PIRATE PREVIEW
2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
NAVIGATING ROOMMATE DRAMA
ECU TRADITIONS FROM PAST TO PRESENT
STAFF LIST
Jaylin Roberts Editor-in-Chief
Nia Cruz Creative Director
Jamie Antinore Designer
Trevon McGlone Reporter
Schella Sprowl Reporter
Gabbi Heath Candidate
Cherie Speller Director of Student Media
Annah Howell Production Advisor
Candy Griffin Administrative Associate
Ryder Barrett Advertising Associate
Serving ECU since 1925, The East Carolinian is an independent, student-run publication distributed Thursdays during the academic year and Wednesdays during the summer. The opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers, columnists and editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the faculty, staff or administration at East Carolina University or the Student Media Board. Columns and reviews are the opinions of the writers; “Our View” is the opinion of The East Carolinian Board of Opinions.
As a designated public forum for East Carolina University, The East Carolinian welcomes letters to the editor limited to 250 words. Letters may be rejected or edited for libelous content, decency and brevity. All letters must be signed and include a telephone number.
One copy of The East Carolinian is free. Each additional copy is $1. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site constitutes theft under North Carolina law. Violators will mbe prosecuted.
Contact Info
The East Carolinian Mendenhall, G51, Greenville, NC, 27858-4353
Email: editor@theeastcarolinian.com
Newsroom: (252) 328-9238
Ads: (252) 328-9245
Fax: (252) 328-9143
Letter from the editor
Welcome home, Pirates!
Congratulations on your acceptance and starting an amazing journey with Pirate Nation. These next few years are going to be filled with many new and exciting experiences you will never forget. I would like to introduce myself as the Editor-in-Chief of The East Carolinian (TEC), ECU’s student-run newspaper.
As I am approaching my senior year this summer, I can tell you that time will fly by so quickly. I remember when I first stepped onto campus and immediately knew that this was the place I was meant to be.
Your next four years here will be some of the most life changing years you will ever experience as you transition into adulthood. You will meet so many different kinds of people and make life-long connections, as well as getting a taste of being on your own for the first time away from home. Remember it is normal to miss home from time to time while being here, but once you get settled in and begin to find your people, you will never want to leave.
ECU is such a special place filled
with pride, enthusiasm and die-hard sports fans. It is a place you will always call home. It doesn’t matter if you are into athletics, dance, art, journalism, theater or anything else, you will find your place here.
Even though college is said to be the best years of your life, there will be times where being here is difficult. You might change your major, drop a difficult class, discover the way you view the world is changing or that the people you thought were your closest friends aren't anymore. Don’t get me wrong, you will discover the best version of yourself, take classes that will change the way you think and find the people that will make you feel the most comfortable inside of your own skin.
The best advice I can give you as an incoming student would be to get involved on campus. I joined Pirate Media 1 my freshman year and it has been the best thing I've ever done. I started out in Creative Quarters as a photographer, worked my way up through management as the years went on and now I'm the editor of the Print Division. Being at Pirate Media 1 has allowed me to gain experiences
such as traveling to Michigan for game coverage, photographing events and concerts here in Greenville and making new friends and connections that I will value forever. If you’re interested in upcoming opportunities to join Pirate Media 1, email piratemedia1@ecu.edu.
The second best advice I've learned — and constantly tell myself — is that everything truly happens for a reason. Life will throw you so many curveballs to teach you a lesson, keep you on track with who you are meant to be and what you are meant to do. Remind yourself that you are human and it is OK to make mistakes, everything will work itself out in the end.
TEC and myself are committed to serving Pirate Nation as the most reliable and informative news source to help keep our community safe and informed. From coverage on city to campus events, TEC will continue to provide new students with the information they need.
Stay safe and have a great year Pirates!
Print Division Editor-in-Chief Jaylin Roberts will lead through April of 2025. Roberts began her tenure with Pirate Media 1 as a freshman.
Get Involved! Active organizations, clubs around campus
East Carolina University has over 300 student organizations and clubs on campus so there is something for everyone! From student leadership organizations, to clubs for similar interests, heritage, and backgrounds, everyone can find a club on campus that is just right for them. Here is a list of ten student organizations well known and active around campus. More about each organization can be found on The Pirate Experience.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association at ECU is an organization of governance that works to represent the voices of Pirate Nation. The focus of SGA is to advocate for the ECU student body with a created student assembly and student-university connections. First year students can get involved with SGA by joining Shipmates or applying on The Pirate Experience.
Contact: sga@ecu.edu.
Student Activities Board (SAB)
SAB is committed to creating an engaged and inviting environment, with different events almost everyday and over 100 every year! SAB is divided into four committees that the President and Vice President oversee: Film, Arts, Entertainment and Initiatives. To join you must fill out an application at the beginning of each semester or email the committees to find out more!
Contact: sabpresident@ecu.edu.
Helping Hand Project (HHP)
HHP established their chapter at ECU in 2022. Their mission is to promote HHP, build local connections, and create innovative solutions to unique challenges faced by those with limb difference. They hold fundraising events and host guest speakers who talk about physical therapy, 3D printing prosthetics and more. You can learn more about the Helping Hand Project on The Pirate Experience and attend the General Body Meetings.
More information can be found in the Linktree link in their instagram @ hhp.ecu.
