50th Anniversary Tidbits
These articles describe the history and changes in East Carolina Teachers' Training School to East Carolina College. These and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for these articles is: "50th Anniversary," The Daily Reflector, May 14, 1958.
No Iron Clad Student Rules
Students attending East Carolina Teacher's Training School were not faced with arbitrary and iron clad rules in the early days.
There were no rules made by the school authorities except those necessary to govern routine work, but if the pupil was found to be falling off in his studies, neglecting his duties or exerting an unwholesome influence, prompt steps are taken for amendment.
Every effort was made to lead the students to choose the right, and the results for the past years have been wholly satisfactory.
In the spirit of the institution was found the discipline of the school.
ORGANIZATIONSThe attitude of East Carolina Teacher's School toward organizations was to encourage those that were intended to preserve health, develop character and the spirit of democracy.
Loan Fund Has Long Standing
The Sally Southall Cotten Loan Fund of the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs was an instrument of keeping in school two students a year after it was established in 1913
In the year 1915-16 five students received help from this loan fund.
Athletics Had Basic PurposeIn 1920 at East Carolina Teachers' Training School the students were offered a basketball ground, six tennis courts, and a volleyball court for athletic entertainment.
They were encouraged to take a sufficient amount of outdoor exercise to insure good health.
Tennis and basketball clubs organized by the students, but no games were played with outside institutions, yet there was much good derived through the contests held on the campus.
A cross-country walking club was one of the features in athletics.
On the athletic field the students gained the power of self-control -- a most valuable asset to every person who expected to become a teacher.
See also Athletic League
College Costs Have Gone UpDuring the year 1910 students could get a college education at a very low cost.
At East Carolina Teachers' Training School board in the dormitories cost $90 per student. Laundry, the use of text books, light and heat, medical and hospital fees costs amounted to $35.
The payments were divided equally in four parts. There was no charge for tuition for those who agreed to teach for two years. To all others there was a charge of $45 per year.
Spelling Test Was For AllAll students who entered East Carolina Teachers' Training School were given a test in spelling on the first Saturday of the Fall Term.
Those who spelled ninety out of a hundred familiar words in every day use were excused from further work in spelling. Those who did not pass this test were required to take spelling for one term, or longer, if necessary. A test was given at the end of each term.
Summer Fees Not ReducedThere were no reductions in the summer term fees at East Carolina Teachers' Training School during 1917.
Board, room, light and laundry fees were paid by the month. These expenses applied only to those students who lived in the dormitories. All others paid only the registration fee and the book fee.
Loan Fund Set Up In 1911The appreciation of what the Training School had done for them, and realizing the importance of such a donation the members of the first graduating class -- the class of 1911 -- established a Loan Fund of $112.50.
This fund was to be loaned to needy and deserving students, who were not able to complete their work without aid.
'13 Assembly Gave 40,000
The General Assembly appropriated $40,000 for permanent improvements on the campus. From this appropriation a wing was added to the Administration (Austin) Building.
Another wing was added to the East Dormitory, increasing the dormitory capacity of the school by sixty.
Women's Clubs Financed GirlsThe Pitt County Federation of Women's Clubs raised sufficient funds to keep one Pitt County girl in East Carolina Teachers' Training School during the school year 1914-'15, two during the year 1915-'16 and four during the year 1916-'17.
