January 22, 2016 Edition

MLK Day of Service

The ECU Leadership and Service-Learning office honored the vision of service of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through various activities across the Greenville community.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a national event sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, observed as “a day on, not a day off.” Millions of volunteers across the nation united together to live out King’s legacy through community action.

The Leadership and Service-Learning office, within Student Involvement and Leadership partnered with community organizations including Cultivate Greenville, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Boys and Girls Club of Pitt County, and more.

The day of service for students began at 9 a.m. at the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center with a breakfast and a chance to meet other volunteers and their respective student leaders. Students then moved to Mendenhall Student Center (MSC) Room 244 for a speech and call to service before traveling to their respective project sites to volunteer for a few hours.

After serving, volunteers returned to Mendenhall to participate in a reflection activity to discuss the “Beloved Community” that King emphasized. Students had the opportunity to share about their volunteer experience as well as how they plan on challenging themselves to carry on King’s legacy.

“MLK Day of Service is a great opportunity for the ECU community to support the Greenville community, working together to create a beloved environment for all citizens to grow. No matter what background, we all can take steps to make the world a better place to live, starting here in Greenville,” said Jade Umberger, AmeriCorps VISTA with ECU’s Leadership and Service-Learning Office. “Students, faculty and staff will actively serve together and dream together for a better Greenville that reflects Dr. King’s legacy.”

Click here to view the stories on WITN-TV and WNCT-TV

The Ledonia Wright Cultural Center also hosted poet, educator and activist Sonia Sanchez at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20. Sanchez, a prominent writer and speaker, was on the forefront of the black studies movement and taught the first course in the country on black women.  The event was held in Wright Auditorium and was free and open to the public and ECU community.

3rd Annual Student Success Conference – Register today

The Divisions of Academic and Student Affairs at East Carolina University will host the third Student Success Conference on February 5, 2016.  The purpose of the 2016 ECU Student Success Conference is to purposefully promote a sense of community among Faculty, Staff and Student Affairs educators that leads to opportunities for all to support student success strategies at ECU.  The 2016 conference theme is “Empowered:  A Focused Discussion on Male Student Success”.

College men on most every campus are experiencing reduced levels of engagement in and out of the classroom. This trend is a reality at East Carolina University as well. Greater understanding is needed specific to male students in the college environment, their complex developmental journeys, and identification of effective strategies to build on models of student success.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Jake Jensen.  Jensen is an assistant professor in the department of Human Development and Family Science at ECU.  Dr. Jensen will address how male socialization creates pressure to conform to gender stereotypes, which impact the lack of success we often see among male students at ECU. He will also discuss the benefits of males demonstrating sensitivity and elaborate upon the need for males to feel safe being vulnerable.  His research interests include examining successful romantic relationships after retirement, the impact of disclosing romantic problems to friends, and gender stereotypes and masculinity.

New Rules, Regulations and Policies in 2016

Notice of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy

On Nov. 20, 2015, the ECU Board of Trustees approved the revised Notice of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy that will become effective Jan. 1, 2016. The policy supersedes all nondiscrimination provisions pertaining to university programs and activities. It applies to students, applicants, employees, visitors, volunteers and other third parties under circumstances within the university’s control.

Revisions to the policy:

• Clarify that sex discrimination explicitly includes discrimination based on pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions;
• Prohibit gender identity discrimination;
• Prohibit discrimination due to certain inquiries, discussions, or disclosures related to pay or the pay of another employee or applicant;
• Describe the University’s affirmative action obligations;
• Define unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation;
• Outline the obligation to provide reasonable accommodations (disability and religious);
• Communicate ECU’s responsibility regarding the prohibition of sex discrimination required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and
• Explain ECU’s obligations to review or investigate prohibited conduct.

To review the policy, click here.

Interim Regulation on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence

On January 1, 2016, the University’s new interim Regulation on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence, along with seven accompanying appendices will take effect. The new interim regulation was approved by Chancellor Steve Ballard Dec. 16 and incorporates into the university’s safety rules nationally recognized best practices. As an interim regulation, it will undergo a campus vetting process during the spring semester and be revised as necessary.

