Elizabeth City State aims to put struggles behind it with a new chancellor - JANE STANCILL, News Observer

ECSU has seen a sharp drop in enrollment – about 44 percent in four years, to 1,867 students this fall. Along with that decline, the university’s budget dropped from $47.5 million to $37 million, Ross said, resulting in significant cuts. Academic programs were discontinued, administrative functions were streamlined, and 140 positions were eliminated. “We’ve absorbed that,” Ross said, “and made a lot of tough decisions.” The slide was driven by several factors, including the UNC system’s higher minimum admissions standards, the economic downturn and changes to a key federal loan program that tightened financial aid. The loan issue had an impact on universities across the nation, particularly historically black institutions that serve more low- and middle-income students. http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/10/07/4215209/elizabeth-city-state-aims-to-put.html?sp=/99/102/