space’ Nathaniel Griffin, owner of The Workshop, has worked to make his creative vision a reality Graysen Shirley
Elon News Network | @graysenshirley
Artists sit in metal stools at wooden tables, surrounded by a white room with the only pops of color coming from the paint brushes, crayons and markers that line the shelves. This is the scene of a typical day at The Workshop, a newly-opened Graham art studio. Nathaniel Griffin, business owner and creative entrepreneur, opened The Workshop as a free space for individual artists and creators to produce art in Graham. “I want it to be a tool-lending library, and I want it to be able to provide resources and outreach,” Griffin said. “I want it to tie the community together.” The Workshop offers residents in Alamance County a connection to art supplies — brushes, paint colors, glue, crayons, pencils. Additionally, business owners, creators and artists can rent the studio space to host workshops, seminars and photo shoot sessions. This is where the majority of The Workshop’s income is made. They also make income through their merchandise sales including face masks, posters and pins. Stephanie Ruiz and Roger Moore, the coowners of Mystic Roots Co, a lifestyle and design company that offers commercial plant design services, utilize The Workshop to host their New Moon meetings every month. The meetings are based around teaching community members about how to harness energy from new moons through crystals.
Above: Nathaniel Griffin, the owner of The Workshop,
stands in front of a mural on Feb. 17.
Ruiz said working with Griffin has provided her with support as her business continues to grow in popularity. “It’s been amazing. He supports us and almost anything that we bring him,” Ruiz said. “We know that we want to do so many workshops there.” Griffin believed it was important to offer accessibility to others because of his childhood. “As a kid and as I was growing up, I didn’t have access to that stuff,” Griffin said. “I didn’t have access to a screen printer.” Coming from a family of artists in New England, Griffin had envisioned himself as an artist. As a child, he loved drawing comics and cartoon characters to show his classmates at school. In a high school art class, Griffin found himself becoming disinterested with learning the fundamentals of art and conforming to project guidelines set by his art teacher. Griffin said he wanted to let his creative impulses roam freely and not be confined to certain expectations and guidelines. “For me creativity is like an impulse, but it’s a constant flood of impulse – one after the other, after the other,” Griffin said. Griffin’s desire to quench his creative energy came to a head after he moved to Burlington from Durham a few years ago. He had a job at a Dunkin’ Donuts but was not satisfied with demanding long-hour work weeks. After being let go from his job, Griffin succumbed to a depressive state brought on by substance abuse. “When I hit my bottom, I realized ‘OK I’ve been doing this for a decade, [it] hasn’t really improved my life at all, so maybe it’s time to change,’” Griffin said.
GRAYSEN SHIRLEY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A look into the inside of The Workshop on Feb. 17. Nathaniel Griffin started The Workshop as a free place for artists in Graham to work.
Griffin was still clinging to the vision he had since he was a child – a community hub and space full of artistic resources and supplies free to the public. “There wasn’t a place where young creative people could come and collaborate and meet other young creative people,” Griffin said. While searching for something to fulfill his creative desires, Griffin discovered creative entrepreneurship and realized he could provide people access to the tools and supplies they needed through the establishment of a community hub. Griffin set out to look for a studio in the Burlington-Graham area and came upon a white rectangular building at the corners of Washington Street and Providence Road that was for lease. Griffin contacted the landlord who was able to rent the space to Griffin. As Griffin began renovations on the studio space, the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States. “We basically started to do the build out on the space and then the pandemic hit,” Griffin
said. “I was like ‘I don’t know how long I am gonna be paying rent on an empty building.’” Griffin said he took out a $15,000 business loan to help pay for renovations on the space. Additionally, he started a GoFundMe page to allow community members to donate to The Workshop. In October 2020, Griffin decided to open the studio space to the public with only five wooden workbenches and few containers of art supplies and equipment. “I told my wife ‘Listen, if we have to open and we’re doing artwork on the floor on donated pieces of paper with old crayons and used markers, then that’s what we do,’” Griffin said. “Honestly, I wasn’t ready to just give up.” Griffin said he hopes upcoming workshops and classes will help to keep The Workshop afloat in the midst of the pandemic. “The Workshop is more than just the classroom space,” Griffin said. “It’s more than just the classes. It’s a building that I hope represents a community of people [who] work together to do some really cool stuff.”
lifestyle
Wednesday march 3, 2021
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THE ELON BITE IS A COLUMN THAT REVIEWS RESTAURANTS AND FOOD VENDORS IN THE LOCAL AREA
THE ELON BITE
Mike’s Deli sandwiches invoke nostalgia for New Jersey
Jack Chambers
Senior
Some mornings after a long night, there are only a few things that can cheer you up. For me, comfort food from home is the best way to that in the form of a Taylor Ham, egg and cheese sandwich. One of the only places I have found this comfort food is at Mike’s Deli in Burlington. Nestled in a strip mall just off South Church Street, this deli reminds me of home and has everything one could want out of a local deli. This sandwich, believe it or not, is quite a contentious subject in New Jersey. Some call it the meat pork roll and others call it Taylor Ham. Before I go on, I would be remiss if I did not offer my take on the issue that Barack Obama refused to pick a side on, and I wholeheartedly believe there is a right answer to a very petty argument: it is Taylor Ham, not pork roll. The breakfast sandwich was just perfect. The greasy, smoked and tangy Taylor Ham was cooked to a nice, crispy golden brown. The eggs were slightly overdone, but the sandwich came together perfectly anyway. Protip: I recommend asking for an extra egg and a hash brown on it. On these types of breakfast sandwiches, I find that salt, pepper and ketchup work great. But for those who like more spice, I recommend substituting ketchup for sriracha mayo. The taste was great; it reminded me of home. If anyone needs a morning pick-me-up, this is the way
JACK CHAMBERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A breakfast sandwhich from Mike’s Deli in Burlington.
