North Carolina Newspapers

    2 The Compass Fnday, April 30,1999
t.
1L
■y
'‘’“aM
V
photos by J’aime Powell
Ms.TashaTillett of Delta Sigma Theata freshens up
her organization’s plot (left & above photos). One of
the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi repaints the
organization’s logo (right photo).
I
By Xavier Wise
Staff Writer
Just as April showers bring May
flowers, the turning of the calendar
brings forth my final days here at
Elizabeth City State University.
It's only natural that I, like most oth
er seniors, reflect on four years that
helped shaped my mind. Rather than
making this piece one that brings
about tears. I'd rather look back with
laughter. After all, graduation is sup
posed to be a time of laughter and
enjoyment.
I have been through a lot in my four
years here at ECSU. When I arrived in
August of 1995, I had no idea what
was in store for me.
Prior to coming here, if someone
would have told me that I would trav
el to the mountains of West Virginia,
play on a national championship con
tender basketball team, and become a
father all in four years, I definitely
would not have believed it. However,
we did play in Charleston, West
Virginia, we did compete in the 1997
NCAA Elite Eight Tournament, and I
was blessed with Keshawn on Dec. 13,
1997. Those who have walked before
me have said that higher education
will make or break you; It will be a
difficult experience to overcome, but
you must, nonetheless.
Aside from all that, my association
with the Men's Basketball team has
been an unforgettable one.
For four years, I ran out onto the
floor of the R.L. Vaughn Center
warmed by the cheering fans and hun
dreds of pom-poms being waved as
we started our pre-game rituals. We
may not have won every game, but we
did put forth a mighty effort each time
out. And despite the fact that my
teams didn't win a Central
Intercollegiate Athletic Association
(CIAA) Championship, I was glad to
have made it to the finals along with
my teammates this year. I've been to
many places and seen many things on
my four year journey, and this may be
why I feel the need to settle down now
as my days here come to a close. I can
only hope that those teammates I
leave here will experience the joys I've
had being a part of this winning
program.
Academically, I can truly say that I
was challenged every step of the way.
Each professor I've encountered
really opened my eyes to new things.
Since there's so much that I've
learned, I won't point out everything
and everyone for fear of leaving
someone out. So to every professor
that I've had the pleasure of meeting,
"Thank you". I hope these past four
years have been as unforgettable for
you as they have for me.
As I close. I'd like to leave behind
some'words of’Wisdom to those who
will someday be in this position: "No
commitments, no regrets". Simply put,
don't commit to anything you're
unsure of, and don't do anything that
you may regret later.
Sure, it's easier said than done. But
it's up to you nevertheless. So with a
smile on my face, and my cap on my
head, I bid ECSU a fond farewell and
best wishes to you all.
Campus Police Focus On Prevention, Education
By Marty Jacobi
Assistant Editor
Like others in the area, Elizabeth
City State University's campus is too
often the target of senseless acts of
vandalism, many times by people who
do not understand the university's
social and cultural significance to its
community and who do not care.
George T. Mountain, the ECSU
director of police and public safety,
has worked on campus for nine years.
He said that security measures are
regularly in practice to discourage
crime-related problems.
"We have secured officers on patrol,
checking and securing buildings,
"Mountain said.
"Normally, two police officers and
two security officers are on duty 24
hours a day.
Officers walk through each building
on campus before securing them.
Chief Mountain has two types of
law enforcement under his command-
police officers certified through the
State Attorney General's Office and
have full arrest authority and security
officers who provide additional eyes
and ears. These officers. Mountain
says, perform such necessary and
essential functions as assisting stud
ents who have car problems and
escorting students across campus after
dark.
Mr. Mountain says that educating
students about how to prevent cam
pus crime has also contributed to low
ering incidents.
"We try to do flyers and radio
announcements to students to encour
age them to lock their valuables in a
safe location," Mountain said. This
crime prevention measure helped to
reduce the number of thefts last year,
he said. Students are encouraged to
keep their dorm locked, even when
going to the shower, he said. Students
need to keep their car locked and keep
the key in a safe place. Valuables
should never be left alone, even in the
classrooms.
"We don't think anything bad will
happen to us, "he said. "Sometimes
we leave the windows down and the
keys inside. That certainly will help
criminals."
Chief Mountain adds that most cam
pus thefts tend to occur when a large
number of students are away from
campus, like over the holiday wee
kends. These, he says, can be avoided
in many instances.
"When a lot of dorm residents are
away, we ask kids to report any
suspicious activity they see to the
police department," Mountain said.
"We receive a few calls sometimes
during the semester."
Alcohol use is another factor in
crimes on college campuses. Chief
Mountain says that his staff regularly
meets with the University's Alcohol
Task Force to be proactive and stay
ahead of possible problems. The
Alcohol Task Force which is made up
of representatives from the depart
ment of Student Affairs and security
personnel representatives.
Chief Mountain suggests that issues
of security should be kept in the fore
front of everyone's mind..
"When things go well, we tend to
relax a little, "he said. "Especially in
the dorms, students become more
relaxed."