Page 2 THK COIVIPASS New Year Brings A New President Letter To The Editor The new year brings a new president to the White House and to the Elizabeth City State University Student Government Association. James Earl Carter offically became our 39th President as the lamb duck Gerald Ford officially left office. At ECSU Thomas Armstrong, vice- president of SGA became president when the lamb duck Melvin Norman left office. Both presidencies will face problems during the new year. President Carter now has the task of fulfilling his promises to the American people. Blacks showed up in record numbers to help elect Jimmy Carter and he owes them a debt. At present, Carter’s cabinet contains only one black, Mrs. Patricia Roberts Harris, secretary of Housing and"^ Urban Development. But, of course. Rep. Andrew Young will have cabinet status as ambassador to the United Nations. Another black man, Clifford Alexander Jr. is slated as secretary of the Army. By James Finch Many are commentmg that there should be more blacks in the cabinet. They ask why Barbara Jordon’s name doesn’t appear on the list. Jordan and others feel that they can better serve their race where they are but we still need to look forward to the appointment of other blacks to the Carter ad ministration. Within the next few months. Carter will be faced with numerous national problems, the economy probably being number one. Blacks can not expect him to meet all their needs but he must be kept conscious of his promises. Thomas Armstrong now has the job of leading the student body. Shifting his administration, Jasper Amstead was made vice- president and Evenlyn Pinder, treasurer. Other offices will remain the same. Melvin Norman, having completed his studies here decided that it would be a waste of time for him to remain here for the sole purpose of running the SGA. STAFF 1976-77 Editor-in-Chief James Finch Associate Editor Harold Renfrew Feature Editor Joyce Terrell Managing Editor Sylvia Peele Photographers Terry McCarty Cherri Spain Reporters Evelyn Williams Elizabeth Wooten Thomas Graves Anthony Rahming Lazarus Simons Jasper Richardson William Hartley Elaine Mangum Wendy Jones Lawrence Wiggens Humphrey Igwilo Secreatary Typist . . Patricia Pickett Janet Graham Janice Fields Lovan Briggs Jerilyn King Faculty J. T. Williams J. Worsham Feeling that there were other able students capable of replacing him and having job offers back home, he resigned. It is apparent that neither Melvin nor anyone else ever considered the fact that he was to complete his graduation requirements the first semester. During spring elections those running for office should be more considerate of whether they can fulfill their duties. The President of the Student Government Association is a very im portant individual. There may even be some discussions as to whether student teachers should run for the office. And it must be made sure that the can didates meet the criteria spelled out in the constitution. Although it is difficult to do so, officers should be elected on their merit. Both presidents, Arm strong and Carter will be faced with a lot of problems in 1977 and they should be given the utmost support and un derstanding. Aid To Students Available The American College and University Service Bureau announces a service to aid students, both under graduates and graduates, obtain funds from foun dations. The Bureau’s director says, “There are hundreds of foundations with millions of dollars in funds earmarked to aid students in meeting the cost of higher education that goes untouched each year. Why? Students do not know of the foundation or foundations or how to go about obtaining these funds.” The Bureau offers its services to deserving students by supplying names of foundations and guidance as to how to go about ob taining funds from same. For more details on this service interested students may write, American College and University Service Bureau; Dept. S; 1728-5050 Poplar Ave.; Memphis, TN 38157. I and many other students on this campus are victims of the taxi drivers of Elizabeth City. When we get a taxi driver to bring us to the campus, he charges all of us the same price. I think he is suppose to split the fair between all the student^ in the taxi. For What Are Grades? Grades are a system of telling a student his rate of success or failufe in his studies. Grades are not a means of control or a threat, to be hung over his or her head. With the 4.00 system a student may remain in school as long as his grades do not drop below a C. If they do drop below a C he or she will be put on probation until the grades are brought up to an A or C. The advisor of your department has a copy of your grades and he or she can tell you your grades as they stand in the files. No one can take away or give a grade. A grade is something Within the educational systeni there seems to be a lack of the so-called “professionalism” that is constantly being discussed. In most of the teacher- preparatory classes, we, as students, are told to believe that “professionalism” comes about through tedious hours of study and work. However, does it not also seem to reason that organization is a mark of the true “professional?” How is it possible for an instructor to pass on valued information that the prospective teacher can use when in reality the same instructor cannot even remember the assignments given the day before? When dates for completion are given for varied assignments and these dates are con stantly rearranged at will, what methodology is reallv being studied? Chaos? example it costs $i.oo or $i % to go to and from the bm station. The driver chare! all of us that price. ^ I think something should be done about this. Also I want to make everyone aware of what’s going on. Victim of the Taxi Driver you earn and something that can not be taken away. And! for example only means that your grade is being held back until you complete the study that will pull the grade up. ECSU is an accredited university which means that when you get your B.S. it is as good as B.S. degrees from any other school in the state. A B.S. at the end of four years will allow a student to worlt anywhere if he is qualified for the job. Qualifications are also based on grades, not hear say. An employer will look at a student’s transcript before he hires him. So grades are everything today. Ronald E. Wood If I, as an adult true to my word, were to say, “I will expect this to be done tomorrow,” then I have to presume that my students know I mean the work is due tomorrow. But if I were to say the same thing and give a date six weeks hence, 1 surely wouldn’t ask for the work the very next class meeting! That really doesn’t seem to that mark of the “professional.” Whatever happened, also, to the old-fashioned, direct-to- the-point answer? Has it become passe to expect a direct, truthful answer to a legitimate question? If it has, then someone better tell the rest of the world. Or is it the lack of knowledge on the part of the instructor? ! surely hope someone wises up to the situation before it gets any worse than it already is. NAME WITHHELD Hot dogs can be frozen Tor up to two months. Lyceum Scheduled Lyceum Scheduled Program 1977 Sounds in Motion February 22,1977 Catch a Rising Star March 15,1977 Concert by Frozine Greene March 23,1977 Alex Haley April 3,1977 Percussion’70 . . . .Aprill8,l977 All programs are tentatively scheduled in Moore Hall Auditorium.