Gabbi Heath FOR THE EAST CAROLNIAN
PHOTOGRAPHER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Caption
Dorm do's and don'ts
What to bring when moving into the residence halls
Necessities
Linens for an 80-inch mattress, including pillow and blanket
Towels and toiletries
Reusable cups or mugs and/or plates
Shower Shoes
Laundry basket or bag
High efficiency laundry detergent
School supplies
Optional
Snacks
Bicycle with lock
Coffee/beverage maker
Box or oscillating fan
Can opener
Command strips or removable tape
Iron
First aid kit
Electronic devices (television, laptop)
Fish tank (fresh water, 10 gallon max, one per room)
Chargers for devices
Clothes hangers
Varied weather clothing options (including rain gear)
Cleaning supplies
Safety-fused power strip or surge protector (dependent on building)
Not Allowed
Candles, candle warmers/wax melts, torch-style lighters or propane torches • Electric/kerosene heaters and/or air conditioners • Weights • Dartboards • Mattresses, waterbed • Oil lamps • Contact paper, wallpaper and non-removable stickers or “glow-in-the-dark" stars/stickers, self-adhering rope lights • Electric fry pan or deep fat or air fryers • Instant Pot or pressure cookers • Pets (except freshwater fish) • Incandescent light bulbs or torch-style halogen lamps or lava lamps • Cinder blocks and bricks • Weapons (including ammunition) and/or toy guns or weapons (water guns, nerf guns, cap guns, gel-shooter guns) • Extension cords • Hookahs, water pipes, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia • Non-approved bed lofts and canopy-style bed frames • Refrigerators and microwaves (Campus Living will provide one per room) • Hot plates and any heating unit with exposed heating element (ex: toaster, toaster oven) • Ceiling fan • Lighter fluid exceeding quantity of one pint • Television mounts and/or other wall fixtures, nails, light dimmers
*E-cigarettes, cigars, and cigarettes may be possessed in the residence halls, but not used. Campus and residence hall policies require these to be used outside at least 100 feet from all campus buildings.
Navigating roommate drama
Trisha Rangaraju TEC STAFF
As the new semester approaches and students begin to move into new houses, apartments and dorms, it is important to keep in mind how to best handle roommate disputes and disagreements that may arise.
Aida Khalifa, a junior and Resident Advisor (RA) at Clement Residence Hall, said RA’s are trained on how to mediate roommate conflicts in the residence halls. The roommates must write a roommate agreement that has written rules and expectations for each person on aspects such as when guests are allowed, how often they’ll clean, how certain items will be shared, and more. If a dispute occurs, they either change what is written in the contract and have both roommates present to agree on this or if that doesn’t work, then the RAs mediate.
Khalifa said this meant each roommate would have a chance to express their concerns and grievances with the RAs present to keep things civil. In extreme situations, the RAs could advise the roommates to complete room changes and in this situation it is the best thing for both roommates when the situation continues for an extended period of time with no end.
“Living in a dorm room with a roommate, it can sometimes get frustrating dealing with a roommate who
is messy, loud or tries to take over the space designated to each person, " said Khalifa. “I’ve seen a lot of roommate disagreements happen mainly because the roommates do not discuss at the beginning of the semester what their boundaries are. A lot of people go into dorm living expecting that it wouldn’t happen to them but when a roommate sees that you won’t communicate when they're doing something you don’t like they just keep doing it.”
Trevon McGlone, a senior and previous RA at Scott Hall, said he has seen roommate conflicts begin over small matters such as accusations of one another not taking out the garbage. In those moments, it’s proven useful for him to de-escalate the situation by taking a moment to listen to both sides. This way, there’s no fear of him playing favorites and he gets to clearly hear both perspectives expressed.
McGlone said sometimes solving roommate conflicts can be as simple as getting one person to open a line of communication. This way, they end up fixing the situation on their own without needing him to meditate.
“Honoring the Roommate agreements they sign at the beginning of the year is one of the easiest ways to avoid conflict,” said McGlone. “You can always revise these at any time, so it’s helpful for residents to use this if they have any issues that pop up in the future”.
Sarayu Adala, a sophomore at ECU, said she believes
the best way to avoid roommate conflict is to make compromises and be adjustive with your roommate. You should be respectful of your roommates' differences and preferences and empathize with them to coexist in the best possible way. It is also important to be willing to find solutions that work for all parties involved and to be flexible and allow for open communication to help things move smoothly.
Adala said another thing to keep in mind would be addressing issues when they arise. She said it is important to avoid turning smaller issues into larger ones so if she identifies an area of change, she will bring it up to her roommate immediately. This way, larger conflicts can be avoided altogether.
“I have been living with the same roommate for the past two years and have not gotten into any conflict with her, said Adala. We have been good about compromising to each other's needs and lifestyles and being considerate to one another. Just understand that your roommate might be used to living in a different way than you and that’s alright. It's important to look past these differences to create a good living environment for the both of you.”
JAYLIN ROBERTS I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Molly Rublewski and Greta Wagner talk to each other in their dorm at Garrett Residence Hall. Roommate relationships will vary from person to person but tension may occasionally arise.
2024-25 Academic Calendar
August
Aug. 7: First schedule cancellation for anyone not paid by 5 p.m.
Aug. 16: Advising, registration and schedule adjustments.
Aug. 19: Classes begin; schedule adjustments.
Aug. 23: Last day for registration and schedule adjustments (drop/add), by 5 p.m.
Aug. 27: Second schedule cancellation for anyone not paid by 5 p.m.
Aug. 30: Census Day (official enrollment count taken at 5 p.m.)
September
Sept. 2: State Holiday (no classes)
Sept. 15: Last day to apply for graduation for fall.
October
Oct. 5-8: Fall Break – Classes resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Oct. 21-25: Advising for Spring Semester 2025
Oct. 28: Last day for undergraduate and graduate students to withdraw from termlength courses or withdraw from school without grades, by 5 p.m.; block courses may be dropped only during the first 60 percent of their regularly scheduled class meetings.
November
Nov. 1: Early registration for special populations begins at 1 p.m.
Nov. 4: Registration for Spring Semester 2025 begins.
Nov. 5: Election Day/Civic Engagement Day (classes meet)
Nov. 20: Survey of Student Opinion of Instruction (SSOI) becomes available.
Nov. 21: Last day for undergraduate students to submit work for removal of incompletes given during Spring or Summer sessions 2024.
Nov. 27-Dec. 1: Thanksgiving Break – Classes resume at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2.
December
Dec. 2: Classes end; last day for Survey of Student Opinion of Instruction (SSOI); last day for submission of grade replacement requests.
Dec. 3: Reading Day
Dec. 11: Exams for Fall Semester end.
Dec. 13: Commencement; Grades due at 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 17: First Spring schedule cancellation for anyone not paid by 5 p.m.
January
Jan. 10: Advising, registration and schedule adjustments.
Jan. 13: Classes begin; schedule adjustments.
Jan. 17: Last day for registration and schedule adjustments (drop/add), by 5 p.m.
Jan. 20: State Holiday (no classes)
Jan. 22: Second schedule cancellation for anyone not paid by 5 p.m.
March
March 9-16: Spring Break – Classes resume at 8 a.m. Monday, March 17.
March 17-21: Advising for Summer Sessions and Fall Semester 2025.
March 27: Last day for undergraduate and graduate students to withdraw from term-length courses or withdraw from school without grades by 5 p.m.; block courses may be dropped only during the first 60% of their regularly scheduled class meetings.
March 28: Early registration for special populations begins at 1 p.m.
March 31: Registration for Summer Sessions and fall semester 2025 begins.
April
April 16: Survey of Student Opinion of Instruction (SSOI) becomes available.
April 17: Last day for undergraduate students to submit work for removal of incompletes given during Fall 2024.
April 18-19: State holiday (no classes)
April 29: State holiday makeup day; classes which would have met on Friday, April 18 will meet on this day so there will be effectively the same number of Fridays and Tuesdays as every other weekday during the semester. Tuesday classes will not meet. Classes end; last day for Survey of Student Opinion of Instruction (SSOI); last day for submission of grade replacements.
April 30: Reading day
May
May 1: Final examinations begin.
May 8: Exams for Spring Semester end.
May 9: Commencement
May 12: Grades due at noon.
Transit around campus, Greenville
East Carolina University has worked to provide cost free, efficient options for students to travel around campus and the city of Greenville effectively.
Chad Carwein, sustainability manager at ECU, said a lot of students walk by means of transport. He said A lot of students live within walking distance of the university so biking and walking to campus are active transportation options, meaning people are using their body to provide energy for transport.
Greenville has been working to expand the Greenway Network, Carwein said. This is the road parallel to the tar river near the grid and he said hopefully there will be more sidewalk and road infrastructure added to provide students with an easier commute to campus.
“Traveling more sustainably reduces costs for students too,” Carwein said. “Going green is saving green so if you have the option to walk, use a bike or carpool those are better options for those who live off campus.”
Carwein said there has been a big rise in electric bikes and scooters and those are great options for traveling to and from campus while also reducing the impact left on the environment. He said the ECU Transit system is also an option for getting around campus and places a little farther including apartments and the other ECU campuses.
He said ECU has the largest bus fleet of any school in the UNC system along with the Greenville Area Transit (GREAT) to provide students access to campus and Greenville conveniently. Carwein said ECU also has an on demand transit system to take students farther from campus in Greenville and other cities as well.
“You don’t have to worry about being stuck here,” Carwein said. “If you walk or bike to campus there’s options for leaving town.
The bus has real time updates and you’re able to track where it is and where it is going too.”
Lauren Garcia, sustainability director on the Student Government Association executive cabinet, said the ECU bus system is scheduled to add 2 new electric buses to their fleet over the summer. She said this will not only add more transit options for students but it will also work to reduce costs and energy waste.
Garcia said the administration wants to go more electric with the transit options provided. She said buses are very popular for students to travel around campus so adding these options will allow students to travel more environmentally friendly.
“It's really nice that a lot of student housing is within walking distance of campus,” Garcia said. “There are definitely ways to improve city infrastructures that make
it easier and safer for people to walk and bike everywhere which is highly encouraged.”
There has been a lot of work being done to encourage students to carpool with friends or roommates, Garcia said, to make traveling to campus more efficient and easy for students. She said with so many people using walking as their method of transportation she wants to make sure there is safe transportation for students.
She said on demand transit is available to students but they may not be aware of it. Garcia said on demand is available for those who need to travel farther from campus including around Greenville and outside city limits.
“On demand is great for those who don’t have cars around campus,” Garcia said. “The transit is like Uber but safer for students and can take people to places like Raleigh and farther places in Greenville. It can be really helpful when you can't find a ride.”
NIA CRUZI THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Students ride the campus transit bus during the fall semester.
NIA CRUZI THE EAST CAROLINIAN
East Carolina University transit busses have multiple routes throughout Greenville. There are serveral stops on campus, to local student apartment complexes and businesses.
Staff Report
NIA CRUZI THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Students getting on to the campus bus furing the fall semester
Purple Pantry workers are hungry for help
The East Carolina University WilliamsRoss Purple Pantry is a program designed to decrease food insecurity among ECU students, as well as provide students with access to other hygienic and personal care items.
Housed in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE), Purple Pantry opened in 2018 and partners with Student Government Association, College of Engineering and Technology, ECU Dining and more organizations.
Jada Barnes is a graduate student
volunteer working with the Purple Pantry. Barnes said that the pantry partners with plenty of student organizations and even receives donations from some of those organizations. People who wish to donate have plenty of ways to do so. They can email the pantry and inform it that they wish to donate, they can drop their donations off in person or they can donate through Amazon.
“We partner with a lot of student organizations,” Barnes said. “Whether they do a drive or they just feel like donating, they'll drop stuff off all the time. We also have an Amazon wishlist where people can
donate from our wishlist and we pick up those packages.”
Barnes said the items the pantry looks for the most are food items that are easy for students to make and eat in their dorm rooms. This includes dry stock items, easily microwavable items and fresh produce. The pantry also focuses on breakfast items, such as oatmeal, cereal, and breakfast bars.
Jaelyn Woods has been a student assistant at the Purple Pantry since January 2021. She said she and some of her peers at the pantry are graduating this semester, and the pantry could use some help for next year. Students who wish to volunteer can register on Gift Pulse using their ECU credentials.
She said a typical day working at the pantry includes monitoring the Amazon packages, organizing shopping trips and planning restocks. She said she also works to organize other community-based food insecurity events that aren't directly related to the pantry.
“It's given me tons and tons of different opportunities,” she said. “You make so many connections, and you see a different side of ECU.”
Woods said the demand for pantry items is exceeding its supply. This is due to a decline in donations, which means
the pantry needs to purchase items in order to restock. As an N.C. Central Food Bank partner, the pantry can shop at the food bank, but Woods said they choose to shop at Sam’s Club in order to avoid having to work around the food bank's schedule. Additionally, the pantry consciously chooses to let other community partners have the food bank’s resources first. In fact, the pantry will often re-donate items that students don’t take. Woods said that the pantry regularly receives items that they don’t need, and those items get passed on to other local charitable organizations, including the food bank.
“We get donated a lot of canned vegetables and unfortunately, our students don't like that, so we have a lot of connections in the community where we can drop them off,” she said.
Woods also said the pantry chooses to let other organizations shop at the food bank because the pantry receives a higher level of support by being an on-campus organization, rather than a communitybased one. However, when the pantry buys items that students don’t take, these “bleeding funds,” as Woods said, hurt the
Justyn Lane TEC STAFF
COURTESY OF PHILIP ROGERS ON X.COM
Chancellor Philip Rogers visitng the Darden Center's lemondae stand. The center held a donation drive in the spring where visitors donated food to the pantry in exchnage for lemondae.
PHOTOGRAPHER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
The Purple Pantry welcomes students throughout the school year to pick up food, hygeine items.
Aug. 31
Oct. 5 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte vs. Norfolk State University
Oct. 19 at Army
Oct. 26 vs. Temple University
Sept. 14
Sept. 7 at Old Dominion University vs. Appalachian State University
Nov. 7 vs. Florida Atlantic University
Nov. 14 at University of Tulsa
Nov. 29 or Nov. 30 Game date to be announced on 10/14/24
Sept. 28 vs. Navy
Sept. 21 at Liberty University vs. University of Texas at San Antonio
Dec. 6 American Athletic Conference Football Championship
Study spots around, surrounding campus
Gabbi Heath TEC STAFF
There are going to be times in the semester where classes might get hectic. When this happens, you may want to take a break from the dorms or your home and find a new scenery to study, but one that’s also convenient. There are plenty of options close to campus that allow you to do just that. These are some of my personal favorites that I have used throughout the year.
Study Rooms: One of the most accessible places around campus to study are study rooms. There are small study rooms, group study rooms, as well as rooms specifically geared toward neurodivergent students. Small study rooms can be reserved for up to two people while group rooms can be reserved for six to eight people. For those who like a more quiet environment to study, you can book your room on the third floor, or the quiet floor. In order to book a room sign in to Joyner Libraries with
your Canvas login information.
The Mall: With spring in full swing and the weather heating up, “The Mall” is also an amazing place to study. Located in the center of campus, there is plenty of room to lay in the grass with a blanket or towel and soak in the sun while also being productive in your studies. Not only does it provide a breath of fresh air after being in class all day, but you can also lay back and enjoy the beautiful scenery of our campus.
Coastal Fog: With the new, and much larger location opening across from the Jolly Roger in January, Coastal Fog is a beautiful, and relatively quiet place to study. It is Wi-Fi accessible with a much larger building, there are plenty of tables and chairs, as well as couches to sit and focus on your studies. Coastal Fog also serves bakery items and lunch-styled food. If you’re ever feeling tired after studying you can also grab many different styles of
coffee while you're there.
Blackbeard Coffee Roasters: Just over a ten minute walk from campus, Blackbeard is the perfect study environment for coffee lovers. The environment is quiet and comfortable and accompanied by friendly staff. This study location is also WiFi accessible so it’s the perfect spot to prepare for exams and catch up on any assignments. Aside from the phenomenal coffee and environment, Blackbeard is also a local business so that's a plus in itself! If you ever find yourself stopping in for a coffee and study break be sure to also order a warm cheese biscuit!
TRANSIT
continued from A12
Nicolas Carter, sophomore psychology major, said he appreciates all the options for transportation around campus. He said having visited other universities, he feels ECU has worked to provide an easy and efficient way for students to get around.
Carter said using the buses has made it convenient for him not to rely on his car around campus. He said he is able to utilize the bus system to travel to places such as College Hill or D lot, and the stadium on game days.
“A lot of people don't use the bus and it's really surprising,” Carter said. “Having a way of transportation provided where I don't have to use my own vehicle has made it a lot easier for me and my friends to get around without worrying about parking or travel costs.”
Main Campus Student Center: Located in the middle of campus, the Student Center is one of the most convenient places to study. There are plenty of places to sit as well as plenty of options to choose from if you want to grab a bite to eat. If you are looking for a more quiet environment, I recommend sitting upstairs to avoid all the foot traffic because the student center does get busy, especially during lunch hours. If you do choose to sit downstairs I would definitely bring a pair of headphones if you are one to be easily distracted by noise.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
Carter said walking around campus is really easy but he would like to see more lanes added for bikers and scooters. He said students walking and biking on the small sidewalks provided can get chaotic and most of the time people have to walk or bike in the road to get more space.
