HUi
m
Budget Cut-backs Put UNC
System into Financial Controversy
By Alan Miller
The recent budget cuts in
the University of North Caro
lina system will have a devas
tating affect on its 11 HBCUs
and the individual departments
according to Billicia C. Hines
and Eric Weil, professors at
Elizabeth City State Univer
sity.
Following
his selec
tion as
head
of the
UNC
system,
Dr. Thomas Ross,
former 2009 presi
dent of Davidson
College, announced
a retrenchment and
across the board cuts
that affect faculty, staff
and administrators. In addi
tion to an array of cuts, the
UNC system has approved 6.5
percent increases in tuition on
each campus.
ECSU’s Assistant Director
of Admissions, Darius D. Eure,
is preparing for an increasing his World Literature class and
enrollment this fall. “We are that number is expected to rise
taking some things into accor- to 50 at the start of the fall se-
dance, and we are looking at mester. “This doesn’t make
some factors. We are under any sense. Why are we accept
ing this many students with all
of that is going on,” said Dr.
Weil.
Hines, professor in the
atre, said that the large
class sizes will have a
huge effect on cam
pus. “Because more
freshmen are sup
posed to be
coming here,
there could
strained
resources but, P°'
we will do our best ^itions and a
to provide for the stu- lot of things could get
dents,” he said. severed. A lot of our class-
With increasing bud- rooms and buildings can’t hold
get cuts and more students bigger class sizes because we
enrolled than teachers hired, are already busting out of the
how will this affect these seams from the capacity level
schools? Dr. Weil, Language that we are currently dealing
Literature and Communica- with,” Hines said,
tion professor, said, “With an Hines doesn’t see the budget
increase in class sizes, you crisis improving but is hope-
can’t have the students do as ful. If the problem presists,
much as you want for the lack there are going to be even
of time to grade all that stuff.” more problems that we can’t
He currently has 30 people in even imagine.
Gas Woes Plague ECSU
By Davion Bradley
Over the past six months,
the national price of gas risen
by approximately 30 percent.
Elizabeth City State University
students have begun to feel the
pinch and it stings.
Because of higher gas pric
es, people are spending more,
with their extra money going
into gas tanks. According to
the Automobile Association of
America, the recent national
average for a gallon of unlead
ed is $3.74. That’s up 91 cents
from one year ago.
According to wishtv.com,
prices have been increasing
steadily since early February
when tensions in the Middle
East cut about 1.5 million bar
rels of crude oil per day from
the world market.
Gas prices are causing peo
ple in communities, such as
Elizabeth City, to make tough
decisions. “Do I spend mon
ey on high gas prices, or do I
spend money on groceries for
my family,” said Linda Whid-
bee, a native of Elizabeth City.
hit as well; the higher the gas
prices, the less convenience
stores are making. “Since the
rise of gas prices, we are not
making nearly the amount we
have made in the past years,”
said David Allen, a manager at
an Elizabeth City Sunoco.
Expensive gas prices are
taking a bite out of local stu
dents. Already having to bal
ance how they spend money, it
is worse for students with jobs
and vehicles. “I don’t have
enough [gas] to go to work.
I’m praying the gas prices go
down,” said Camron Gorham,
an ECSU senior.
From March 24 to April 11,
gas prices rose and they are
getting closer to an all-time
high of $4.11 per gallon.
There is no solution to stop
ping gas prices, but here are
some tips on saving money:
•Carefully plan your errands.
•Sacrifice some pleasures.
•Maintain your vehicle.
•Use alternate forms of trans
portation.
Convenience stores are being *Carpool with co-workers.
College
By Neko Phillips
Students Fight Perils of Freshman 15
Living on campus is new to percent of college students are ECSU offers a rather new fully equipment provided for them,
every freshman. Eventually, considered to be overweight or equipped gym and also pro- “All it takes is willpower and
it becomes their home, work, obese. Rates of obesity tend to vides a separate wellness cen- motivation” an ECSU student
school or community that may be higher for African Ameri- ter in the student health servic- said. “We must recognize that
Despite all of the proactive provide barriers or opportuni- cans and Hispanics. Trends es center. The cafeteria has also obesity is a real threat that
measures that Elizabeth City ties for an inactive and active show that obese teens grow incorporated other reduced so- compromises the overall well-
State University’s adminis- lifestyle. According to down- into obese aduhs. “Lifestyles dium items into its menu. Sa- being and development of our
tration have taken to ensure toearth.org, not only does the and environmental influences brina Williams, former Food students. Much is at stake
that its student population and fast food industry spend bil- are the main contributing fac- Service Director, said that a these young people are not just
non-students maintain a proper lions per year on marketing, tors to being overweight or large salad bar that offers fresh our future alumni but Amer-
weight and stay healthy, the but they have also infiltrated obese,” said McCoy-Davis. fruits and vegetables and two ica’s next generation of lead-
problem persists. our schools by signing con- A problem occurs once stu- vegetables are always offered ers.”
Obesity is defined as a medi- tracts with them. dents arrive on campus and in the main food
cal condition in which excess Most claim that students will are not properly educated line every meal,
body fat has accumulated to gain the “freshman 15.” Stu- on healthy eating habits and Obesity is now
the extent that it may have an dents leave home and visit fast proper nutrition. Students are the number one
adverse effect on health. It can food restaurants more frequent- surrounded with many poor preventable cause
lead to reduced life expectancy ly. Their schedules change of- choices, quick and easy meal of death in this
or increased health problems, ten and eating patterns natu- options. “Persons who are country. Accord-
America is the leading nation rally follow. Universities are overweight tend to have de- ing to thinkexist.
in obesity statistics. Fast food profiting by contracting with creased endurance and being com, over 3,000
chains and being ignorant of popular fast foods chains and overweight can result in long people die of obe-
proper nutrition habits are ma- offer more unhealthy choices term health problems such as sity every year,
jor factors. Each plays a signif- and minimal fresh foods. Af- heart disease, hypertension. Obesity is prevent-
icant role. Obesity is very pro- ter being asked why college diabetes and elevated cancer able. You wonder
nounced on college campuses students are overweight on and cholesterol levels,” said why people con-
and universities. Unhealthy campus, Regina McCoy Davis, McCoy-Davis. tinue their regular
weight gain results from a per- Director of Student Health Ser- In many colleges and uni- eating habits and
son consuming too many calo- vices at ECSU, reported “Over- versities, obesity is a growing ignore the impor-
ries while not doing enough weight and obesity rates have problem. However, ECSU is tance of exercise
physical activity to bum it off. increased nationally. Over 30 trying to combat this dilemma, with the necessary