Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Feb. 13, 2008, edition 1 / Page 1
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You’re Out! Elon Univer Softball team wins season opener, p. 16 ent Publication PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Sneak preview, p. 12 enbulum Wednesday, February 13,2008 • www.elon.edu/pendulum • Volume 34, Edition 4 Phi Beta Kappa committee inspects Elon Ashley Barnas/ Photographer Junior and senior Honors Fellows talk about their Elon experiences Ashley Barnas News Editor Inviting four strangers to your home to judge everything from the color of the shutters to the spotlessness of the kitchen counter can bring on a great deal of anxiety. When Elon invited four members of the Phi Beta Kappa Committee on Qualifications to visit its campus from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, it went through an equally thorough inspection. Since being denied membership in 2000 and again in 2003, Elon has done a great deal to improve upon those aspects which the committee pointed out on prior visits to campus. “When we say ‘no’ to an institution, we tell them what [to improve],” said committee member Catherine White Berheide of Skidmore College. Several improvements cited after the previous visits include “creation of a stronger library, implementation of a foreign language graduation requirement, increased released time for faculty scholarship and a better advising program for students pursuing graduate careers,” as stated in Elon’s current Phi Beta Kappa application. “When we look at the library, we’re looking for access to full text,” Berheide said, just as “a top flight institution should have.” She noted that Elon obviously spent more money on its library and improved it as suggested on previous Phi Beta Kappa visits. There are more volumes and better access to educational materials, especially those available electronically, she said. Another major aspect of the committee’s inspection is making sure that academic freedom is visible on campus. “You see evidence everywhere that people challenge things,” Berheide said. See PHI BETA KAPPA/ Page 4 Future of Lighthouse Tavern still uncertain Camille Demere and Margeaux Corby Reporters Last Thursday, Dean of Students Smith Jackson met with the Student Government Association to discuss the future of the former Lighthouse Tavern, which Elon University became the official owner of in January. Jackson cited the university’s “strategic interest” in property surrounding campus as a reason for the purchase. Jackson expressed interest in collaborating with students to create a place that was “safe, exciting, and social.” He stressed that the university’s plans for Lighthouse included having an informal space for students. About 30 members of the student body attended the meeting to voice their opinions. Debate centered mainly on whether alcohol should be present at the new venue and how much renovation the location would undergo before its opening. Students voiced concern over the pKJSsibility of ARAMARK being used at Lighthouse and the possible implementation of Elon’s new 0-1-3 drinking policy. Jackson insisted the university’s main concern was preventing underage and excessive drinking. Many spoke up about the differences between the atmospheres of Lighthouse and West End Station, and emphasized that Lighthouse’s closure had taken away a significant social establishment for students. “There are 5,000 students at Elon and one bar,” said sophomore Jenny Statler. “Not everyone is the same.” Attendees also expressed concern that if Lighthouse did not reopen as an alcohol- serving establishment, students would seek bars farther off campus and may drive under the influence. Jackson gave no answers, but reiterated several times that the university had made no final decisions. He said the reopening of Lighthouse would depend on its final form and could happen as early as this spring or as late as this coming fall. One idea Jackson rejected was that Elon should sell the property to make a profit, preferring to keep it to “use as a student service.” Many students, including sophomore Ryan Sweeney, said the space should be turned into a concert venue. Sweeney, who served as personnel director for WSOE, suggested modeling the space after Duke University’s Duke Coffeehouse. “[Lighthouse’s] sound system is fantastic and the venue-like bar environment would allow a small fee at the door in order to pay the bands,” Sweeney said. There is a lot of good local music around Elon and the Chapel Hill/Durham area and I know bands that would love to play at a venue like Lighthouse.” Jackson stressed that Thursday’s presentation was “not the only meeting” on this subject. The entire student body will be polled via the Internet about the issue before action is taken. Winter Term alcohol policy remains unchanged Laura Wainman Reporter This January, about 730 students and 60 faculty and staff members traveled all over the world on Winter Term study abroad programs. With those kinds of numbers, it was inevitable that someone would get hurt. After a drinking-related injury on the Aboriginal Australia anthropology course, there has been talk about whether students can expect a change in the alcohol policies during Winter Term study abroad courses. Currently, the policy stands that if students misuse alcohol, they run the risk of being terminated from the program and sent home before completion of the course. A letter is sent to the home of every student participating in a Winter Term abroad course prior to departure so that students are aware of the consequences of misusing alcohol. Students also sign a form acknowledging university policies. If any students are terminated from the program, they receive no refund, must travel home at their own expense, are faced with honor code charges once back at Elon, receive an “F” in the course and are placed on preliminary suspension, which would prevent them from studying abroad for a year. This decision is not appealable, a fact made known to the students in the same letter they were asked to sign before beginning the course. These same regulations apply to the semester study abroad programs as well. Larry Basirico, dean of international programs, said that the decision to terminate a student from a course is not made lightly, as he knows the ramifications for the student, the professor and the school are difficult. “Elon is firm but reasonable when it comes to alcohol policies,” Basirico said, “but it is important for students to realize that Winter Term study abroad is by no means a drinking party.” On this year’s Winter Term study abroad course, one professOT felt that drinking See POLICY/ Page 4
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Feb. 13, 2008, edition 1
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