If he could improve anything about transit around campus, Carter said, it would be sidewalks and parking. He said parking is really limited and can be expensive on campus so it's important to make it easily accessible for students to get to campus.
“I think more sidewalks around campus and the areas of Greenville around school could be helpful,” Carter said. “The hourly rate to park in the garage can add up and that gets to be really costly for students driving to campus every day.”
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
Most-known campus frights, folklore
Kristin Outland TEC STAFF
It may not be Halloween, but there’s still plenty of scares surrounding the campus of East Carolina University all year long. Throughout the years, there has been much discussion about spooky sightings on campus and rumors that ECU may be haunted. Here are some stories which may explain these reasons.
The Mystery Behind Christenbury Gym
One of the oldest buildings on campus, Christenbury Gym, has been historically known as a spooky site. Due to the unfortunate drowning of a student and the suicide of a housekeeping staff, rumor has it that the gym is haunted.
Although mostly operational, many rooms remain shut off to the public. Some have experienced doors shutting on their own with no explanation and hearing strange sounds from within the building.
Legend has it that you may even be able to see a shadow of the man who used to housekeep the area in the upper window of the gymnasium.
Spooky Shower Stalls in Cotten Hall
Cotten Residence Hall, located on the Central side of campus, has been famously known for its mysterious bathroom. The suicide of a female student many years ago in the bathroom leads many to believe the shower stalls are haunted.
Even today, shower stalls and lights turn off and on randomly by themselves, and shower doors will shake. Myth or coincidence?
The Legend of the Cupola
Almost every ECU student knows the superstition surrounding the Cupola. It has been said that if a student walks under it prior to graduation, they will be “cursed,” and not graduate within four years.
Apparently, there is a reasoning behind this superstition. The design on top of the cupola is based on the old Austin Building. One day it caught on fire, and unfortunately took the lives of some students who were unable to escape.
In their memory, the names of the students who died in the fire are engraved on the cupola’s base. Thus, bringing about the rumors that the cupola may be “cursed.”
The Ghosts Who Haunt Messick Theatre Arts Center
Some have reported hearing the footsteps of children and small gray figures throughout the art center on campus. The building was once an elementary school, and some could suggest this reasoning as to why this building may be haunted by “ghosts.”
One night, an educational support worker was working late at her desk when she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by a young child. She had a small conversation with the child, who said he was looking for his mother.
Suddenly, the child figure faded into the wall.
ECU holds more mysteries than it may appear, after all.
Donation items are recieved from the public throughout the year including canned goods, breakfast foods, shelf-stable dinners, hygeine items,
PURPLE PANTRY
continued from A13
pantry’s wallet.
Aside from financial troubles, Woods said the pantry is also currently lacking the manpower to keep up with the demand of students. This resulted in the cancellation of the homecoming food drive that the pantry usually holds every year.
“We wouldn't have been able to keep up with the competition behind it,” Woods said.
The pantry is completely donation-based, and it received an endowment from two local dentists that Woods said was “huge” for the pantry. As for other support, Woods credits Aramark, SGA and plenty of other organizations for part of the pantry’s success.
Nonetheless, Woods said toorganize the homecoming drive would have been a challenging undertaking for the pantry. Also, for inexplicable reasons, some other organizations have recently not been able to help out as well.
“There's a lot of student organizations that would love to participate, which is awesome, but when we call on them to donate or do a drive for us, it's just not the same response that we were getting in the past,” she said. “That might be because they have different
philanthropic organizations that they're helping, or maybe they just have different goals.”
However, Woods said that the support the pantry gets from the university itself has helped tremendously in spreading awareness for the pantry. Woods said that since she started four years ago, awareness of the pantry among students has grown tremendously.
She said this is due, in part, to a operation during COVID-19 that the pantry called the Pirate Pack. These were small, 10 to 15 pound bags with several food and hygiene products, allowing students to simply enter, grab a bag, and leave. Students were also able to order a Pirate Pack and have it delivered to their residence (near campus, of course). Woods said this continued throughout the pandemic and ended in the Fall of 2021.
Several factors contributed to the discontinuation of the Pirate Pack. Once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and it became safer to be around others, Woods said there didn’t seem to be a need for a “grab-and-go” service. Additionally, the loss of manpower resulted in a lack of the pantry’s ability to keep up with orders. The pantry still occasionally makes a handful of Pirate Packs and sends them to the health sciences campus, where demand is lower.
“Different departments over there have a couple packs,” Woods said. “If they know a student needs it, they can give it to them. We probably won't offer that on the
and
main campus again, it would be hard to keep up with.” In fact, Woods said demand is so high that word-ofmouth is usually enough to make plenty of students aware that the pantry is full again. Woods said students will often find out that the pantry is restocked, text their friends and clean the pantry out. At this point, the pantry will try to remind students to only take what they need and to leave enough for others.
Barnes said that the only requirement for people that want to utilize the pantry is that they are fulltime students at ECU. Although the pantry asks for students' names and banner IDs when they are utilizing the pantry, she said that the process is completely confidential and students' information doesn’t leave the pantry office.
“Names and banner IDs are to keep up with who is utilizing the pantry,” she said. “If we see students that are constantly using the pantry, we might email them about other resources that are available for them on campus.”
Purple Pantry operates from Monday-Friday, from 1 p.m. through 5 p.m. in CLCE Suite 208 in the Main Campus Student Center. Purple Pantry’s “Mini Pantry’s” are located between Mamie Jenkins and Mendenhall on main campus.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
HALIE
PIRATE ATHLETES
Shining a spotlight on ECU sports
East Carolina University has one of the most loyal and wildly energetic fans and with the Fall semester approaching, Pirate athletics will be starting up again. Here are some Pirate athletes to keep an eye on next year.