The interim regulation directs the grievance procedures of what will now be deemed “Prohibited Conduct.” Prohibited Conduct includes: sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, dating and domestic violence, stalking, sexual and gender-based harassment, complicity, and related incidents of retaliation.

Changes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• new definitions include: sexual battery, sexual exploitation, gender-based harassment, and complicity;
• consolidated process for handling complaints of both sexual violence (sexual assault and sexual battery) and interpersonal violence (dating and domestic violence and stalking);
• associated regulations that enumerate the procedures for addressing complaints from both students and employees;
• new resource guides for both student and employee complainants and respondents;
• appendix that serves as a comprehensive compilation of the University’s prevention and education efforts regarding these issues; and
• updated requirements for responsible employee training.

Employees who have not yet completed the online training “Preventing Discrimination and Sexual Violence” will be required to do so by April 15, 2016. New employees have 90 days from their date of hire to complete the training.  Faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to review the new policies, as well as the related resource and reporting guides.

To review the policy, click here.

Hoverboards Banned on Parts of Campus

Effective, January 7, 2016, the use, possession, or storage of hoverboards and similar devices, is prohibited in all ECU residence halls. If a hoverboard is found in a student’s room, it will be confiscated and shipped back home at the student’s expense.

Additionally, these devices are not permitted in ECU Dining facilities, the Mendenhall Student Center, or the Student Recreation Center nor are they permitted on ECU Transit buses, motor coaches and shuttles.

Recent information has revealed that the batteries in hoverboards and similar devices are dangerous and prone to explosion, creating a safety and fire risk. Since the most significant risk of hover board fires occurs during overcharging and operation, it is believed that restricting these devices from residence halls and student-focused facilities where longer charging periods may occur will minimize risk.

All personal transport/mobility devices are prohibited from use inside University buildings. This is not a new rule. Personal transport/mobility devices include hoverboards, skateboards, bicycles and similar items. Wheelchairs and other medically required devices are permitted.

Victim Advocate Position Reports to Counseling

The Victim Advocate now reports to the ECU Counseling Center instead of the ECU Police Department.  Below is a summary of the protocol for contacting the Victim Advocate.

When a student, university employee or campus visitor reports being the victim of sexual assault, partner violence, harassment or stalking, certain procedures must be followed to ensure that the victim has access to information about their rights and options, including reporting to law enforcement.

During the hours of 8am-5pm, the Victim Advocate can be reached at 252-737-1466.  In the Victim Advocate’s absence, a counselor with training and experience in provision of sexual assault victim advocacy will provide limited advocacy services and will ultimately refer the student on to the Victim Advocate for follow up and further services.

The Victim Advocate will provide crisis intervention and ongoing services to enrolled student victims/survivors.  The Victim Advocate will provide crisis intervention (one session) and referral (for counseling and/or advocacy) for non-students.

If the Victim Advocate is not present and a crisis emerges, protocol is in place for student and staff/faculty/visitor crises to be handled in the same manner by general crisis counselors in the Center for Counseling and Student Development.

After normal business hours, on-call services will be handled through the CCSD Counselor On-call system.  The counselor on-call will respond to the student emergency by providing support, gathering information as appropriate and sharing options with the student regarding their rights and resource options.

For more information or for any questions, please contact Kat Bursky, ECU Victim Advocate, or Valerie Kisler-van Reed, Counseling Director.

$2 Billion Connect NC Bond

Story by ECU News Services

East Carolina University leaders traveled to Raleigh in January to join Gov. Pat McCrory and others at a rally to build support for a $2 billion bond package.

The referendum will be on the March 15 primary ballot. If it passes, ECU would receive $90 million to build a new life sciences and biotechnology building.

“The bond referendum and ECU’s proposed bioscience-biotechnology building are huge opportunities for our students and faculty,” ECU Provost Ron Mitchelson, who attended the event in Raleigh, said recently. “I’m excited that we will be addressing real-world issues with our industry partners using collaborative spaces and technologies that this new facility would provide.”

ECU trustees unanimously passed a resolution in November supporting the bond referendum. ECU was the first institution in the 17-member University of North Carolina system to formally support the $2 billion bond. March’s bond vote will be the first such statewide referendum in more than 15 years.

