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 […]

Anonymous donor encouraging students to look beyond the frame in a short story contest

Imagine that you win a short story contest, and you want to meet with the person who donated the money, but that person wants to stay anonymous. The English department of WCU has announced a short story contest called “Beyond The Frame” where students can submit short stories for a cash prize. The short stories […]

Mental Health in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene devastated the lives of many throughout Western North Carolina and as many are working on rebuilding, mental health is not a priority. But should it be that way? Helene caused the damage of more than 100,000 homes in WNC, affecting nearly 200,000 people total. Eighty community emergency response teams volunteered logging more than […]