The Hook Fall 2015

Fall 2015

The Hook

Fall 2015

The Hook is published twice a year by East Carolina University students at the Magazine Division Office, Self-Help Building, Second Floor. Greenville, NC 27858

Puja Patel

Magazine Division General Manager

The Hook Editor-In-Chief

Braxton Paine Business Manager

The Hook Staff

Design Chief:

Photo Editor:

Writers:

Thomas Davis

Samantha Harvey

Amina Brown

Taylor Hickman

Corey Keenan

Contributors: Linda Darty

Jenny Gregory

Denver Hollingsworth

Cliff Hollis

Bethany Karunakaran

Derek Maher

Marianne Montgomery

Michael Seegars

Lindsay Shore

Roy Thomas

Courtney Tittus

Student Media Professional Staff

Director: John Harvey

Administrative Support Associate: Yvonne Moye

Publication Adviser: Terrence Dove

Advertising & Marketing Adviser: Elizabeth Semple

Operations Manager: Janet Rollins

The Hook is copyrighted 2015 by The Hook Magazine and East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. It is printed by University Printing and Graphics, Greenville, N.C.

The Hook is operated by ECU students who are members of Student Media, an East Carolina University student-led organization operating under the auspices of the Student Media Board and through the Division of Student Affair. The magazine is produced twice a year by ECU students for the East Carolina University community.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers and editors and DO NOT reflect those of the faculty, staff, administration of ECU, Student Media Board nor the University of North Carolina System.

Partial funding for this publication is provided through Student Fee Funds. Advertisements fund the remaining costs. Advertising inquiries may be sent to Office of Student Media, 202 Self Help Building, or by calling the Business Office at 252-328-9245. Inquiries concerning content should be sent to Magazine General Manager Puja Patel at Thehookmag@ecu.edu.

All students are allowed to have one free copy of this publication. Additional copies cost $1 each and are available at the Office of Student Media. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site will constitute theft under state law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time.

LETTER EDITOR FROM THE

The school year has officially begun! ARRRGH!

If you’re not already, you should get familiar with the Pirate lingo. And while you’re at it, go ahead and practice your Pirate hand gestures, and stock up on your purple and gold attire. You will need all of these if you are going to survive in the Pirate Nation; they’re a part of the East Carolina tradition, and that’s what we wanted to highlight in this issue.

My staff and I wanted to capture the essence of what being a Pirate is all about. From football game day traditions to on-campus and offcampus culture, the spirit of East Carolina can be experienced from the residence halls to DowdyFicklen to Mendenhall and back.

Along with East Carolina’s traditions, we highlight some great workout tools, money tips, exciting food options, and some things about your professors you probably wouldn’t have guessed! The articles in this issue of The Hook are as diverse as the people who frame the Pirate Nation.

This staff worked diligently to make sure this issue of The Hook was one of our very best, so we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Puja Patel Editor-in-Chief

Good luck this semester, and make sure to work like a captain, play like a Pirate!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

make the pirate rounds

avo-tastic recipes

the known unknown

the skeleton crew

swashbuckler sessions

ecu traditions

lean and green: eating clean

watch out while you hang out

work it out

a new spin on tailgating

god-winning

money matters

tuition increase

student spending

ON THE COVER:

From left to right clockwise: Niki Patel, Zeek Bigger, Seth Gulledge, and Kyndal Smyth.

conquering new horizons

Photos taken by Samantha Harvey and Roy Thomas.

Avocado Smoothie Avocado Baked Egg

This super simple breakfast will wake up your taste buds and keep you full throughout those morning classes! All you need is 1 avocado, 2 eggs, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ½ tablespoon chopped chives. Get that oven heated to 425 degrees. Once you have removed around 2 tablespoons worth of the avocado from each half, crack those gorgeous eggs into each half. Pop them in the oven and this scrumptious meal will be ready in 15 to 20 minutes. You can dig in once you’ve topped them off with the pepper and chives!

Ready for an after-workout smoothie, but tired of the same old protein shakes? Get ready for this delicious four-ingredient recipe! In a blender combine 2 tablespoons honey, 1 banana, 1 avocado, and 1 cup of sweet yogurt. Blend until smooth and there you have it! This recipe is perfect for those rushed mornings or can be enjoyed as a healthy snack!

By Taylor Hickman

(http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Baked-Eggs-AvocadoRecipe-30787252)

Looking

Avocado with Tomato, Basil Mozzarella, and Balsamic

Have ingredients leftover from last night’s pizza? Well grab that avocado and get ready for this recipe! Combine 1 chopped tomato, 4 ounces mozzarella, 6 chopped leaves of basil, a little olive oil, and salt and pepper. Once you put the mixture back into the avocado add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. It’s great as a quick lunch or a satisfying afternoon snack!

(http://www.macted.ro/sunday-smoothie-avocado-banana/)

(http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/avocadotoppings#. mxVOkzZ50)

Photos by Samantha Harvey

How many of us girls love makeup, but love a good bargain even more? How many of us have been to MAC or Sephora in the mall, picked up a product, and put it right back down after seeing the price? Admit it. Nearly all of us have been in that situation at some point in our lives. But it’s okay, all hope is not lost just yet! In this article, you can find a breakdown of some really good quality, inexpensive makeup/ lipstick that will have you looking great without putting a dent in your bank account.

FOR THE GUYS

MAKE-UP

YOUR MIND

Cosmestic Alternatives

By Amina Brown

“Ruby Woo” from MAC is everybody’s go-to red lipstick. Ruby Woo is one of MAC’s most popular matte red shades, and should be a staple in every girl’s lipstick collection; but the only downside is the price. Wet ‘N Wild, which is a relatively cheap drugstore brand of makeup, has a color that is identical to Ruby Woo called “Stoplight Red.” This lipstick is priced at an astonishing $2.29! Yes, you read that correctly- $2.29. Come on, it doesn’t get any better than that.

When you need a fresh new shave, Dollar Shave Club has got you! When you sign up for Dollar Shave Club, the company sends you high quality razors to your door for just a few dollars a month so you can always shave with a fresh blade. The plans range anywhere from $1-$9 a month, and each blade comes with a free complimentary handle. They also have several other shaving products to choose from, such as shave butter, cream, moisturizer, and plenty more. Also, you can cancel your membership at any time if you decide to for no additional fees.

“They’re Real” is a popular mascara from Benefit, which is typically sold at places like Sephora and Ulta. This particular mascara from their line is supposed to give your lashes that full, dark, and lengthening effect. Benefit’s They’re Real is $18.50 USD for one small tube. Maybelline, on the other hand, has a mascara called “Falsies” which many people have fell in love with over the years. You can wear Falsies by itself,and I usually put on two or three coats to achieve the look I desire for my lashes. Falsies is only $6.39 at your local drugstore.

