The Eagle - Special Edition Summer 2019

Monday August 26, 2019 Volume 36

T he E agle

ntcceagleonline.com

NORTHEAST TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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The Eagle

August 26, 2019

Northeast Texas Community College

NEW STUDENT INFORMATION

NTCC Student Orientation *Mandatory*

Dr. Ron Clinton

President’s Welcome Welcome to the 2019-2020 academic year at Northeast Texas Community College and to this special edition of the NTCC Eagle!

For over 30 years, NTCC has been the “College of Choice” for the many students who have started here and gone on to pursue rewarding futures in a wide variety of professional careers. I think you have made a great decision to enroll and advance your education with us.

In addition to the more than 100 credit programs available, NTCC offers an active campus life with award-winning student organizations and a rich variety of student, athletic and world-class cultural events to round out your Eagle experience. I hope you will take every opportunity to explore all the many possibilities. And remember, our caring faculty and staff always stand ready to focus on your success.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on campus!

Dr. Ron Clinton, President Northeast Texas Community College

Accessible through myEagle, student orientation is a free series of videos, pictures, and information beneficial to a student’s success at NTCC. A series of quizzes will be scattered throughout the slides to test students’ knowledge and attention.

Students have unlimited access to the orientation and may pick up on their progress at any time. Students must review the orientation in their first semester, or they cannot sign up for classes the following semester.

The “I want to learn more about” button will provide additional information on any of the topics at the end of the orientation.

How to access online student orientation: 1. Go to MyEagle Portal.

2. Select the “Student” tab.

3. Select the “MyEagle Orientation” tab.

Emergency Notifications Northeast Texas Community College offers an Emergency Alert Notification System to help keep students, faculty and staff informed in case a situation were to arise.

These alerts are used to convey urgent information including safety drills, campus closures, weather notifications or other potentially hazardous situations. Students are automatically signed up to receive alerts when they get accepted into the college using the phone number provided on their application.

It is important to keep all contact information updated.

Students can also opt out of receiving emergency notifications at anytime. However, remaining in the system is strongly encouraged.

How to update your emergency contact information: Step 1: Log into the myEagle Portal.

Step 2: Click the “Emergency Alert System” icon on the left side of the screen.

Step 3: Follow the directions to enter your desired cell phone number and e-mail address.

Student IDs

All students are required to obtain a MyEAGLE Passport ID Card and have them on their person at all times on any NTCC campus.

These student IDs are used for financial aid reimbursements and credits, discounts, fitness center and dorm access, printer services and more. They also serve as a library, debit and meal plan card.

Student IDs can be picked up in Student Services with proof of identification.

Student IDs are free of charge, however, replacements are $10.

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Northeast Texas Community College

NEW STUDENT INFORMATION NTCC’s Online Content MyEagle Portal To log in to myEagle Portal, you must use their NTCC log-in information.

The username consists of the first initial of your first name, your full last name, and the last three digits of your Social Security number. The password is you eight-digit date of birth, MM/DD/YYYY. Once logged in, the “Student” tab will be visible. This is where you will find the majority of their information.

Student Email Student email accounts will be the official means of communication between you and your instructors and the college.

Your email needs to be checked every day for updates on student activities, college events, announcements, alerts and messages from instructors.

On the “Student” page of myEagle Portal is a “Student Email” tab. Login information for myEagle Portal is identical to that of your student email and Blackboard.

To avoid having to check the email each day, download the Microsoft Outlook app to receive instant notifications of new emails.

Blackboard Blackboard is an online schooling platform for all your classes. Here, you can access the class syllabi, assignments, grades and additional information from the instructors.

The profile picture will create a drop down menu when clicked on.

This is where you will find grades, updates, and announcements.

On the upper left hand corner of the main page, is a “Student Resource” tab, where you will have access to information about Student Services, tutoring, technical support, the Testing Center and Learning Commons.

You can download the Blackboard app on your smartphone to recieve notifications.

Microsoft Office Microsoft offers Office 365 to all NTCC students free of charge.

To download, go to www.office. com and sign in with your student login. From there, select the “Install Office” tab on the upper right corner of the page.

On the Office website, you can download everything Microsoft has to offer, including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

CAMPUS SECURITY

CALL/TEXT: (903) 563-1417 AVAILABLE 24/7

staff photo

| elisabeth lively

Student Charis DeLisi applies a parking permit to the back windshield of his truck.

Got a parking sticker?

By Elisabeth Lively Managing Editor Parking permits for students, faculty and staff vehicles are not only recommended, but required at Northeast Texas Community College.

NTCC Security Coordinator Russell Taylor said parking permits help provide additional security for the students and staff.

“With the changes in our society and violence becoming more prevalent on campuses of all kinds, enforcing parking stickers is one way of making sure that who is here is supposed to be here,” Taylor said.

Unlike most college campuses, NTCC’s parking permits are issued free of charge to both students and staff.

Students, including those who live in the dorms, can pick up their parking permits in Student Services, while employees receive their permits from the human resources department. Taylor said visitors to the campus are issued temporary passes in Student Services.

The fine for parking without a permit is $15. While some may consider the fine a little too high, Taylor said that NTCC actually charges quite a bit less than many other schools.

“I know that compared to other colleges, our citations are cheaper,” Taylor said.

“And, we don’t charge for our parking

permits; most other colleges do.”

While NTCC does not issue tickets for violations like speeding or expired registration stickers, Taylor said fines are issued for other parking offenses. Violators who park in the 30-minute visitor’s circle or the employee-only parking lot in front of the welding shop also receive a $15 fine.

More costly citations include parking in a fire lane, which totals to $30, and illegally parking in a handicap spot, coming in at a hefty $180.

Citations can be paid in the Student Services building. The price for a ticket does not increase if it is not paid in a certain amount of time. However, a second citation means another $15.

While students may assume that the citations are irrelevant, and they can avoid paying the fine, Taylor said the failure to comply is taken seriously.

“A lot of people think ‘I don’t have to pay this.’ And, if you don’t ever want your college transcript, then you never have to pay it,” Taylor said. “But, if you ever want your transcript to transfer or graduate, just know that they hold your transcript until you pay all fines whether it’s a citation, your bills, your books, whatever.”

Student Services recently began issuing newly designed stickers, but it is not required to replace an old sticker with the newer one.

Stickers are to be placed in the bottom left corner of the back windshield.

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August 26, 2019

Northeast Texas Community College

CAMPUS

The one-stop-shop for textbooks and more

By Adriana Elizondo Staff Writer

staff photo

| daniel sanchez

The Learning Commons holds the library, computer lab, Jo’s Coffee Shop, a regular and 3D printer and historical artifacts. Students can also find tutors here.

The place to be at NTCC

By Adriana Elizondo Staff Writer The Learning Commons has a wider variety of resources than any other building on campus.

The library offers a diverse collection of books, newspapers, and videos.

Additional resources, such as eBooks, eJounrals, magazines, and other sources can be found on the online database.

Students can find the online library database on the NTCC website. Under the “Academics” drop down menu, select “Library.” The database is accessible with an NTCC login, which is the information used to log onto Blackboard or myEagle Portal.

Students can come in and hang out in the comfy sitting areas by NTCC’s very own Jo’s Café, nicknamed the Caddo Café.

Jo’s offers the same, but slightly smaller, menu as their main location in

downtown Mount Pleasant.

Students also have access to enclosed study booths for working on homework in a private setting.

Student tutors are available in the library for a variety of subjects. The tutor schedule can be found in the library or online.

Students can check out books and videos from the library by using their MyEAGLE Passport ID as a library card.

Also, a computer lab is available in the LC for students with an NTCC login.

The computer lab also offers a state-of-the-art WEPA printing station and scanner. A second printing station is also located in the SUB. Prices vary depending on what is being printed, whether its black and white, colored, single-sided or double-sided.

Printer cards can be purchased from the bookstore. Students can

select a $5 or $10 nonrefillable print card.

Students can also swipe a debit card at the machine, but each transaction will cost an additional fee.

Along with all the library services, the LC also houses NTCC’s collection of Caddo Indian artifacts on display throughout the building. The John Biggers mural and artwork are also features of the Learning Commons.

So, the LC is the place on campus to study, hang out with friends and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Learning Commons Hours Mon - Tue: 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wed - Thur: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The NTCC College Store is more than just a bookstore. Whether students are looking for books, scantrons, school supplies, apparel or electronics, this store offers a variety of items.

The store has flexible hours to accommodate students’ schedules and knowledgeable bookstore specialists are always ready to assist.

If students need help finding course materials, information can also be found on the bookstore website, www. ntccbookstore.com. After browsing the catalog and finding all the materials required, the bookstore offers an estimated price and purchase options.

Students can buy new or used textbooks for the semester and sell them back to the

bookstore after the course ends. Students should not remove the plastic wrapper until speaking with an instructor to be sure it is the correct textbook.

To recieve a refund, students must keep the receipt and bring the book back in the same condition it was purchased. The time frame to return a book will be printed on the receipt, but if a student is still unclear, they are urged to check with a store specialist.

While in the College Store, check out the latest NTCC merchandise. Show your Eagle pride with a large selection of apparel, and when it’s time for graduation, don’t forget to purchase a diploma frame.

When making a purchase, the bookstore accepts different types of payment methods including cash, check, Visa, Master Card, Discover and pell financial aid.

Students may email the store at bookstore@ntcc.edu for more information.

Coffee Shop NTCC campus location

Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Need Information About Transferring?

Visit the Transfer Center in the BT building Mon - Thur: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Fri - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

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Northeast Texas Community College

CAMPUS NTCC Off-Campus Locations Hanson-Sewell

Culinary Arts

237 College St, Pittsburg

114 Jefferson St, Pittsburg

Community Resource Center 105 North Riddle Ave, Mount Pleasant

Industrial Technology 1100 Lakewood Dr, Mount Pleasant

Naples-Omaha Center

412 W.L. Doc Dodson Blvd, Naples

Dining Hours

Mon-Thur Breakfast - 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Lunch - 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Dinner - 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday Breakfast - 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Lunch - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Dinner - 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sat-Sun Brunch - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Dinner - 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Student Services • • • • • •

Testing Center Advising Financial Aid Admissions Transcripts Registrar

Student Services Hours

Mon-Thur: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

•

Tests must begin by 5 p.m.

Fri: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

•

Tests must begin by 11 a.m.

Testing Center • ID card required • Locker provided for personal items • Cell phones, food, and drinks not permitted • Private room for special accommodations • Must sign in on Student Services electronic tablet

NTCC Glossary SUB: Student Union Building; Features the cafeteria, college store, recreational/gaming area, ATM, printer and vending machines.

LC: Learning Commons; Features the library, computer lab, Jo’s Coffee Shop, private study booths, games, printer and historical artifacts.

HUM: Humanities building; known for its history, government, English and art courses and the Eagle room.

BT: Business Technology building; holds cosmetology, business and math classes, as well as Public Relations and Web Master offices.

UHS: University Health Science building; known for its health science classrooms and houses the Texas

A&M University-Texarkana offices.

The UHS building can be spotted by its clock tower.

MS: Math and Science building; has math and science classes and labs.

IA: Instructional Annex building; houses Computer Services, Upward Bound, Communities in Schools, Funeral Services, the athletic training facility, and additional classes.

IT: Industrial Technology building; located on I-30 near Lowe’s.

HY: A hybrid course; It has both online and in-class components, though format may vary slightly.

The Eagle: NTCC’s award-winning monthly newspaper.

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Northeast Texas Community College

ACTIVITIES & ORGANIZATIONS

Campus activities offer fun for students

By Elisabeth Lively Managing Editor For several years now, Northeast Texas Community College has hosted Multicultural and Career Awareness Week.

Many of the cultures represented include NTCC’s international students.

The college’s Multicultural Advisory

Committee and Rico Willis, director of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs, organizes the event to highlight the diversity on the Northeast campus.

“We take time to celebrate the spectacular range of ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures that we share within our campus community,” Willis said. “Now, the goal for us is to be able to shape our community with those different backgrounds, cultures and so on.”

This week-long event features a variety of things to do, including a multicultural fashion show and cooking contest, a career fair, art displays, interactive games and activities, sports tournaments and a movie night hosted by the Film Club.

“I hope when it comes to this event that people will learn to appreciate the differences that we share,” Willis said.

“We have to understand that we’re not all the same, we think differently, we look differently and we act differently,

and our beliefs are different.”

While Multicultural and Career Week is a major event on campus during the fall semester, Springfest is also an enjoyable activity that takes place during the spring.

“It’s a fun celebration for our NTCC students to thank them for attending NTCC as their choice of college and for all their hard work,” Erica Hernandez, NTCC Student Government Association president, said.

Springfest is an event put on

by SGA that is packed with food, music and activities.

The highlight of each day takes place during lunch time, when there are games and the Really Awesome Cooks catering service prepares a free meal for students and staff. Activites during the event include archery, corn-hole, an obstacle course and/ or water slide, intramural sports tournaments and music.

Like Multicultural Week, Springfest is a student event, though employees are welcome to join in on the fun.

Hernandez said any additional

ideas and suggestions are encouraged.

Both Multicultural and Career Week and Springfest are completely free of charge to all students and staff.

Student Government Association staff photo

| elisabeth lively

2019-2020 SGA Officers from left to right, Todd Allen - Treasurer, Katherine Hicks Vice President, Erica Hernandez - President, Gabriel Muniz - Public Relations, Nora Sanchez - Secretary, Haley Swindler - Historian, Itzamari Vargos - Parliamentarian and Rico Willis - Advisor.

Student Government Association (SGA) is a collegiate organization for student leaders. Participants organize campus activities and compete in competitions geared toward success.

Scholarships opportunities are available for members and officers.

*SGA meetings are on Mondays, from 12:15 to 12:45*

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Northeast Texas Community College

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ACTIVITIES & ORGANIZATIONS Fall 2019 Student Activities Sports

Aug 28-29 Sep 13 Sep 23-27

Men’s Soccer

Welcome Back activities Doubles Pool Tournament Multicultural Week

Women’s Soccer

Sep 26

Ping Pong Tournament

Softball

Oct 4

Volleyball Tournament

Baseball

Oct 11

Basketball Tournament

Rodeo

Oct 19

Scare Affair

Oct 25

Tennis Tournament

Nov 4

Talent Show

Nov 8

Bonfire

Pool

Ping Pong Volleyball

Basketball Tennis

Dodgeball

Flag Football Bass Fishing

Religious Organizations *Lunch provided by religious organizations are free*

Intramural & intermural sports

Methodist Taco Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Aaron Dudley Wesley Fellowship building Baptist Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Kassidy Harris Baptist Student Ministry building Lutheran Mondays, 12:20 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Andrew Yox HUM 102

Student Organizations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ag Club Amigos Unidos Bass Fishing Club BioChem/Environmental Club Brother to Brother Business Club Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Car Club Cosmetology Club Eagle Eye Photography Club Eagle Newspaper EMS Club Film Club Honors Society Math Club More Alike Than Different N-OADN Alpha Delta Nu NTCC TableTop Club Northeast Industrial Technology Association Northeast Student Nurse Association Office Technology Club Phi Theta Kappa Physics & Engineering Club Physical Therapist Assistant Club Psi Beta Sigma Kappa Delta Social Work Club Society of Collegiate Journalists Student Funeral Practitioner’s Association Student Government Association Student Success Association Student Veterans Organization Travel Study Club Northeast Webb Historical Society Welder’s Association

For information on organizations, contact Rico Willis at rwillis@ntcc.edu

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Northeast Texas Community College

FINANCES Looking for Scholarships or Jobs? iGrad offers a scholarship and job search for students

How to access iGrad:

Step 1: Go to MyEagle Portal Step 2: Select the “Financial” tab.

Step 3: Select the “iGrad” option.

A guide to personal finances

By Joelle Weatherford Managing Editor

In an effort to raise awareness about financial literacy, Northeast Texas Community College has invested in a software that allows students to gain insight into their financial personalities.

Students are able to use this software to improve their financial literacy by taking financial wellness courses. Additional tools include a scholarship and job search. “[It is] teaching about something that they’re going to have to work with for the rest of their lives,” Cassidy B. Holland, NTCC Financial Literacy Specialist said.

“Once you learn it and start applying the principles then you will have a much healthier financial life than if you had just kind of winged it like a lot of students are having to do.”

Students will be able to access the software through their myEagle portal, by going into the “Financial” tab and clicking on the iGrad option. Once on the site, students are able to view scholarship opportunities, take a financial personality quiz, view job listings, recieve budgeting and credit score tips.

“It’s important for students to develop good practices now before they start generating a substantial income,” Holland said. “Once they start generating a substantial income, they’ve already got these practices set.”

For the immediate needs of students, the scholarship search can help students find diverse funding opportunities for tuition.

Scholarships can also fund additional fees, such as dorms, textbooks or other supplies.

The search provides students with a wealth of options for applying to scholarships.

The Eagle Eagle Adviser Mandy Smith

Photo Editor Tahj McRae

Managing Editors Joelle Weatherford Elisabeth Lively

Assistant Adviser Daniel Sanchez

Feature Editor Emma Yeager

Staff Writers Adriana Elizondo, Tonya Hammonds, Kachina Swafford, and Halley Goodwin.

The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty adviser or the administration of the college.

Questions? Comments? Email Mandy Smith at msmith@ntcc.edu or visit our website at www.ntcceagleonline.com

Planning and paying for a college degree

By Adriana Elizondo Staff Writer

There is a possibility that some students started saving a while ago or stumbled across a pot of gold, but chances are most students need a plan to pay for college.

The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid is the best place to turn for assistance. The department is the largest provider of grants, loans and work-study funds.

When it is time to apply for aid, don’t be shy to ask for help completing the free application for FAFSA. The official website is fafsa.gov.

NTCC, like any other college, will use the information on your FAFSA application to calculate how much aid will be awarded.

If a student receives a grant or work-study job, the money will not have to be repaid.

However, federal student loans must be repaid just like any other loan. Additional information about student loans can be found at studentloans.gov.

Applying for FAFSA does have some requirements, according to www. studentaid.ed.gov. A student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen and have a valid social security number. A full list of requirements can be found on the website.

Texas residents, who do not qualify for FAFSA, can complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. If they qualify, students can receive some assistance. To be

eligible for TAFSA, recipients must meet eligibility requirements.

Kim Irvin, dean of financial aid and enrollment management, said a full list of these requirements, along with a link to download the application with instructions for the 2019-20 school year, are available at www.collegeforalltexans.com.

After completion of either the FAFSA or TASFA application, the college may require the student to verify the information submitted. If necessary, the NTCC financial aid office will notify the student to let them know what steps they need to take.

To access the NTCC Financial Aid page, go to the “Get Started” drop down menu on the college’s website and select “Financial Aid.” From there, a student can gain information about tuition costs and the types of aid available.

Students can also view several videos that explain the process for completing the FAFSA application by visting www. ntcc.edu/financialaid and clicking on the Financial Aid TV Portal link in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Filling out applications can be somewhat overwhelming and a bit stressful, but just relax, take a second and understand that it is OK to ask for help.

Just remember, that a member of the NTCC Financial Aid department in Student Services is always ready to assist.

For infomation contact Shala Riden @903434-8146.

Need Assistance?

Lori Hunter

Don’t stress about it!

Scholarship Coordinator Office - 903.434.8116 Fax - 903.434.4424 lhunter@ntcc.edu

Shala W. Ridens

Financial Aid Coordinator

Office - 903.434.8146 Fax - 903.434.4455 sridens@ntcc.edu

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Northeast Texas Community College

FINANCES

Dollars for NTCC scholars

By Emma Yeager Feature Editor

staff photo

| daniel sanchez

A student works on homework in the Learning Commons.

As expensive as college can be, it is not unusual for students to apply for scholarships to help pay for their education. There are millions of different scholarships available, some world-wide and some local, from Coca-Cola to the Mount Pleasant Rotary Club.

Fastweb is a common scholarship source. This website will allow students, either in high school or college, to use search filters to find a variety of scholarships. When signed up, Fastweb notifies a user of new scholarships suited to their needs and interests. iGrad is an additional source for students seeking scholarship and career options.

While the internet is filled with scholarships left and

right, Northeast Texas Community College offers a wide range of NTCC-specific scholarships to its students.

Eligibility requires a student to fill out the application, provide a transcript, write an essay on why they value their education and have a 2.0 GPA minimum.

Students can find the application on the college’s website, www.ntcc.edu. Students will also receive an email through their school email with a PDF of the application.

Once awarded the scholarship, students are required to send a thank you letter and attend a banquet to meet their scholarship donors. The scholarship money can go toward tuition and book fees, but not toward dorms or meal plans.