Click here to read the full story
Click here to view the ECU Connect NC Bond video
For more information visit the Connect NC Bond Act.

20th Polar Bear Plunge

East Carolina University and Campus Recreation and Wellness hosted the 20th annual Polar Bear Plunge on Thursday Jan. 21 at the Student Recreation Center outdoor pool and one participant will get a chance to win $10,000.

All ECU students, faculty and staff were invited to jump into the icy waters of the outdoor pool, which was about 40 degrees at jump time.  More than 1,000 jumpers participated and all received the free event T-shirt.

Polar Bear Plunge jumpers can now wear the event t-shirt to the ECU basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 30.  The ECU men’s team hosts Houston at noon followed by the ECU women tipping off against Temple.  Those wearing a Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt will receive a ticket when they enter Minges Coliseum and one lucky fan will get a chance to shoot at halftime of the women’s game to win $10,000.

ECU Baseball coach Cliff Godwin and ECU Softball coach Courtney Oliver took the plunge this year in the ceremonial first jump to open the 20th year event.

The Polar Bear Plunge started at ECU in 1997 as part of the grand opening week of the Student Recreation Center when 35 participants took the plunge.

During the event, participants got to enjoy free food, drinks and dessert along with music, dance performances and prizes.

Check out WITN’s Billy Weaver live shot from Polar Bear where he took the plunge with the ECU coaches.    Also, check out CRW’s Jon Wall, the Polar Bear Plunge event coordinator, who was live on WITN at Sunrise to promote the event.

SA Educators News and Notes

The Division of Student Affairs has some amazing staff making headlines, collaborating and sharing our expertise and spreading the great things happening at ECU.
Here are some examples of how Student Affairs Educators are making a difference at ECU.

SA Educators co-authors book chapter

Congratulations to Dr. Dennis McCunney, Office of Leadership and Service-Learning, who co-wrote a chapter in the new book Service-Learning to Advance Social Justice in a Time of Radical Inequity.  Dennis partnered with Dr. Getto Guiseppe to pen Chapter 12 in the book.

Here is a brief description about the book “When considering inequality, one goal for educators is to enhance critical engagement to allow learners an opportunity to participate in an inquiry process that advances democracy. Service‐learning pedagogy offers an opportunity to advance engaged‐learning opportunities within higher education. This is particularly important given the power dynamics that are endemic within conversations about education, including the conversations around the Common Core, charter schools, and the privatization of education.”

Click Here to learn more.

ECU Student Vet featured in GI Magazine

One of ECU’s student veterans, Oliver Anderson, was featured in the January 2016 edition of the magazine GI Jobs.  Oliver talked about the decision of choosing a major while deployed in Afghanistan and also his experiences of being an ECU student veteran.  He also offered advice to other prospective student veterans.

See the full article by clicking here

Grad Assistantship Campus Visit

This Spring the Division will again host the Student Affairs Graduate Assistantship Recruitment Program. Part of this program will include the Campus Visit and Interview Day on February 12th for current and prospective GAs.  The website for the program is https://studentaffairs.ecu.edu/.

Alternative Break Experiences

Submitted by Nichelle Shuck – Leadership and Service-Learning

Alternative Break Experiences (ABE) are supported throughout the Division of Student Affairs as learning opportunities that immerse ECU community members in diverse environments that address social, economic, political, environmental, spiritual, and cultural issues through the exchange of idea, personal reflection, critical thinking, and applications of academic concepts beyond the classroom.

The ABE program challenges all participants to critically reflect upon their role and ability to make lasting social change in our local, regional, and global community. Please take a moment to view our ABE video.

Please learn more at the website and ABE OrgSync portal.

This 2016 Spring Alternative Break Experience program will offer six locations sponsored by the Office of Leadership and Service-Learning and Campus Living. Please encourage students to apply on OrgSync before January 27th. For questions please contact Nichelle Shuck at shuckn@ecu.edu.

