New IRS laws delay tax filing for some

The Internal Revenue Service offered taxpayers both good news and bad news this year.

The good news is those who owe taxes have three additional days to file and pay.

According to www.IRS.gov, the 2011 tax deadline has been extended to April 18.

Washington D.C. will observe Emancipation Day on April 15, a holiday celebrating the freeing of slaves.

This impacts the tax deadline in the same way federal holidays do, thus giving taxpayers the additional days to file.

Read More

Investigation exposes food service issue

Carson’s Catering manager Corrine Aguilar has promised her staff will adhere to the posted hours for breakfast and evening service after an investigation by the Pioneer showed the food service staff on campus is sometimes closing early.

Pioneer reporters monitored the hours of Carson’s Catering and Deli from March 3 until March 22.

Carson’s contract with OCCC stipulates the hours of operation.

Over a 10-day period, Carson’s opened late one day, switched from breakfast to lunch early on all 10 days, and closed early on four days.

Read More

Final grade appeal process revisited

The Instructional Administrative Procedures Committee is considering a draft proposal that would bring changes to the final grade appeal process.

The biggest change would be that professors would no longer have the last say about a final grade a student disagrees with.

According to a draft revision of Procedure 4030: Student Appeal of a Grade, there are four steps to the proposed process. In a nutshell, those are:

Read More

Social worker discusses alcohol abuse

The number one killer of adolescents is alcohol related car crashes, said Erin Koos, in a presentation to raise awareness of alcohol use March 8 in the college union.

Koos, a licensed clinical social worker, visited OCCC to present students with information about alcohol use and misuse.

“Alcohol addiction is a brain problem,” Koos said.  “Thirty-one percent of college students meet the criteria to be diagnosed.”

Some 1,825 college students between the ages 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries each year, she said.

Read More

Website helps students select majors

OCCC graduate Mary Shea said she loves working with students who come into Student Employment and Career Services looking for help in choosing a college major.

Shea and other assistants explain the DISCOVER test, which can help students choose a major geared towards their interests, abilities or values.

It’s a quick 15- to 20-minute survey on the computer, Shea said. The answers are completely personalized, as the students are the ones entering their likes and dislikes.

After signing up for the test, students are provided a username and password. The DISCOVER website also offers other useful information on careers, salaries, degrees and more.

Shea said it helps when students have someone who can assist them on deciding their future careers.

“It’s very fun to look at other careers and options,” she said. “It all depends on your goals, where you want to live and what’s important to you.”

Read More

New VPAC art exhibit on display now

The Arts and Humanities department is hosting an art exhibit called “Art With Purpose” in the Visual and Performance Arts Center March 22 through April 12, said Cultural Programs Director Lemuel Bardeguez.

Bardeguez said artists Eric Humphries’ and Hugh Meade’s work will be displayed in the VPAC art gallery.

“This is going to be an interesting show because we have brought in two artists that compliment each other very well,” Bardeguez said.

Read More