Last, but certainly not least, I share with you one of the best eye shadow palettes of all time. I’m talking the HG (Holy Grail) of eye shadow palettes! “Naked” by Urban Decay, ladies. This palette has been around for a few years, and I am still in love with it to this day. The palette has twelve amazing shades that are all on the ‘warm’ side. The shades are mostly natural tones mixed with some shimmer here and there. Definitely not too over-the-top, and you can create so many different looks with it. The price of the Naked palette is $54 USD. Coastal Scents, which is a good quality inexpensive brand, has a similar palette that consists of 28 neutral colors and only priced at $18.95. The 28 color palette has the same type of shades, but more to choose from and obviously a lot less expensive. This palette is available for purchase on www.coastalscents. com. You make the decision!

MAC Ruby Woo vs. Wet ‘N Wild Stoplight Red 911D

Benefit They’re Real Mascara vs. Maybelline Falsies

Urban Decay Naked Palette vs. Coastal Scents 28 Neutral Palette

MAKE THE PIRATE ROUNDS

DON’T PLUNDER YOUR BOOTY

By Taylor Hickman

Tired of spending excess money? Not sure where to go to hang out with your friends during the week? Right here on ECU’s campus, we have amenities provided by the University that are comparable to places around Greenville. Look no further when it comes to entertainment and necessities on campus!

STUDENT RECREATION CENTER

MENDENHALL STUDENT CENTER

Photos by Samantha Harvey

Mendenhall’s arcade center provides 14 arcade style games for students to enjoy.

Mendenhall Student Center provides bowling, arcade games, pool tables, concerts, movies, and an open mic night that is every Wednesday. You can get a deal every Monday and Wednesday when you go bowling for $1 and pay 75 cents for your shoes, but otherwise games are $2 and the shoes cost $1. I don’t know about you, but that seems like a pretty sweet deal!

Or maybe you just want to unwind and catch up on your latest book? Well grab a delicious cup of coffee from JavaCity and curl up in the lounge. The Cynthia’s Lounge area is equipped with four wide screen televisions and sofas, so you and your friends can’t miss an episode of your favorite show!

Want to have a jam session with your guitar and some friends outside? Well that’s no problem at the Brickyard right outside Mendenhall. It has all the space to do this and is equipped with outdoor tables to enjoy a nice meal.

Along with all the fun activities Mendenhall provides, there is also a computer lab open to students during the semester Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.- 11:30 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon- 11:30 p.m. where you can print and access the computers for free. The computer lab also has color printing. “It’s convenient, and some people don’t have cars, and it’s a good way to make friends. Especially for freshmen because they can’t get around and go places so this is the best they’ve got,” says Akyah Floyd who works the front desk at Mendenhall.

Another convienet place to hit up on campus is the Student Recrecration Center. Don’t stress over finding a way to make it to a gym or to having to fork over the money for a gym membership because with all of the classes and equipment the Student Rec Center has to offer it is sure to make you want to keep coming back for more results!

Adventure Program, which has anywhere from six to 15 students in the course, and a student staff partakes in the leadership of every trip. According to Gregory, students that are interested in being a part of the staff are put through a vigorous training so that they are skilled enough to take a group out in the wilderness and keep everyone safe. The trips vary, some are for a day and others are over spring break, and you can go as close as Washington, NC or as far as the Florida Everglades.

Along with this emotionally and physically enduring course, there are many other options that students can seek out. Students can pick from mixed level yoga, total body suspension training, belly dancing, small group training classes, ZUMBA!, and much more.

Another thing that the Campus Recreation and Wellness Department provides for the students is activities that they don’t have to register for and can participate in. Some of these activities include group fitness which is on a first come first serve basis, CPR and lifeguard training sessions, and club teams that are completely run by students. To keep up with dates and the amenities that are offered, check out Campus Recreation and Wellness on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on their website.

With everything the Student Rec Center and the Campus Recreation and Wellness staff provides, students are given the opportunity to find what they are looking for. “Everything the Campus Recreation and Wellness does centers around the eight dimensions to wellness- occupational, physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, social and financial,” says Gregory.

5th annual Beach Fest: CRW’s big event at CRW North Recreational Complex on Wednesday September 9th 4:30-7:30 p.m. with free food, bands, inflatables, tons of activities, free giveaways and much more. Usually around 800-1000 people show up.

Ladies Night Out: October 3rd, November 7th, and December 5th from 7-9 p.m. the climbing wall is only open to ladies and is free.

Multiple Friday floats: September 11th, 18th 25th, and October 2nd. Friday afternoons you can go somewhere local for $10 and kayak. It includes the equipment and transportation Sept 11, 18, 25 and Oct 2

Take your pick on the many options that the Student Rec Center offers: indoor and outdoor pool, three fitness studios, mind/body/dance classes, five racquetball courts, indoor track, 27 foot climbing wall (the ONLY one in Eastern North Carolina), sport and outdoor equipment rentals. And after a hard workout, you can go to the “Relaxation Center” where you can cool off and ease your muscles in the massage chairs. “You get that ECU experience, you don’t just come workout and leave. You connect with your fellow Pirates, you get to do things together,” said Jenny Gregory, the Coordinator of Promotions and Staff Development for Campus Recreation and Wellness. Not only are you alongside fellow classmates and friends but, most of the staff is actually comprised of students, equaling anywhere from 300 to 400 employees, according to the Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, Nancy Mize.

A class that the department of the Campus Recreation and Wellness is really proud of is its

The Adventure Program offered by the Rec Center allows students to travel and participate in activities such as kayaking and rock climbing.

Photo courtesy of Jenny Gregory

Photo by Samantha Harvey

What comes to mind when you think of the typical college professor?

They are old, boring, mean, and maybe even grouchy. Right? Wrong. Believe it or not, there are plenty of professors that are actually very interesting and do many cool things outside of teaching. A lot of professors have their own unique hobbies and activities in which they enjoy doing while away from campus. One professor in particular just so happens to spend their time on social media; Twitter to be exact. This professor decided one day to create an anonymous Twitter account (@ECUProfessor) as a way to interact with students, all while making sure to not disclose his/her identity. This professor interacts with students via his Twitter, and while some know his identity, most do not.

AB: When did you first make your Twitter account?

@ECUProfessor: I first made my Twitter in October 2012

AB: What do you enjoy most about having a Twitter?

@ECUProfessor: I enjoy being able to express myself and connect with the ECU community via Twitter.

What made you want to join Twitter?

I got the idea to start using Twitter when I noticed that more and more students were using it openly to discuss aspects of campus life. I thought that it would be fun (and possibly interesting) to provide a professor’s perspective.

I see that you currently have 9,460 followers. Did you ever think you would become Twitter famous?

Initially, I didn’t think that I’d become “Twitter famous” but I keep getting more and more followers every year as new students attend ECU. I try to help to provide helpful information to students in an amusing manner, even though my account is not an official ECU account.

What other exciting things do you do besides Twitter in your spare time?

