Leo Jenkins' Predictions for the year 2000
The following are excerpts from Leo Jenkins’ Bicentennial Celebration speech given October 4, 1974.The speech focused on the predicted changes for ECU, Greenville and the world in the year 2000.Most of Jenkins' predictions tended toward moderate predictions based on events current in the early 1970’s; however, a few of his predictions were either remarkably accurate or exceedingly extreme.
This and other speeches may be found in the records of the Chancellor's Office, Record Group CH1050, Series 2, Subseries 2, Box 3, Folder 6: ECU Regional Perspectives- 1970’s in the University Archives.
There will, of course, be further breakthrough in conquering the dread diseases and great strides in adapting electronic and mechanical gadgetry to aid the blind and lame.The U.N. may even gain respect and strength to become a true parliament of the world ruled by universal law and men of common sense. Social ills may be assuaged to some extent as we continue to seek for remedies for the destructive forces in society. . . It would be presumptuous to forecast ECU’s characteristics and operations in the year 2000 without taking into account what the socioeconomic demands of this region will be at that time. My prophesy is that ECU will continue to be in the thick if the fight for meeting human needs and raising the standard of living.
As this region moves forward, this university will serve more and more in providing expertise and guidance.It will also greatly assist in an interpretation role.Great issues will be confronting us then more than ever before. The threat of overpopulation, redistribution of our natural resources, the struggle between entrepreneurs and ecologists, energy crises, the trends toward changes in our basic moral standards, security, abundance of leisure time and an ever-shrinking world horizon, are only a few of the perplexing problems that lie ahead. . . The year 2000 will see East Carolina University with a larger adult enrollment than college age student enrollment.University professions will then serve more as counselors than as instructors. A majority if lectures will be on tape and motion pictures, and from these students will gather the usual pertinent information on course materials. When they are ready to qualify by examination for course credit, students will make an appointment with the appropriate professor, ver much as one now sees a medical doctor, and will submit for whatever tests are required for credit. Graduation of students will take place throughout the year instead of the big commencement exercise in May or June.
University officials will have little to do with student housing and student affairs. Students will make the most of their own arrangements for heir collegiate pursuits.There will be no tuition or fees of any type for all education will be under the direction of and financed by the state.In view of the three-day work week students desiring to do so may stay in college as long as they want, pursuing different objectives.The marvelous opportunities, however, will be in the area of recreation and cultural pursuits.
There will be no cars on the ECU campus by the year 2000.All transportation will be done on foot and by electric shuttle service from one part of the campus to another. Armed guard transportation service between this campus and the major cities will be available on a daily basis.Students will be urged not to travel on the highways unescorted.
By the year 2000, University athletic teams will compete as professionals. There won’t be any more subterfuge about athletic scholarships and “under-the-table” financial subsidy or insurance policies to athlete and coaches.Colleges and universities will enter the open market for athletes and seek to hire on contract the best players available.Academic qualifications will not be required and those desiring to take courses will have access to the tapes the same as any other citizen. The only limits would be of time-that no athlete may play more than four years although in that time gap he may well play with a dozen colleges if contracts could be arranged.
The number one athletic sport in the year 2000 will be soccer. Football and basketball will then be down the totem pole of sports events.Soccer will be played on internationalschedules, so that East Carolina could well be competing in this sport with Oxford, Cambridge, or the University of Moscow.
Industry will continue to come to Eastern North Carolina, and our economy and way of life will change because of it.However, industry must take on the job of fighting monotony on the assembly line.The labor people are winning their battle in working hours and money, but they haven’t won their battle in beating monotony.We may begin to see morning breaks featuring topical lectures, gymnastics, or even dramatic classes.Modern man will no longer tolerate the boring life of the assembly line, and industry may well come to ECU for a solution to this problem.
