Northcamp University

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Northcamp University (NCU) is the largest university in the Saint Germaine Principality. The majority of the student body comes from Saint Germaine, though there is a sizable contigent of international students from neighboring nations like Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, and even the United States of America. The warm weather, quality of education, and the generous student assistance programs have all helped to make NCU one of the best known and most respected institutes in the region.

[edit] Location

NCU is nestled in the heart of Northcamp Island, in the neighborhood of Northcamp. It is an upper class area, and the influx and influence of money (both old and new) has added to the university's growth. As the number of endowments has grown in the past few years, NCU has acquired more land in the area and created a mini construction boom as local companies struggled to keep up with the demand for student housing. Some local citizens, concerned over rumors about future growth, have even started a petition drive in an effort to preserve Northcamp's only forest -- which NCU now abuts. The forest represents the only available space the university can grow into, and conservationists are fighting to add the forest to the list of protected resources in the Principality.

The university is ideally situated near some of the most important cultural landmarks of Saint Germaine. Iverson Museum is just across the street from the university's main gate. Chafin Memorial Library, the largest public library in Northcamp, is just off the College of Engineering's main building. Northcamp Zoo borders most of NCU to the south. In addition, public offices such as Chafin Memorial Hospital, Tebeka Station, and Iverson Precinct add stability and security to the university.

[edit] NCU

The former president of the university, Dr. William Edson, left the school in favor of a research position at a leading university in Europe. Under his eight years of leadership, NCU acquired more land, increased endowments, dramatically increased enrollment, and somehow managed to give the hard working faculty and staff a modest pay raise. The university is currently looking for a replacement, but it will be difficult to fill his shoes.

Northcamp University offers many degree courses, and is accredited by the Council of Caribbean States. While most students will earn a Bachelor's degree, NCU also has extensive Masters and Doctoral programs.

[edit] Campus

The campus is a large, sprawling affair, with buildings seemingly scattered about a well cared- for landscape. Palm trees are in abundance, but there is a healthy dose of other hardwoods. The lawns are always well- kept and watered, and the botanical gardens are the envy of many a local homeowner.

Trails, footpaths, and bicycle routes meander through the school grounds. Many students take advantage of these to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and excursions to the neighboring forest are common. The closeness of the water is also very attractive to some students, and water activities such as sailing, rowing, and swimming are very popular.

[edit] Colleges

NCU, being a university, is made up of a number of diverse colleges. Some are more popular than others, and each has its own attractions and culture. A few of the more noteworthy colleges of Northcamp University are:

[edit] Business

The Klein School of Business Management is one of the most popular fields of study at NCU. Students often earn their Masters degree, and quite a few go as far as their Doctorate. NCU graduates of the Klein School of Business Management can often be found in some of the biggest companies in the world, and alumni of this college can count on an extensive set of contacts and friends to call on in the future.

[edit] Computer Science

The Harris School of Computer Science and Technology is the largest and most advanced in the region. Cutting edge research is being done in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Number Generation Theory, and Games Theory.

The Dean of the Harris School of Computer Science and Technology recently developed a new programming language that is taking the programming world by storm. Called Bread, it is easily expandable with add- on modules (such as Butter, Jam, or even Toasted). Bread's ease of use, and its power, promises to revolutionize the way computer programs will be written.

[edit] Divinity

The School of Divinity is concerned with theology, world religions, and matters of an existential nature. Enrollment in this school has increased of late, though it is still the smallest college in the university.

[edit] Engineering

The School of Engineering was the first school of the university. It is always a popular choice among students, and many of the most famous buildings in Saint Germaine were built by instructors or graduates of this school.

[edit] Humanities

The School of Humanities has a number of smaller divisions within it. Students interested in the study of languages, art, social sciences, and history are naturally drawn to this school. Almost all of the finest linguists, scholars, and philosophers of the Caribbean have either held a position in this school, or given a guest lecture.

[edit] Recent History

While not the oldest university in the Caribbean, NCU is clearly in the top three for institutes of higher learning. Recent months have seen a dramatic uptick in the number of students enrolled at the various schools, and it is not unusual to come across young folk deep in study or talk as they enjoy what campus life has to offer.

NCU has a very large, and modern, collection of buildings used as student housing (both on and off campus). It is not unusual to find students in their dorm rooms sleeping, studying, or chatting with their friends.

[edit] The Northcamp Slasher

The summer of 1983 was a particularly hard time for the university. A serial killer, dubbed the Northcamp Slasher by the media, killed at least 12 people -- many of them university students. He (or possibly she) was never caught, and no clues to the killer's identity were ever found. Students, and their families and friends, were afraid to leave their dorm rooms, and the fact that the police were not able to capture the Slasher led to a drop in enrollment that the university is only just now recovering from.

[edit] Historical Background

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