to go. Try one of their pickles, too. Breakfast is not the only meal Mike’s Deli does well, either. It also is great for lunch and day-trips. They have hot and cold sandwiches that travel very well if you are taking a trip or if you need it delivered via Grubhub. The prices are decent too. Everything fits within budget for what you pay, and I am never disappointed. The only drawback I normally find is
the ordering time. I recommend calling ahead or ordering through a delivery app. Some of my favorites are the Italian sub, cheesesteak and roast beef and turkey. Overall, this trip to Mike’s was an 8 out of 10, and bonus point because it reminded me of home. If you have a take on the pork roll/ Taylor Ham debate or have a suggestion to review, email me at jchambers5@ elon.edu with your thoughts.
JACK’S SCORE
8 of 10
Every week the restaurant reviewed is given a score out of 10.
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lifestyle
Wednesday march 3, 2021
SERIAL KILLERS FROM THE SOURCE Author Mary Brett researched 75 convicted serial killers in order to write her book Anna Terry
Elon News Network | @atterry63
All focus was on the television as Mary Brett tuned into an episode of “The Killer Speaks,” a documentary series detailing the life of Florida serial killer Gary Ray Bowles. While watching Bowles on the screen, Brett was intrigued — his behavior perplexed her. “I was fascinated,” Brett said. “He was very handsome. He was intelligent. He was articulate. He was charming. All the things I wasn’t expecting from this serial killer.” Brett said her curiosity only heightened when the program ended. She wanted to know what in Bowles’ consciousness provoked his killing spree. Brett felt she needed insight and decided to send a letter to Bowles asking why. She received two letters back from the Florida State Prison. Inspired by his response, soon enough Brett found herself writing to 10 to 15 convicted serial killers a week. A Virginia native, Brett studied at Elon University for two years in the 1960s before obtaining her BFA degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1971. Now living in Florida, Brett works as a research writer and author and recently released her fourth book, “Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers,” on Jan. 19. The publication is a true-crime book containing biographies on 75 different serial killers. Within the book, Brett included court and interrogation statements, parole board hearings and media statements — any record that would provide information as to why the killers acted in the manner they did. In addition to information about their crimes, backgrounds and arrests, Brett added the letters exactly as written in hopes to provide readers with more insight into the minds of the criminals. “I don’t think you understand anyone better than when you hear their words and their deeds and you put them together,” Brett said. “‘Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers’ is just another way to emphasize that.” In about half of the letters Brett received back, the convicted killers denied their crimes and claimed their innocence. Elon University associate professor of psychology Duane McClearn, who has expertise in serial killers and criminal behavior, said this form of denial seen in serial killers could be the result of a psychological disorder. “Some of them, they have more or less lost touch with reality at some level and maybe a very profound level,” McClearn said. “They might not be able to remember what they’ve done clearly. And so, they might legitimately believe they have not done it.” Throughout the book, Brett said she was careful to list the information in a manner that was as impartial as possible. “I did not glorify the crimes. I didn’t forgive the crimes. It was just kind of a matter of fact,” Brett said. Similar to the focus of “Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers,” Brett’s first three works of literature covered a spectrum of unorthodox topics she said piqued her interest: sideshow
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I DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND ANYONE BETTER THAN WHEN YOU HEAR THEIR WORDS AND THEIR DEEDS AND YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER. ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS’ IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO EMPHASIZE THAT. MARY BRETT AUTHOR
performers, dollhouses and 19th-century mourning jewelry, clothing and customs. Brett said she usually spends three to four years writing each of her books, gathering as many details as possible. “Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers” was the result of four years of research, according to Brett. Even after the release of the book, Brett said she is still fascinated by “how someone could become so broken.” Brett said studies have proven patterns within many serial killers — once the violence starts, they can’t stop it. These feelings could be explained in part by antisocial personality disorder, a mental illness that McClearn said is seen in many serial killers. People with antisocial personality disorder do not follow societal norms, are deceitful and intimidating in relationships and are inconsiderate of the rights of others, according
to Harvard Medical School. McClearn said antisocial personality disorder exists in serial killers in different degrees and subtypes. “There’s some people with antisocial personality disorder that would do bad things and they would feel no remorse whatsoever,” McClearn said. “And others that would feel some remorse and others that would do bad things, but draw a line somewhere.” When asked what she hopes her audience will take away upon reading “Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers,” Brett said she wrote the book with women in mind. “I guess for a woman— I want her to realize that you have to be a little bit more cautious,” Brett said. “You don’t get into a car with someone you don’t know, even if your car’s broken down. You don’t go home from a bar with someone that seems charming; that seems amazingly safe because maybe they are, maybe they’re not.”
COURTESY OF MARY BRETT
The book cover of “Out of the Mouths of Serial Killers” by Mary Brett.
