2025 October Pirate Pearls

Published Oct 01, 2025 by
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General Announcements

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) – Registration is Open!

If you would like to participate in the 3MT competition, please review our website and register to participate by October 22nd! The 3MT Competition ECU Registration Link is on our website where you will also find rules, workshops to help you prepare, and more!

You can review our 3MT Brochure to learn more about this event and why all graduate students should participate!  In the coming weeks, you can register for Practice Sessions to attend!

If you still have questions and want to learn more, attend our October 2 at 5:30 PM virtual information session! You can join this session using the 3MT Competition Registration Link.

ECU Ride

ECU Transit has introduced ECU Ride, a new on-demand ridesharing app designed to provide a faster, easier, and more convenient travel experience for the ECU community. ECU Ride is a fare-free service operated by ECU Transit serving the university’s campuses and nearby areas – including downtown Greenville, campus parking lots, and residential locations along our bus routes. The service is available to ECU students and employees, each of whom may bring up to 3 guests per valid ECU 1Card. ECU Ride operates on weekday evenings and weekends, offering point-to-point transportation within the normal service area. Hours may vary during holidays, university closures, and summer sessions. Download the ECU Ride app to use the service.

Graduate & Professional School Fair

If you are a graduate teaching assistant, please share the Graduate & Professional School Fair link with your undergraduate students. This event will be held on the lawn outside of the Main Campus Student Center on October 29 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Please share your graduate school story with your students and encourage them to see the many resources that will be available at this fair.

Support and Services for Parenting Students

COMPASS

Childcare On Campus: Maximizing Parents’ Academic Support and Success (COMPASS) has a mission to provide affordable childcare on campus and other specialized wrap-around resources that support student-parents in achieving their academic goals. Being a COMPASS student-parent will provide you with specialized resources.

To qualify for COMPASS, students must be:

  • A full-time ECU student
  • Pregnant or have a child 18 years or younger
  • A Pell grant recipient
  • Graduate Students must show a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $6200 or less on FAFSA

COMPASS Benefits:

Apply for COMPASS

Drop-Off Child Care (DOCC)

Services will begin September 2nd.

The Darden DOCC is located at the Nancy W. Darden Center on ECU’s Main Campus. It is designed to support all ECU faculty, staff, and student parents. They serve children ages 1 – 8 years. Services are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  Reservations required at Schedule Drop-Off Childcare.

The Joyner DOCC is located at Joyner Library, Room 2102. This DOCC is designed to support COMPASS-enrolled student-parents. Ages served are 18 months and older. Services available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:00 AM – 12:45 PM. Reservations required at Schedule Drop-Off Childcare. Questions about childcare can be directed to Brianna Webb, Program Director of COMPASS and DOCC (252) 737-2731 or webbb23@ecu.edu.

Additional Resources for All Parenting Students

Pitt-Martin Partnership for Children (childcare referrals and parenting resources)

Student organization S.H.I.P (School and Home Integrated Parenting)

Food Pantry & Clothing Closet

ECU has two services available for all students. The Purple Pantry provides free non-perishable food items. The Professional Purple Closet in the Interior Design & Merchandising Department provides students with access to appropriate attire that reflects professionalism and confidence.

Expanded Mental Health Support – Now Through Mantra Health

East Carolina University has partnered with Mantra Health to make mental health care more accessible for students. Mantra Health is not a replacement for services offered through ECU’s Center for Counseling and Student Development but are an enhancement of the services provided. All eligible students can now access free virtual therapy sessions. Licensed providers are trained to support the student experience and offer flexible scheduling, including nights and weekends.

Whether you’re managing stress, navigating relationships, or just need someone to talk to, Mantra Health is here to help. Ready to begin your care journey?

Visit mantrahealth.com/ecu or download the Mantra Health app on Apple or Mantra Health App on Android. Use your ECU email address to create an account and book your first session. It’s free and easy.

To learn more information on whether Mantra Health is the best therapy option for you, your eligibility, or to get assistance with scheduling, please contact the Center for Counseling and Student Development at 252-328-6661.

PharmaFest – October 8, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

ECU and the Eastern Region Pharma Center presents PharmaFest on October 8, 2025, at the ECU Main Campus Student Center! Explore the exciting world of biopharmaceuticals, learn from industry experts, and discover career opportunities. Bring your resume, network with pharma professionals, and unlock your future. Contact Dr. Loren Limberis for more info. Don’t miss out! Prepare for PharmaFest by creating your “Power Greeting” for employers!

Register for 2025 PharmaFest!

3rd Millenium Classrooms – Education to Increase Awareness and Knowledge on Important Topics

3rd Millenium Classrooms provides education on a variety of topics aimed to increase awareness and knowledge for our students. New and readmitted Graduate Students who are non-degree, in a degree program, or in a certificate program are expected to complete the assigned courses; this includes Distance Education (DE) students.  The online modules are an excellent way for students to obtain information and resources regarding some common areas that may need negotiating.

The courses that are assigned to Graduate students are:

Consent and Respect

A comprehensive Title IX training course designed to promote respectful, healthy relationships. Through this course individuals will be able to know the importance of giving and receiving consent and will understand that consent is essential. Additional learning includes safe and positive strategies for bystanders to use and the warning signs for abusive behavior in intimate partner relationships.

Well-Being 101

Course fostering mental health and overall wellness.

Academic Integrity

This course covers the principles of academic integrity, effective paraphrasing, proper citation practices, and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, while also addressing common challenges like plagiarism, peer pressure, and external pressures that may lead to academic dishonesty.

Hazing and Hosting

Hazing & Hosting is a state-law specific course that emphasizes personal responsibility for both hazing and social hosting. The course is offered in response to the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

On-going reminders regarding completion of the courses will be sent to ECU email addresses.

How to access 3rd Millennium Classrooms courses through students’ Pirate Port account

  1. Go to Pirate Portal and enter your Pirate ID and Passphrase.
  2. Once logged in, search for “safety” in the search bar.
  3. Select “Safety Awareness”, this will direct you to the 3rd Millennium Classrooms website to compete your assigned courses.

Deadlines

Master’s students and doctoral students who will submit a thesis or dissertation for graduation in any semester need to be aware of the deadlines. The deadlines are always posted on the Thesis/Dissertation website on the Graduate School’s website. Upcoming deadlines include:

  • Fall 2025 – November 28, 2025
  • Spring 2026 – April 17, 2026
  • Summer 2026 – July 20, 2026

Questions?

Contact the Graduate School at gradschool@ecu.edu for any questions you have about your graduate education experience at ECU!