Student Affairs

Vision

Student Affairs fosters an environment where all students achieve their academic and personal goals. (www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffairs/vision.cfm)

Mission

Student Affairs provides programs and services that optimize student learning and leadership, builds a safe, supportive and welcoming campus community, fosters the emotional growth and personal development of students, and makes a positive contribution to the overall student experience. (www.ecu.edu/studentaffairs/vmv/)

Values

Student Affairs achieves excellence by adhering to these core values:

• Student Centered
• Integrity
• Service
• Excellence
• Respect
• Inclusion

Student Handbook

The East Carolina University Student Handbook, At the Helm is available online at www.ecu.edu/dos. The handbook is the student’s guide to locating campus resources and services. Specific information about Pirate traditions, student activities, academic programs, student housing, policies and procedures regarding conduct, and important safety information for students can be found in the handbook. Students are encouraged to use At the Helm in conjunction with the academic catalog.

East Carolina Creed

In the pursuit of educational excellence, responsible stewardship, and intellectual freedom, the community of scholars at East Carolina University is committed to learning at the highest level. Founded in the tradition of service and leadership, members of our academic society exemplify high standards of professional and personal conduct at all times.

As an East Carolinian:

• I will carry out personal and academic integrity.
• I will respect and appreciate the diversity of our people, ideas, and opinions.
• I will be thoughtful and responsible in my words and actions.
• I will engage in purposeful citizenship by serving as a positive role model.

Adherence to these moral principles is the obligation of every student on and off campus. In doing so, individual freedom to learn and a pledge to serve will be preserved.

Student Affairs

Dean of Students Office

The Dean of Students Office serves to advance the university’s mission by facilitating students’ knowledge, understanding, and utilization of university systems and resource, working collaboratively to enhance the enrichment of the overall student experience throughout the learning continuum. Work is accomplished through strategic alignment, both internally and in concert with other university departments. Our efforts affirm the value and contributions of each individual and we harbor democracy, civility, trust, and diversity as paramount to our work to effect positive change.

The Dean of Students Office staff serve as a liaison between students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators to help solve problems, assist with individual or group crisis management, and corresponds to student’s needs by identifying the appropriate resources available.

The Dean of Students Office provides various services, such as assistance with referrals to appropriate resources on campus; crisis intervention; discussion of options and solutions to problems; ECU Cares phone line and Web site for reporting behaviors of concern; explanation of university policies, procedures and regulation; parent/family services; peer mediation; resources for addressing student complaints and inquiries, including Title IX; thematic programming focused on principles in the ECU Creed; and university excused absences.

Student Affairs Assessment, Research and Retention

Student Affairs Assessment, Research and Retention (SAARR) champions a culture of evidence and improvement within the Division of Student Affairs, in support of student learning, development, and success. SAARR provides leadership to increase the institution’s knowledge about students, the educational environment and institutional effectiveness to continuously improve student programs and services and does so through service in support of outcomes-based assessment, data driven decision-making, strategic planning, student-focused research and professional education. (www.ecu.edu/studentaffairs/saassessment)

Off-Campus Student Services

Off-Campus Student Services provides students and parents the opportunity to find safe and affordable off-campus housing. We accomplish this by encouraging open communication and delivering educational programs and services in order to empower students to become good citizens, keeping them connected to the university. This office can help students and their parents find suitable off-campus housing through an online searchable database of available housing. (www.ecu.edu/offcampus/)

Student Affairs Marketing and Communication

Student Affairs Marketing and Communication assists divisional units with market research, develops marketing frameworks, enhances social media presence and identifies opportunities to track and assess communication and marketing for program and/or event effectiveness.  The services available include, but are not limited to, graphic design, website development, videography, photography, marketing framework/planning, press releases and related training. (www.ecu.edu/samarketing/)

Student Health Services

Student Health Services (SHS) is a comprehensive medical facility that provides an accessible quality program of primary health care services relevant to the needs of eligible members of the university community. These services include personal health care, health promotion and education, and consultation and educational experiences for advanced level graduate students pursuing careers in the health professions. The Student Health Services staff provides expert consultation in matters of health and infection control for the University Community. Additionally, SHS attends to routine illness, injury or other non-urgent issues, issues that require more immediate medical attention, pharmacy, x-ray services, health and nutrition education, immunization services, massage therapy, laboratory, and an allergy shot administration clinic. (www.ecu.edu/studenthealth/)

Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS) provides individuals with disabilities support services that will enable them to access programs, services, facilities and activities of the university; to enhance awareness among students, staff and faculty; and to provide assistance with academic courses. The primary purpose is to ensure that individuals with academic, physical, medical, or psychological disabilities have equal access to university programs and services.  DSS provides or coordinates a range of services and accommodations that meet the individual needs based on the impact of the specific disability. (www.ecu.edu/dss)

Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities fosters student growth by promoting students’ awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities as community members, addressing student conduct and creating developmental learning opportunities, and engaging students in ethical decision-making.  (www.ecu.edu/osrr/).

Office of Student Transitions

The Office of Student Transitions provides a coordinated, comprehensive approach to enhancing first year student success and transfer student success and beyond; provides services that will enhance the academic efficiency, effectiveness, and independence of our students; and provides the necessary supports for families required for improving student satisfaction, academic success and student retention. These goals are accomplished through the following areas: First Year Experiences; Orientation, Convocation, Freshman Seminar, Pirate Read, Plunge into Purple; Parent Services; Student Transitions; and Transfer Student Services. (www.ecu.edu/ostfyp/).

Student Government Association

One benefit of being a full time student at East Carolina University is membership in the Student Government Association (SGA). The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the official representative governing body and voice for students at East Carolina University. The elected officers of the Student Government Association make decisions that affect the quality of life for students and other members of the university community. They learn leadership skills though budget management, collaborative activities and policy development. Through the SGA, students can voice opinions and address various issues. This is a great avenue for students seeking ways to make a difference on campus.

The Student Government Association is divided into three branches. The Executive Branch is led by the SGA President, the Legislative Branch (Undergraduate Senate) is led by the Speaker of the Senate and the Judicial Branch is led by the Attorney General. Additionally there are cabinet positions that make up the executive committee. SGA elections are conducted during the spring semester annually to elect the executive and legislative officers and judicial officers are appointed through an application process held close to the end of the spring semester. When you think about the Student Government Association don’t associate it with national politics. The SGA is the voice for students and service, governance and advocacy are our core principles. Always remember ‘THIS IS YOUR SGA”. (www.ecu.edu/sga/).

Greek Life

Greek Life is the fraternity and sorority community on campus. Membership in an ECU Greek organization provides a lifetime of learning and involvement. The fraternities and sororities at East Carolina University join together to offer academic support, leadership opportunities, service to the community and university, and preparation for future careers. There are 1,700 ECU students that are involved in Greek Life at East Carolina University within four different councils; the Panhellenic Conference (10 sororities), the Interfraternity Council (17 fraternities), the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (6 historical African-American fraternities and sororities), and the Multicultural Greek Council (5 culturally based fraternities and sororities). Fraternity and sorority life at East Carolina University has held a proud tradition based on the four pillars of leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and service, and lifelong friendships for more than 50 years. Greek Life offers students a place to develop skills necessary to be successful beyond college. In addition, Greek Organization membership offers a national network of membership across the country. (www.ecu.edu/greeklife/)

Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services is a legal advisory service for students. Some of the common issues that are addressed include lease contracts, city and county code violations, traffic or alcohol violations, domestic abuse, and victim’s rights.(www.ecu.edu/legalservices/)

Center for Counseling and Student Development

The Center for Counseling and Student Development provides free, confidential counseling services to currently enrolled ECU students. The center also provides ongoing educational outreach services to numerous university groups, including students, faculty and staff, to enhance personal growth through developmental, preventative, and remedial programs and services designed to facilitate skill development, acquisition of knowledge, and understanding of self and others. (www.ecu.edu/counselingcenter/)

Career Center

The Career Center’s primary mission is to assist and guide students in their career quest. We help students understand how to manage their careers and how to effectively market themselves in whatever endeavor they may choose. We accomplish this through maintaining and growing our partnerships with all of our constituents. The end result will be satisfied employers/stakeholders/constituents and well-prepared and educated students.