In my spare time, I mainly spend time with my family, take care of the house and yard, and play video games.

By Amina Brown

Do a lot of people actually know who you are even though you are “anonymous”?

A lot of people do know who I am even though it’s supposed to be an anonymous account. Word has gotten around over time. There are still a lot of people who don’t know, though. At this point, finding out is a matter of knowing the right people. I still try to maintain the secrecy to some extent, but I don’t stress about it as much as I did in the early days.

How long have you been teaching at ECU?

I prefer not to say how long I have been teaching at ECU. That’s just part of maintaining my anonymity.

Do you ever plan on deleting your Twitter? Who is your favorite person that you follow on Twitter?

I might delete my account someday if I ever leave ECU or if it becomes problematic for my personal or professional life. I don’t have a favorite person that I follow on twitter. I don’t really have time to read a lot of other people’s tweets. I usually stick to just reading my notifications and I occasionally search for key words relevant to life on campus.

What do you like the most about ECU?

The thing that I like the most about ECU is probably the amount of school spirit that so many people have. I’ve been at other universities but none have even come close to expressing as much excitement and enthusiasm as the members of Pirate Nation.

SKELETON CREW

When it comes to professors, there’s more than meets the eye

Dr. Marianne Montgomery, an English professor, has been teaching at ECU since 2006, specializing in Shakespeare and Renaissance drama. Dr. Montgomery is also on the board for an organization called Friends of the Greenville Greenway (F.R.O.G.G.S), which promotes Greenway construction, awareness, and contributes to the revitalization of downtown Greenville. “We work to make sure people know about the Greenway and provide amenities for it like trash cans, benches, educational markers, and the shade garden near the dog park. FROGGS is all-volunteer, which means that none of our board members get paid. This means that when people join FROGGS, all their funds go directly to our mission,” said Dr. Montgomery.

Believe it or not, the same professors that we sit in the classroom with each semester do have lives outside of school, just like us students. Have you ever wondered what hobbies your favorite professor enjoys and what they do for fun?

Matthew Walker, a teaching instructor of Finance in the College of Business, has been at ECU since 2012. In his spare time, he is a beekeeper that also makes and sells honey.

Professor Walker just finished his 9th summer of keeping and selling bees. He started Tar River Bee Keepers in 2008 with his wife. The Tar River Bee Keepers is a club of over 100 beekeepers, that educates those who are beekeepers on how to care for bees, and also educates those who want to become beekeepers.

When asked what he found most rewarding about this hobby, Walker replied, “being able to have something physical that is a result of your work.”

Dr. Calvin Mercer, a professor of Religious Studies, has been a part of ECU since 1986. He has authored or co-edited five books, and is currently working on co-editing a sixth book. He also serves on the Greenville City Council.

Dr. Derek Maher, an associate professor of Religious Studies and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies for College of Arts and Sciences, joined ECU in 2003. Dr. Maher is in charge of the Study Abroad program for India, and has been for the past ten years.

Dr. Maher believes students should participate in study abroad because “it’s the best chance they will have in their lives to encounter people in different parts of the world.” Dr. Maher is working to develop a future study abroad program in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Maher and students meet with Venerable Bagdro, a Tibetan Buddhist Monk as he describes his imprisonment and torture.

Dr. Mercer considers teaching at ECU to be his senior commitment, however, being a part of the Greenville City Council is rewarding for him in so many ways. “Community service is a given for me and has been for many years,” said Dr. Mercer. He was a key founder of a Rape and Spouse Abuse Program in a community he used to live in.

It was in 2007 when Dr. Mercer was asked by a group of citizens to run for Greenville City Council, when the citizens were concerned about the growth of Greenville. Dr. Mercer’s current work with the City Council includes sound planning for growth, development, and fiscal policy.

Dr. Montgomery cuts the ribbon for the South Tar River Greenway in 2011.

Photo courtesy of Derek Maher

Photo courtesy of Marianne Montgomery

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ENGL 3410

Introduction to Poetry

Offered for: Humanities and Writing Intensive Requirement

In this class you are introduced into numerous different poets and type of poetry. With this class you will also learn to write your own poetry and get the experience of sharing it to the class, as well as get feedback on your writings from your peers.

SWASHBUCKLER SESSIONS

UNIQUE CLASSES TO GET YOU BY

DNCE 1000

CC Image courtesy of the Nationaal Archief on Flickr

ART 1250 FORL 2860

Introduction to Dance Digital Photography for Non-SOAD Majors

Offered for: Cultural Diversity and Fine Arts Requirement

In this class you learn about the development of dance as an art. You will learn about the roles of both a choreographer and a dancer. It can also be taken either online or in person.

Offered for: Fine Arts Requirement

This class introduces photography with a hands-on and off approach. In this class you will learn about different styles of photography and different photographers as well as getting the opportunity to walk around Greenville and take photographs.

Grimms’ Fairy Tales

Offered for: Humanities Requirement

This class discusses the Grimm Brothers and their fairy tales, which inspired many other fairy tales, including popular Disney fairy tales. In this class, you will read original fairy tales of Disney stories, such as The Little Mermaid and Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.

On campus ECU provides students with 15 different places to get food that is geared towards providing meals that can accommodate those that are vegetarian, gluten free, or have specific dietary restrictions. The ECU Campus Dining Services Nutrition Program recognizes various food preferences and allergies among a large campus population and is dedicated to meeting the nutritional

By Taylor Hickman

needs of its students, providing nutrition education, and spreading nutrition awareness. The goal of this program is to “enable, educate, and encourage people of all ages to adopt and lead healthier lifestyles.”

Janie Owens, ECU’s Nutrition Director, works with the university to ensure students with allergies or other dietary restrictions have plenty of food options.

Photo Illustration by Thomas Davis

For the first time last year, Todd Dining Hall students were able to access what the dining hall calls “Simple Selections” which eliminates seven allergy prone foods. These foods include eggs, dairy, shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. “We like to see what students we have come in, it changes each semester. We work with the students we have to utilize it,” said Owens. Along with that station, Owens said that they “provide foods that are naturally gluten free, and those that are prepacked are available at West End. If they are doing it more for a health preference it is available at West End, but not to the degree of Todd.” Owens said that the reason there is not a “Simple Selections” station available at West End is due to the lack of space and a safe area for all of the required equipment.

One thing that students are provided with at West End that Todd does not have is the “Fire and Rice” station. However, both dining halls provide you with stations that are “Made-to-Order” which allows students to create the type of vegetarian meal that they desire. Students can also take advantage of the salad bar, pastas, deli, soups, omelets, quesadillas, pizzas, and vegetable staples that are accessible to students every day in both dining halls.

In addition to the dining halls, campus offers various food kiosks throughout campus from West End to Central Campus to College Hill. Senior communications major Tarah Coley enjoys Bleeker St. Station, part of Destination 360, which is located inside of Mendenhall Student Center. “They have things there that you can’t get anywhere else on campus, I love getting their pesto sand which, it’s my favorite,” said Coley.

