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Vol. 65, No. 1
Circulation 2,200
Elizabeth City, NC
September 20, 2001
HheCompass
Elizabeth City State University’s award-winning student newspaper.
Intelligent Minds Advocating New Ideas
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President of SGA, Keith Richardson
Kymber Lee Taylor
Kymber_t@hotmail.com
The Student Government
Association of Elizabeth City
State University will be experi
encing some dramatic changes
this year, including a new SGA
advisor and a new SGA presi
dent. The SGA cabinet mem
bers say changes will also
include new programs that
better communicate ideas to the
student, new committees that
encourage student participation,
and a new homecoming agenda
that is devoid of the traditional
concert.
In keeping with this new
approach to student govern
ment, SGA has a new “nick
name;” IMANI. Sherri Horner,
SGA attorney general, explained
that “IMANI is a Kwanzaa abbre
viation for faith and stands for
Intelligent Minds Advocating
New Ideas.”
IMANI’s new president, Mr.
Keith Richardson, was officially
introduced to the student body
at its first SGA meeting on
August 28, 2001. Ms. Keisha
Ferguson, former SGA presi
dent, announced, after a poi
gnant speech, that she would be
resigning from office due to the
approaching birth of her child.
She explained that the vice presi
dent, in the event of her dismissal or
resignation would become president
according to policy. Ms. Ferguson
urged the students to become
active in SGA affairs so that the
university will be certain that the
SGA cabinet, who are paid for their
services, will accurately represent
the student population.
“1 am here to serve you,” Mr.
Richardson said. When asked to
explain what changes students can
expect this academic year,
Richardson said, “this administration
is all about the students.”
Pamela Jones, the recording
secretary, added, ‘Ihe administra
tion needs to realize that without
students, there would not be an
Elizabeth City State University.”
IMANI has established “Open
Mic Monday” to keep students
better informed of the events occur
ring around campus. Clubs, organi
zations or individuals may submit
their comments to SGA in the Com
muter Building offices and such
announcements will be made every
Monday in the cafeteria. This may
serve to educate only half of the
student population because over 50
percent of the population is com
muters. John Livingston, the SGA
officer who represents the com
muter student population, plans to
establish a system of telecommuni
cation so that commuter students can
be informed through radio broadcast
ing, the university’s website, and a
possible mass e-mail that would be
distributed to all commuter students.”
The Student Activity Council,
consisting of thirteen representatives
who will select the entertainment and
other campus programs, is another
new program.
“The committee will consist of
the vice president from each class, a
representative from each college, two
representatives from the Student
Leadership Academy, two represen
tatives from the Pan Hellenic council,
and one student from the commuter
population,” explained Dr. Jene Holt,
the new advisor to SGA and the new
Assistant Dean of Student Life.
Dr. Holt comes to ECSU with a
breadth of knowledge and experi
ence. Afler receiving her doctorate in
education she worked with various
institutions in areas of student life. At
the University of Central Florida,
where she worked before coming to
Elizabeth City State, she was respon
sible for SGA activities, the leader
ship programs and student activities.
Despite IMANI’s attempts to
increase student involvement, stu
dents this year will not be participat
ing in a homecoming concert.
Valentina Wade, SGA treasurer,
explained “(SGA) had met with the
entire student activity council and
came to a compromise to have the
concert during Viking Fest instead.”
According to Dr. Holt, there was “just
not enough time for the concert.
More over, the lack of student atten
dance at past concerts seems to
have been a determining factor.
Dr. Holt added that in light of the
recent cuts in funding “we can’t afford
to throw $40,000 or $50,000 dollars
away when only one or two hundred
students will attend.”
So what can students do to
ensure their desires are being ad
dressed?
John Livingston explained,
“Students need to maximize their
attendance at SGA affairs. This will
serve two purposes. It will allow them
to express their concerns and it will
ensure that the programs they enjoy
will remain.”
ECSU Receives Scholarship
Endowment Check
Public Relations Reports
Independent Insurance Agents been working diligently to develop
of North Carolina Presents Scholar
ship Endowment Check to Elizabeth
City State University
Raleigh, NC-The Independent
Insurance Agents of North Carolina,
Inc. (IIANC) - a professional trade
association representing over 850
Independent insurance agencies
across North Carolina - presented a
scholarship endowment check to
Elizabeth City State University in the
business partners throughout the
state of North Carolina, and we are
pleased to welcome IIANC as a
partner.”
The funds for the endowment
were made possible through the
North Carolina Association of Insur
ance Agents (NCAIA), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of IIANC. The
subsidiary company, utilizing the
expertise of member independent
amount of $50,000. The presentation agents, helps identify risks and place-
was made in the Kermit E. White
Center at thee university.
John Coupland, President of
IIANC, presented the scholarship
endowment check. “On behalf of our
board of directors, members and
staff, we are pleased to be able to
provide this lasting endowment to
Elizabeth City State University which
contributes-so greatly to our state
insurance coverage to protect assets
of the state of North Carolina.
At the end of each year, NCAIA,
a nonprofit organization, is charged
with dispersing its profits to benefit
the people of North Carolina. Grants
are made in four areas: fire and
safety projects, education, scholar
ships and art endowments.
The Independent Insurance
through its support and development Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) is a
of higher education.”
“One of the most special times of
the year is when someone reaches
out and gives you a gift of opportu
nity,” commented Chancellor Mickey
L. Burnim of ECSU. “We sincerely
appreciate the scholarship endow
ment gift from IIANC, which could not
have come at a better time. We have
professional trade association repre
senting independent insurance
agents from across the state. The
mission of IIANC is to be an advocate
for independent insurance agents
and to satisfy the business and
professional needs of its members.