Burnout and college: “I’m trying my best”

Sidney Garrison, a junior and psychology major at WCU, sits at his desk with his computer screen reflecting on his face as he exhaustedly applies for internships.   “Almost every single day I felt just tired and exhausted. I’m trying my best to make it through the semester,” Garrison said.   As the semester progresses many […]

WCU students and faculty help Cypress Missions become a “beacon of hope” for WNC

Spring break is usually the time students and faculty take the opportunity to go on trips with their friends or family. Some take the opportunity to have some time off and just relax in their hometown. Eight WCU students saw it as an opportunity to work and help those in need in the Western North […]

WCU fraternities push for stricter party lists

WCU partying scene is changing, or at least the fraternities are trying. WCU fraternities are cracking down on who can enter parties, aiming to keep the list of attendees to members of Greek life, friends and female students. This comes after an issue of fights, drugs, needle roofying and high schoolers attending the parties at […]

SMN: Edwards dodges questions on Medicare, Franklin Social Security office closing

Story from Smoky Mountain News politics editor Cory Vaillancourt, re-published with permission In what could very well be a sneak preview of his in-person town hall in Asheville later today, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) abruptly walked away from a podium in Canton’s Sorrells Street Park and refused to answer questions about federal cuts to programs […]

WCU is building up and losing commuter parking

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald, March 13 edition The Western Carolina University first Board of Trustees meeting this year on March 6 and 7 was an opportunity to brag on the university successes: high enrollment; increase in the retention of students (over 90%) and increased graduation rates (over 44%). The trustees received updates […]

DEI policy a ‘moving target’ for WCU

Story produced with Mackenzie Atkinson The University of North Carolina system sent out a memorandum on Feb. 5 about systemwide implementation of President Donald Trump’s Jan. 21 Executive Order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” to all chancellors and provosts. The memo goes into detail about new requirements for working with federal agencies that […]