Owens has spoken with multiple students who are very pleased with the vegetarian options available on campus. Owens suggests that students should utilize the dining website to see what is available or the Healthy for Life board. Healthy for life boards can be found in Todd and West End dining halls. These boards make information available to students as far as where to find healthy options and educating students on nutrition information. There is also a Campus Dish Mobile app and MyFitnessPal app that students are encouraged to try.

Owens says that ECU Dining Services is “always working to improve new products to bring in and feedback from students is beneficial to see what we are missing, or what is popular now.”

“Individual students are able to meet with the managers and the chefs to make arrangements for specially prepared food when the daily menu offerings do not meet their needs,” says ECU Campus Dining Services Nutrition Program. They also provide counseling to both students and parents with the nutritionist that would like to discuss their diet restrictions. Owens suggests students take advantage of these opportunities to make their dietary restrictions easier to live with.

WORK LIKE A CAPTAIN PLAY LIKE A PIRATE

According to Merriam-Webster, a tradition is “a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time”. The traditions we have here at ECU extend beyond the streets of Founder’s Avenue and 5th Street. We are a group, a family, a society, and so much more. Every Pirate leaves their mark on ECU, and ECU leaves a mark on every Pirate. These traditions are some of the many that shape us ECU students into the people we are when we leave these walls.

Photo by Cliff Hollis

pirate palooza

Pirate Palooza has been occurring at ECU for the past 15 years at the Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. According to ECU’s website, it is “ECU’s largest welcome back celebration filled with Pirate traditions.” It is a great way to get back into the school spirit because a sea of purple and gold surrounds you as you catch up with old friends and hear about their summer adventures. Or, if you are a freshman, this is a perfect chance for you to branch out and meet some new Pirates! With the many things that Pirate Palooza has to offer, it’s impossible for students not to look forward to this event upon returning to the Pirate Nation. Some of the amenities you can get excited about include karaoke, rock climbing wall, corn hole, obstacle course, free food, music and prizes. Don’t have a car to get there? Don’t worry about it because ECU transit has it covered! Just make sure that you are ready for pickup either in front of Mendenhall Student Center or atthe top of College Hill. Just make sure to bring your OneCard and your appetite!

Getting involved on campus and becoming part of different organizations on campus is something that a lot more students should know about, but unfortunately do not. Many students just want to go to class and go straight home afterwards for the most part, but it is important to be active and participate while in college. “Get a Clue” is a student involvement fair that is a great and fun way to inform students about the many opportunities that are available to them both on and off-campus. Get a Clue allows you to come out and meet all of the student organizations, campus departments, community businesses, and it allows you to find places to volunteer in the community.

Get A Clue has many tables from organizations all around campus, where students can learn more about each organization and what it does.

paint it purple fridays

It’s a sea of different shades of purple on campus and throughout the town of Greenville, which can only mean one thing, there is a home football game tomorrow. As you walk to class or grab a bite to eat at your favorite restaurant fans are sure to be decked out in their best purple attire to show their support and spirit for the football team. So make sure before the football season starts that you have enough purple gear to show how much you love the Pirate Nation!

midnight madness

For several years, Halloween has been one of ECU’s most popular traditions to this day. The costumes, parties, and walking through the congested streets of Downtown Greenville are all things that most students enjoy doing every year during Halloween. But what about those students who do not party or drink alcohol? There is actually an alternative called “Midnight Madness.” Midnight Madness has been around since 1993 on campus and gives certain students a safer, alcohol-free environment, but is still fun at the same time. This event is free to all students and faculty, and all you need is your ECU OneCard as a form of identification.

Photo by Samantha Harvey

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “Homecoming”? Football, tailgating, purple and gold everywhere and parties from sun up to sundown are some things that represent this word. At ECU, it’s more to it than what you may think; it’s a tradition. Homecoming takes place during the fall semester, and is celebrated for an entire week by students and faculty. It’s a time when all Pirates get together as a family and have fun, forgetting about homework, projects, and responsibilities for a little while. During this week, there is a pep rally, concert, step show, and many more exciting things to do. The Thursday before the big game, there’s always a Homecoming concert, and ECU usually gets certain famous musicians as a part of the line-up. So far, celebrities such as J. Cole, Big Sean, and Ludacris have all came out to ECU to perform for the homecoming festivities in the past.

Homecoming is a very special moment for Pirates and something that bonds students together. Food, laughter, memories, and friends are what make homecoming exactly what it is today. Homecoming weekend dates all the way back to 1932, when the university was just known as East Carolina Teachers College. With the addition of the very

first Homecoming parade in 1941, it became even more popular! The parade is now celebrated on the Saturday morning of Homecoming, on 5th street. Many campus organizations participate in the parade to showcase their costumes and floats. Another well-known tradition is “Cannon Ball,” which is a formal dance that occurs during Homecoming Week. The top 5 King and Queen Candidates, who are chosen by the Student Body, are introduced for the first time during the dance. All ECU students are able to attend, and the attire is cocktail formal. Homecoming will take place this year Oct. 14-17.

the cupola

As you’re walking to class you might start to notice something peculiar when it comes to the Cupola located on the Mall. First you notice it’s beautiful alluring stone architecture, but you also start to observe the way students associate with it while walking past. Some pirates walk under it like it’s a piece of cake giving it no thought at all (probably because they have walked under it before, or have yet to hear of the legend) while others make a beeline around it, making sure not even a toe reaches inside its stone home. So, for those of you who don’t know I’ll fill you in on a little secret that explains these behaviors. Tradition has it that once you walk under the Cupola, you will not graduate in four years. So it’s up to you...do you dare try it out?

Photo by Samantha Harvey

Photo by Cliff Hollis

At ECU, one of the many things that we happen to be known for is our amazing school spirit and of course, football. During the Spring Football game, there is something called a “Pig Skin Pig-out” which is held in March or April every year. The pig-out takes place in Dowdy-Ficklen stadium and is celebrated the whole weekend. The pig-out is on the Friday before the Saturday of the Spring Football game. All of the ECU paraphernalia combined with the loud cheers from the fans will have you feeling like a Pirate, even if you did not attend the school. You don’t even have to necessarily be a sports fan to go to the game, just show up and have fun in a great atmosphere!

spring game & pigskin pig-out football day traditions

Everyone has their routine rituals when it comes to their football day traditions, but one thing is certain, the Pirates always come together and unite as a family. “This tradition to me means a time that my family and friends come together to celebrate Pirate Nation,” said 22-year-old communication alumna Leslie Person.

As you walk around the town any time of day, you can guarantee that you will pass someone bellowing out the “Fight Song”. “The streets are usually flooded as people try and get to their next destination; the whole city is a sea of purple and gold,” said Person.

