Editor’s note:  As a result of an ambiguously-worded COVID “dashboard,” the original version of this article, first published Aug. 20, erroneously listed the number of new cases as 8 and not 22.  University administration convened a working group Aug. 21 to address the website to ensure the accuracy of future […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on Aug. 20, 2020.  Move-in weekend is usually a joyous occasion for Western Carolina University students and their parents. For many occupants of The Husk and The Helm apartment complex, this has not been the case. The Husk and The Helm faced various code […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on July 16, 2020.  Western Carolina University’s 2020-21 Housing Agreement has left students angered and concerned for the upcoming school year. “Residents acknowledge that, in the event of such temporary closures, restrictions, and/or adjustments to the housing services schedule, WCU shall not have the […]

North Carolina, despite logging record numbers of new cases over the past two weeks, including a new single-day record of almost 2,500 on July 11, still maintains the “safer-at-home” phase 2 of reopening. One of the defining provisions of this phase is the 50% capacity allowance for dining-in at restaurants. […]

Editor’s note: JB is in favor of removing the statue but has attempted to present this article relatively free of bias. In the wake of the George Floyd protests, the 2017 call to remove the local confederate statue “Sylva Sam” from the steps of the old courthouse is reawakened and […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on July 2, 2020.  Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved changing the name from “Hoey” to “University” on a campus performance facility. Hoey Auditorium was named after Democratic politician Clyde R. Hoey. Hoey, served in both houses of the state […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 25, 2020.  BaShaun Smith has served as Western Carolina University’s interim associate vice chancellor and dean of students since June 2019 but permanently accepted the position as of May 1. “I decided to stay at WCU because of the amazing students we […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 11, 2020.  Work has begun on a facelift of the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. “Addressing the water leak issues in the existing curtainwall is the primary goal of the Ramsey Activity Center Curtainwall Replacement project,” according to the website of […]

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 11, 2020.  After much anticipation, Western Carolina University has officially announced changes to the fall semester calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WCU will hold its first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 17, as previously scheduled, but has decided to eliminate […]