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Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Erika Kengni, News Editor

Erika Kengni, News Editor

Erika Kengni is a sophomore planning to double major in journalism and French with a minor in law, justice, and society. After spending the summer pouring over articles for her research with Professor Patrick Walters, Erika is excited to get back into actually writing some of her own. On campus, when she’s not studying in the library, you can find her taking the long, scenic walk to the law school, where she practices with the Mock Trial Team, or on the third floor of Reid Hall, operating the teleprompter for the Rockbridge Report.

All content by Erika Kengni
Lexington’s parking enforcement car has not worked for several years. Amid business owners’ parking frustration, the department purchased equipment to fix the car and Lexington police pledged to increase parking enforcement.

Lexington police address parking issues amid business owners’ concerns

Business owners say city officials are not doing enough to enforce parking laws
Erika Kengni, News Editor
December 9, 2024
Bob Strong, Kevin Finch, Maureen Edobor and Lucas Morel discuss election results at Stackhouse Theater.

After a remarkable Trump win, students and faculty share their reactions

The provost’s office hosted a panel with faculty from various departments to discuss the election
Erika Kengni, News Editor
November 18, 2024
By the time a student arrived at the Red House, the graffiti was scrubbed off. Neither the police nor the university have disclosed the content of the graffiti.

LGBTQ+ center vandalized in the midst of election anxiety

Purple graffiti was discovered in the Red House by a public safety officer on Nov. 7, but questions regarding the suspects and the security of the building remain unanswered
Erika Kengni, News Editor
November 18, 2024
The Journalism Department is offering a spring term abroad course to Barbados to study climate change.

Spring term abroad selection is too early and confusing

Asking students to choose their classes without all of the options being available can breed FOMO and trap students in decisions
Erika Kengni, News Editor
November 18, 2024
The “Unissued Diplomas” posters in Leyburn Library tell the stories of young people who have died in Ukraine since the war began.

SAIL revamps Ukraine event series

The student organization shifted its focus so the programming includes all students affected by global conflict
Erika Kengni, News Editor
November 4, 2024
A concept sketch of the Institutional History Museum shows part of the expansive property on the space that the Red House currently occupies.

LGBTQ+ space will be torn down, replaced by Institutional History Museum

Site plans were announced this fall, but a start date for construction of the museum is unknown
Erika Kengni, News Editor
October 21, 2024
5 Henry Street currently serves as general student housing.

Former Phi Delt house caught between fraternity lawsuit and plans for a queer safe space

Months after the fraternity was suspended, its lawsuit against the university and the fate of its house remain unresolved
Erika Kengni, News Editor
October 7, 2024
Many students keep their cars in the parking deck near the gym, although that does not mean that cars on the lower levels will not get citations.

All your questions about parking, answered by the Director of Public Safety

Craig VanClief hopes to set the record straight after parking scuffles last year
Erika Kengni, News Editor
September 23, 2024
There are counselors of color who work remotely via telehealth, but no in-person counselors of color at the counseling center. Photo by Erika Kengni, ’27

With no in-person counselors of color, students must look elsewhere for care

The director of counseling initially denied the importance of race when it comes to care
Erika Kengni, Contributing News Editor
April 8, 2024
New club wants university to pull support of fossil fuel companies

New club wants university to pull support of fossil fuel companies

Experts say divestment would be a symbolic move with no real impact
Erika Kengni, Contributing News Editor
March 25, 2024
Mohammed Mourtaja, ’25, leads discussion at a People for Justice in Palestine talk. Photo by Veronika Kolosova, ’25

Student, faculty panels criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza

The events ignited conversation on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But professors say the fear of backlash for supporting Palestine remains
Erika Kengni and Jenny Hellwig
March 12, 2024
Charlie Kirk joined Mock Con via a Skype call. Screenshot taken of 2024 Mock Convention livestream

Charlie Kirk bashes college, border policies via Skype

Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk surprised Mock Con attendees with a virtual speech after initial cancellation
Erika Kengni
February 14, 2024
Students support Campus Kitchen by buying breakfast at Season’s Yield.

Students organizations turn to local businesses for fundraising

With the right partnerships, buying coffee can become a way to support Campus Kitchen
Erika Kengni
February 5, 2024
Photos courtesy of Wiki Commons

Students react to Mock Con speakers

Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens are all part of the lineup
Shauna Muckle and Erika Kengni
February 5, 2024
Elliott Van Nice, ’27, throws her trash in the compost bin. This waste is then brought to the compost pile next to the Campus Garden where it breaks down into organic matter. According to the Washington and Lee Office of Sustainability, W&L processed over 211,000 pounds of food waste throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Residential buildings adopt goals for sustainability with new compost bins

Students are partnering with the Office of Sustainability to bring sustainable waste options to more places around campus
Erika Kengni
January 22, 2024
Botched Workday registration has students questioning the platform

Botched Workday registration has students questioning the platform

Students and faculty have been debating how the registration process could be better
Erika Kengni
December 11, 2023
The Human Library is an international nonprofit that uses human voices to create digital records on marginalization. Photo courtesy of the Human Library project

The Human Library Project brings digital mission of ‘un-judging someone’ to campus

Faculty brought the international Human Library project to W&L
Erika Kengni, Contributing Writer
November 13, 2023
Mock Convention's Executive Committee allocations in the year preceding a convention have varied significantly in recent cycles. This year, Mock Convention received less compared to 2011 and 2015, according to public data shared by the EC.

Inside the EC’s budget allocation process

Some clubs didn’t get the funding they asked for from the Executive Committee this year
Erika Kengni and Shauna Muckle
November 9, 2023
Laura Ulmer celebrates Halloween with students in Elrod Commons. Photo courtesy of Laura Ulmer

Get to know Laura Ulmer, director of student activities

Ulmer said she finds much to love about Washington and Lee, but she also has plenty on her plate
Erika Kengni
November 6, 2023
Students chat in Café 77, which underwent remodeling last winter term.

‘Tough choices’ with dining renovations leave some students disappointed

When students returned to campus this fall, they found much had changed in the most popular dining venue
Erika Kengni
September 25, 2023
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