RALEIGH, NC - Just after one day of announcing that the North Carolina State Senate will do an budget proposal study into closing Elizabeth City State University, which draw national attention across the nation, legislators in the North Carolina Senate have removed the provision from their version of the proposal.
Outcry students, executives, black legislators, HBCU alumni and supporters in North Carolina and around the nation flooded social media in regards of saving which is more than an university but a piece of rich history. ECSU is an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
Posting pictures such as "Save Our HBCUs", "Save ECSU" and using hashtags #saveECSU and #StopKillingECSU.
There was an petition flowing around the web also to have everyone who supports ECSU from not closing to sign and would be sent to Senator Bill Cook and the North Carolina State legislators. The prospal, a $21 billion package that included raises for teachers, sought to dissolve institutions which has enrollment decreases of more then 20 percent in the last four academic years; was specifically targeting Elizabeth City State University,
The state Senate unanimously approved an amendment Friday that removed a provision from a bill which could had led to ECSU closing. Senator Bill Cook proposed the amendment Friday.
Sen. Cook issued the following statement on the Senate budget provision:
"ECSU has had its fair share of problems in the past few years, but I do not think this study is the best way to begin addressing them," Cook said. "I have prepared an amendment and after my discussion with Senate leadership they have agreed to support the elimination of the provision completely from the budget."
Friday afternoon, Chancellor Becton held a town hall with concerned students and faculty.
Becton tried to calm nerves, pointing out that the provision in the senate budget hasn't yet passed.
He acknowledged the school's issues, but says the entire campus community is working hard to turn things around.
"We have had enrollment declines for three straight years now. And that has been a concern. We have beefed up our recruitment efforts," Becton said.
"We are grateful that the proposed budget provision has been removed from the Senate budget bill. We are grateful to Senators Cook, Berger, Davis and Apodaca for their efforts. ECSU is grateful for the broad-based support received for Representative Steinberg, Mayor Peel and other Elizabeth City area community leaders, our constituents and all who showed their support. ECSU will continue on its plan to right-size and increase enrollment," said Chancellor Charles Becton