News – Page 193 – OCCC Pioneer

Category: News

Child development center expanding

October 29, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

More children could enroll in the college’s Child Development Center and Lab School next semester after the center moves into larger quarters over the holiday break, said center Director Mary McCoy.

In a speech to journalism students in October, McCoy said enrollment could go from 75 children to more than 100 when the center relocates to OCCC’s Family and Community Education Center just a mile north of campus in what used to be the John Glen Elementary School.

Plagiarism more likely in information age

October 29, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

Today’s generation of students has grown up in the Internet age. As a result, there seems to be a growing disconnect between students and professors over what constitutes academic integrity and plagiarism.

Digital technology makes information instantly available at everyone’s fingertips. Extracting a few sentences or whole sections of an online article and inserting them into a written assignment has never been easier.

College students make up 34% of fraud cases

October 25, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

Liz Brandon of Oklahoma Money Matters taught students about the importance of protecting their identity on Oct. 25.

Brandon started by saying anytime someone uses any part of an individual’s personal information as their own, they are committing fraud. She said fraud is a rising epidemic.

Theft, car break-ins reported to security

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

Crime at OCCC has recently been dominated by several types of theft and property damage.

On the morning of Oct. 11, student Kelli Potts reported several bottles of prescription drugs had been stolen from her backpack. The prescriptions had been stolen the previous Wednesday but Potts said she hadn’t noticed they were missing at that time according to the Safety and Security Report. The drugs are valued at roughly $100.

State Question 744 coming up for vote Nov. 2

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

• State Question 744 would repeal a section of the State Constitution.

• The repealed section required Legislature to annually spend $42 per common school student.

• State Question 744 would add a new Article to the Constitution. It would set a minimum average amount Oklahoma must annually spend on common schools.

Five alumni inducted into Hall of Fame

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

A business man, a paramedic and a dancer were among five honorees inducted into the OCCC Hall of Fame this year.

The former students were recognized for their accomplishments since graduating from the college in the fifth annual Alumni Hall of Fame banquet on Oct. 14.

Professor from Jordan teaches Arabic

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

The Arabic language has been offered at OCCC for two semesters now with the possibility of adding Arabic II to the course offerings in the spring, if enough students enroll, said course Professor Thabet Swaiss.

Swaiss is the first professor to teach Arabic at OCCC.

“It is easy to teach something I know so well,” he said.

Redesigned math curriculum more creative

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

It’s not all fun and games, but creative elements have been blended into the redesigned mathematics curriculum in hopes of prompting more students to pass their classes, said Tamara Carter, Mathematics Department director.

The math department made the decision to reorganize its pre-college level courses to improve student performance by changing the learning atmosphere, Carter said.

Coffee Shop to extend operating hours

October 22, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

Students and professors with night classes will now have another option for evening food and drinks, according to an e-mail documenting the minutes of the Oct. 15 President’s Advisory Council meeting.

The e-mail stated that the OCCC Coffee Shop will now remain open until 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

The decision came after “a comment was made that Food Service closes too early in the evening, leaving students that come … to an evening class without a way to purchase food or refreshment other than from the vending machines.”

Sechrist discusses new theater, tobacco-free campus during TLC meeting

October 19, 2010June 17, 2015 Pioneer Editor 0

OCCC President Paul Sechrist thanked The Leadership Council several times during an Oct. 14 meeting for raising $8 million to construct the Visual and Performing Arts Theater.

Sechrist said about four years ago, TLC student leaders agreed to increase tuition by $3 per credit hour to raise the money for the theater.

The commitment from students made it possible for Sechrist to attend foundations in the community to help raise some of the remaining funds needed for the construction, he said.