RJ Felton- Men’s Basketball: Felton averaged 17.3 ppg for the men's basketball team last season as a Junior. Felton has recently decided to test the NBA waters, but maintains his ECU eligibility next season if he decides to return. If so, Felton would be a crucial part to the Pirates team next season.
Katin Houser- Football: Katin Houser is transferring from Michigan State university after throwing for 1,130 yards and a combined 8 touchdowns. Playing in a loaded Big 10 Conference and facing notable teams like Washington and Michigan, Katin brings his experience to a brand new QB room at ECU.
Sydney Schnell- Soccer: As a senior in 2023, Sydney scored a team high 5 goals last season, along with 3 assists for the women's soccer team. For the 2024 season she will be a graduate student looking to improve her already great numbers and start every game like last season.
Cole Hodge- Football: Cole Hodge won Kentucky Gatorade Player of the year after passing for 4104 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns, 625 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns. Cole also led Christian Academy-Lousivlle to back to back state championships. Coach Mike Houston will have Cole battling for the starting spot this season.
Izzy Marinelli- Volleyball: As a red-shirt sophomore, Izzy Marinelli had a total of 158 Kills (Points) last season, with a season high of 19 coming against Florida Atlantic University for the volleyball team. She also had highs of 5 digs, and 4 blocks last season. Izzy will look to improve on her already great numbers last season.
Winston Wright Jr- Football: Winston Wright Jr. had 5 touchdowns and 688 yards as a wide receiver for the Florida State Seminoles in 2021. Last year in 2023, he only saw 4 receptions while on a stacked FSU team that went undefeated in the regular season. Winston will help ECU open up the field next season.
Garett Skillman TEC STAFF
Amiya Joyner- Women’s Basketball: Amiya averaged the second most points on the women's basketball team last year with 12.9 ppg. She’s the first player to record over 300 rebounds twice, with plans to do it again next year. With the loss of Danae Mcneal, Amiya will have an even greater role next season.
Shavon Revel- Football: Cornerback Shavon Revel was one of the Pirates best players last season with 57 tackles and just four missed stops. He also broke up 10 passes with one interception, and allowed just one touchdown. Shavon was targeted 42 times and allowed 19 receptions for 242 yards.
Sophie Benkusky- Swimming and Diving: As a Freshman, Sophie competed in 11 meets in Freestyle swimming, finishing top 3 14 times, and 3 first place finishes. Coming out of high school Sophie was a state qualifier, sectional qualifier and futures qualifier. With how great of a season she had, she due for an even bigger leap next year.
Jaden Walker- Men’s Basketball: As a Junior, Jaden Walker was a defensive beast for the Pirates last season. With so many players either entering the portal or graduating from the team, Jaden will be a huge factor next season. He had a total of 27 steals and 14 blocks in the 2023-2024 season.
Tatyana Wyche- Women’s Basketball: Tatyana as a Junior averaged 6.8 ppg, and led the team in blocks with 51. Tatyana also had 21 steals last year, along with 193 rebounds for the women’s team. Next season Tatyana will have a huge role defensively while trying to balance it with her offensive prowess.
Cam Hayes- Men’s Basketball: Cam Hayes averaged 7.3 ppg for the basketball team last season, along with 47 assists and 24 steals. Cam was the No. 3 ranked player in North Carolina coming out of high school. Hayes Played at North Carolina State University and Louisiana State University before transferring to ECU.
Maeve English- Soccer: Maeve started all 19 games last season, averaging just 1.13 goals allowed. She finished the season with 235 saves, and led the team in minutes played with 1,688. Maeve is a graduate student and will likely be the starting goalkeeper again next season.
Jaden Mckenzie- Football: Jaden is transferring from powerhouse Ohio State University football team and coming back to his home state of North Carolina. Jaden had 10 total tackles, 6 assisted tackles, and 1.5 tackles for loss last season in 9 games for the Buckeyes.
A Pirate nursing graduate during the Spring 2024 Commencemnt Ceremony held in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on May 3. There were nearly 5,000 graduates that recieved their degrees.
ECU traditions from past to present
Rachana Charla TEC STAFF
From as early as the East Carolina Teachers Training School in 1903, which transitioned into East Carolina University in 1967, ECU Pirates have continued to follow traditions, as well as establish new ones every year.
For ECU, traditions look like welcoming incoming Pirates through Fall Convocation, dressing up for Halloween and taking to Downtown Greenville for Halloween Havoc, jumping into a freezing pool for the annual Polar Plunge, or singing along to popular artists on the campus mall during Barefoot on the Lawn.
Convocation
Convocation is a welcoming ceremony after the start of school for the university’s incoming class of students. Students hear from the current chancellor, vice chancellor of Student Affairs and Student Government Association president, according to the Office of Student Transitions website. The ECU Athletics Departments lead a pep rally, students sing the ECU fight song along with other popular chants and cheers and a class photo is taken by the Office of Student Transitions.
Convocation fosters a sense of community, encourages student involvement and helps students feel like they belong, the website said, as well as celebrates new students’ entry into higher education and officially welcomes them to college.
Karen Smith, director of the Office of Student Transitions said the office is in charge of a lot of on campus events like convocation, commencement and orientation. Smith said convocation is a time to get all incoming students together and teach them about Pirate Nation.
“We do purple, gold, we do the fight song, we do the alma mater and we share a
bunch of the names of the other events that they should know about, like Get a Clue, Barefoot on the Mall, Polar Plunge,” Smith said. “So I think that really helps create that sense of belonging that students are looking for when they come and help them to kind of find their place on campus.”
Halloween Havoc
For Halloween, ECU students dress up and celebrate the holiday’s many traditions. Halloween Havoc and “Halloweek” include some of the week-long traditions ECU students participate in for a fun-filled celebration.
