The Communicator - 01/25/10
Posted on January 25, 2010
Filed under Communicator
In this issue, you’ll read:
Balancing Act…
Fine Art of Jazz Ready to Open…
OCCC is Healthy…
Leadership OCCC…
Be Ready to Be Counted…
This Week’s Training Sessions…
Get To Know…
Happy Birthday…
Balancing Act
Enrollment continues to break records at OCCC. With double-digit percentage increases over last spring, officials are once again ensuring that student needs are being met by increasing class sizes and creatively finding space for parking, classes, students and employees.
However, when the state legislature convenes in February, budget cuts will be a top priority following a year of revenue shortfalls.
“The continuing shortfall in state revenue is going to impact Oklahoma City Community College. You just cannot continue to handle the double-digit growth with less money,” Dr. Sechrist said. “It costs to provide instruction, financial aid counselors and advisors; it requires additional resources to be able to provide the quality education that every student deserves.”
Dr. Sechrist says a drop in state appropriated funds, the college’s largest funding source, will mean other sources will have to pick up the slack.
“It’s going to have to come probably from some modest tuition increases,” Dr. Sechrist added. “We’ve been saving money, reducing expenses where we can, cutting travel and slowing hiring practices, but eventually we are going to have to look at all of the revenue to really handle the increases (in enrollment).”
OCCC joined most other state colleges in a tuition freeze over the past year to help ease the burden during a tough economic time. But the cost to take college courses at OCCC is still significantly lower than that of several state institutions.
“When I talk to students, they say that when we’re looking at the budget and cutting things, to make sure and not do things that would negatively impact the quality of education.” Dr. Sechrist also shared that students say they would be willing to do their part - with a modest tuition increase - to keep top-notch instructors on staff, and to continue the quality of education that OCCC provides.
“We are exploring all the options at this point,” Dr. Sechrist said. “Right now, we don’t think we’ll do furloughs. We don’t think we’ll reduce staff. With all the increases in enrollment, we need all hands on deck.”
Fine Art of Jazz Ready to Open
Opening its doors for the very first time to an external art exhibition, the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Art Gallery will host The Fine Art of Jazz, Photographs by Dan White. The exhibition begins Feb. 3 and will continue through March 5.
The Fine Art of Jazz is a program of Exhibits USA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with The Oklahoma Arts Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on the coming exhibit, please call ext. 7576 or visit www.occc.edu/cp
OCCC is Healthy
A healthy lifestyle is the foundation for a successful and long-lived life. Taking great strides to create the healthiest work place for employees, OCCC was recently recognized as a 2009 Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business.
The Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business Program (OCHBP) is sponsored by The Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, The State Chamber and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Since 2003, the program has recognized businesses that are working to improve Oklahoma’s health status by providing health and wellness opportunities for their employees.
“‘The Walktober’ and ‘Less of Me at OCCC’ health programs aided the college with this recognition,” Lisa Vaughan, OCCC Wellness Taskforce chair and Wellness coordinator, said. “Free gym memberships and healthier food menu options - in the vending machines and in the College Union cafeteria - also give employees that ‘better for you’ alternative.”
Vaughan added that Lunch and Learn sessions as well as WOW sessions on health will continue to be offered to help employees evaluate eating smart and exercising right.
The newest healthy option to OCCC employees is “Weight Watchers at Work.” A free information session will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. To take advantage of this opportunity, employees must sign up for the session by calling ext. 7148, or by emailing Lisa Vaughan at lvaughan@occc.edu.
Leadership OCCC
Applications are currently being accepted for Leadership OCCC Class III 2010-2011. The program is designed to help OCCC employees discover their leadership skills and learn how to be more effective leaders and managers. To apply, visit the leadership website at: http://www.occc.edu/Leadership/.
Be Ready to Be Counted
The 2010 U.S. Census process is underway, and the Better Business Bureau(BBB), along with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, advise people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.
Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will attempt to count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
However, there are some guidelines to follow to make sure those workers are not actually someone trying to defraud you.
1. If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.
2. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
3. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, you don’t have to answer anything at all about your financial situation. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.
4. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the lookout for e-mail scams impersonating the Census.
Remember that if you feel anyone is attempting to scam you either in person, through mail or e-mail, or over the phone, you can report them to local law enforcement agencies.
This Week’s Training Sessions
Take advantage of professional development opportunities provided through the college’s training programs.
Eating Healthy
Course Number: ENHS-1038-001
Date: Tuesday, January 26
Times: 12:00 PM-12:45 PM
Location: CU - CU2
Presenter: Staff
Coping with Alzheimer’s Disease
Course Number: ENHS 1027-001
Date: Wednesday, January 27
Times: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Location: CU - CU1
Presenter: Paula Avery, MA, LMFT
Performance Appraisal-Supervisors
Course Number: LGIS-1013-003
Date: Wednesday, January 27
Times: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM
Location: LB - 407A
Presenter: Robertson, Larry
Angel F2f Gradebook & Attendance
Course Number: TEC-2003-001
Date: Wednesday, January 27
Times: 2:30 PM-3:20 PM
Location: SEM - 2G1A
Presenter: Whisenhunt, Glenne
Angel F2f Gradebook & Attendance
Course Number: TEC-2003-002
Date: Wednesday, January 27
Times: 4:20 PM-5:20 PM
Location: SEM - 2G1A
Presenter: Whisenhunt, Glenne
Performance Appraisal-Employee
Course Number: LGIS-1015-003
Date: Thursday, January 28
Times: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Location: LB - 407A
Presenter: Robertson, Larry
Web Time Entry (employee)
Course Number: LGIS-1016-054
Date: Friday, January 29
Times: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
Location: LB - 101
Presenter: Allen, Johnny
Angel Basics
Course Number: TEC-1052-001
Date: Friday, January 29
Times: 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Location: SEM - 2G1A
Presenter: Whisenhunt, Glenne
GET TO KNOW…
Brandon Isaak
Position:
Communication Lab Assistant
Department:
Arts and Humanities
How long have you worked for OCCC:
2 1/2 years
Pets:
Ollie and Feona - Cairn Terriers
Hobbies:
Songwriting, Guitar, Painting and Gardening
Community Involvement:
OCCC Green Task Force Chairperson
Famous Favorite Saying/Quote:
“When the rich wage war, it’s the poor who die”
- Jean-Paul Sartre
Happy Birthday
Gary Wallace - 1/25
Kendra Miller - 1/25
Mathew Price - 1/25
Bonnie Lynn - 1/26
Bradley Walker - 1/27
Judi McGee - 1/27
Mia Diaz - 1/27
Brandi Henson - 1/28
Tarri Goodin - 1/28
Bruce Farris - 1/29
Christopher White - 1/29
Dennis Johnson - 1/29
Heather Pierce - 1/30
