Legal Affairs
Mission
The Legal Affairs Unit handles all of Elizabeth City State University's legal matters at the campus level. Legal Affairs aims to provide responsive, preventive and comprehensive legal advice within the bounds of applicable laws, regulations and policies to aid in advancing ECSU's mission of offering academic programs for a diverse student body and providing a student-centered environment through teaching, research and community engagement.
What We Do
General Counsel
As a primary function, the General Counsel reports directly to the Chancellor and serves as advisor on all university legal matters at the campus level. The General Counsel responsibilities include but are not limited to: providing legal advice to the Chancellor, Senior Academic and Administrative Officers and the Board of Trustees; conducting legal research; drafting and review of contracts and other legal documents; providing assistance on policy issues; managing ECSU's Policy and Procedures Manual; employment matters; administrative policy; opening meetings; public records; student discipline; governance and ethics; handling the university's non-litigation responses to charges filed before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; assisting the Office of the North Carolina Attorney General, in preparation of the university's defense of litigation or administrative hearing matters; and maintaining institutional effectiveness of the unit.
Paralegal
The Paralegal serves as support for the General Counsel and assists with various administrative duties and assignments including but not limited to: preparation and preliminary review of legal documents; legal research; updating ECSU's Policy and Procedures Manual; preparation of SBI Reports and Motor Fleet Management responses; and assisting with litigation support to the NC Attorney General's Office.
Internal Requests for Legal Action
All internal requests for legal action must be submitted electronically via the e-mail address established for Legal Affairs through the Office of a Division or Unit Head. Once a request for legal action has been received by Legal Affairs, an initial reply will be generated to acknowledge receipt of the request and indicate the anticipated response time.
All public records requests must be submitted to Legal Affairs for response at either of the following addresses:
Elizabeth City State University
1704 Weeksville Rd
Campus Box 813
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
The General Counsel is ECSU's designated Ethics Liaison and serves as the primary point of contact for the NC State Ethics Commission. As Ethics Liaison, the General Counsel forwards information from the State Ethics Commission to ECSU employees and Board members covered by the ethics law, and communicates information to the Commission.
For additional information on the NC State Ethics Commission, please click here.
State Ethics
The State Ethics Commission provides mandatory ethics and lobbying education for public servants and ethics liaisons. You may access all state ethics commission requirements at this resource.
All public servants and ethics liaisons are required to attend an ethics and lobbying education presentation within six (6) months of the person's election appointment or employment and attend a refresher presentation at least every two (2) years thereafter.
Failure to attend an ethics and lobbying education presentation is a violation of the State Government Ethics Act. This violation may result in the individual being recommended for removal from his or her public position or disciplined in their state job. To access the online ethics education training modules, please click here. Please contact the Office of Legal Affairs so that we can assist you with meeting your ethics requirements.
Contract Process and Templates
Below are the approved contract templates for Elizabeth City State University. If you need further assistance, please contact our office.Independent Contractor (Professional Services-Company) Contract Template
Independent Contractor (Personal Services-Individual) Contract Template
Independent Contractor (Catering) Contract Template
Guest Speaker Contract Template
Entertainment Agreement Template
Release for Use of Photograph/Video Image
Legal Affairs
Elizabeth City State University
1704 Weeksville Rd
Campus Box 813
Elizabeth City, NC 27909