Halloween Havoc is hosted by ECU’s Student Activities Board as a safe alternative to going out and avoiding the crowds in Uptown Greenville. Halloween Havoc is a free event that offers students food, activities and music from a DJ.
“I do think that it really is important to offer a safe option for students. We know Halloween is a big tradition at ECU, so helping them to be able to celebrate that in a safe way, but still experience that tradition is really important.” Smith said.
McKenzie Dowdy, former ECU student, said Halloween Havoc was a lot of fun and it was cool to take pictures with all the people dressed up in costumes. She said the atmosphere was great and the student center was packed with people having a good time.
“Halloween is the best time on campus because everyone has fun with each other and it’s one day where everyone can just relax and interact with one another to have a blast! It was a really fun night!” Dowdy said.
JAYLIN ROBERTS I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Polar Plunge
Starting in 1996, Polar Plunge became a staple campus event to make the most of the cold January weather. The event commemorates the day the Eakin Recreation Center opened and hosts Polar Plunge, Smith said. Hundreds of students line up outside the Eakin Student Recreation Center on main campus to jump into the freezing cold outdoor pool. Polar Plunge is a free event where students can get free T-shirts, food, certificates and have fun.
Kendall Norfleet, sophomore elementary education major, said participating in Polar Plunge was a great way to show her school spirit. She said she earned a registered time at the event and saw Chancellor Philip Rogers and SGA President Chandler Ward jump in the pool.
“So, I had to participate (in Polar Plunge) as a part of club sports, but the cool part about it was that we jumped the night we got the first snow in Greenville,” Norfleet said. “Like it was actually snowing when I jumped.”
Aurora Daivs, freshman public health major, said this was her first year participating in the Polar Plunge, and she was excited to experience the event for the first time. Davis said she and her friends planned to get there early so they can be one of the first groups to do the plunge.
“I was most looking forward to the shirt and deck of cards we would receive after the jump. I would absolutely do this again as I thought the whole experience was super fun and now something I could say I have done!” Davis said.
Barefoot on the Mall
On the last day of class for every Spring Semester since 1979, ECU has hosted Barefoot on the Mall, an event with booths from various student organization, outdoor activities like bungee jumping and inflatable bouncy houses, food trucks, free T-shirts, and of course, live music with well known artists of the time.
From the Beach Boys and Earth, Wind & Fire, to Jason Derulo, Future, KCAMP and most recently Parmalee, Barefoot on the Mall has brought big artists to Greenville
and has helped to liven up finals week with a day for students to let loose.
Emily Shultz, associate director for freshman recruitment in University Admissions, said events like Barefoot on the Mall represent an active student life on ECU’s campus and there are things to do in Greenville from the beginning to the end of the year.
“Barefoot on the Mall is one (event) that we love to advertise in (university) admissions because it is so pretty and looks so cool. Having that happening today on campus on such a nice day, is such a cool way to show students, like this is what you could be doing as an ECU student. And it's free, which is really exciting,” Shultz said.
Commencement
ECU graduates are celebrated at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters with a Commencement ceremony. Commencement is a time for students to be recognized and reflect on their accomplishments as they take in their last big undergraduate college event before moving onto the next chapter of their lives.
According to ECU’s Commencement website, ECU University Archivist Arthur Carlyson wrote that in 1910, the East Carolina Teachers Training School organized its first Commencement to recognize students who completed the one-year rural teacher education program.
By 1913, Commencement evolved into a four-day affair with music recitals, theatrical performances, religious sermons and an alumni banquet, Carlyson wrote. During the 2007 Commencement ceremony, graduates earning bachelor degrees wore purple robes for the first time and Masters and Doctoral graduates continued with black robes and discipline-specific colored hoods, Carlyson wrote, according to the ECU Commencement website.
“It's super exciting to be able to do it in person and back to being back to as normal as we can be at this point. But it really is just to recognize students, our graduates and what they've done and what they've achieved,” Smith said. “And a lot of that is why we were here to do our jobs to help students be successful. So to be able to celebrate that with them is really awesome.”
NIA CRUZ I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Students jumping into pool at ECU's Eakin Student Recreation Center during the annual Polar Bear Plunge held in January. The event is popular among students, often drawing large crouds.
Mastering healthy eating habits while living independently
everyone is human. Trevino says having people around him helps him stay on track and that sometimes it takes inner will to keep up motivation throughout a diet.
Living alone may be a relieving experience, bringing with it freedom and independence. However, with that freedom comes the responsibility of looking after yourself, particularly in terms of eating. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical and it is perfectly feasible even if you are dealing with the difficulties of independent living. Planning your meals in advance is the cornerstone of healthy eating, ensuring you make nutritious choices even on busy days. Sarah Gwenn, a nutritionist for Triangle Nutrition Therapy, says she emphasizes the importance of meal prepping.
"Spend a few hours on the weekend planning your meals for the week,” she said. “Cook in batches and store your meals in the refrigerator or freezer. This way, you'll always have a healthy option readily available, saving you from ordering takeout or relying on unhealthy snacks.”
Achieving and maintaining a nutritious diet when living alone is undoubtedly difficult, but Gwenn said the significance of mindful eating.
"Eating isn't just about filling your stomach; it's about nourishing your body and mind,” Gwenn said. “Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, eating slowly and paying attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues. This awareness helps you enjoy your food more and prevents overeating.”
People who live alone frequently feel as if they can't buy a lot of groceries because they are afraid that food will go to waste since they won't be able to eat it all in time. Graduate student Nick Trevino, who is a Teacher Assistant for a Kinesiology class, recommends buying in bulk and utilizing the freezer to save items for the long term.