2016 Awards Season is Here

January is the start of the spring semester, but is also the kickoff to Awards season.  Golden Globe, People’s Choice, Emmy, Tony and, of course, Oscar.  At East Carolina, the awards season is in full swing too.  The Division of Student Affairs does such great work all year long and now it’s time to submit some nominations for the outstanding efforts of our SA educators.

Student Affairs Awards

The Divisional awards are being re-vamped and transitioning to a fully online nomination process.  The awards will be more aligned with the six Divisional values.  The emerging professional award will remain from previous years.  The criteria for the awards will be on the nomination form and the nomination process will be open until March 15.  An electronic link will be distributed very soon.

2016 Centennial Awards for Excellence

The Centennial Awards for Excellence represent the highest awards given to ECU faculty and staff for excellence in each of the following areas: Service, Leadership, Ambition and Spirit.

The Centennial Awards for Excellence are given annually with up to three recipients per category.  The three recipients for each of the four categories will represent one staff member, one faculty member, and one other recipient (an administrator or a team of administrators, a second staff member or a staff team, or a second faculty member or a faculty team).  The selection process will be the result of peer nominations and selection by the Centennial Awards for Excellence Committee.

Nominations are open until Feb. 26th.  Visit centennialawards.ecu.edu for details.

Servire Society

Nominations are open to nominate your peers or yourself for membership in the Servire Society, which will acknowledge and commend faculty, staff, and students who embody our university’s motto, Servire, or “to serve.”  Eligible nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to service by volunteering 100 or more hours of their time and talent in a calendar year.

Nominations for service performed during the 2015 calendar year are due by Friday, February 12, 2016.  Nomination forms and details about criteria and the selection procedure are available at servire.ecu.edu.  Inductees will receive a certificate and medal at a recognition ceremony in the spring.

Talton Leadership Award

The Talton Leadership Award was created to honor the servant leadership of the late James R. Talton Jr. (’65).  A servant leader is someone who serves others in his/her work through collaboration, empathy, trust, and the ethical use of authority. These characteristics are applicable to roles that you have in your work at East Carolina University and can be applied at any level position within an organization.

Nomination Process
Nomination forms (see link below), letter of nomination, and optional letter(s) of support for the 2016 Talton Leadership Award must be sent via email to Dr. Christopher D. Locklear (locklearc@ecu.edu), Chief of Staff to the Chancellor, by MARCH 4, 2016.  An anonymous selection committee will review each nomination carefully and select the recipient.  Nomination Form
 – To download a copy of the nomination form, CLICK HERE, and scroll to the bottom of the page.

New Chef’s Choice – Premier Dining

When it comes to providing a meaningful dining experience and a diversified menu to our customers, ECU Campus Dining Services comes out on top.

New this semester to our already expansive dining program are the “Chef’s Choice” Premier Dinners. These high-end meals will be catered to our students in their choice of the Sweethearts Private Dining Room located at Todd Dining Hall or The Tiffin Private Dining Room located at West End Dining Hall.

The catered dinners will give an experience of fine dining complete with linens, table service, and premium food offerings. Each dinner will showcase the chefs’ culinary talents and will offer meal items not typically served on the everyday dining menus.

These special dinners will be offered to all meal plan members on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited to 40 guests per location. We will offer four very different meals over the course of the semester. Each dinner will showcase culinary delights and give our customers a true fine dining experience.

Like any fine dining restaurant, guests must RSVP to attend. The “cost” of the dinner will be an exchange of two Pirate Meals from their meal plan per guests or $15 Purple Bucks per person.

Our meal plans offer a large variety of value and flexibility. This dinner program will continue to add value to our dining program by showing additional benefits to having a meal plan.

New Employees / Departing Employees

New Hires since Jan. 1st

• Chad Baker – Team Training & Leadership Specialist – Campus Rec and Wellness -January 4th
• Suzannah Lott – Assistant Director of Leadership & Service Learning – January 4th
• Ariel Goodman – Career Counselor – January 11th

Separations since Jan. 1st

• Jessica King – Associate Director – SGA Adviser – Student Involvement & Leadership
• Kristen Tucker – Title IX Investigator – Dean of Students
• Earl Smith – Housekeeping – Student Involvement & Leadership
• Jillian Cross – Residence Hall Coordinator – Campus Living