Eastern Connecticut State University

Infobox_University
name = Eastern Connecticut State University


image_size =
motto = "Connecticut's Public Liberal Arts University"
established = 1889
type = Public
president = Dr. Elsa Nuñez
city = Willimantic
state = CT
country = USA
undergrad = 5,113
postgrad =
total = 5,113
faculty = 400
endowment =
campus = Rural, and Suburban.
nickname =Warriors
colors = Maroon and Blue
mascot =
free_label= Athletics
free= 17 varsity teams
NCAA Division III
Little East Conference
ECAC
[http://www.easternct.edu/depts/athletics/ ECSU Athletics]
affiliations= Connecticut State University System
COPLAC
website = [http://www.easternct.edu www.easternct.edu]

Eastern Connecticut State University is a public, coeducational liberal arts university and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. ECSU is located in Willimantic, Connecticut on convert|178|acre|km2. Founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest campus in the Connecticut State University System and third oldest public university in the state. Situated 30 minutes from Hartford, Eastern lies midway between New York City and Boston. The campus is located south of the University of Connecticut on CT Route 195. Although the majority of courses are held on the main Willimantic campus, select classes take place at the Submarine Base in Groton, the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville and a satellite campus in Vernon. [ cite web | title=Directions to Off Campus Sites | url=http://www.easternct.edu/ce/diroff.htm | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006]

The President of the University is Dr. Elsa Nuñez. Prior to Dr. Nuñez, the university was led for nearly 18 years by Dr. David G. Carter. Dr. Carter became Chancellor of the Connecticut State University system in January 2006, and Dr. Michael Pernal succeeded him in the interim. [cite press release | title=Dr. Elsa Nuñez Appointed Eastern's Sixth President | publisher=Eastern Connecticut State University | date=2006-05-18 | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/urel/pressreleases2006/051806n.pdf | accessdate=2006-08-25|format=PDF]

Academics

ECSU is home to 33 undergraduate majors and 50 undergraduate minor programs. Academically, the university is split into three schools. The School of Arts and Sciences incorporates 16 departments including Anthropology, Biology, Computer Science, English, Environmental Earth Science, History, Mathematics, Modern and Classical Languages, Philosophy, Performing Arts, Physical Sciences, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Visual Arts, as well as the university's Writing Program. [cite web | title=ECSU School of Arts and Sciences | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/art_sciences/ | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006]

The School of Education and Professional Studies incorporates five departments, including Business Administration, [cite web | title=Department of Business Administration | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/bus/ | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] Communication, [cite web | title=Communication Department | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/comm/index.htm | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] Economics, [cite web | title=Economics Department | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/comm/index.htm | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] Education, [cite web | title=Education Department | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/edu.html | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] and Health & Physical Education. [cite web | title=Heath & Physical Education Department | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/pe/index.html | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] ECSU also has a graduate division, offering a Master of Science in accounting, education, and organizational management. [cite web | title=Graduate Studies Division | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/graduate/ | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006]

Institute for Sustainable Energy

The Institute for Sustainable Energy was opened in 2001 and focuses on sustainable energy education, becoming a source for sustainable energy information, assistance in sustainable energy policy making, and assistance in implementing sustainable energy solutions. [cite web | title=Institute for Sustainable Energy Mission Statement | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/sustainenergy/about_us/mission_statement.html | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] The Institute has an office in the Foster Building down the street from the main campus. The current director of the Institute is Bill Leahy.

tudent life

Housing

88% of first-year students, and 69% of all undergraduates live in college housing. [cite web | title=College Board - ECSU Housing & Campus Life | url=http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=4119&profileId=8 | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] The campus is separated into first-year halls and upper-class halls. All students Sophomore status and higher are eligible to live in upper-class halls. [cite web | title=Housing and Residential Life | url=http://www.easternct.edu/depts/housing/index.html | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] There are six first year halls, five upper-class halls and two sets of apartments.

tudent organizations

ECSU offers over 50 student organizations in which students can participate, including athletic, political, cultural, artistic, and communication clubs. The Campus Activity Board sponsors many of the events on campus, including movies, concerts, comedians, and trips. The campus newspaper is The Campus Lantern and the campus newscast is News 22. The Campus Lantern is available on the web at [http://www.campuslantern.org CampusLantern.org] .) The Student Government Association is the liaison between the student body and university administration and each residence hall has a student council that plans events and trips for hall residents.

Athletics

The ECSU teams are known as the "Warriors." The mascot, though previously Native American-themed, is currently a blue cat and will soon change again. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III, the Little East Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. [cite web | title=Fast Facts | url=http://www.easternct.edu/admis/fact.html | accessmonthday=August 25 | accessyear=2006] Intramural and/or collegiate teams are offered for these sports: badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross-country, dodgeball, field hockey, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, indoor and outdoor track, volleyball, and water polo.

Improvement projects

The university has undergone a number of construction projects in recent years, much of it under the leadership of former President Dr. David G. Carter. Past projects have included the construction of a new administration building, a new library, five new residence halls, the conversion of Burr Hall from a women only to co-ed, and the Child and Family Development Center. An extensively renovated student center recently opened for the fall 2007 semester and work is currently underway on a new science building. Projects being planned for the future include a fine arts building, a new public safety building, development of major campus entrances, relocation of both the radio station and the softball field, development of a second parking garage and the second phase of the track project which includes artificial turf, bleachers and lighting.

While the improvements to the campus have given it a more prominent position among the state's public universities, many students have commented that parking is difficult to find because of vast sections that have been fenced off due to the construction, especially in the area around the Student Center. The university administration has attempted to alleviate the problem with the opening of a new parking lot next to the current parking lot. Additional parking is also available at the Athletic Complex with an express shuttle to the main academic core.

In December 2007 Dr. Carter and another university officials were linked to state senator Thomas Gaffey in a scandal where improper lobbying tactics were allegedly used to secure a $1 billion state bonding package for the Connecticut State University system [http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/columnists/hc-rennie1209.artdec09,0,810870.column] As a result of the CSU bonding scandal Gaffey resigned from the legislature's higher education committee.

ee also

*Connecticut State University System
*Institute for Sustainable Energy
*WECS

External links

* [http://www.easternct.edu/ Eastern Connecticut State University]
* [http://www.easternct.edu/smithlibrary/ J. Eugene Smith Library]
* [http://www.easternct.edu/depts/athletics/ ECSU Athletics]
* [http://www.campuslantern.org/ The Campus Lantern]
* [http://www.easternctdining.com/ ECSU Dining Services]
* [http://www.easternct.edu/portal/index.htm MyECSU student portal]

Notes