“So, I don’t really go out to eat much because I really enjoy cooking. When it comes to myself I tend to buy my meat (chicken/beef) in bulk from Sam’s Club and freeze it. This ensures that I always have it and it will not go bad. When it comes to fruit and vegetables I normally wait until the day that I am going to need them and run by Food Lion that day, so they do not go to waste. If I do keep vegetables at home, I will keep them in the freezer for them to last longer.”
People sometimes get out of rhythm with their diets or cooking habits,
“When it comes to staying on track with a diet, I try to get my friends around me to join in with me so that we can all keep each other accountable," Trevino said. “Also, when living on your own the best way that I have found to keep on track with a diet is by just taking out and not having bad food in my house. Other than that for me it is just willpower to stay on track.”
It appears that healthier foods are always more expensive than unhealthy foods these days, but senior nursing major Abbey Gilbert utilizes coupons and membership’s with select grocery stores to aid her in buying healthy foods.
"Healthier foods generally seem to be more expensive and it can be a problem for college students, including those that live on their own," she said. “I usually look for things on clearance at grocery stores and coupons that come in the mail." Members of grocery stores such as Lidl's and Walmart also benefit from additional savings. Having your parents come to town and go grocery shopping with you always helps."
Meal preparation believers swear by it, that it will save you all the time and money in the world, but some people disagree. While meal prep has its doubters, Gilbert said meal prep is worthwhile and efficient.
“Meal preparation, in my opinion, is both useful and cost effective,” she said. “Especially if you are living alone. As a single person who enjoys cooking, I will frequently prepare larger-sized dinners so that I can keep them and enjoy them throughout the week. This is especially useful during weeks when my schedule is crammed with classes, teaching, and other dayto-day activities.”
Remember that your path to healthy eating is unique to you. Experiment with different recipes to determine what works best for your lifestyle and don't be hesitant to seek advice from nutritionists, chefs, or wellness coaches if necessary. You can experience the pleasure of independence while fueling your body with the goodness it deserves with commitment and the correct techniques.
Nick Bailey TEC STAFF
Rundown on ECU recreation centers
Staff Report
The Eakin Student Recreation Center (ESRC) and Campus Recreation & Wellness (CRW) at Health Sciences Campuses (HSC) are some of the facilities provided by East Carolina University to stay active on campus during the upcoming semester.
Facilities
The ESRC, located on the main campus, has a variety of recreational activities, equipment and services. The ESRC has equipment rentals, locker rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, weight and fitness areas and equipment, three fitness studios, racquetball courts, an indoor running track and a climbing wall. The facility also has basketball and volleyball courts.
The CRW facility, located on the HSC, is a two-floor facility that consists of a first floor with a multipurpose gym among different sized courts as well as a second floor with exercise equipment. The Well-Being Center offers meditation space as well as massage chairs.
ESRC Hours of Operation
Reservations and Classes
Both campuses also serve as venue spaces for individual classes. According to the CRW website, group classes are available for yoga and cycling amongst various other classes instructed both live and in-person. Groups are limited to 10-25 people.
To join classes, a student can download the ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness app and find the “Join Classes” tab or visit the ECU CRW website. There are a variety of times and classes that are all open and available. To become an instructor for one of these classes, one can contact CRW directly.
Students and members can make reservations for individual rooms on the ESRC website or via the app.
Guest Policy
Guests are welcome into the facilities with a member. Members are allowed to bring up to two guests with them at a coverage charge of $5 per day. Guests then have the same access to all equipment and facilities as members for that day.
Monday - Thursday: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
HSC Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 5:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
HALIE MILLER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
The Eakin Student Recreation Center is located on East Carolina University's main campus.
Senior's advice: Don't run away
Trevon McGlone TEC STAFF
You probably don’t believe that you’ve gotten to this point huh.
That’s cool, neither have I. But you’re here, or I guess technically, we’re here.
After the knee injury that kept you on crutches for four months from slipping and getting hurt at work, you sat in the house wondering what your next move was going to be. It had to have been nerve racking. There’s a saying that we used to say though for tough times: “Don’t Run Away.”
Picking back up where we left off at Catawba Valley Community College in 2019. Even then that experience was a struggle. Trying to balance classes and a work schedule at a new job was difficult at times. Then in 2020, the pandemic hit.
You would think with all that turmoil, it would have stopped you, but you stayed locked in. In fact, the pandemic, at least academically, was the best thing that could have happened to you. It allowed you to lock in from home while the Covid-19 rules were in effect. Stacking online classes to get to the graduation date was huge.
In 2021, as a
sophomore, the pressure of graduating with your associates was a lot. But you knew you couldn't stop until the degree was in your hands. Fall, spring, summer passed and you stayed locked in.
In the summer of 2022, we finally achieved it. The associates degree you stayed up many nights, while on the job doing homework, was yours. It felt good to finally feel like my life was back on track, but the job wasn’t finished.
June 2022, we got accepted into East Carolina University as a transfer student and the mission as an incoming junior was the same. There was the initial fear of living hours away from home, and the fact that it was only just us out there was something that wasn’t lost on me. This
would be the best part of college for me though.
Finding new friends and exploring new places in a city we were unfamiliar with was fun. Embracing a challenge of living on campus was something I wanted to do. It was an experience I won’t forget. I also looked forward to meeting with my communication professors for my major in journalism.
Getting to senior year this past semester puts all of that into perspective. There aren’t many things that I regret. The only thing that I feel I might regret is that all of these things didn’t happen sooner for me. But if that was the case, I wouldn’t have been fortunate to have met all of the people that have been vital in my life.
Time works differently for everyone in the world, myself included. It’s not about how fast you achieve the goals you have, rather it’s how you spend the time given to you in order to achieve those goals. There’s no shame in taking time to find your path.
That’s what I did, and now I stand eight months away from getting my bachelor's degree.
CONTRIBUTED BY TREVON MCGLONE McGlone graduated from Catawba Valley Community College in 2019 before coming to ECU.