East Carolina University also has a set of traditions that they carry out for every football game that really gets the Pirate Nation in the spirit. Nothing gets you more pumped up than hearing Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” roaring from the speakers and seeing the football team advance onto the field as they emerge from purple smoke.

It’s the end of the third quarter and pirate fans everywhere know what is about to happen next. The black No Quarter flag waves proudly in the air as the purple and gold filled stadium immediately crosses their arms to resemble a skull and crossbones. Throughout the entire fourth quarter the second No Quarter flag appears and the message we want signal to other team is that we “Pirates will fight until the end, giving no mercy to their opponents,” according to ECU’s athletic site.

The Spring Football game is free of charge and is a way that football fans can get a first look at the next season’s football lineup.

Photo by Courtney Tittus

barefoot on the mall

The end of the school year is coming to an end so why not have a huge celebration for all of your hard work? This tradition of Barefoot on the Mall has been around for 35 strong years and it is held every April on the University Mall, complete with a concert and free t-shirts! Barefoot on the Mall activities range from live music, mouth-watering tasty treats, rides, and lots of student organizations that offer information and free swag to students. “I would describe Barefoot on the Mall as a small festival with lots of people…we walked around to all the different stands and listened to people advertise their cause while getting little freebies,” said 22-year-old alumna accounting major Emma Wohl.

polar bear plunge

It’s the middle of the winter and most of the Pirate Nation is taking it easy in their snug warm homes hunkering down for the evening. However, one night in January, men and women alike strip down to their bathing suits to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge! According to ECU’s blog, the Polar Bear Plunge dates back to 1997 and for the past three years there have been more than 1,000 people partaking in this arctic dip.

As thousands of pirates take this breath-taking plunge outside, the Student Recreation Center has another goal inside. With so much that ECU has to offer to its students it can be hard to be in the know about everything. Well during the plunge students can go to the Get-A-Clue Involvement Fair, which encourages students to learn about the different organizations available on campus. Make sure to get to the Plunge early to get your free t-shirt!

Photo by Cliff Hollis

Photo by Cliff Hollis

Students jump into the Rec Center’s cold pool for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Everybody loves a good tailgate before the big game surrounded by friends, family, savory foods, blaring music, and a cold beer. But, there are some dangers associated with tailgating to be aware of to ensure the safety of everyone around you as well as the environment.

By Taylor Hickman

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A popular item that is provided at most tailgates is alcohol, and with that comes many possibilities for accidents to occur. There was a recent study done at the University of Texas that showed “Highprofile football game days were among the heaviest days for alcohol consumption, comparable to consumption on other well-known drinking days such as New Years’ Eve and Halloween weekend.” Since tailgates normally last for just a couple hours, this promotes binge drinking, which increases the chances for alcohol related accidents to occur. A good tip to keep in mind is to make sure that you are counting your drinks and staying hydrated to avoid alcohol poisoning.

Another problem associated with drinking at tailgates is who is responsible for driving everyone home after the game? A study was done in 2009 at the University of Colorado that established “…college football home games were associated with a 13% increase in DUI arrests in the areas surrounding the games.” A recent study by the University of Minnesota found that 8% of fans at college football games recorded BAC levels above the legal limit, with fans under 35 being nine times more likely to be legally drunk after the game than others. Always be sure to appoint someone is group that will be the designated driver or make sure you have an alternate way of transportation.

Everybody loves a juicy hamburger or a tasty hotdog, but using a grill on a hot day can lead to potential accidents. A hot grill, wind and debris can lead to sudden fires or accidents, so be prepared with a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Check the expiration date on the fire extinguisher before packing it and keep it nearby while grilling. Keep children and pets a safe distance from the grill at all times.” Another problem with grilling is not having the meat at a safe, consumable temperature. Hours out in the sun before a tailgate can cause meet to get hot and that can lead to food poisioning. Try to bring a cooler to keep the raw and uncooked meat cold. It’s also important that you should make sure that you know your grill and are educated on how to light it to avoid explosions as well. After grilling, many people are quick to leave and not ensure that the grill is properly cooled down. If the embers are not completely put out, a fire may start and catch on to a tent or banners. Grilling early is a good way to avoid that, and so is disposing of coal properly, like in a special designated receptacle.

When you are leaving the tailgate and quickly throwing all your belongings into the car you might want to rethink what you’re putting in your vehicle and where you are placing it. During the game there is a chance for outsiders to rummage through cars and take belongings, so it’s important to stash items valuable to you in a safe place and to always make sure that your car alarm is on and to lock the doors.

car accidents

With everyone rushing to leave the game at the same time, there are possibilities for accidents to occur in the parking lot. “No one likes to drive in a crowd, and racing through the parking lot to get out of the stadium can only spell trouble. To avoid the embarrassment of hitting a parked car, watch your speed and give yourself plenty of space to maneuver around vehicles when you leave,” said mcclone.com. It is also important to be cautious while driving for pedestrians walking throughout the parking lot.

With such large crowds of people doing many different activities at the same time there is always the potential for casualties to arise, but keep these tips in mind to keep accident levels at a minimum!

Photo Illustration by Thomas Davis

By Taylor Hickman

No matter what sport or team you’re rooting for, tailgates normally involve some sort of alcohol. “Unfortunately our culture, meaning America, can’t tailgate without alcohol. We want to set the example that alcohol isn’t needed for part of the tailgate. Kids, family, relatives, faculty, and the community can come together,” said Erik Kneubuehl, Associate Vice Chancellor for Division of Student Affairs. Now, more and more universities are adopting a new sort of tailgate experience and East Carolina University is one of them.

Dry Dock is a new form of tailgating here at ECU that encourages students to come support the football team without alcohol. Last season, Dry Dock hosted three tailgates in which around 250 people attended, with the age group varying from freshman to alumni, and even some parents, according to Bernard Schulz, Associate Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs.

This new form of tailgating comes equipped with all of the essentials, such as live music, food, and various activities. “We want to showcase local artists, said Kneubuehl. “It could be one person or it could be three or four people…we want to get students to showcase in front of a large audience if we can,” says Kneubuehl.

Location is the most important factor for dry docking tailgates. After a day of eating traditional southern tailgating food and standing on your feet all day people want a tailgate that is close to the stadium to ensure as minimum walking as possible. It is hosted in the Scott parking lot on College Hill, on 14th Street, according to Kneubuehl. When you think about tailgating you think about location, so we think it will encourage people to participate.” Also there is another added bonus to having such a close location to the stadium; fans can hear the marching band as they are enjoying all of the pregame festivities.

Depending on what time the game is scheduled; Dry Dock tailgates will take place three hours before the scheduled time of the game. “Half an hour before the game starts

ON TAILGATING

we will start to close down because we want people to go to the game,” says Kneubuehl.

With alcohol involved in tailgating there are some dangers that can occur and Schulz says that if done so irresponsibly that problems can arise with someone’s personal safety as well as the safety for the community. “This event doesn’t have an alcohol component to it so we really feel that we are filling a niche for students to have a space where they can celebrate football without alcohol,” said Schulz.

