THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER
OF CHOWAN COLLEGE
wm
DECEMBER 1991 VOLUME 19, NUMBER 3
Suddenly it's
CHRISTMAS
u
Best Wishes
for a happy and meaningful
holiday.
The Smoke Signals Staff
Chowan experiences "shortfall" in budget,
crisis over, no academic cuts to be made
Chowan College is now experi
encing close to a million dollar
shortfall. In order to meet this
shortfall in the operating budget-
predicted income and spending-
the administration has prepared a
three-fold response to the program:
1) cut expenses, 2) take money
that was planned for other areas
and spend it on the operating
budget, and 3) use additional funds
from the reserve fund to apply to
the shortfall.
JohnNesbitt, Vice-President for
Business Affairs, claims, “What is
happening is not unusual. During
the recession everyone is feeling
the pinch. 45% of all universities
reported budget cuts last year, and
I expect more to do so this year.”
Nesbitt says the “crisis” is over,
the administration will not be cut
ting back any academic programs,
and progress towards four year
status continues. Some jobs have
been phased out, however Joiin
Nesbitt told the student body in a
memo that although “these are
painful and unfortunate, they are
Leadership conference set for college
students to develop self-esteem, reach goals
October, 1991—St Petersburg,
FL—College students nationwide
are invited to participate in a four
day cofiference designed to h^
them reach their goals, improve
their self-esteem and to assist them
with their future careers.
The National Leaders of To
morrow Conference will feature
eight guest speakers including such
role models as former San Fran
cisco Gaints baseball player, Dave
Dravecky; inspirational and moti
vation^ speaker, John^ Cmyle;
CEO of Chick-fii-A and author of
“It’sEasierto Succeed than to Fail”,
Truett Cathy, January 2-5 at Walt
Disney World’s Contemporary
Resort. Abortion of all proceeds
from the conference will benefit
Student voices ...
In general, Chowan students make more complaints than praises
about the way things are going at the current time. With the student
body’s input and some constnictive suggestions, we can improve the
overall situation here on campus. From time to time, you might see a
member of the Smoke Signsils staff walking around with a camera,
interviewing students. By all means, walk up to him and speak your
mind. With enough input, things just might change the way we want
them to.
In this issue, “Student Voices” wiU focus on the subject of visitation.
Several students were asked how they thought visitation could be
improved. HopefuUy, as the result of everyone’s efforts, visitation will
be improved to the point where the students are more satisfied, as well
as the heads of the college, are moresatisfied.
“Have visita
tion on the week
ends also. Many
people stay here
the entire week
andyoucan’tsee
your friends in
your own
room.”
—Chris Sandbank
Sophomore
“More
vacy.“
pri-
—Jeff Bernard
Sophomore
“Have visita
tion in the day
time, like in t^
afternoon.”
—Leighanne Heinback
Freshman
“I think the
visitation hours
should be ex
tended, maybe
from 6:00 until
midnight. More
leniency on re
strictions, such
as being able to close your door
and not having to put both feet on
the floor.”
—Christi Bailey
Freshman
Photograph
Not
Avaiabie
“I think visi
tation should be
every day, not
just Monday
and Thursdays.
Two days a
week isn’t
enough time to
see your friends.”
—Melanie Martin
Freshman
“There are no
bathrooms for
girls in Duiui
Hall. They have
to walk all the
way across cam
pus just to go to 'i
the bathroom. I
would like to see a new policy
where an RA or RD could escort a
girt to the bathroom and make sure
no one enters.”
—Marcus DeMaaijer
Sophomore
the Big Oak Ranch, a home for
abused and neglected children in
Alabama.
Yon4a 1^. Barbour, Presider.: of
Leaders ofTomorrow, explains the
rationale behind the organization:
“Leaders of Tomorrow was formed
to help college students realize their
dreams. Our motto is “Dare to
Dream” and we want to instill that
courage in students. Too many
talented students don’t fully real
ize their potential because no one
ever gave them permission to
dream before. We want to give
these students the self confidence
to dare to be the President of the
United States, or a large corpora
tion, or whatever their dream may
be.”
During the conference. Leaders
of Tomorrow will award scholar
ships to outstanding student lead
ers who have demonstrated leader
ship ability, been an example to
their peers, or have overcome per
sonal challenges. Students also will
receive assistance in marketing
their resumes to top corporations
looking to hire outstanding college
graduates.
Alpha Beta Gamma
elects new officers
Officers for the current school
year were elected at a recent meet
ing of Alpha Beta Gamma, Beta
Tau chapter. Mike Moore serves
as president, Tracey Francis as vice
president. Missy Wright as secre
tary, Martha Futrell as treasurer
and Jason Askew as project chair.
Alpha Beta Gamma is continu
ing its birthday project for students
and has deliver^ over 25 cakes at
this point. The club sold in excess
of 150 miniature Halloween cakes
during a recent fund-raising activ
ity.
Induction service
for new members
New members were initiated
into Alpha Beta Gamma, Beta Tau
chapter, during a candlelight cere
mony on Thursday, October 17 in
McSweeney Hall. Initiates were
Jason Todd Askew, a merchandise
management majorfrom Sandston,
Virginia; Martha Jane Futrell, an
accounting major from Ahoskie,
North Carolina; and Melisa Ae-
leene Wright, an accounting major
from Franklin, Virginia.
absolutely necessary” in order to
make the college’s operations
“more cost-effective and efficient”.