The Career Center provides a variety of programs and services designed to help students explore career options, identify effective career-decision-making steps, gain experience in potential work environments, learn effective job-search strategies, plan for graduate and/or profession school, and make connections with employers.

Within the context of exploring career options, students have the opportunity to first assess their personal values, interests, and skills – a foundational process often referred to as self-exploration. To support students in this self-exploration process, the Career Center offers individual career counseling to help students identify connections between their academic major and potential career paths with the goal of determining next action steps in their unique process. To ensure students gain an accurate perspective on specific career paths, the Career Center manages extensive on-line career resources.

As students complete their academic programs and prepare to embark on the next phase of their future, some pursue graduate or professional schools, while others seek employment opportunities. The Career Center provides services and programs to support both. Students pursuing admission into graduate or professional schools often take advantage of the programs to determine appropriate graduate school options and others choose to focus on the personal statement for graduate school applications. Students pursuing employment after graduation participate in programs as on campus Interviewing, the Health Careers Fair, Fall Semester Career and Graduate Fair and the Spring Career Fair as well as on-line job posting services. They also attend numerous workshops covering topics from writing professional resumes to conducting effective job and graduate school interviews.

Each academic college throughout ECU has a career counselor who is a liaison dedicated to provide services to the students and faculty within each college. Information about the Career Center is available on the Career Center website. To connect with the Career Center please log onto www.ecu.edu/career or call 252-328-6050.

Student Activities and Organizations

The Office of Student Activities and Organizations is committed to providing a broad range of co-curricular, educational, developmental, and social experiences by providing quality programs and support. We seek to engage students by offering meaningful opportunities that foster an appreciation of lifelong learning, individual responsibility, and human diversity.

Our office is home to over 400 registered student organizations, the ECU Student Activities Board (SAB), and Major Campus Events which allow opportunities for students to connect with other students. The Student Activities and Organization Office is located in Mendenhall Student Center and is a resource for locating a group of interest to join. (www.ecu.edu/studentorganizations/)

Campus Recreation and Wellness

Campus Recreation and Wellness supports and encourages balanced, healthy lifestyles for the diverse ECU community by providing leadership development through educational and recreational programs. CRW is committed to providing exemplary student leadership experiences, enhancing individual potential, developing responsible citizenship and fostering a lifelong commitment to learning skills associated with physical, social, emotional and mental well-being.

The Student Recreation Center is convenient, accessible, and filled with activities to keep the mind, body, and spirit in prime condition. Special features include a climbing wall; an indoor pool and outdoor pool with a lounging area; a 10,300 square-foot fitness area with free weights, selectorized equipment and cardiovascular machines; a running track; three exercise studios, the Wellness Center, the Adventure Center, basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts. Outdoor adventure trips, group fitness classes, yoga, martial arts, and a variety of intramural and club sports are among the many opportunities students can find at Campus Recreation and Wellness. In addition, a 1,900 square foot fitness facility is available on the first floor of Jones Residence Hall. When recreational interests move outside, the department provides several exceptional venues for participation. The Blount Recreational Sports Complex includes 10 flag football and soccer fields and five softball fields in addition to restrooms and parking. The Blount complex is also adjacent to a Challenge Course and 50-foot Alpine Tower used for a variety of team building and leadership programs. The North Recreational Complex opened in fall 2009 with eight multi-sport fields, a six acre lake, and a field house. Phase 2 of the project opened in fall 2011 and includes jogging trails, a beach area with sand volleyball courts, a boathouse, horseshoe pits, outdoor fitness equipment, an Odyssey Challenge Course, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

The Intramural Sports program offers over 30 different team and individual/dual activities in several skill levels, while approximately 40 Club Sports are available for those seeking a more intensive experience in a particular sport. Physical Activity and Fitness features a number of ways to stay in shape including group fitness classes, personal/partner/group training, incentive programs, educational workshops, and instructional programs, such as several styles of yoga, dance, and sport-oriented classes to satisfy a particular interest. For those looking to explore the great outdoors, the Adventure Program offers a selection of trips, educational workshops, a 27 foot climbing wall, and equipment rental , while Leadership and Team Training serves over 130 groups annually through customized group initiative games, challenge course experiences, and other active team building activities. The department also offers programming in adapted recreation for people with disabilities, aquatics, special events, member services, safety services, volunteers, and youth and family. The Campus Wellness area works to support and encourage balanced and healthful lifestyles for the ECU community through a variety of physical as well as educational programs. Educational topics include general health; nutrition; sexuality; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; and stress management. Modalities of programming consist of Wellness Center services (educational materials, healthy lifestyle coaching, smoking cessation counseling, body fat and body mass index assessments, group presentations, and information tables and events. Campus Wellness administers the Wellness Living Learning Community, teaches the peer health courses, and advises the Healthy PIRATES student organization. (www.ecu.edu/crw/)