Students have expressed their appreciation for a new alternative to tailgating and Kneubuehl and Schulz are also very enthused with this new addition to ECU. “You’re going to see us out there, we might only be required to go to one tailgate but I’m going to be out there

“Students have expressed their concern with not having an alternative. We have also had help through the athletic department because they have helped with parking and transportation. It was a team approach,” said Schulz.

Many student organizations on campus serve as sponsors for Dry Dock such as Student Government Association (SGA), Resident Hall Association (RHA), Student Affairs, and Greek Life. “RHA is kicking off the season for us and they were our sponsor last year so we are excited to have them on board. We have a large number of students so we are excited that they are helping us,” says Schulz. He also said that with all of this help it is a true partnership rather than an administration.

There are many things to look forward to when it comes to the future of Dry Dock tailgates. Not only are there numerous amenities offered but this is a time to really connect as a Pirate Nation and support the community we all care so much about.

with my son. This is something we believe in and look forward to being Pirates, it’s not just something we check off our check list,” said Kneubuehl.

The idea for Dry Dock was a team collaboration ranging from many aspects of the Pirate Nation community according to Schulz.

Kneubuehl wants to make sure that with all of the traditional things associated with tailgating, they hope to create new ones to come for the Pirate Nation through Dry Dock.

Kneubuehl (left) and Schulz (right) discuss ECU’s newest tailgating alternative.

“This event doesn’t have an alcohol component to it so we really feel that we are filling a niche for students to have a space where they can celebrate football without alcohol.”

Photo by Samantha Harvey

In Cliff Godwin’s first season at the helm of the East Carolina baseball team in 2015, there not many external expectations, but inside the clubhouse the team knew it had a chance to make a splash in its first season in the American Athletic Conference.

The Pirates did just that after entering the AAC tournament as No. 2 seed and fought their way to a conference tournament title. Godwin and his Pirates won the programs first postseason conference title since 2002 when the Pirates were in the Conference USA.

“I was just proud of our guys, the support staff, the coaches, the academic advisors, strength coaches and athletic trainers— everybody who did believe and put in the work from day one,” said Godwin. “It was an awesome feeling to know these guys worked their tails off and won a championship.”

The Pirates saw the season come to a quick close following the AAC tournament, however. In the NCAA Regionals, a double-elimination tournament, ECU dropped its first two games against Columbia and Florida International to be sent home early.

Despite the disappointing finish, experience is key in postseason play and with the Pirates losing just four players off the 2015 team, a Super Regional berth could be within grasp for the 2016 team.

“The season didn’t end the way we wanted to,” Godwin said. “For the seniors: Hunter Allen and Reid Love—even the juniors: Luke Lowery and David Lucroy who won’t be able to play baseball at East Carolina anymore—to walk away with a championship and hold that trophy

over their heads, they can hold onto that the rest of their lives.”

After the conference tournament success, Godwin was named the AAC Coach-of-theYear. He was the first Pirate head coach to win a conference-Coach-of-the-Year since Billy Godwin in 2009. Cliff Godwin was quick to deflect the attention when talking about his personal award.

“I never went out to win Coach-of-the-Year in the American,” said Godwin candidly. “I think it’s a great award but it’s a program award. Everyone I mentioned earlier, the entire support staff and the kids—it’s their trophy. They bought into a system, believed in it and they won a championship. I didn’t go out and I didn’t throw one pitch or hit one pitch. So it’s a tremendous honor for our program, it’s not just for me.”

It will not be seamless transition into the 2016 season, however. The Pirates expected to lose two seniors following this season in Allen and Love, but the departing juniors in Lowery and Lucroy were less expected. The two signed professional contracts after their selections in the 14th and 20th round, respectively.

Godwin said a player forgoing his senior season is not a major blow to the program, as long as there is an open dialogue between coaches and players.

“We had a pretty good idea (who would sign and who would stay), it’s about having a relationship with your players. We had a pretty good idea that if Luke Lowery and David got drafted they would chose to continue their careers in professional baseball,” said Godwin.

By Corey Keenan

“Travis Wakins, who is a redshirt sophomore had the ability to be drafted, his signability was very low… because he wanted to come back and he’ll finish his degree next year. It’s just about communicating with your players so you can protect yourself recruiting-wise and making sure you have guys that can fill those roles.” Despite the recent turnover, the rising freshmen and sophomore classes are very strong recruiting classes that will have a chance to shine in the upcoming season.

Godwin was hired last June and is now in his first full year under control of the ECU baseball program. He said the most encouraging thing is the players he has in his system currently that have bought in to the program.

“I feel a lot more in control now than I did at this time last year,” Godwin said with a laugh. “The thing that makes me so comfortable is the guys in the locker room know what my expectations are and know what my staff’s expectations are. And the guys who are returning can be assistant coaches in the locker room and on the field. They know our systems and they know what’s expected of them—that’s the most exciting thing for me.”

Catcher Eric Tyler speaks with Coach Godwin in between innings.

“It’s a tremendous honor for our program, it’s not just for me.”

Photo by Michael Seegars

WORK IT OUT!

By Taylor Hickman

Feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get in a good workout? DON’T STRESS!

These exercises can be done at home before you hop in the shower to start your day and are guaranteed to make you sweat!

Repeat these steps five times and get those endorphins pumping!

Repeat each of these two times and you can be sure to sleep well for the night!

Repeat as many times as you want to burn even more calories!

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What’s better than getting a good leg workout? Getting a good leg workout that tones your butt at the same time!

Photos by Samantha Harvey

Lunges

Stand up straight with legs apart. Step forward 2–3 feet, bending both of your knees at the same time. Hold for 1–5 seconds, then repeat with other foot forward.

Russian Twists

Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat. Lean back so your torso is at a 45-degree angle. Put your arms straight in front of you. Raise your core and slowly rotate to right, then pause and rotate again to the left.

MONEY MATTERS

When you first come to college, it is common for a student to be somewhat naïve to certain things. Words such as “budgeting, finance, and retirement plan” all sound like a foreign language to the typical young, impressionable college kid. Some of us unfortunately were not taught about the importance of personal finance and how to keep your spending at a minimum prior to enrolling in college. Being financially aware is something everyone should take into consideration at a young age, but most do not take that opportunity until years down the line. Luckily, there is a class offered here at ECU, FINA 1904, by Professors Len Rhodes and Mark Weitzel on Personal Finance and how to manage your assets as a college student. This specific course is an introduction to managing personal finances, and the topics include: retirement planning, career planning, money management, taxes, budgeting, and much more. The class is worth 3 credit hours, and not only is it informative, but also a fun way for students to learn about money. Credit cards, leasing a car, and buying a house are all things that most of us will experience at some point in life, so why not learn about it early?

