Jill Lindblad, Service Learning and Student Life programs coordinator, said students can look forward to the continuation of Taco Tuesday and other upcoming events sponsored by Student Life this semester.

Tuesday, Jan. 18, will start off the first day of classes and the first Taco Tuesday of the new semester. Tacos will be given out in the Union foyer at noon and continue while supplies last.

“We wanted to surprise the students and do something they would appreciate,” Lindblad said.

Members of the OCCC Advocates of Peace will be joined by local members of MoveOn.org in a vigil to reject violence today at 5:15 p.m. in Will Rogers Park, said Jorje Krzyzaniak, science major, who led efforts to organize the event.

Krzyzaniak said the vigil was initially planned as a move of solidarity with a Chicago-based vigil to show support for victims of the suicide bombings in Egypt earlier this year.

“But as we were coordinating and putting the event together, the shootings in Tuscon (Arizona) happened,” he said.

As a new semester begins at OCCC, Student Life aims to help new and returning students alike find their way around campus and to their classes.

Opening Day is how the office achieves this purpose, by offering personalized tours to anyone who attends.

At 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, Opening Day festivities will begin with New Student Orientation, where new and returning students can find helpful information about the campus and its resources.

About 30 engineering students gave up a Friday in November to visit a Tulsa company that specializes in energy-related products.

The group toured the John Zink Institute, which is the worldwide leader in combustion equipment such as burners and flares, said Engineering Professor Greg Holland, who accompanied the students.

“[The company] was awesome, I can’t say enough about how well they treated us,” Holland said.

One speaker talked of his parents surviving the Holocaust during World War II as his inspiration for devoting himself to tolerance and respect for all at the “Day of Peace and Justice,” held on campus Dec. 1.

The Advocates of Peace sponsored the event, held in the College Union, to share ideas on how individuals can make the world better. Several organizations were represented at the event, including The Peace House of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Center for Conscience.

From the U.S. economy to small Russian businesses, WikiLeaks to Donald Trump, a variety of topics arose during a discussion between American and Russian students in a recent video conference on campus.

On Dec. 8, a small group of OCCC students and professors discussed international business and financial matters with students on the other side of the world from the fourth floor of the Keith Leftwich Memorial Library.

Using the Internet phone service Skype, OCCC students had a chance to speak with students from Ulyanovsk State University in Russia. This event, the “Multicultural Business Forum,” was hosted by the Multicultural Business Club.

A half dozen OCCC students accepted an invitation to tour the University of Oklahoma campus Nov. 10, to see if it would be their destination college when they transfer.

All of the students attended for different reasons. Some were looking at their options, some were very interested in the OU campus, and a few already knew they wanted to attend OU.

OCCC student Tamy Budiardjo said she has always known that she was going to attend OU.

OCCC will host a scuba session with Blue Water Divers 6 to 8:30 p.m. tonight in the Aquatic Center.

Recreation and Fitness Director Roxanna Butler said those who come and participate in the event will have a chance to take pictures and video with Santa and test out some new equipment.

“The event is for certified divers to come possibly try their new equipment, but also see new things from Blue Water,” Butler said.

From celebrity autographs to beauty products, a variety of goodies will be sold in a silent auction held from noon to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow in the first floor of the Main Building, across from the Coffee Shop.

Jackie Frock, Health Professions administrator, said the minimum bids start between $10 and $20.

Proceeds will go towards the Nursing Student Association, of which Frock is a sponsor, she said.

“Our philosophy is faculty and students are going to buy presents anyway, and this offers quality items at discounted prices that students can buy conveniently,” Frock said.

She said the baskets contain items for all ages.

OCCC’s first African-American regent Lenora Burdine, was honored with a welcome reception held in the College Union Wednesday, Nov. 10.

The reception began with Black Student Association President Centerria Wright highlighting Burdine’s past accomplishments.