2 Wednesday, December 6, 2000 The Compass
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TalkofECSU: by Laquisha Tisdal
If you were elected President of the United States^ what is
one thing you would change?
James Hill,
Junior
‘Past Presidents have helped middle-
class and rich, I would help the poor.”
D.L. Underdue,
Asst,U.V.Center Coordinator
“I would make the Immigration Policy
fairer.”
Lasindra Webb,
Junior
Kelvin Turnage
Junior
“I would try to enforce stricter laws
on discrimination.”
“I would bring
prayer back into
schools.”
Community Neglects ECSU
Inger Parker
frenchvanilla80@hotmail.com
Among the long-simmering argu
ments among Elizabeth City State Uni
versity students during recent years
has been how best to make the Uni
versity more visible in the Elizabeth
City community.
Like other neighboring universities.
East Carolina University among them,
ECSU plays an integral role in both
the business and social fabric of Eliza
beth City. Yet, according to some ECSU
students, the city of Elizabeth City does
not provide the same type of support
to ECSU like Greenville supports ECU.
ECSU is one of the most intriguing
landmarks of Historic Elizabeth City.
The University was founded in 1891
as a result of black elegance, pride and
dedication and at a time when blacks
were not allowed the opportimity to
attend an institution of higher learn
ing. Through the bravery and pioneer
ing efforts of ECSU forefathers, like
Hugh Cale, blacks were given the
chance to explore the world of suc
cess. The school has been a highlight
for Elizabeth City for over 100 years
and its students feel it should be
praised accordingly.
Many speculate why the Elizabeth
City community fails to embrace and
recognize ECSU as a part of their rich
heritage. When observing a commu
nity like Greenville, where East Caro
lina University is located, it is very
noticeable that the town has much
pride for .the local University. The sarne ^
is obvious for many other corrmiuni-
ties and their local colleges and univer
sities.
Unfortunately, it seems as though
ECSU lacks the same type of support
from the Elizabeth City community.
For years, ECSU students have been
aware of the lack of support that the
community gives to the University and
its students.
"It was just homecoming and no
stores supported us by selling our para
phernalia, " said Danielle McCain, a
junior at ECSU. She adds, "I know we're
a small school, but we're still in the
district." McCain also expressed that
Elizabeth City department stores
should try to sell more ECSU products.
"In Hibbit's Sports, Belk and JC Pennys
they sell Georgetown, North Carolina
State and Duke University sweatshirts,
but nothing for ECSU," she said.
Michael Edwards, a sophomore at
ECSU has a more balanced analysis of
the situation. "The City is not obligated
to give us special treatment, but I be-
Ueve they should because ECSU and
its students help to put this city on the
map," said Edwards.
Many of the businesses that students
feel neglect the University are local
stores, restaurants and hotels that make
a great deal of money from the stu
dents. Some students take on part-time
jobs in grocery stores, fast food restau
rants, and department stores.
In addition to working for the city,
ECSU student organizations also vol
unteer in the commuiuty. The New Gen
eration Campus Ministries has spon-
s6fed‘ "Coats for Kids" drives. Sigma
Tau Delta English Honor Society has
volunteered at the Albermarle Food
Bank and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is
active in after school programs and the
"Meals on Wheels" drives. This is not
an exhaustive of the community ser
vices that ECSU students provide. With
all of the work and money that ECSU
students put into the city, it seems as
though the city at large would give the
University more recognition.
Recently, however, there have been
some attempts from the community to
show ECSU support and form a rela
tionship with students. During ECSU's
Homecoming this year, Ms. Peggy
Langly, of the Chamber of Commerce,
along with her staff hung ECSU ban
ners along Main Street. The Celebrity
Golf Classic, sponsored by the City, is
an event where students, members of
the community and celebrities play golf
together. And The Daily Advance is con
sidering supplying newspapers to the
University's bookstore for student pur
chase. However, students consider this
endeavor as only a minimal amount of
support.
Elizabeth City's city manager, Mr.
Steven Harold, agrees that ECSU is a
resource that is well worth the busi
ness' and the local community's tar
geted efforts. However, he said the stu
dents have to meet the community half
way. "I would imagine that not selling
ECSU products has something to do
with the size of the operahon," he said.
Harold said that ECSU has 2,000 stu
dents compared to the 15,000 that are
enrolled at ECU, which means that
ECSU does not have a large amount of
alumni as ECU does and, therefore,
less of their products are sold in busi
nesses in the community. Harold also
addressed student discounts. "In lo
cal stores, merchants have to know
that students are going to purchase
items from their stores before they can
sale a product and offer discounts."
Harold encourages students to make
it known that they want more support
from the community and its busi
nesses. He suggested that the Student
Government Association of ECSU,
along with the SGA's of COA and The
Roanoke Bible College combine in or
der to make a strong impact.
Also, Harold suggested that the
SGA's meet with Ms. Rhonda Twiddy,
president of the Elizabeth City Cham
ber of Conunerce, to discuss discount
cards for students and activities that
students and the community could
participate in, such as bowling, bas
ketball or tennis tournaments that the
city could sponsor. "Students can also
go to places like Walmart, or
McDonald's and tell them about ECSU
events and ask those businesses to
sponsor the events, which offer those
businesses more advertisement oppor
tunities and a chance to sell their
goods."
Harold beUeves that opportimities
are there for a better relationship be
tween ECSU and Elizabeth City. "We'd
be glad to do whatever we can to bring
the Ur\iversity closer to the commu
nity and vice versa."