OCCC has teamed up with Campbell Soup Company to help end the fight against hunger.

“OCCC got involved with the Campbell’s ‘Let’s Can Hunger’ Challenge through our local Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter,” said Charles Myrick, economics professor and SIFE sponsor.

“SIFE has only been a club on campus for the last year and a half,” Myrick said.

More than half the school children in America are under-served by public schools because parents fail to get involved with their teachers and other school officials, said Joetta Gatliff, an expert in Early Childhood Development for Mustang Public Schools and adjunct OCCC professor.

“Only 30 percent of our children are getting an appropriate education,” Gatliff said, in a free parenting workshop held earlier this month at OCCC’s Family and Community Education Center.

Who are the children who receive an appropriate education? “It’s the 30 percent whose parents are involved,” she said.

Students and staff donated 64 units at a recent blood drive on campus, falling short of the 80-unit goal set by the Oklahoma Blood Institute at the beginning of the process.

“This was the most successful drive OCCC has had in the past couple of years,” said Tanshanika Hill, the on-site mobile supervisor, about the drive Feb. 16 and 17.

Members of the student organization Advocates of Peace gave out free hugs Feb. 15 in the lobby of the Main Building.

“We’re trying to get people together, trying to show people that you don’t have to know each other to feel compassion for each other,” said Ivan Ponce De Leon, biology major.

Jorge Krzyzaniak, science major, said he believes reaching out to the people around you is the first way to advocate peace.

OCCC is offering students the tools needed to learn to love their bodies.

Monday, Feb. 21 marks the beginning of National Eating Disorder Awareness week. Student Support Services and Student Life will sponsor several campus events in efforts to raise awareness about eating disorders, said Jenna Howard, a licensed clinical social worker and counselor at OCCC.

Free buttons with health and information about eating disorders will be offered on the information board in the commons area near the Communications Lab.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute will be on campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, and Thursday, Feb. 17, in the College Union.

Leslie Gamble, Oklahoma Blood Institute Community Relations director, said donations are desperately needed at this time.

“The storm we had last week has caused us to issue a blood emergency,” Gamble said.

All OCCC students planning to graduate in May are encouraged to turn in applications by Feb. 4, said Barbara Gowdy, Graduation Services director.

While this is not an official deadline, she said, the sooner applications are received, the more time students will have to make sure there are no mistakes and to ensure their names will be included in the commencement program.

Gowdy said once students have applied for graduation, a letter will be sent within a couple of weeks letting students know what, if any, information is still needed.

Students looking for opportunities to volunteer in the community can attend the Volunteer Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the College Union, hosted by Student Life.

Twenty-eight agencies are expected to attend ranging from Habitat for Humanity to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, said Jill Lindblad, Service Learning and Student Life programs coordinator.

Participating agencies will host tables where they will share information with students about the opportunities available to them.

“Anyone who is in need of completing service hours for classes or if they’re interested in doing the civic honors program … can get resources at this fair,” Lindblad said.

Nursing students will benefit from a book sale being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today just outside of Room H226 in the Health Professions Center said Monica Holland, nursing professor and nursing campus lab coordinator.

Holland said the books — all in good condition — can be used as good resource materials.

“I’ve seen medical surgical books, care planning, or physician desk references — a really wide variety,” she said.

Students can make the most out of their time at OCCC and have fun in the process by joining a club. With almost 40 clubs on campus right now, there is something for everyone. Students also have the option of forming a new club.

Karlen Grayson, Student Clubs and Organizations assistant, said all that is required to form a club is 10 members, two sponsors, and a simple petition form available in the Student Life office. Petitions are filed with Student Life. The Vice President of Enrollment has final approval on petitions.

“We have four categories of clubs here at OCCC,” Grayson said. “We have honor societies, departmental clubs that go along with your major, special interest clubs and religious clubs. Most clubs fall in the special interest category.”