Student Involvement and Leadership

Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) compliments the academic mission of East Carolina University through diverse programs and services that encourage students to create communities, be involved, and explore leadership opportunities.(www.ecu.edu/sil)

Ledonia Wright Cultural Center

The Ledonia Wright Cultural Center (LWCC) at East Carolina University provides specialized diversity and social justice experiences so all students can become confident, culturally aware, global citizens. Additionally, LWCC provides culturally relevant programming and services to support African/African-American, Asian, Latina/o, Native American, and Pacific Islander student success.

The goals of the LWCC are to:

Offer authentic cultural programming to increase students’ understanding of various heritages, cultures, and identities.

Promote academic success of traditionally under-represented students through individual and small group interaction.

• Create safe environments where power, privilege, and stereotypical assumptions are examined using meaningful dialogue, mutual sharing, and reflection.
• Work collaboratively with other campus and community partners to provide students with social justice, leadership, service-learning, and volunteer experiences.
• Build a sense of community and social confidence for students through planned interactions with alumni, campus, and other prominent leaders.
• Sustain student-led cultural organizations through training, mentoring, and resource sharing.
• Maintain a welcoming environment and hub of activity in support of the holistic development of all ECU students.

Come visit us! The center is located in the heart of east campus, across the brickyard from Mendenhall Student Center (MSC) and sided by White & Greene residence halls. (www.ecu.edu/lwcc/)

Volunteer and Service-Learning Center

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center (VSLC) at East Carolina University, in partnership with local, regional, and international communities, seeks to foster an environment where individuals learn about themselves and their community, take action through service, and advocate for lasting social change. The VSLC professional staff assists campus volunteers and service-learning students with identifying community partner sites, facilitates national days of service and service trips, supports student-led service programs, and assesses community impact. ECU faculty and community partners are also supported by the VSLC staff as they work with volunteers and service-learners to address community needs.

Join us for exciting co-curricular and student-led programs such as the Campus Kitchen, ECU~READS/WRITES/COUNTS, immersion programs, student leadership activities, social justice educational opportunities, and much more. (www.ecu.edu/vslc)

The Center for Student Leadership and Engagement

The Center for Student Leadership and Engagement is responsible for creating and implementing programs that aid in ECU’s Leadership University Initiative. We are dedicated to building intentional opportunities for students to create positive sustainable change. Through programs such as Elite Pirates, The Walter and Marie Williams Leadership Scholarship, Emerging Leaders and Parents Council Student Leadership Scholarship we are impacting the community and helping students change the world. Leadership starts here…

Our vision is to create a premier center for the study and integration of leadership practices that fosters and sustains a culture of engagement, and learning for all students.

The mission of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (CSLE) is to provide opportunities, support and experiences, in alignment with ECU’s Integrated Leadership Framework, for students to engage in the leadership process by developing competencies, building meaningful relationships and enhancing personal growth.

Our beliefs include:

• Leadership is a relational process of inspiring, empowering and influencing positive change.
• Leadership is collaborative process.
• Leadership is value-based.
• All students (not just those in formal positions) have the ability to apply leadership practices to real life situations.
• Leadership is inclusive.
• Leadership fosters commitment, collaboration and courage.
• Leadership can be taught.
• Leadership capacity is rooted in one’s ability to: understand the difference his/her presence makes in the lives of others, observe and identify adaptive issues within his/her communities; and develop reciprocal partnerships to learn and solve these issues.