Basic Tips for every college student

“It is really important to start a retirement plan at a young age. College is an investment and the beginning of your career path. Your job search begins the minute you start college. Think about your dream job and identify where it is located, target specific companies, and ask what kind of experience you need to get the job,” said Rhodes. Professor Rhodes says that students should recognize that college is an investment in you, and that there are better ways to pay for school such as grants and scholarships. “Get as much as you can out of college while spending as less as you possibly can.”

Personal Finance 101

By Amina Brown

Professor Len Rhodes came to ECU in 2000, and in 2009, he and colleague Mark Weitzel founded the Personal Finance course. According to Rhodes, there was a high demand for the course, and 250 students signed up for the course in the first semester of its inception. Professor Len Rhodes is not only a Personal Finance instructor, but he is also the Director of Technology, Information and Operations as well.

“We want students to take away enough confidence after the class when it comes to their personal finances. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to money; it all depends on your set of values as a person,” Professor Rhodes said when asked about what he hopes student will take away from his class.

He also said that his class is meant to be fun and exciting, instead of traditional and boring. “Mark and I practice our lectures every week for the class, and our interactions can be described as a radio morning show,” said Rhodes. “We want the class to be mainly fun, easy, and engaging for the students.”

So, should every student take this class?

“The curriculum is not traditional anymore, so the class is very fun but informative at the same time. We teach students about the mistakes we made when we were younger. Everybody agrees that we should be doing something about financial literacy at ECU, and there is always something new to learn. A financially literate society is a good thing, and poor financial health induces lots of unnecessary stressh” said Rhodes he proclaimed that money can either enable good financial health, or cause problems and said that being happy doesn’t require a lot of money. “Money should be a concern, not a worry,” said Rhodes. “At the end of the semester, we do something called the $100,000 challenge; this is when students discuss what changes they have made to their budget and we calculate it. They can enter their name into a drawing and have the chance to win a $50 gift card!” Professor Rhodes encourages all students to enroll in the Personal Finance course at some point in their college career because not only do you learn many new things regarding money, but it counts as an elective!

Other Finance Classes

FINA 3004:

Survey of Financial Managment

FINA 3144:

Financial Markets

FINA 3904:

Investments

Professor Len Rhodes is one of two instructors for FINA 1904: Personal Finance.

Photo by Samantha Harvey

SMART SPENDING

By Amina Brown

Being a college student is a full time job in itself. Trying to balance time for studying, extracurricular activities, personal time, friends and family can be quite a challenge. Another stressful part is most definitely your financial situation. Let’s face it; most people in college are on a tight budget and quite possibly live off of Ramen noodles.

A lot of college students either do not have jobs, or work parttime jobs outside of school just to get by. Did you know that the average student income is $1,200 a month, which is only $14,400 a year? This article will give you specific tips and advice on how to spend smarter!

SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY BUDGET ACCORDINGLY

A good way to not go broke is to write out a budget and stick to it. Try to keep receipts of all purchases and frequently check your bank statements to keep track of how much you spend. “Include an allowance for walking around money, and don’t just go to the ATM for more than you budgeted, or you will frequently run out of money before you run out of month,” said Burton Speer, a certified public accountant with Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co.

USE STUDENT BENEFITS

Instead of eating out, why not become familiar with the Dining Hall on campus?

Spending money on fast food adds up extremely fast, and it would be more beneficial to eat on campus where you don’t have to spend any or as much. If and when you do go out to eat, take advantage of student discounts at certain restaurants.

SAVE ON TEXTBOOKS

Many students spend tons of money on textbooks alone, and this is mainly because they buy books brand new! Websites such as Chegg, Amazon, and Direct Textbooks sell and rent textbooks for significantly less than they would cost in the campus bookstore. If possible, buy used copies of textbooks, because those are usually cheaper in price than a brand new copy of the textbook.

CREDIT CARDS ARE DANGEROUS

Most people get their first credit card when they are between the ages of 18-23 years old. It is important to establish credit history at a decent age, but things can go downhill very quickly. Credit cards are tempting and you may have the urge to go to the mall and buy everything in sight, but you could regret it later on. "Don't look at your credit limit as a goal for spending," says Steve Weisman, a senior lecturer at Bentley University. A credit limit of $1,000 is the right amount to start off with in the beginning.

Saving money can be hard, but it is possible. The first step is to open up a savings account with your bank. The money that you would usually spend on food, partying, or clothes can be put into your account instead just in case of an emergency. If you save $3,000 a year when you’re between 20 and 30 years old, put the money into an IRA with a 7% average annualized rate of return and never save again, you’ll have $442,000 by the time you’re 65, states Nicole Rutledge, a certified financial planner with Resource Consulting Group.

Photo Illustration by Thomas Davis

12 hours from the time it started. “By the time I get home, I usually have homework or a test to study for,” said Mangold, “but usually all I want to do is crash.

“I already have a part-time job, but now I’m looking for another,” said Mangold. “I really need the extra money.”

By Denver Hollingsworth & Bethany Karunakaran

resident and nonresident undergraduates since 2008, according to a Pirate News Network analysis of ECU tuition and fee data.

“I have definitely noticed the increase,” Mangold says, “and I am working hard to cover that increase myself.”

WHY THE INCREASE?

The extra money is a necessity for Mangold if he wants to continue his studies at ECU. Students like Mangold are feeling the pinch of tuition and fees that have nearly doubled for Tuition pays the cost of classes and required fees pay for education technology, Student Health services, and events and more by the Student Activities Board. Fees supplement the Athletics Department and help ECU pay back money it has borrowed.

Together, tuition and fees are the price to attend ECU. And that price has steadily risen over the years, although most students may be unaware of this.

Mangold, who began his studies at ECU in August 2011, has seen a hefty increase in just the few years he’s been at school. From 2011 to 2014, he has seen a nearly 16 percent spike in tuition and fees—from a combined $5,167 in 2011 to $5,984 in 2014.

Students are left wondering why there has been such an increase in total costs.“The ‘why’ is very complex,” said Rick Niswander, ECU’s Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. “But part of the ‘why’ is that both houses [of the state legislature] are held by Republicans, who have said they don’t want to raise taxes.”

In order to keep taxes low, less money from the government is allocated to the UNC system of universities. That in turn requires more money from the pockets of students and their parents.

According to Niswander, not only has the state’s higher education suffered as a result of budget cutbacks, lawmakers have cut funding to health services and unemployment benefits as well.

“Because you are starting from a place where you are not going to increase taxes, you have to squish down on the expense side,” Niswander said. “Some win and some lose.”

Over time, the price-to-attend increases have hit out-of-state undergraduates harder.

Their class and fee costs have gone up nearly 20 percent since 2011—a larger overall increase than their in-state peers saw. Add to that the much pricier tuition out-of-state students already pay compared to in-state students.

