Library expands services

The library staff is expanding its services to students both on and off campus, said Amanda Lemon, electronic services librarian.

Videos-on-demand, Internet chats and a document scanner are just a few of the expanded offerings students can use.

One new addition to the library’s website is access to films on demand.

Lemon describes it as an “academic-minded Netflix.” There are videos on topics ranging from humanities to business, science to health. The films can be accessed under the features menu on the page, Lemon said.

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Part-time profs teach more than half of courses

 

Adjunct, or part-time, professors now teach more than half the classes at OCCC, recent statistics show.

According to the analysis of sections taught, adjunct professors teach 55 percent of classes, whereas regular full-time professors teach only 45 percent.

College President Paul Sechrist said this trend is not to his liking.

“Our goal is to have a majority of our classes taught by full-time faculty who are able to share the workload of advising and mentoring students, evaluating and developing the curriculum,” Sechrist said.

Sechrist said shortfalls in the state budget have prevented the college from adding more full-time professors.

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English professor explores ‘Elvis as Indian’

Elvis Presley not only portrayed Native Americans on film but was himself of Cherokee Indian ancestry, said English Professor Michael Snyder during “Elvis as Indian,” a presentation held on campus Dec. 9.

Snyder presented the lecture, which was attended by a group of about 50 people.

He said Presley was proud of his heritage and showed this through his performance as cross blood Native Americans in three separate films: “G.I. Blues,” “Flaming Star” and “Stay Away Joe.”

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Suspect in multiple campus thefts apprehended

Several thefts took place on campus recently including the Wellness Center and the bookstore.

One string of thefts that began earlier this year has been attributed to former OCCC student Craig P. Ralls, 21.

On Nov. 18 Brenda Reinke informed campus security that a book, valued at $172.67, had been stolen from the bookstore.

Bookstore video footage shows a suspect identified as Ralls placing the book under his jacket, then leaving the bookstore and campus.

An incident report shows campus security were unable to respond in time to apprehend Ralls.

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Experts rally for domestic violence awareness

Domestic violence plagues the homes, lives, and families of many Americans.

“As a nation, state, community, family and couple, we hide this dirty little secret, telling ourselves that it’s not that bad or it’s really no one else’s business,” said Leona Chapman, Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency case manager.

Chapman has counseled women facing unplanned pregnancy, answered rape crisis phone lines, worked in a shelter for abused women, and offered family support services to homeless and low income households.

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