Snowstorm costs college in number of ways

Winter snow storms that dumped several feet of snow across Oklahoma City shut down campus for an “unprecedented” number of days this week and last.

In addition to closing an hour early Monday, Jan. 31, the main OCCC campus and off-campus buildings like the John Massey Center and Family and Community Education Center were closed for the rest of the week before opening again on Saturday.

And that wasn’t the end of winter’s effects on OCCC. The college shut down early again Feb. 8, all of Feb. 9, and part of Feb. 10 before reopening for evening classes.

Read More

Vending increases by quarter

For many students, vending machines are a college necessity. They provide a quick, easy, and cheap way to grab a snack or drink between classes.

However, some vending machine products have recently seen a 25-cent increase — and students aren’t happy with the change.

“It sounds high to me,” said OCCC student Wendy Boyce Bradley. “It’s not always convenient, but I buy my soda at the store and bring it from home. It’s a lot cheaper.”

Read More

Early childhood expert to lead workshop Feb. 15

OCCC Child Development Center will be offering a free workshop, open to all members of the community, said Lee Ann Townsend, Child Development Center Lab Supervisor.

Townsend said the workshop will explore the differences in Early Care and Public Schools and ways to make the transition between schools successful for children.

Joetta Gatlif, OCCC adjunct professor and Mustang schools pre-K teacher, will speak at the workshop, Townsend said.

Read More

Oklahoma authors panel canceled due to impending storm

Organizers have canceled the panel of Oklahoma authors scheduled for this Thursday, Feb. 10, said Professor Bertha Wise in an e-mail sent Monday.

Two panel discussions by contemporary Oklahoma writers are scheduled this semester at the Ronald J. Norick Library at 300 Park Ave. in Downtown Oklahoma City.

The first of panel, on prose writers, has been canceled due to a looming threat of winter weather.

Read More

Conceal carry State Bill 858 being debated

Adrienne O’Reilly said she never wants to worry about being attacked on campus while attending college in Oklahoma.

The 19-year-old Oklahoma State University graduate student is the Oklahoma Director of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (www.concealedcampus.com), an organization with the goal of passing legislation to allow students to carry concealed weapons on campus. In addition, O’Reilly is working as a lobbyist for Oklahoma Senate Bill 858.

SB 858 would permit the possession of handguns on college campuses in Oklahoma to anyone who has a valid concealed handgun license or who is weapon certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Training.

Read More

OCCC reopened after winter storm

After a winter storm caused OCCC to be closed for four consecutive days, campus is open again.

OCCC was closed all day yesterday, Wednesday and Tuesday, in addition to closing an hour early Monday night.

In an e-mail sent out to all faculty and staff members, OCCC President Paul Sechrist said efforts to remove snow and ice from campus have been put into motion since Tuesday afternoon.

Read More

Car searched, student detained after anonymous tip

Oklahoma City Police Department officers have detained a possible suspect on campus after responding to an anonymous tip, said Cordell Jordan, media relations coordinator.

Jordan said the tip came in to Edmond police this morning, when an anonymous caller described an individual who possessed a gun and “needed to use it for some kind of initiation.”

After discovering that the person in question had a class at OCCC in room 3E4 of the Arts and Humanities building, OCPD officers were dispatched to campus, where they found a black male fitting the caller’s description, he said.

Read More

TLC proposal would create ‘greener’ cafeteria, raise prices

Student leaders in The Leadership Council decided to be proactive in a society that’s becoming increasingly conscious of carbon footprints.

TLC’s first meeting of this semester addressed an environmental issue: Should OCCC make the transition to a “greener” cafeteria and absorb the costs now, or wait until a later date when biodegradable products are more affordable?

A resolution on the issue may be presented for discussion at the Feb. 10 meeting at 12:30 p.m. in CU1. The group would then bring the resolution to a vote on Feb. 24.

Read More

Enrollment continues climb

OCCC continues signs of growth even in an improving economy when some people forego college to work.

Spring enrollment increased moderately from last spring — up 1.5 percent on a headcount basis and 1.2 percent on a credit hour basis, said Stu Harvey, Planning and Research executive director.

Over the last two years, enrollment at OCCC increased 23 percent.

Read More