The Compass Friday, May 1, 1998 3
Franklin S cott photo
Hope Jones, Miss ECSU, models evening wear during The Showcase.
^ The Compass
Editors Angela Burrus, Tiffany Newell
Chief Photographer Franklin Scott, Jr.
Sports Editor Jemayne King
Copy Edito Samantha Marshall
Graphics Consultant Diane Patterson
StaflF, Chenay Beamon, A1 Randolph, Kimberly Hines, Garry Walton
Kevin Walston
The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under
the direction of the Department of Laynguage, Literature & Communication,
Dr. Velma Brown Chairperson, and tvir Stephen March, faculty advisor (edi
torial). Advisor tor business affairs and technical support: Dr. Randall Clack.
Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate
.degrees.
Reporter’s job teaches
student lessons in life
by Kimberly Hines
This semester has been filled with as
signments and deadlines. My experience
as a reporter for The Compass has emabled
me to learn a great deal about hard work,
dedication, commitment, the real world,
and myself.
As news notes editor, I learned that it is
important to stay on top of people to do
your job successfuly, because they do not
always come through the first time you
ask.
As poetry editor, I have learned to be
more compassionate, more open-minded
and patient.
As a reporter I have learned not to edito
rialize, or give my own opinion in a news
story, the importance and effectiveness of
using quotations, and the value of commit
ment to a story.
I have also learned to be a more effective
editor, to receive constructive criticism, and
to work as a team member with other staff
members to produce a successful paper.
Not only have I learned a great deal
about life in the news arena, I have also
learned about news itself, terms and its
functions, especially as it relates to print. I
have, for example, learned the importance
of using quotes correctly with the correct
information, when to paraphrase a quote,
and the importance of checking spelling
and accuracy before allowing an issue to
go to press.
Misuse of any of these important details
can result in a paper’s loss of credibility.
I have also learned to create an appropri
ate lead for each type of story. The lead is
the most important statement in a story; it
can make or break a great story.
I have learned the different types of leads
as well. For instance, a buried lead is found
later in the story, not in the beginning. A
cluttered lead is long and contains too much
information, somewhat of a “run-on sen
tence.”
Working for The Compass has been an
excellent learning experience this semes
ter. I have acquired hands-on skills in the
field of print and practiced those skills.
Being the only student enrolled in Jour
nalism Lab taught me that in life, not ev
eryone you think you can depend on will
prove themelves worthy, but the work has
to be done and someone has to do it.
My job has given me a new understand
ing of journalism, and I am grateful for the
experience.
More call boxes installed
for campus emergencies
ECSU students who worry about their
safety should feel relieved to know that the
University has just completed installation
of an additional three emergency call boxes,
bringing the total number to six.
These push button units are available
during emergencies, according to a state
ment issued by the Campus Police Depart
ment. Pressing the call button will contact
police personnel, who will be able to elec
tronically identify the box location.
By pressing the button a second time, a
student can speak to the dispatcher or an
officer.
“Individuals should press the call button
if they feel threatened, see someone suspi
cious or believe another person may be in
trouble,” according to the statement. “The
button may also be pushed when an indi
vidual believes “circumstances could place
them in an unsafe situation.”
The system will operate 24 hours a day.
Boxes are placed on utility poles with lo
cation lights turned on at night.
Flashing blue strobe lights will activate
when the button is pressed as an additional
crime deterrent.
Here are the instructions for use:
Press the Push for Help button. A green
indicate light will light up momentarily,
notifying you that your call has been sent
to security.
Along with the green light, a recorded
message will be played by the Callbox,
indicating assistance is needed at your lo
cation.
The recorded message will repeat until
Security responds to your call.
When Security receives the call, a red
light on the Callbox will light up, telling
the user that the Callbox is ready to relay
your message. This also indicates that Se
curity is physically responding to your lo
cation.
If you hear a security officer introduce
himself, press and hold the push for help
button and speak in a normal voice.
When you are finished speaking, release
the button and listen for Security’s response.
The boxes are located in front of Lester
Hall, at the rear of the G.R. Little Library,
in front of Ridley Hall, in the New Women’s
Dorm, (parking lot ‘L), in the gravel lot at
the rear of McLendon Hall, at the Cardwell-
Hoffler Infirmary, and in the R.L. Vaughan
Center Parking lot.
Gift
Free the mental
Combine your inner abDity to lead
Use your gift to explode
Explosions like nuclear weapons
Open the vacuum in your
cerebral cortex
Inhale
Kelvin Walston