The college’s Retention Alert computer system — an online program that helps teachers target students who are in danger of failing out of college — has been successful, said Mary Turner, Learning Support specialist.

Since its installation in fall 2009, Turner said, the college has seen a 300-percent increase in the number of students being contacted because they seemed academically or emotionally at risk.

Students will likely face higher tuition expenses in the fall after the OCCC Board of Regents authorized a tuition increase of $4.60 per credit hour for resident tuition and an increase of $7.60 per credit hour for out-of-state tuition at its regular board meeting June 21.

The State Regents for Higher Education approved the proposal June 24, said State Regents Communications Director Ben Hardcastle in a press release.

Students in academic trouble have until July 16 to withdraw from classes and avoid a costly grade.

However, they will still have to pay for those classes.

Students can drop classes in person at Records and Graduation Services on the first floor of the Main Building or through their MineOnline account.

A sex offender viewing inappropriate content on a Keith Leftwich Memorial Library computer and a car accident between campus visitors kept OCCC security officers busy this past week.

Officer Jeffrey Porter was dispatched to the library at 3:50 p.m. June 14 after Safety and Security received a call regarding an individual allegedly viewing what looked like pornographic content on the computers.

Officers Austin Plackemeier and Brandon Wheeler accompanied Porter to the library and met with Dana Tuley-Williams, systems librarian.

Change is coming to OCCC this fall and spring as many projects are scheduled to get under way, said President Paul Sechrist.

Those include a groundbreaking for a theater at the Visual and Performing Arts Center, Capitol Hill Center renovations and various other campuswide renovations and improvements.

Oklahoma City citizens recently celebrated a little-known holiday with a big impact.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a celebration of African American history held every year in June.

The holiday originated in 1865 when, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery, the news made it to Texas on or around June 19.

OCCC students and visitors may soon find it easier to navigate between classes and buildings thanks to new signs that are being installed on all campus buildings, said John Boyd, Business and Finance vice president.

The latest signs posted were installed June 18 on the front and sides of the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

The Keith Leftwich Memorial Library is adding new digital services to help students use the library’s facilities more easily and effectively, library staff say.

Amanda Lemon, electronic services librarian, said she has implemented several new programs, including adding chat and text to “Ask a Librarian,” an online program where students can get help with library-related questions.

The OCCC Bookstore will be closed June 28 to 30 for annual inventory, said Brenda Reinke, store director. Inventory takes place every year at this time in preparation for incoming

Fifty pieces of artwork created by more than 30 local artists is currently on display in the OCCC Art Gallery as part of the Oklahoma Watermedia Association 2010 Mixed Media Collage Juried Exhibition, said Janice Mathews-Gordon, OWA vice president.

The exhibit, which is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, will remain in the gallery until July 22.

Mathews-Gordon said mixed media is defined as any type of art, sculpture or canvas that uses two or more types of materials, such as wood and string.