2016-2017 President's Report

UNDERGROUND UTILITIES PROJECT – Work began in May on a project to put most of the electrical utilities on the ECCC campus underground, thanks to support from the state legislature and local State Rep. Randy Rushing of Decatur. This is a hazard mitigation project, which in addition to helping the aesthetics of campus, will also allow ECCC to serve as a staging center during emergency weather situations when power is out elsewhere.

NEWWOMEN’S RESIDENCE HALL CONSTRUCTION – Construction began in summer 2016 on the new Women’s Residence Hall, located adjacent to Erma Lee Barber Hall on the college’s South Campus. The $6.6 million facility is funded using bond revenue and with financial support from each of the five counties in the college’s district. The modern, three-story facility includes 56 rooms, a study area and a kitchen on each floor for student use, and a coin-operated laundry room. The residence hall also includes wireless internet and cable TV similar to the eight other student living facilities on the ECCC campus. The lobby area includes a television and social and study space for the residents. The exterior features a fountain and social space for students to enjoy. The new Women’s Residence Hall will open for the first time during the fall 2017 semester.

CAFETERIA RENOVATION – Thanks to the college’s food service vendor Valley Services Inc., the Mabry Cafeteria on campus underwent an extensive renovation beginning in May. The many enhancements include more and healthier dining options for students in a true restaurant style setting. The Gold Room, formerly for faculty and staff dining and special functions, now includes food stations and expanded seating to accommodate more than 100 additional resident students who will live in the new Women’s Residence Hall. Double doors have been added between the Gordon and Magnolia rooms to provide one large serving/meeting room. Those areas will be used for faculty and staff dining and Board of Trustees luncheons.

WARRIOR WELLNESS – ECCC received a $127,500 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation in fall 2016 to support the college’s Warrior Wellness Initiative and boost efforts to create and sustain a culture of wellness on its campuses and in the local communities. Crystal Fitzgerald of Little Rock was hired as the college’s first Wellness Coordinator, and transformative equipment upgrades were made to the campus fitness center. Several fitness challenges and classes, such as toning, kick boxing, and yoga, were held on campus during the year, and healthy lifestyle nutrition and exercise education opportunities were presented in the local communities.

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