The Compass Friday, March 8, 1996 3
Editorial
LErreRs
Help Wanted
The time has come for us to select a new chancellor at ECSU.
Forums have been held, radio talk shows have aired, and commit
tees have been formed. What now?
No matter who is selected, not everyone will be satisfied with
the new chancellor; however, it is important that the next chancel
lor will be someone who listens to students. We need someone
who will make sure the needs of the students are met and that the
University is working to improve their well being.
We need someone who will make sure the computer lab is
operating effectively for students, that the University Center is
meeting their needs, that our housing facilities are in good condi
tion, that books arrive in the bookstore on time, and that the
mailroom is available to students during posted operation hours.
We know the chancellor cannot be concerned with all of these
matters. However we want a chancellor who will hold the indi
viduals in charge of these areas accountable, thereby improving
the quality of life for the students at ECSU.
Do we want someone who is going to follow and enforce Uni
versity policy—even if it means getting our cars ticketed or towed
from no parking zones, or having class on snow days? Yes, be
cause these things demonstrate a dedication to carrying out the
goals of this institution and maintaining campus order. We need a
chancellor who is not afraid to make decisions based on what he
or she feels is best for the University.
We need a chancellor who will improve the University's public
image, and who will move us to a higher level of academic excel
lence. We need a chancellor who will see that the University is
operated in a professional, business-like manner so that it will
pass muster with the state auditors.
We believe Interim Chancellor Dr. Mickey L. Bumim will be able
to accomplish these goals. He has already demonstrated what he
calls a "no-nonsense, committed, caring approach to running this
University." Based on his performance as interim, we believe he
has proven he is a strong and viable candidate for the permanent
job of chancellor.
The Compass
The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under the
direction of the Department of Language, Literature and Communication, Dr. Linda
Florence Callahan, Chairperson, and Mr. Stephen March, faculty advisor.
News Editor Latisha Edwards
Copy Editor NaKeisha Sylver
Sports Editor Tonia Polston
Poetry Editor Yushawnda Thomas
Chief Photographer Jamie Jordan
Office Manager Scott Lawrence
Entertainment Editor Lolithia Underdue
Advertising l\/lanager James Perry
Production Manager Diane Patterson
Staff writers Sonya Holley, Angela Burrus,
Tiffany Newell, Donald Perkins,Tonia Polston,
Jon Lytle, James Perry, Tamikia Spruill,
Yushawnda Thomas, Tim Smith, Jean Samuel
The Compass welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be sent to ECSU
Box 815, Elizabeth City, NO 27909. All letters must be signed and include the
writer's address and telephone number. They may be edited for length, clarity,
and taste, as well as accuracy and grammar. Because of limited space, not all
letters can be published.
Twenty-two hundred copies of this publication were printed on recycled paper at a cost of 45c each.
Aquarluin in Limbo.
unfair to fish
To The Editor:
The lives of some fish hang in
the balance while administrators
make the decision whether to
change the area housing the
aquariiim, located in the Jimmy
R. Jenkins Science Complex, into
classrooms. A slew of expensive equip
ment sits in a closed room; both are
unused.
It would seem that the ten 25 gallon
tanks, the 100 gallon tank, the 50 gal
lon octagonal tank, one nonfunctional
touch tank, two sitter tanks, and a TV
and VCR could be put to better use.
Two of the tanks are expensive salt
water tanks, but neither of these are in
use, either.
Some of the tanks are now algae-
filled, and are green and yellow-orange
from the growth. Water-Med tanks still
run, but they are empty. Only three of
the fresh water tanks have any form of
animal life.'
ECSU was to have had a marine biol
ogy degree in place, and the aquarium
would have been a perfect learning tool
for these majors. The degree is yet to
be put in place, and the aquarium has
yet to reach its full potential.
Dr. Blackmon, chairperson of the Bi
ology Department, says that there are
not enough classrooms in the science
complex, and that the room is needed
for instructional space. Though it
would be nice to have the aquarium,
he added that tax payers were not pay
ing for little children to be entertained.
He said that it was more important for
students to be able to leam.
Most students, however, never knew
about the aquarium when it was open.
Members of The Compass staff had to
be told where the aquarium was lo
cated.
At one time there were turtles, her
mit crabs, fish, and other life living in
the aquarium, but now all that remains
are a few fish.
Recently, only work-study students
have been involved with the aquariimi,
according to Dr. Blackmon. When it
first opened, part-time help was hired
through the admirustration, not the Bi
ology Department according to Dr. G.
Harmon, biology professor. It was af
ter the employees left that work-study
students began the task of managing
the aquarium.
Many students in the Biology De
partment would like to see the
aquarium opened. They feel it is not
fair to the remaining fish, and students
and faculty who do not know about it
on campus.
Dr. Blackmon hopes that in the next
few months a decision wUl be reached
concerning the aquarium. Until then,
the fish and equipment sit and wait.
— Tonia Polston
KISS
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wonds rhAT aeovme uy TosquB
TO STRoke yOVR car AtfAM
wrrh WARM RCvebmoNS rhAT now fiftd rcst
IN CORNBia o f luy UppfR STORY.
AqqRcssively bhiNq, i bAlANce love
UpON SCaUs of whiM OR RCASON,
evcR fiNdiNq a ncarIy pcRfecr weiqhT.
/ Need TO TRAvel yovR spiNe,
MAkiNq IT WET wirk MiRRORiNq phitAses.
opeN TO Mf AS i fAll deepBR, love.
opeN AS i SAVOR yovR life
fovNd wItMn This cavern.
come,
come wiTh me.
if pRomised i pRomise wirh This aIso —
A kiss.
— DavkI Gibso^
Elizabeth City State University
is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees.