East Carolinian

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News

Media Credit: staff photo

Chancellor Steve Ballard is the man who looks after us Pirates. His duties are numerous and varied, so we thought that giving ECU students a look into his life would be both helpful and informative. The East Carolinian caught up with Chancellor Ballard this week to grill (um, question) him about stuff relevant to students.

Q: This is the largest freshmen class in the history of ECU. What measures is the university taking to accommodate the growing class size?

A: We are the fastest growing university in the east. This year's freshmen class had 1,700 more students than last year. We're becoming more and more popular every year, so we are learning how to deal with the growing numbers by looking at our admissions process, constructing new buildings and facilities for our students and utilizing a campus-wide task force for enrollment.

Q: Are admissions criteria going to get stricter?

A: We have to be careful with admissions, because we are not trying to create an elite atmosphere like UNC-Chapel Hill. What I like best [about ECU] is that we're not trying to be like anyone else. We try to maximize our strengths to become a better university. We want to be more accessible but don't want to let everyone in, either. I think within five years we'll have very different admission standards.

Q: With all of the tragedies happening across the nation (Virginia Tech shootings, the Eve Carson murder, the shooting at Northern Illinois), what is ECU doing to prevent these situations at home?

A: Every university is taking a different approach, [and] every case is different. We've learned the best single thing you can do is have police ready to respond in case of an emergency and a bigger and better campus safety unit. The biggest obstacle that we've faced is the communication challenge. Two-thirds of students and 6,000 employees commute to school, so the question is: 'how do we get the word out to them?' No matter how many mechanisms you use, you're going to miss 30 to 40 percent of students. One lesson we're learning is to move as fast as you can and learn how to spend your money.

Q: I've noticed that a lot of students are sort of apathetic toward getting involved in campus organizations. What do you think about that?

A: Not to contradict what you just said, but we know that 10,000 students are actively involved in the community. Maybe the reason that some students are not as involved on-campus is because they are spending their time elsewhere, volunteering.

Q: What would you say to students who are not as involved as they could be?

A: I would tell those students that getting involved will really make your time at ECU more enjoyable and more worthwhile.

Q: This semester, how will you make yourself more accessible to students?

A: Every semester I try to do things with students. One year I went to one of the dorms, I paid for the pizza and we just sat and talked. So, I might do that again this semester. [Also], every Wednesday, my wife and I sit down with the honors students… and I always try to do things by request.

Q: What kinds of things do students talk about when you are out and about on campus?

A: First and foremost, they talk about parking. We've grown so fast that parking is ridiculous, but it's going to get worse, in fact, as the university continues to grow.

Q: How would you describe ECU in one word?

A: Authentic or honest. ECU does what is says it's going to do.

Q: What is the typical day in the life of Chancellor Ballard?

A: There is no typical day. Everyday my assistant and I sit down and look at the priorities for the week. We plan, but it never turns out that way. The trick of this job is finding out who can answer what question… and it's not always the chancellor.

This writer can be contacted at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.

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