Students at OCCC and other college campuses have fallen into the habit of texting, and not just for its ease and convenience. It seems in every class at least one student feels the urge to tap their fingers and send a message, but why? For some, it seems to be a compulsion.

Philosophy major Jordan Sewell said he is guilty of sending texts during a lecture, but never really thought of it as rude.

“Yeah, I mean I never thought it was a big deal, and I am not trying to be rude, but it allows me to make plans for later while I am still in class,” Sewell said.

To the Editor:

[On] the 31st day of August 2010, the president of the United States of America gave a speech announcing the end of combat operations in Iraq.

In this speech there were no declarations of victory, no “mission accomplished” banners, and no proclamations of American superiority.

Instead, our president spoke of a solemn gratitude for the sacrifices our military and their families have made and a partnership with the Iraqi people as they rebuild their country after seven and a half years of war.

In a dark classroom, in late February, several college students crouched behind a rolling chalkboard, terrified, thinking a gunman was on campus.

The Visual and Performing Arts Center was quiet except for the scared whisper from the professor instructing his students to stay calm, quiet and off their cell phones.

To the Editor:

I am responding to Mr. Storey’s comments regarding … Michael Talkington’s alleged focus on creationism rather than evolution.

Mr. Storey contends he is “saddened … to think that a few students … have made things so difficult for him … [to] continue teaching at OCCC.”

To the Editor:

“It’s just a theory” is being heard all too [often] these days.

Numerous school boards have attempted to place such a disclaimer in science textbooks, and in his Aug. 27 opinion letter (to the editor), James Storey states, “the theory of evolution has never been scientifically proven, and therefore remains just that, a theory.”

The OCCC Job Fair and Health Job Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, in the College Union. Approximately 70 general employers will be available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Greater Dining Area, and 30 health employers are expected in College Union rooms 1 and 3 from noon until 6 p.m.

OCCC students, alumni and community members are invited to attend, and are encouraged to be prepared for on-the-spot interviewing by multiple employment recruiters.

To the Editor:

Recreation and Fitness and Student Support Services invite all OCCC students to “Fall into Fitness” this semester.

Successful people typically are those who engage in some kind of activity each week to help keep them focused and less stressed.

Some students who filed their financial aid for fall semester 2010 sometime in April, June or July of this year found out almost too late there was a glitch in the system in regards to the loan request form.

Antwan Leon, music education and political science major, said he filed for his student loans in April and was not told of the issue with the loan request form until he went to the Financial Aid office Aug. 20 to find out why he hadn’t received his funds.

To the editor:

I would like to comment on the controversy over adjunct professor Michael Talkington and his decision not to return to teach biology at OCCC.

The article in the Aug. 23 issue of Pioneer states that Talkington was “found to be following the course syllabus,” which means he was teaching what he was supposed to be teaching. It saddens me to think that a few students, who think they know more than a professor with 17 years of teaching experience, have made things so difficult for him that he feels he cannot continue teaching at OCCC.

It is said that attitude is everything, and to a large degree, that may be true.

Because it is our own, we have some control over what it is and how we use it.