New Winter Students - Save the Date

Are you new to COCC Winter term?  If you have already registered for classes, we strongly encourage you to attend the Bobcat Orientation. Bobcat Orientation is from 8:30am - 1pm on Friday, January 3rd.  Remember to RSVP (limited space).  The event is held in every campus (Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras) so you may choose the campus that works best for you.  Free food and prizes.

This is a great opportunity to begin early academic success (and help you transition into college).  Although not mandatory, orientation is proving to be a popular and successful event.  Interestingly, students who attend orientation tend to have higher G.P.A's than students who do not.  

This is an opportunity to meet other COCC students, faculty and staff, find your classrooms and win prizes.  Every student receives a free USB drive.  You are entered into drawings for prizes (such as bookstore credit and tuition credit).  In addition you will learn to use the Blackboard and other COCC technology, so you hit the ground running the first week of classes.  Free lunch is served.

Remember to RSVP - space is limited.  For more information go to www.cocc.edu/bobcat-orientation and/or email BobcatOrientation@cocc.edu.

Hope to see you there!

Bookstore Buyback AND Holiday Sale

During finals week, the bookstore pays up to 50% of the original purchase price for books needed for the next quarter…. 

Don’t forget to bring your textbooks to the bookstore during finals week for bookstore buyback.  This is where the bookstore may purchase your textbooks back from you to replenish store stock.

Do check bookstore hours during finals week 

Do learn more at the COCC website:  Bookstore Buyback.

Also, for one day only, Wednesday, December 11th, the bookstore will offer huge savings on large variety of items (from 7:30am to 5:00pm).

Eight fun ways to succeed as a student

Students who engage on campus are more likely to succeed than those who do not.  Here are eight fun ways you might engage at COCC:

Do read the student enews - read monthly newsletter through your student email for upcoming events.

Do read the Broadside Student Newspaper - Read the latest student newspaper at www.TheBroadsideonline.com (All students are welcome to apply for paid and unpaid positions including reporting, editing, design and layout, multi-media communications, photography, and journalism leadership)  Contact 541-383-7252, or email broadsideemail@cocc.edu

Do advocate– through the ASCOCC (Associated Students of COCC) - Student opportunities for governance, advocacy and social programing.  The council is responsible for allocating student fees, appointing students to campus governing committees, advocating for the entire student body and providing diverse social and educational programs and services.  ASCOCC council offers a limited number of paid positions each year.  Contact ASCOCC, 541-383-7595 or visit the website, http://www.cocc.edu/ASCOCC/ for more info.

Do embrace diversity - Check-out the Multicultural Center - Fosters cross-cultural understanding and respect by providing a welcoming setting for learning, sharing and connection.  Open to the public and offers cultural activities and information during the academic year.  Visit the Center in Room 217, Campus Center Building, or the website at http://www.cocc.edu/Multicultural. For more information, contact Karen Roth, director of multicultural activities, at 541-383-7412 or kroth1@cocc.edu.

Do  participate in club sport and intramural and recreation program - some feature friendly competition while others are purely recreational.  Offers a wide range of traditional and nontraditional sports and recreational activities along with special events and tournaments for people of all interests and abilities.  Call 541-383-7794 or visit http://www.cocc.edu/Sports.

Do get fit - Facilities are available for drop-in use throughout the week in Bend for a small per-term user fee.  Passes for local recreation facilities may also be available to students at no cost (swimming and bowling).  Call 541-383-7794 or visit online at http://www.cocc.edu/Sports for more information.

Do join or start  a campus club -Those having questions or ideas about forming a student club or participating in an existing club may contact ASCOCC at 541-383-7595 or visit its website, http://ascocc.cocc.edu/clubsandprograms.

Do venture abroad - The College seeks to provide opportunities for students to study abroad while earning COCC transfer credit.  For specific offerings, visit http://www.cocc.edu/studyabroad.

Week Seven - You are over half-way!

Week Seven Do's and Don't s

Do Schedule advising - Winter registration begins November 18-22 for current degree-seeking students (That's Next Week)!

Do review the academic calendar of important dates.  Take note of last day to drop courses with no display on transcript (November 15th for full-term classes)

Don't wait to contact your academic advisor to schedule an appointment if you are struggling in a course and want to discuss other options or if you need advising clearance.

Questions:  Contact the CAP center at 541-383-7200

Spook-tacular

 

Current degree-seeking students begin registering for winter term November 18-22nd. If you need academic advising clearance for winter term, best time to fly over and meet with your advisor is BEFORE Halloween.

Help Through the Storm

When students struggle in school, some try to hide their challenges from instructors, staff and those around them.  They think somehow the situation will just work itself out or they try to avoid the problem until its too late to protect their grades and/or completion.

However, help may be just around the corner.  Instructors and staff are often knowledgeable about resources and strategies that may help.  For instance, we may refer you to financial aid to inquire about the impact of dropping a class, disability services to assist you with accomodation for a learning disability, free tutoring to help you through a tough assignment, or  free personal counseling to help you through a rough period in your life.

Don't avoid instructors if you are struggling.  Instructors may offer you additional help during office hours. Discuss concerns and seek input on ways you may improve your grades.  Their contact information (and usually office hours) are found in the online campus directory (upper right-hand corner of the COCC home page).

If you need help, also consider meeting with an academic advisor to assist you in navigating resources that may help.  Advisors may also assist you in deciphering policies and procedures that may otherwise seem a little overwhelming.  Don't wait until its too late.  Early intervention and prevention are key to success!

Hot Tech Tip for Better Grades

Monitor your grades early in the term.  By monitoring your grades early and regularly, you are better prepared to strategize ways to improve grades or protect your GPA. Communicate errors or concerns with your instructor and follow-up with your academic advisor if you need further support.

Many instructors use a program called blackboard to track grades, which among many useful applications, it allows you to monitor your progress and ensure your grades are accurate.  The blackboard student account is located at the student log-in page on the COCC website.

If you are uncomfortable navigating Blackboard or logging into the account, computer lab attendants are available in each campus to help. Consider visiting a COCC computer lab, as needed.

Are you interested in learning how to use Blackboard more effectively? Here is a link with videos and information to help you get started: https://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_SP_12_and_SP_13/Student.