Elizabeth City State University Chancellor Becton declares ECSU a “Beacon of Hope”

CHARLES L. BECTON
Interim Chancellor
B.A. Howard University
J.D., Duke University School of Law
L.L.M, University of Virginia School of Law

 

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  -- The North Carolina Senate is considering a budget provision that would dissolve constituent institutions with large declines in student enrollment. That decision could impact Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). This provision has not passed the NC House nor the NC Senate. It has not been signed into law.

“In my view, ECSU is, and will remain, a vital part of the University of North Carolina system. It has always been the premier four-year educational, economic, and cultural entity in northeastern North Carolina,” said Chancellor Charles Becton.

ECSU is a force for growth in northeastern North Carolina, bringing education, jobs, grants, and cultural events to a part of the state that has been historically underdeveloped. ECSU is the third-largest employer in the region, and its total economic impact on the Elizabeth City community is 118 million in output sales, 83 million in value added (gross regional product), and 59 million in labor income. The university provides 64.06% of the elementary and 38.46% of the secondary teachers for our geographic area. Over 60% of our students come from the 21 counties in northeastern North Carolina, and most of them, upon graduation, remain in the area filling much-needed jobs.

We have seen a decline in our enrollment during the past four years, but we are working hard to reverse that trend. Even at our current size, we are larger than hundreds of universities in this country and several in this state. Efforts are currently underway to right size the university and to develop signature areas to attract more students.

During the school year, even with a $4+ million budget deficit and an enrollment decline this academic school year we had our largest fall and spring graduation classes.

“During this year, when naysayers question our worth, we have been recognized nationally for our educational and other offerings,” Becton said.

For the second year in a row, ECSU was ranked #1 among baccalaureate colleges in one of Washington Monthly’s College rankings. We were ranked number one in the Top Public School Regional Colleges (South) category by U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 edition and #18 among the nation’s 100+ Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 2014, ECSU was ranked seventh best out of the Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) where college freshman return after their first year. (U.S. News and World Report 2014); ECSU ranked #3 among the top 10 greenest historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) in the public institution category. (Building Green Initiative, 2014). ECSU has the lowest tuition among UNC system schools, and we represent one of the best values in education. ECSU will continue to be a beacon of hope for those wanting access to education and an enhanced opportunity for a better future.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS