Info center opens for ECU students living off campus

GREENVILLE, N.C.  —   With more than 70 percent of East Carolina University’s students living off campus, it can be a challenge to spread the word about services available to them. 
 
ECU officials hope a new information center on Arlington Boulevard will do just that, becoming a central place where students can receive information about ECU departments and services, off-campus housing, safety and more. 
 
“This is going to be a great place for them to come,” said Lucia Brannon, coordinator of Off-Campus Student Services. “Before, we just had a website they could visit. Now, they will have a central place to link to campus.” 
 
The Off-Campus Student Services office is housed at 1704-B Arlington Blvd. The location has parking and is near many apartment complexes. 
 
In addition to providing information, the center will promote safety on and off campus. The Greenville Police Department and ECU Police will be involved. Eventually, Brannon hopes to also use the facility as a storehouse for household items that students may need following an emergency.  
 
An open house will be held Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to inform ECU students and the local community about the new addition. The event will be included in the annual Take Heed/ Welcome to the Neighborhood Campaign that seeks to educate off-campus students about crime prevention and city rules. 
 
Excited to open the center, Brannon said, “This is a place that will grow and improve, and we invite all departments on campus to participate in it.” 
 
The year-round center is open during normal business hours. For more information, contact Lucia Brannon at 328-2847, brannonl@ecu.edu.