(www.ecu.edu/studentleadership/)

Campus Living

Campus Living actively contributes to the mission of the university by providing housing services and programmatic offerings to serve the needs of the undergraduate students at East Carolina University. Campus Living seeks to enrich the lives of our students by providing them a clean, safe and secure educational living environment where all residential students can reach their full academic and personal potential. (www.ecu.edu/campusliving/)

Dining Services

Dining Services provides a comprehensive dining program with high quality and affordable food service; encourages and promotes campus residential life and educational experience; projects a positive campus image and the University’s sense of community to all visitors, faculty, staff and students. Dining Services also provides nutritional education and provides a safe and comfortable dining experience, which operates efficiently and with fiscal integrity while also contributing to the economic impact of our region. (www.ecu.edu/dining)

Student Media

Student Media engages students in real-life, hands-on practical training in a learning laboratory while providing news, information, entertainment and literary expression to the campus community. Mirroring ECU’s mission of Education in the 21st Century, Student Media prepares students to compete and succeed in the global economy.

Student Media provides students with hands on experience in:

• Budgeting and event planning
• Design and editing
• Management
• Photography
• Reporting and writing
• Sales and marketing
• Social media
• Web production

Student Media also prepares students for advanced placement in any career choice through the development of skills in areas such as:

• Collaboration
• Communications
• Professionalism
• Setting priorities
• Time management

 (www.ecu.edu/studentmedia/)

ECU Transit

ECU Transit offers a wide variety of travel options on a comprehensive system which provides more than 2.5 million rides each year with service both on and off campus. Throughout the academic year and both summer sessions, buses operate on several fixed routes which circulate around main campus and connect to outlying areas, such as the health sciences campus and commuter park-and-ride lots. Service is also provided to off-campus housing and several shopping, and dining and entertainment areas around Greenville. Additionally, a point-to-point, on-demand van service called SafeRide works in conjunction with the bus system to help ensure safe connections to evening routes, as well safe travel around campus and adjacent areas at night after most regular daytime service has ended. Schedules, maps and other information on these services can be found online at www.ecu.edu/transit.

LGBT Resource Office

The LGBT Resource Office’s mission is to provide social and emotional support in a safe environment for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, to enhance the university’s and community’s awareness, understanding, and acceptance of their LGBT members, and to advocate for the LGBT community. The LGBTRO offers social gathering space and a separate study room and has a resource library of LGBT and Ally related magazines, DVDs and books. We coordinate educational programs and events on campus that celebrate LGBT culture. We also offer support services to any student, faculty or staff member who has questions or concerns relating to their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

If you have any questions about the resource office, please feel free to contact us at lgbt@ecu.edu or by telephone at (252) 737-4451. (www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/lgbt)

Lucille Gorham Intergenerational Community Center

The Lucille W. Gorham Intergenerational Community Center (IGCC) was created through a partnership between the west Greenville community, East Carolina University, the City of Greenville and Pitt Community College. IGCC is committed to promoting independence and self-sufficiency among residents of west Greenville and Pitt County by enriching living and social conditions, increasing economic development, community involvement, improving and advocating educational opportunities, stimulating health awareness, and providing outreach networks. Community members benefit from these services regardless of age, race, creed, religion, economic status, or educational level. The IGCC brings all members of the community together to identify and solve community issues with multiple community programs.

Office of Parent and Family Programs

ECU’s Office of Parent and Family Programs is the office that supports you, as parents and family members of an East Carolina University student. You play an important role at ECU and we believe that the more you know about the university, the more you can contribute to your student’s success here, and we want to be your partner in your child’s education.

Parent and Family Programs will respond to your needs and inquiries promptly. We provide personalized help to find solutions to problems, and help you navigate through your family’s college experience.

This web page is here to assist you with finding answers to your questions. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, please contact the Parent and Family Programs Office by calling the toll free Parents Help Line at 1-866-552-3957 or by emailing us at parents@ecu.edu. We will answer your questions or put you in touch with someone who can.

We also have a Facebook Page for you to connect with other ECU families to receive invaluable information and advice from other parents and families who have “been there/done that”. You can request to be placed on our Parents E-mail List to receive the latest ECU information, newsletters, deadline date reminders, and other news you can use. Just e-mail us at parents@ecu.ecu to be placed on the list today! (www.ecu.edu/parents)