The Compass ' Thursday, March 18,1999 3
Editorial
It’s A Question
Of Ethics
By Artelia Covington
Editor
A lot can happen over five weeks.
For instance, the President was ahnost
impeached; I'm sure by now you know
that he has been acquitted of all
charges. An innocent man was killed
in New York. The first hand transplant
was performed. King Hussein of Jor
dan died. These are just a few of things
that have been publicized in the me
dia.
I am sure you are probably wonder
ing: What in the world does this have
to do with me? Well, not much if you
are not concerned about what is going
on in the world and what is going on
aroxmd you, but if you are,then I say it
has a lot to do with how you are af
fected by things.
Let's take a look at the first issue I
brought up. President Clinton's im
peachment. I really thought that he was
on his way out for good. But I stand
corrected. Let's move on to the second,
the yovmg man kiUed in New York. In
case you don't know the specifics, let
me fill you in. A young African man
was shot 41 times by the New York
Police Department because they
thought he was carrying a firearm. But,
he wasn't. Then we have the first hand
tranplant for an emergency medical
technician who lost his hand in an un
fortunate firecracker/cigarette acci
dent. The transplant was a great suc
cess. And last, but certainly not least.
King Hussein of Jordan succumbed to
cancer.
Now, why did I mention all of those
things to you? Am I just so fascinated
with the news and what is going on in
the world that I feel the need to share?
Well, that is only part of it. The major
reason that I've taken the time to men
tion these things is to get you to make
a connection. What is the connection
with Clinton's acquittal, an innocent
man's murder, a hand tranplant and
King Hussein's death? The answer is
ethics. An ethic is a code or a moral
standard to which we must all aspire
to.
We must all ask ourselves the eternal
question; Have I lived up to my moral
and ethical standards, and do I con
tinue to hold myself in high esteem?
Ask yourself.
The Compass
Editor Artelia Covington
Assistant Editors Monique Boyce, Marty Jacobi
Editor at Large Marty Jacobi
Sports Editors ...Al Randolph and Jermayne King
Copy Editor ..Jacquie Casey
Features Editor Ronel Brewer
Photographers Michael Lampart, Jamie Powell
Staff. Al Randolph, Xavier Wise, Maria Phelps,
Meya Humphries, Stacy Prock, Shekekia Smith
The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under the direction
of the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication; Dr. Velma Blackmon,
Chairperson; Mr Kip Branch and Mr. Stephen March, faculty advisors (editorial); Dr. Karl
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University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools to award Baccalaureate degrees.
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Telephone Numbers You Should Know-
Commentary
What To Do About Our Enrollment?
By Artelia Covington
Editor
Ho\V do we improve the student en
rollment and student retention rates
here at ECSU? That is an age old ques
tion that students and administrators
alike have been asking for years.
Students here on campus have been
saying give us the other perks that other
schools enjoy like air conditior\ing in
every dorm, up to date facilities, and a
good soUd social life to rival the aca
demic one.
What they may not know is that our
concerns and questions have been
heard and that steps are currently be
ing taken to ensure that we here at
ECSU not only receive the best pos
sible education, but that we get those
perks that our rival schools enjoy.
Our solution came in the form of Mr.
Stai\ley Henderson, the Associate Vice-
President for enrollment management
consultant for the University of
Cincinatti. Mr. Henderson came to us
highly recommended; he has over 25
years experience in financial aid/
registrar's office, and also as director
of enrollment and admissions.
Mr. Henderson was on our campus
for three days and met with commuter
students, honor students, leaders on
campus, faculty, senior administrators.
Chancellor Burnim, Dr. Margery
Coulson-Clark, Dr. Lois Green, and rep
resentatives from the Registrar's office.
Career Services and Counseling, Gen
eral Studies, Fianancial Aid, Univer
sity Relations, staff and supportive
staff.
Dr. Deborah C. Fontaine, Vice Chan
cellor for Student Affairs, envisions
ECSU's enrollment improving almost
dramatically over the next ten years,
from our current 1,932 students to 2,800
by the year 2008.
Also according to Dr. Fontaine, the
state of North Carolina acknowledges
that over the next 10 years it expects
some 40,000 to 50,000 students to be
seeking higher education. If this hap
pens as she expects ECSU will want to
step up to the plate and be competative
with the likes of North Carolina A &T
and UNC-Chapel Hill. This is one of
the reasons why we brought in outside
help in the form of Mr. Green, the con
sultant.
It is a well-known fact that when the
economy is up and thriving people go
to work to take advantage of the money
floating around; when the economy is
bad people go to school to get some
skills to make themselves more mar
ketable.
America's economy is the best it has
been in thirty years, so we must ask
ourselves where does that leave us and
what do we do to make ourselves more
appealing to students seeking higher
education?
Spiritual
Score
the spirit’s fifes do blow,
playing night and day.
listen...
chords mid-score
tell all things, each piece moving.
the ears obscure gather tones
what of words, the lyric?
revealed to the soul.
whispering truths and foes of the same.
listen...
sit and play with the Spirit.
-david scott
©david scott, 1999