Senior elementary education major Ashley Berry, who is from Mechanicsville, Virginia, has certainly felt the pressure of the rising price of attendance for out-of-state students. “My original plan was to get my master’s in elementary education at ECU,” Berry said. “But I don’t know if I will have the funds to do that because of the rise in tuition.”

Emily Pirog, a sophomore elementary education major from Charleston, South Carolina, said the inevitable rise in tuition over her next three years at ECU has caused her to rethink her course schedules.

“My parents want me to take as many credit hours as I can each semester, since tuition stays the same no matter how many credit hours I take,” Pirog said.

To enroll as a full-time student like Pirog, one must take at least 12 credit hours. The price of tuition would remain the same, regardless if she took 12 hours or 18.

“I’m even thinking about taking summer classes at a community college in South Carolina because the cost for me to take them at ECU is ridiculously high,” she said. Although the rise in tuition and fees is certainly a burden on several of ECU’s students, Vice Chancellor Niswander said it is important to consider the increase in context with other schools.

“If you look at ECU against all of its peer groups, we have the lowest in-state tuition,” or cost of classes, Niswander said. “We are at the bottom of the pack and that is one of those times you want to be at the bottom of the pack.”

ECU is indeed at the bottom of the pack for resident undergraduate tuition, but at the top of its peer group pack for nonresident undergraduate tuition.

Compared to other North Carolina public universities, ECU’s tuition ranks among the highest. In 2014-15 ECU charged the 5th highest in-state undergraduate tuition among all UNC system schools. UNC-Chapel Hill charged the most

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

ECU’s low tuition and attendance cost in comparison to other schools is what helped the university be recognized as the Number one university in the southeast for the “best bang for your buck” by the Washington Monthly. The findings were published in the Washington Monthly’s book “The Other College Guide: A Road Map to the Right School for You”. While the annual increase in the price of attendance for ECU students is a burden, it could be worse. Travis Owen, a sophomore majoring in business, said he relies on his parents to pay for his price of attendance. His mother, June Owen, said she has noticed a change in tuition from the previous year, but is willing to accept it.

“I want my son to have an education and if that takes a couple extra hundred dollars each year, so be it,” June Owen said. “ECU is a fantastic school and the tuition has yet to reach a point where I feel that it is no longer possible for him to attend anymore.”

University studies major Mangold agrees. “I may have to try to find an extra job on the side to help pay the costs, but at any other university, who knows—I may have to find two or three extra jobs to make ends meet,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.”

at $6,423. Fayetteville State charged the least at $2,743. ECU also was the 4th most expensive in the UNC system for out-of-state undergraduate tuition. UNC-Chapel Hill was, again, the most expensive. The least expensive was Winston-Salem State. But Berry has little reason to transfer from ECU. “I complain about the costs here, but I shouldn’t,” she said. “I had the option of going to James Madison University which is really close to my hometown, but the in-state costs to go were even higher than the out-of-state costs at ECU.”

To attend James Madison University as an in-state student, the total costs—tuition and fees—would be $23,530, over $2,000 more than the out-of-state student costs at ECU. Out-of-state student costs for attending JMU are a whopping $38,390, or 81.2 percent higher than ECU’s.

Source: UNC General Administration

Source: UNC General Administration

CONQUERING NEW HORIZONS

By Taylor Hickman

Wouldn’t it be unbelievable to take the same classes offered at ECU in another country for the same price as your normal tuition fees? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to eat authentic pizza in Italy or sip fresh-picked tea in India? ECU offers over 200 study abroad destinations to students, with semesters abroad to summers abroad to just a couple weeks abroad.

Photo by Lindsay Shore

Photos courtesy of Linda Darty

Tuition fees and finances are a big reason that students are hesitant to study abroad. Education Abroad Advisor Whitney Morris says that she deals normally with semester programs that involve students paying the same tuition and fees for a semester as if they were attending ECU. Summer faculty-led programs are paid in installments to ease up the load. As long as students maintain their full-time status and are on an approved program, financial aid and scholarships are applicable. There are many scholarships out there, and several through ECU. “Exchange programs carry the same tuition and fees that students would normally pay, no matter where they go,” said Morris. “And costs of faculty-led summer programs are determined by location, duration, and number of credits offered.”

Now the next step, how should you prepare to embark on such a life-changing journey? First you should explore the different destinations and determine which program offers the classes you would want to take as well as for how long you want to go. Lindsay Shore, a senior Elementary Education major, recommends also research the different places you will be going to. “For my study abroad trip, our professors made us research all of the attractions and cities we were going to visit during our stay in Europe,” said Shore. “By doing this, it made me appreciate these things when I finally got to see them in person.” She also added that you should pack a comfortable pair of shoes because you will be doing lots of walking every day!

Next, there are a couple of do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind before you globe-trot to a different country. Morris says don’t expect other countries to have the same laws, so do some more research and make sure you aren’t bringing any illegal items with you. “Many American students don’t realize that some things that may seem normal here, like carrying pepper spray, are actually illegal in many countries,” said Morris. Things that you should do according to Shore are to try something new, such as a different type of food, or sightseeing experience. “You may find out that you like

it,” said Shore. “Take lots of pictures. I live everyday through the pictures I captured. Also, live in the moment, don't let it go to waste!”

School of Art and Design Professor Linda Darty, founded the Italy Intensives program in 2008, where it was originally a three week program. In 2011, Professor Darty decided to make the program to be three months, allowing students to really immerse themselves in the culture. “This is ECU’s only year round study abroad program and is offered to all students with all majors,” said Darty, who serves as the director of the program. Professor Darty highly encourages students to fully immerse themselves in the culture, and not just act as tourists going about their everyday routines. “It’s like you’re watching a travel show but

not actually a part of it. Make friends with local people, try and speak their language, participate in their activities…then you really have an experience that will rock your world,” said Darty.

In addition to the numerous different places you will travel to each week, Darty explains that if you take a geography class you’re going to go and actually dig up rocks. If you take an Italian class, it will be taught by an Italian native, where they take you to cafés and grocery shopping. Art classes are also offered, which could take place in a cathedral.

Darty wants students to know that the price of this program is less than the cost of out of state tuition that some students have to pay. With seven to eight professors and around 25

students that take a part in this adventure, Darty says that college is the time to do it. “You won’t have this opportunity again, unless your job takes you there,” said Darty.

Another advantage you can take away from these programs is the relationships you make with fellow Pirates. “Students always seem to come back with more friends than they left with,” said Morris. “The experience brings many students out of their shells, and they come back having a better understanding of both the US and their host culture.” Shore can testify for that, experiencing something similar on her trip to Europe. “I went into this trip not knowing

anyone but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Shore. “It definitely taught me to step out of my comfort zone!”

Studying abroad is an opportunity available to every student at ECU, no matter what major or what year they are. “Students experience themselves in a global world and learn who they are,” said Darty. “I hope it broadens their world, I hope they see themselves to function and live in a new culture.” The countless faculty-led or exchange programs are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that every student should do if