Nesbitt says that the college is
trying to get across a message,
“We care. We are concerned, but it
takes time to make changes. Be
patient. We are here for the stu
dents. If you have a question the
person you should go to is the
pjerson who can answer questions
or give change. Start with the per
son with the most specific author
ity with the understanding that you
have every right to go to that per
son’s superiors until you get satis
faction”.
Board approves plan
The Executive Committee of the
Chowan College Board of Trus
tees has approved a strategic plan
by which the administration of the
college can handle the current
shortfall in the budget and end the
year with a balanced budget, ac
cording to Dr. Jerry Jackson, presi
dent.
Addressing the faculty and staff
of the college. Dr. Jackson told
employees that the college is fac
ing close to a million dollar short
fall due to the decrease in student
enrollment this year.
“The budget we presented last
year to the executive committee
was based on 725 full-time stu
dents and 25 commuting students,”
saic| Dr. Jackson. “As you know
we only had 738 fiiU-time resident
students and 81 commuting stu
dents to enroll this year. We are a
tuition-driven institution and this
decrease in tuition has effected this
year’s budget.”
Chowan announced last year it
was returning to a four-year col
lege in the midst of a demographic
trend of declining numbers of high
school seniors. The college also
raised admission standards last year
requiring the SAT for all students
applying to the college.
The executive committee of the
trustees reaffinned their eariier
decision recently voting to con
tinue to raise academic standards
for admission to Chowan.
“On paper this year’s freshman
class at ClK)wan is the best class
we have ever admitted to Chowan,”
said Dr. Jackson. “Buy raising the
standards we turned down over
150 students who should have been
admitted under the previous ad
mission standards and if we had
admitted them, I would not be
standing here today telling you
about this shortfall.”
John Nesbitt, vice-president for
business, told faculty and staff that
Chowan is experiencing “fiscal
stress” and that there is a plan
approved by the executive com
mittee to overcome this stress.
There are also plans in process
which will allow for more accurate
prediction of student enrollment
and other fiscal procedures which
will prevent this situation from oc
curring again at Chowan. Saying
the college has reserve funds avail
able and is anticipating a higher
student enrollment next fall, Nes
bitt outlined strategies for over
coming the shortfall which include
expense reductions in all depart
ments and cuts in expenditures
which had planned for this year
such as equipment purchases.
Nesbitt pointed out to the fac
ulty and staff that recent campus
renovations and improvements,
(new bookstore and snack bar) are
not the cause for the shortfall in
that they were budgeted expendi
tures for improving the campus in
an effort to attract more students to
the campus.
“The trustees are in complete
support of the plan we presented
them for managing this shortfall
this year,” said Nesbitt. “We in
tend to end the year with a bal
anced budget.”
The decision was made by the
trustees and administration to cut
services rather than programs.
Services in student development
include student activities, health
and security cuts. The college is
also looking into employing out
side vendors including a food serv
ice and janitorial service in order
to save money.
Dr. B.FranklinLowe, vice presi
dent for academic affairs, assured
the faculty that there are no aca
demic “cuts” being made and plans
are all on schedule for the return to
four-year institutional status.
Many colleges across the nation
are experiencing the same kinds of
problems, said Lowe. The demo
graphic trend has caused colleges
to compete more for students and
made it difficult for small colleges
in this competitive market.
Management accounting
class takes trip to area firm
By Keith Butler
(Special to Smoke Signals)
The Management Accounting
240 class went on a field trip to
Halifax Linen Service, Inc.,
Roanoke Rapids, NC, on Thurs
day, November 7, 1991. The
owners, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
McElheney, gave a grand tour of
their service enterprise.
“We were favorably impressed
by their innovative computerzied
operations and the pleasantness of
their employees,”said students.
McElheney had planned a pres
entation from the management
point of view. He and his wife
patiently walked the class through
the entire factory. McElheney
continuously explained the cj'cli-
cal steps involving his massive
equipment. His ingenious man
agement skills and high-tech equip
ment rank him among the best in
the linen service business. McEl
heney also gave practical informa
tion about how his enterprise is
managed and provided numerous
handouts, including special ac
counting reports based on their
recordkeeping. The handouts will
be beneficial for future reference.
The information and encourage
ment to do well in college made
thetrip worthwhile, students agreed
Cheryl McElheney is a Chowan
graduate who currently serves on
Chowan’s Board of Trustees. She
reminisced about her college days
and told us that she really appreci
ates what Chowan has meant to
her. Mrs. McElheney uses the
accounting knowledge she learned
at Chowan often and encouraged
students' to use the opportunities
they have to learn as much as they
can. Her strong enthusiasm kept
students undivided attention.
All the students agreed the trip
was very interesting. Viewing the
operation of a service enterprise
and hearing it explained from such
a practical point of view have left
lasting impressions. Many com
plimentary remarics were made by
students Jifter the field trip. Tony
Wieczordk said that firm has “out
standing management.” Cathy Po
land said. “The people working
there seemed to be enjoying their
work, even a 72-old lady who did
not look as if she were ready to
retire.” said Phil Wilson said, “The
technology was impressive.”
Missy Wright commented, “Mrs.
McElheney is really sold on
Chowan College and seemed not
to be able to praise Chowan
enough."
Accounting professor, L.M.
Wallace, treated students to lunch
at Ralph’s Barbecue, following the
management learning experience
at Halifax Linen Service.
The Chowan Chorus and Band rehearsed for performing their annual Christmas concert on Dec. 3, under
the direction of Dr. James Chamblee.