Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Oct. 10, 1997, edition 1 / Page 3
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The Compass Friday, October 10, 1997 3 Editorial Letters Learning by example College is a door of higher learnmg which we can open to new opportunities. However, we are sometimes left in the cold when it comes to the treatment we receive from certain staff and faculty members at this University. Even in a place like the library, where we expect courtesy at all times, we are sometimes treated rudely. Recently a student asked a librarian to assist him in finding ii\formation for a class. Using a cold and unfriendly tone, the librarian berated him and accused him of not clearly expressing himself about what he needed to find. When the student tried to explain what he was looking for, the librarian replied, "That doesn’t make sense!" In the Financial Aid Department located in the Administration Building, a poster on the wall states that we, the students, make up the University. It explains how the University's faculty and staff should give us the best service because they are here to serve the students and not the other way around. Does the University really live up to this ideal? Recently, two freshmen male boarding students were leaving for class when their dorm director surprised them with a room check. According to the students, when the director inspected the room as being "untidy," he ordered the two residents to clean the room immediately or they would be "written up," even though the students told him they had a 9:30 class. The students cleaned the room, but in following their dorm director's instructions, one student was late for class and the other student missed class all together. Incidents like these can make students wonder why they should struggle for scholastic achievement when their efforts are thwarted by those in authority. We don't mean to imply the University's staff and faculty are full of tjTants. ECSU has many courteous, caring staff and faculty members who are dedicated to seeing that students receive the best quality of education and who maintain a mutual respect. However, the rude and inconsiderate members are the ones who characterize this University as a "war between faculty and students." We, the students, learn from our examples. How can we be taught to take our education seriously if we are discouraged from going to class because our rooms may be messy at times? How can we be taught respect if we are forbidden to speak in certain classes because the professors don't think our thoughts are important enough to be expressed? We appreciate Chancellor Burnim's efforts to change this University into "a student-centered institution." But, in terms of the way we are sometimes treated, we believe he has his work cut out for him before that goal can be reached. Elizabeth City State University is accredited by tlie Commision on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate de grees. The Compass Editors Angela Burrus, Tiffany Newell Sports Editor Al Joyner Copy Editor Samantha Marshall Photographers Franklin Scott, Damon Lynn New Notes Editors Frances Hugher, Kimberly Hines Poetry Editor: Kimberly Hines Graphics Consultant Diane Patterson Staff Writers — Chenay Beamon, Melvin Hall Kim Hines, Frances Hughes, Damon Lynn, Cindy Smith, Dwayne Pope, Donald Perkins, Gary Walton. The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under the direction of the Department of Language, Literature & Communication, Dr. Velma Brown acting Chairperson, and Mr. Stephen March, faculty advisor The Compass welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be sent to ECSU Box 815, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. All letters must be signed and include the writer's address and telephone num ber 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. . , Compass ‘one-sided’ in its coverage of student mom issue To The Editor: In May, 1997 the final edition of The Compass reported on an issue that was so contentious it still has the campus community commenting on it. The ar ticle that I am referring to was about student mothers. The article did not investigate both sides of the issue. While the students who were inter viewed for the report are indeed truly blessed to be able to return to school and have the support of their families, the truth of the matter is that this is not the "norm." Less than forty percent of pregnant college students actually com plete their education. The article seemed to imply that it was no big deal to combine mother hood and college. Working in the Covm- seling Center and handling withdraw als, I speak with students, both males and females, who are coming to with draw because they do not have, or their families carmot afford to, support them and their unborn child. They have to go into the "real world" and try to find a job that will, hopefully, provide a decent living for their child as well as themselves. Trying to find a "good job" with limited education and experience is very difficult. Having a child is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are important is sues that have to be addressed before a child should be brought into the world. Financially, how is ^s baby going to be provided for: doctor visits, food and clothes, are not options; they are im perative to caring for/raising a child. Welfare will shortly be unavailable and without federal, state or local funding, who is going to pay for the iiutial hos pital visit to bring the child into the world? While many students do not see a problem with having extended family members raise their child while they continue school, the formative years are extremely important in the devel oping relationship between a mother and child. I have had students to with draw because of this very concern; they do not want their child calling anyone but themselves "mommy," and they are completely justified because the birth mother is the one who goes through all of the physical, emotional and mental changes for nine months. Another concern is health. Far too many young women do not fully un derstand the importance of first being healthy themselves and the urgency of prenatal care. Quite a few complica tions that infants and toddlers have could have been prevented through prenatal care. Also, other complica tions, such as stress and the changes alone that a woman's body goes through during pregnancy, are very draining and simple tasks now become complicated. Walking, sleeping and eating are just a few tasks that become difficult with pregnancy. When a single young woman be comes a mother her social life is almost null and void. Any ideas of attracting "Mr. Right" are taxed because you have to question whether or not that young man wants the responsibility of a "ready-made" family," especially with all the problems with child support (if you were getting any to begin with), adoption, parental rights (of the baby's father if he isn't), social worker involve ment, and his own college career. Certainly having a baby can be a source of great happiness, especially when it is plarmed for and wanted. When the baby is welcomed into a home where both father and mother are prepared for it and are committed to its future and their own, it is a real time of joy. In Todaj^s world, where single parenthood is so easy and so apparentiy acceptable, but, when re sponsibility and mature behavior have given way to instant gratification, young women especially must think seriously, not just about themselves and their educational future, but also about their child. It is far better to wait for the right time, the right man, and the right circumstances. Despite hopes and dreams to the con trary, thinking it will be different for me, the harsh reality is that being a single parent is not an easy task and being a single parent without sufficient education only makes a tough situa tion harder. B. Angela Holley University Counselor Letter to the Eciitor policy The Compass welcomes letters to the editor—to express readers' concerns, or in response to articles or commentaries published in The Compass. The editors especially encourage students to write letters on issues that concern them. Letters, which should be signed and free of libelous-statements, may be edited for both clarity and or available space.
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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