Newsletter March 2016

Student Health Services News- Zika Virus

Hearing about Zika virus on the news?  It is hard not to—seems like every channel is constantly talking about it.  While health officials are monitoring Zika, the media can make it seem scarier than it is.  Student Health is helping to put out factual information to students to make them aware of the risk if they are traveling, but we are also trying to help balance any further panic or stress caused by seeing it on the headlines almost daily.

The virus is found in tropical areas, is primarily mosquito borne, and causes aches, joint pain, fever and rash. Zika is not a new infection—it was identified in 1947 and there have been outbreaks in the past in many tropical areas. Most people with Zika do not have symptoms (only 1 in 5 do), but those who do typically experience a mild illness that does not require medical care.  Zika has been in the news because of the recent connection with both a serious birth defect (microcephaly in babies), and possibly, Guillain-Barre syndrome, a sickness of the nervous system.  The virus has also been proven to be spread through sexual contact, passed from mother to baby, and potentially may be acquired through blood transfusions.  There have been no cases that have originated in the United States through mosquito transmission, meaning the U.S. reported Zika infections are in people who traveled to tropical areas and returned with the virus, or are sexual partners of those who traveled to tropical areas and were infected.

Students traveling to tropical areas should research their destination for all potential health issues, not just Zika.  Student Health can help with travel consultation appointments, where we discuss with the student their itinerary and any potential endemic illness risks that may be vaccine or medication preventable.  Mosquito protection is strongly encouraged and important in many countries not only due to Zika, but to prevent several other similar illnesses (dengue, chikungunya, malaria, etc).  Students who are pregnant or want to become pregnant and are considering traveling to Zika areas should consult their physician, and those who have intimate partners who have traveled to Zika areas should be aware that the virus can be transmitted sexually.  Any student who travels and feels unwell upon returning to the U.S. should call us at Student Health Services at (252) 328-6841.

Want to learn more about Zika?  The CDC has a great information page http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html.  Student Health will continue to monitor the latest information and will post any urgent updates on our webpage, www.ecu.edu/studenthealth and on our Twitter (ECU_SHS) and Facebook pages (ECU Student Health Services).

The Importance of the First Year

From the Office of Student Transitions

https://studenttransitions.ecu.edu/

Spring is here!

Spring is here! And with spring comes the tradition of spring break. The first ECU spring break was in 1915 after the cafeteria roof caught on fire. The roof and upper part of the building were completely destroyed. Before the fire was out, President Wright called the student body together and asked as many students who could to go home for the Easter holiday and the entire week. Hence, the first spring break at ECU. The cafeteria was back in working order within 11 days.

Hopefully your student’s spring break will be relaxing and memorable.

Off-Campus Living

Spring is also the time of year when your student is deciding where to live next year. Many students will be considering living off campus. The following are some things you may want to discuss with your student while making this decision.

•  What is the real cost? Does the cost include water, electric, gas, garbage, internet, phone, etc.? Is the location furnished or unfurnished? Many complexes include many of these items.
• If unfurnished, how does your student plan to furnish the apartment?
• What part (if any) will the student be responsible for paying/contributing to his or her new budget? Does this include groceries? What about gas money if he or she will be traveling to and from campus?
• How close is it to ECU? Does the transit system run to the complex or near where he or she will be living? A bike ride may be appealing in April, but it may be different in the cold rain of December.
• How long is the lease?  Some leases run through the summer.  Is your student planning to stay in Greenville over the summer? • Will he or she be purchasing renter’s insurance?
• And last, but not least, who will be his or her roommates? Are they people your student can really live with? Have ground rules been established? Will your student be able to study while living with these friends?

The Off-Campus Student Services office can assist students with the rules and responsibilities of living off campus. Its website, https://offcampus.ecu.edu/, has important information about what is expected from students who are also citizens of the City of Greenville. Students can also search for off-campus housing options at offcampushousing.ecu.edu.

Students do have options to remain on campus. They may live in a residence hall; however, certain halls are designated as upper division or learning community halls for the 2016-2017 academic year. Students should contact Campus Living at 252-328-4663 or housing.ecu.edu/ for more information.

Transitions:  Surviving the Spring Semester

With the spring semester reaching its halfway point, students will be facing midterms, spring break, and the countdown to finals. This month also brings registration and many other decisions about next school year. This month we continue our focus on adjustment issues for first-year students. It’s a great time for students to think about how their first year has gone and make plans to get more involved and improve their academic performance for next year, so talk with your student about how they are adjusting.

March Adjustments

Housing– As we mentioned before, students are making decisions about housing for next year. They may have signed a lease and be having second thoughts about their choices in location and/or roommates, or they may be having difficulty finding an option they like. Students may feel increased anxiety if they cannot find roommates.

Midterm Exams and Projects– Most courses will have their midterm exams just before spring break, although some midterms may be after students return. Students may also feel stressed about projects and papers due around this time.

Spring Break– Now that spring break is here, students with travel plans may feel the same anxiety that all travelers feel. If students don’t have other plans, they may be concerned about being home during that time. Remember, it isn’t that they don’t want to see you, but they may feel left out of others’ plans or may worry about money.

Registration– After returning from spring break, students will meet with advisors and will register for summer and fall 2016 classes. They may have second thoughts about their choices of majors or careers. Once registration comes, they could have issues getting the classes they want.

Summer– If your student is taking summer classes, they may face tough choices on what classes to take, where they are going to stay for the summer, and whether or not they are going to get a job to help with expenses. Some students will be returning home for the summer and will face increasing concern over losing contact with friends, maintaining the independence they have gained at college, and perhaps finding a job back home.

The End of the Semester

The spring 2016 semester will be over before you know it. Many parents will soon begin making arrangements to get their students (and their belongings) home. Here are some important dates to remember.

Final exams begin on Thursday, April 28. Students can find the exam schedule online at https://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/fsonline/customcf/calendar/Spring2016.pdf. Note that an exam may not be on the same day/time as the normal class meetings, so students should review the schedule carefully. Also, some courses in which a lot of people are enrolled each semester may have a common exam time, such as MATH 1066, French, Spanish, and German classes, and many chemistry sections. Exams end on Thursday, May 5.

Students must move out of the residence halls by the morning of Friday, May 6. After classes and exams end, dining options may be limited. The full schedule of dining facility hours will be available on the Campus Dining website at https://dining.ecu.edu/.

Remember that the residence hall rooms must be completely emptied when students leave at the end of this semester. Even if your student will be staying on campus next year, he or she must take everything out of the residence hall at the end of this semester.

Parents of our First Generation College Students

Spring semester is in full swing! 

How are your First Generation college students doing?  I’ll bet they’re more comfortable, more engaged in on-campus activities and generally feeling better about their college experience.  Encourage them to use the free tutoring services at the Pirate Academic Success Center.  They take appointments, offer workshops and even test reviews!  Now is the time to have your son or daughter check them out – you know, before the assignments get too big and the first tests come to pass.

If your son or daughter has a sibling, I wanted to share the 2016 Siblings Weekend Plan.  Your current ECU student can register to participate with their sibling for the weekend of April 8-10.  It’s a wonderful time!  We plan activities, show them around campus, they stay in the residence halls with the current student.  This event is planned for siblings aged 9-14.  You can visit ecu.edu/siblingsweekend to register beginning February 5th!  Sign them up!  It will be a great time for them to begin to plan their college experience with their big brother or sister!

Our student success continuum work is focusing on re-energizing your ECU student – we reach a lull in February and we try to maintain their enthusiasm about pursuing their work.  You can help by calling, sending them letters and packages, encouraging them as you do!  They’ll appreciate the thoughts from you!

Linda L. Mellish, Ph.D.

Siblings Weekend 2016- Save The Date!

RHA Siblings weekend will be held April 8th-10th, 2016.  Siblings weekend is offered to those ECU students that live on campus. The age range for siblings allowed to participate is school age (9-14 years).  If during this academic year (August 2015-May 2016), your child was 14, we will allow them to participate in Siblings Weekend.  Visit https://rha.ecu.edu/to register beginning February 5th.

For additional information, email RHASIBLINGSWEEKEND@ECU.EDU

From the Office of Student Transitions

https://studenttransitions.ecu.edu/

Student Issues in the Sophomore Year

The Office of Student Transitions continues to study research and best practices across the nation to determine what programs are best for our sophomores.  The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition at the University of South Carolina initiated a project focused on sophomore retention that included national conversations with 2– and 4– year institutions.  Four questions were asked, and responses were categorized as academic, developmental, and institutional.  This issue will review the fourth question.

Campus Recreation and Wellness News

Safe Spring Break Passport Events 

Campus Recreation and Wellness will be hosting two passport events to promote our Safe Spring Break initiatives to ensure students stay safe and still have fun while on break.  Hypnotic Intoxication, Premier Passport Event Tuesday, March 1st at 5pm, Hendrix Theater Where can you get drunk on campus, have access to free, unlimited alcohol, wake up without a hangover, and have a clear bar tab at the end of the night? At Hypnotic Intoxication! Have your students join hypnotist Keith Karut as he shares true stories of how alcohol has impacted the lives of college students, explains how bad a situation involving alcohol could potentially be, and shares stories about his personal experience with alcohol.  Karut will invite participants from the crowd to join him on a “journey into the mind.”  Through hypnosis, volunteers will be made to believe they have unlimited access to the most potent alcohol, but they will only be drinking water.  Tell your students to come enjoy an entertaining, but educational program about alcohol harm reduction! Safe Spring Break Resource Fair, Regular Passport Event Wednesday, March 2nd from 11am-1pm, Student Recreation Center This program will provide students with vital resources prior to going on Spring Break! Students will learn about alcohol safety tips, safe sex practices, skin care/sun safety and much more! Students are able to get FREE Live Well at ECU prizes for attending this event.  CRW wants our students to have a fun, but Safe Spring Break!

Triangle Rock Club Yoga and Climb 

Does your student like to rock climb? Do they need a stress reliever? Invite your students to join ECU Adventure Center to travel to the Triangle Rock Club Morrisville on March 19th for this morning yoga session! Students will learn climbing-focused yoga techniques.  After a stress relieving and mentally strength yoga session, you will get to climb at the indoor gym.  They will be able to put their loosened limbs and focused mind to use on the TRC’s fun and challenging climbs! This trip is open to participants of all skills levels.  Adventure belay certification is required and can be obtained through the Adventure Center!  The cost of this trip is $50 which includes admission and transportation.

Adventure Center Weekend Whitewater Rafting Trip 

Is your student itching to catch the waves, feel the splash, move from eddy to eddy, ride the drops? CRW’s Adventure Center is partnering with our paddling friends at Virginia Commonwealth University to show our students their backyard on the James River in Richmond, VA on Friday, March 25th, through the 27th.  No experience with whitewater rafting? No problem!  These trips are geared for beginners.  If your student has solid kayaking skills and wants to advance, this trip can be tailored to their ability level. In the evening, our students will be camping out, enjoying hot chocolate beside a fire telling tales of the day’s paddle.

The total cost for this awesome weekend is $150 for students.  Price includes food, instruction, equipment, and transportation.  Students must attend a Kayak Pool Session before the trip date.  Please contact Sam Briley at adventure@ecu.edu with any questions.

CRW Spring Fest 2016!

March is the time to get outside after being stuck indoors all winter. CRW will be hosting Spring Fest at the North Recreational Complex on Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Sping Fest will feature live music from The Battle of the Bands sponsored by Student Activities Board. We will also have zip lining, kayaks, canoes, sand art designs, a variety of beach activities, and will showcase many of CRW’s Club Sports. Prizes and t-shirts will be available to win. Encourage your students to get involved in this Pirate Tradition!

Buccaneer Yearbook Senior Tributes Available

Show your Pirate Pride by purchasing a tribute to your Senior in The Buccaneer Yearbook!

Soon, your son or daughter will graduate as a member of the Class of 2016!  You can show him or her how proud you are of their accomplishments by placing a Senior Tribute in the 2016 Buccaneer Yearbook.  Whether you embarrass them with baby pictures, showcase their talents or write them a special message, their Senior Tribute will be a lasting reminder of their time at East Carolina University.  Full-1/8th page tributes available for purchase.

Please email smaa7@ecu.edu for more information- submissions due by April 25,2016

Joyner Library: Beyond Books

Equipment Available in the Library

While Joyner Library certainly offers millions of print and online resources and expert assistance, we also have about 250 desktop computers, both PCs and Macs, scanners, and printers available for use. For students who want to use a computer in a study room or while sitting in a plush chair, we offer 52 PC and Mac laptops. We also lend 3 video projectors, 4 digital cameras, 8 digital video cameras, 9 tripods, 7 Nooks and 5 Kindle ebook readers, 2 cassette recorders/players, 15 computer mice, and four types of calculators (21 in total). Two Blu-Ray players and 2 VHS viewing stations are also available.

The Music Library offers iPods, portable stereos, microphones, and instrument/voice recorders. From books and online resources, to CDs and DVDs, to electronic equipment and personalized assistance, Joyner Library is here to serve.

Sharpen Your Communication Skills

The Speech Communication Center at ECU helps students from all majors across campus with any aspect of verbal communication skills. If your student struggles with speaking anxiety, not knowing how to effectively organize and deliver presentations, or a lack of professional verbal communication skills (too much texting, tweeting, and time on Face Book), we can help!

The Speech Communication Center is open Monday through Friday, and our services are FREE!

Appointments can be made by calling 252-328-2790 or by going to https://communication.ecu.edu/  We can help your student become a more confident communicator!

Campus Dining News

Chef’s Choice Dinners

6:00-8:00 PM  Sweethearts (Todd) & The Tiffin Room (West End)

RSVP your guest count, date, banner id and choice of location to sumners@ecu.edu by 5 PM two days prior to your chosen date.

Spaces are limited to 40 guests per location. Reservations are first come, first serve. RSVP required.  Each person may pay for and bring one guest.  Seating will be at tables of four.

Two Pirate Meals or $15 Purple Bucks per person will be deducted from your account to attend the dinner.

“Chef’s Choice” Premier Dinners – A Fine Dining Experience Comes to ECU

New Student Centers Website and Parking Information Available

March Events at  Dowdy Student Stores!

You may not be saying. “this old laptop is worthless!” after a visit to The Tech Deck at Dowdy Student Stores.   A Dowdy computer associate can give you or your student a quote on Apple branded products, including laptops, desktops, monitors, iPads, and iPhones.  Other name brand MP3 players, tablets, and even certain smart phones may be eligible.  Bring the device to our Wright building store for evaluation and a Dowdy gift card may be given on-the-spot for the trade-in value.  The gift card can be used toward new technology (or textbooks, or actually anything in the store).  Trade-in value will vary based on criteria such as model, version, condition and resale ability.  Not all devices will qualify.

Dowdy Student Stores, Wright Building, Brody Building, Athletic Venues, www.studentstores.ecu.edu, 252-328-6731, 1-877-499-TEXT

Pirate Safety News: Severe Weather at ECU

Severe weather can happen any time of year, any time of day.  Climatology records show that the majority of severe weather in Eastern North Carolina occurs between March and August.  Our area is also more likely to see severe weather occur between the hours of 2 pm and 10 pm.  ECU has experienced everything from thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, damaging high winds, and flash flooding. 

Difference between a Watch and a Warning:

What it means to be StormReady

ECU Alert:  How the University notifies faculty, staff, and students ECU Alert is a collection of communication systems that the University uses to distribute emergency notification and information.  ECU Alert is comprised of:

• ECU Alert Webpage (www.ecu.edu/alert)
• Email
• PC Pop-Up Screen
• Outdoor / Indoor Speakers
• VOIP Phone Interface
• Digital LCD / Plasma Screens
• Social Media
• SMS Text Messages

When the NWS issues a tornado warning for Greenville, ECU must be mentioned or within the warning polygon, ECU Police immediately send out an ECU Alert notification, to include all systems.  When the NWS issues a severe thunderstorm warning for Greenville, ECU must be mentioned or within the warning polygon, ECU Police will send an ECU Alert notification if there are athletic or large outdoor events taking place.  When the warnings expire, ECU Police will send an all clear message through the same ECU Alert systems so folks can return to normal operations.

Severe Weather Safety

Thunderstorms & Lightning 

Did You Know?!  Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the core of the storm.  Make sure to postpone activities when storms are forecasted.

• When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
  • Practice safe sheltering from lightning (see below)
  • Avoid contact with wired electrical equipment (wireless is OK)
  • Avoid contact with plumbing
  • Stay away from windows and doors

 Enclosed Structure: Preferably sturdy/permanent

Enclosed Metal Vehicle:  Must be hard-topped 

If Caught Away from Shelter: Crouch in low-lying area 

Enclosed Structure Enclosed Metal Vehicle If Caught Away from Shelter Preferably sturdy / permanent Must be hard-topped Crouch in low-lying area

Tornadoes & High Winds

Did You Know?:  Pitt County alone has seen 16 tornadoes in the last 14 years, ranging from EF0 (65 – 85 mph wind gusts) to EF2 (111 – 135 mph wind gusts).  In the last 3 years, Pitt County has seen winds of up to 75 mph during a severe thunderstorm.

• Be Alert to Changing Weather Conditions
  • Be prepared to take shelter immediately

 Sturdy, Permanent Structure

•  Go to a predesignated area
  • Safe room, basement, lowest level
  • Center of interior room (closet, bathroom,hallway)
  • Away from corners, windows, doors
  • Get under sturdy table or desk
  • Protect your head and neck
  • Do not open windows

Manufactured Home 

• Get out immediately
• Go to pre-identified location

 Outside with No Shelter

•  If accessible, immediately get into a vehicle, buckle seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy, permanent structure
  • If vehicle is hit by flying debris, pull off road and park
• Take cover in a stationary vehicle
  • Buckle seat belt and cover your head and neck
• Lie in an open area noticeably lower than level of roadway (ditch) and cover head and neck
• DO NOT get under an overpass or bridge
• NEVER try to outrun a tornado in an urban or congested area
• Watch out for flying debris

Flash Flooding Driving Facts

Did You Know?: Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities than any other storm-related hazard, in fact more than 50% of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related.

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling
  • A foot of water will float many vehicles
  • 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles
  • Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road; depth of water is not always obvious and road beds may be washed out under flood waters
  • Do not drive around a barricade; they are there for your protection
  • Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers

Are you severe weather ready?  Please visit www.ecu.edu/alertinfo/ for more information.

ECU education graduate nominated for Wake County teaching award

Vasti Rodriquez, a 2015 MAT graduate in special education, is one of five new teachers across Wake County Schools who have been nominated for the First Year Teacher Award. The Wake County Public School System Diane Kent-Parker First Year Teacher Award recognizes outstanding first-year beginning teachers in elementary, middle, high school and special education. Principals and schools nominate teachers for demonstrating excellent professional teaching success throughout their initial year. The award is named in honor of Diane Kent-Parker who served in WCPSS Human Resources as senior director for recruitment and retention.

Record number of ECU honors students to present at regional conference

Four ECU Honors College students have been accepted to present sessions at the Southern Regional Honors Council’s annual conference held March 31 – April 2 in Orlando, Fla.

• Ryan Clancy, senior communication major: “Convergence Skills as Demanded by Newspaper Employers and Taught by University Journalism Programs”
• Sarah Judy, senior biology major: “The Effects of Coal Ash Containment Pond Runoff on pH and Microbial Respiration in River Sediments”
• Swapna Sahiti Marella, sophomore public health studies major: “A Comprehensive Study of the Positive and Negative Effects of Folic Acid on Embryonic and Adult Life”
• Kate McPherson, senior chemistry major: “Palladium Catalyzed C-C Coupling Reaction from a Computational Quantum Mechanical Perspective”
• Megan Woodlief, senior hospitality management major: “Planning a Large Scale Honors Commencement Reception”

The annual conference allows for the dissemination of honors student research and creative work and sharing of administrative and faculty best practices, according to the organization’s website.

Anytime Care Packages

Care packages are a great way to stay in touch during the grind of a semester. At our store www.swaku.com/ecu we have several care packages you can choose from depending on what’s going on at school.

Every student needs a break during the semester, so why not send them a Coffee Break. Our coffee-break-in-a-box care package includes 3 different Starbucks coffee drinks, 5 Taster’s Choice instant coffee packs and 10 different artisan cookies.

Maybe they are a little under the weather. Send them our “Get Well” care package packed full of products designed to help them weather the storm.

Halls Plus Cough Drops, Tums Smoothies  Kraft Microwave Mac & Cheese, Blistex Medicated Lip Balm, Clif Nutrition & Energy Bars, Emergen-C Drink Mixes,  Ramen Noodle Instant Soup, Puffs Tissues and more. Just what they need to get back on their feet!

And don’t forget about spring study care packages, final exams will be here before you know it!