For further information, contact NTCC’s Scholarship Coordinator, Lori Hunter at lhunter@ntcc.edu.

College offers work programs for students

By Adriana Elizondo Staff Writer With the national student debt standing at nearly $1.6 trillion and climbing, Northeast Texas Community College offers an alternative way to finance college.

One option is the Work4College program, in which students earn a wage while also creating a fund for tuition.

This program is privately funded through donations from the community.

Since the program started in 2014, students have worked a variety of jobs, including the college farm, student services, student housing, the automotive shop, the library and the athletic department. Students can pick up an application for the Work4College program at the front desk in Student Services.

Work4College isn’t the only job opportunity NTCC offers its students. The Federal Work Study Program is another employment option. Students, who receive a

Pell Grant, can apply for a variety of Work Study positions. If hired, students can work up to 20 hours a week at minimum wage.

“It’s like a part-time job,” Kenzie Messer, Student Services Specialist, said.

Unlike Work4College, students receive their entire paycheck, rather than half of the funds going toward their college tuition.

Even students who do not receive a pell grant can still be employed as a Work Study student.

“If you don’t meet that qualification to be a federal work study student, you can still be a student worker,” Messer said. “But, you would have to be paid out of institutional budget funds, which come out of whatever department you’re working for.”

If they reapply and are accepted, student workers can keep their same job for the following semester.

To apply for a position, visit the Student Services lobby and review the job postings listed in the Work Study binder.

Work4College

Work Study

• $15/hr

• $7.25/hr

• 15 hrs/wk

• 20 hrs/wk

• 50% of income

• Part time job

pays for tuition

• Funded through

• Privately funded

financial aid or

• Leadership course

department budget

• Various job types

• Various job types

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Northeast Texas Community College

August 26, 2019

BUDGET Sonic Drive-In Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m.

Half-priced cheeseburgers, Tues. after 5 p.m.

1402 S Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant 1701 N Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant

KFC $5 fill-ups, anytime 14001 S Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant Round Eye Sushi Guy NTCC Student ID discount, anytime 133 W 3rd St, Mount Pleasant Herschel’s NTCC Student ID discount, anytime 1612 S Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant Laura’s Cheesecake NTCC Student ID discount, anytime 109 N Madison Ave, Mount Pleasant Randy’s Burgers NTCC Student ID discount, anytime 100 N Edwards Ave, Mount Pleasant Jo’s Downtown NTCC Student ID discount, anytime 102 N Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant Boba ETC. Instagram follower discount 208 Alexander Dr Ste 101, Mount Pleasant

By Emma Yeager Feature Editor Looking for affordable activities during the school year? Believe it or not, Mount Pleasant and the surrounding areas have some great options available.

For cheap eats and drinks try KFC’s $5 fill ups or $9 all-you-caneat buffet.

For more common deals, stop by Sonic for their daily Happy Hour special from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. They even offer half-priced cheeseburgers on Tuesday nights after 5 p.m.

For sushi lovers, Round Eye Sushi Guy offers a discount with an NTCC student ID. Their sushi boxes, while a bit pricier, are great meals to split between friends.

Boba ETC. is delicious, refreshing, easy to grab and go, and they give a discount just for following them on Instagram. They offer sushi, unique tea and rolled ice cream.

Jo’s Downtown, Mount Pleasant’s famed coffee shop, is a popular place for students to hang out and

study together. Ten percent discounts are given to those with an NTCC student ID, but only at the downtown location. That’s right, Jo’s has another shop, and it’s right here on campus.

But wait, there’s more! There are so many other places around the area that cater to college students.

Local thrift stores such as Goodwill, Hospice and Safe-T are excellent destinations for those looking to shop quick and save a load of cash.

As for places to have a good time with friends, a ticket to the Morris Theater in Daingerfield only costs $1.50. Just ask the locals, and they’ll testify that the Morris Theatre popcorn is to die for!

Dellwood, Heritage and Caldwell park have great walking trails, soccer fields, and basketball and volleyball courts to kick back and have fun with friends.

In the fall, The Alley on 3rd in Mount Pleasant hosts “Hot Nights, Cool Music” every Friday night at 8 p.m., so gather up some good friends and go enjoy some local tunes.

Chances are students who live on

campus or on their own are looking for a plentiful supply of affordable groceries. Only months ago, Mount Pleasant was blessed with Aldi, the grocery store version of IKEA. So when it comes to affordable, tasty and healthy food to keep in a dorm or apartment, this piece of Heaven has college students covered.

While a night on the town may keep students busy, Amazon has another idea.

The website offers Prime Student memberships, a free six-month trial for Amazon Prime. With this offer comes free two-day shipping, unlimited photo storage, Prime movies, TV and music, as well as free games through Twitch Prime. Prime Students also receive student-only discounts.

In addition, Spotify offers students a cheap discount. Spotify Premium, Hulu, and SHOWTIME can be purchased for just $5 a month.

With all these discounts and activities, students should be able to find fun ways to spend their time without adding to any college debt.

CUT ME OUT!

Goodwill 2507 W Ferguson Rd, Mount Pleasant

Caldwell Park Corner of Van Buren and 2nd St, Mount Pleasant

Hospice Thrift Store 107 S Madison St, Mount Pleasant

Morris Theatre 108 N Lamar St, Daingerfield

Safe-T Thrift Shop 2507 W Ferguson Rd, Mount Pleasant

The Alley on 3rd 107 W 3rd St, Mount Pleasant

Dellwood Park 726 E Ferguson Ave, Mount Pleasant

Aldi 2306 S Jefferson Ave, Mount Pleasant

Heritage Park 1713 N Edwards Ave, Mount Pleasant

*Amazon Prime for students* *Spotify, Hulu, and SHOWTIME for students*

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Northeast Texas Community College

BUDGET

Choosing a meal plan

By Tonya Hammonds Staff Writer Many students remain on campus during the lunch hour, with time squeezed between their morning and afternoon classes. For this reason, NTCC offers a variety of meal plans that can be purchased in the Student Services building.

While residential students have a meal plan as part of their dorm payments, anyone is allowed to buy a plan. Students may pay in person or have it deducted from their financial aid.

The plans are placed on the student’s

staff photo

ID card, which can only be used in the cafeteria. During the first purchase, students can buy up to 50 meals for the semester, for additional meal plans bought during the same semester, no more than 10 meals can be purchased. Meal plans are also non-refundable.

Meal plans can be purchased with financial aid until refunds are released.

If students are paying with financial aid and drop or lose their aid for any reason, they becpome responsible for paying for the meal plan. Purchased meals are only for the current semester and will not be carried forward to future semesters.

| elisabeth lively

Student Rudi Pastrana stocks the Eagle Pantry shelves with a variety of food donated by students in the Work4College program this summer.

Pantry tackles hunger

By Elisabeth Lively Managing Editor It is not uncommon for college students to find themselves snacking on ramen noodles or junk food when they sit down and study. Many students, however, do not have access to snacks, let alone a healthy meal.

In fall 2018, sudents enrolled in the Northeast Texas Community College social work service learning class decided to meet that need by creating a student food pantry.

“We’re really seeing a population of students who have needs outside [the campus] and if we can help them meet those needs, I think we should do it as a campus,” Carmen Shurtleff associate faculty for Social Work said.

The Eagle Pantry is located in the Wesley Fellowship Ministry on NTCC’s main campus. The pantry is open on the third Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and is available to all NTCC students, both dorm and traditional.

For emergency needs, students may

contact Shurtleff.

Those accessing the pantry must complete a brief information sheet and present a student ID with each visit.

The Eagle Pantry offers an assortment of non-perishable items from ramen noodles to cans of corn, but additional donations are always accepted.

All donated items must be nonperishable, non-frozen and cannot be expired.

The pantry also offers a variety of hygiene products, all from shampoo to sanitary napkins.

Each student who comes to the Eagle Pantry will receive a box of food to take home with them. The box will vary in size depending on if he or she is living on or off campus. Shurtleff said the system will be based on the honor system.

“Obviously, if they live off campus [and] they have a family of four, we’re going to give them food that feeds a family of four,” she said.

For additional information on the NTCC food pantry, contact Shurtleff at cshurtleff@ntcc.edu.

NTCC Fitness Center General students Mon-Thur 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Dorm students & staff Daily 6:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

*Current student, staff ID required*

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The Eagle

Northeast Texas Community College

CAMPUS LIFE

August 26, 2019