AUGUST 19, 2011 WWW.OCCC.EDU/PIONEER COVERING OCCC SINCE 1978

INSIDE IONEEROKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P

JEREMY CLOUDEditoreditor@occc.edu

Incomingstudentsandfacultyarere-turningtoasmoke-freecampusthissemesterwiththeAug.1implementationofthecampusbanontobaccoproducts.(Thepolicy)encompassestheuseofto-

baccoande-cigarettesontheentireOCCCcampusfacilities,properties,andvehicles,saidOCCCPoliceChiefJimFitzpatrick.Fitzpatricksaidthebanincludespersonal

vehiclesoncampus.Penaltiesforviolatingthepolicycurrently

includemunicipalticketsandpossiblycol-legefines,hesaid.We canwrite you a ticket or a police

officercanwriteyouaticketandtakethecasetodistrictcourt.There,adistrictjudgewillhearthecase,

justlikeatrafficticket,makeadetermina-tionofguiltandtheycanfineyouanywherefrom$25to$100.Fitzpatricksaidthereisalsothepossibility

ofacademicdisciplinebeingtakenagainststudentswhorepeatedly ignorewarnings

andviolatethepolicy.MaryTurner,LearningSupportspecialist,

saidsituationswheresuchactionisrequiredwouldbeextreme.Thatwouldbeastudentwhoisdefi-

antlycontinuingtosmokeanddisplayingaWhatareyougoingtodotome?attitude,shesaid.Ultimately,wecouldputaholdontheir

records,orsomethingof thatnature.Butwhatweretryingtodoisnottobepunitivebuttoredirectpeoplesbehaviors

Fitzpatrickechoedthatsentiment.HesaidtheprimarygoaloftheOCCCpoliceinthissituationistogainvoluntarycompliance.Thisisnotgoingtobearacetoseehow

manyticketswecanwrite,hesaid.Infact,ourhope is thatwe cangain compliancefromeveryonevoluntarilyandthatweneverhavetowriteaticket.Turnersaidhelpisavailabletoallstudents

who smokewhether they choose to quit

EDITORIAL

OPINION, p. 2

Writer Sean Tolbert comments on the hypocrisy of the British Prime Minister in the wake of the recent London riots. Read his thoughts.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHOULD NOT BE CENSORED

To comment on stories, or to access the latest news, features, multimedia, online exclusives and updates, visit occc.edu/pioneer.

CAMPUS LIFE

NEWS, p. 6 & 7

Wondering how to successfully maneuver the OCCC campus? Look inside for helpful tips, and maps of the college, inside and out.

HOW TO GET AROUND CAMPUS

RECREATION

Wellness Center employees offer suggestions to help students stay fit and to keep down the stress of daily college life. Read more inside.

BLOW OFF STEAM WITH FITNESS CLASSES

PIONEER ONLINE

CAMPUS LIFE

COMMUNITY, p. 10

Downtown class introduces students to live performances in Oklahoma City. For details, see inside.

CLASS OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

Police chief says tobacco ban will be enforced

See SMOKING page 9

GED funding cut back by $2.3 millionDECREASE WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ADULTS TO OBTAIN A GED

HAYLEY ERWINNewsWritingStudent

Adultswho failed to complete highschoolwill find it harder to studyfortheirGEDbecauseofstatefundingcutstoadulteducationprograms.Thisfall,$2.3millioninadulteducationfundinghasbeenlostacrossOklahoma.This will require some adjustments to

OCCCsofferingsfortheupcomingschoolyear,buttheprogramshouldsurvive,saidJessicaMartinez-Brooks,CommunityOut-

reachandEducationdirector.ShesaidOCCCreceivedlessstatemoney

thanlastyearbutstillhasenoughfederalfundingtocontinueoperating.TwoOCCCsitelocations,CrookedOak

High School and Western Oaks MiddleSchool,willbeclosedduetothestatefund-ingcuts,Martinez-Brookssaid.TheOCCCprogramservesaround3,000

students,shesaid.Fundingreceivedisbasedonthenumberofstudentsserved.OCCC received around $640,000 in

federalallocationsduetotheneedforour

programinOklahomaCounty.OCCChadabudgetofaround$800,000

instatefundingthatwasreducedtoabout$600,000,Martinez-Brookssaid.StevenBloomberg,CommunityDevelop-

mentvicepresident,saidOCCChasthelarg-estadulteducationprograminOklahoma.Thereisnoquestionitiscriticaltoour

coremissionasacomprehensivecommunitycollege,hesaid.Whentryingtobreakthecycleofdepen-

See GED page 9

Rachel MoRRison/PioneeRMatt Kendrick with www.backporchmedia.com shoots a music video for Life

Church in the VPAC Film and Video Production Studio Aug. 12. Kendrick, along with camera operator Matt Lowry (back), captured footage of dancer Anna James (right) and other dancers from the Radiant Dance Company to be featured during Life Churchs Womens Event Aug. 25.

Hold that pose

Violators will face penalties that could include fines

NEWS, p. 6 & 7

2 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

OPINION

IONEEROKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGEP

Whitney Knight...................Online EditorCasey Akard.....................VideographerRobert Bolton.....................Online Writer John Weis.............................WebmasterCybele Hsu....................Graphic DesignCynthia Praefke.....Advertising ManagerAaron Donahue......Circulation ManagerRonna Austin......................Lab DirectorShawn Stawicki.................Lab Assistant

7777 S. May Oklahoma City, OK 73159

phone:405-682-1611, ext. 7307

email:editor@occc.edu

The PIONEER is a publication of Oklahoma City Community College through the Division of Arts and Humanities. It is published weekly during the 16-week fall and spring semesters and the eight-week summer session.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the PIONEER, the college or the publisher.

The PIONEER welcomes letters to the editor and encourages the use of this publication as a community forum. All letters must include the authors name, address, phone number and signature. E-mail letters should include all but the signature. The PIONEER will withhold the authors

name if the request is made in writing. The PIONEER has the right to edit all letters

and submissions for length, libel and obscenity. Letters should be fewer than 250 words. Students must list their major. OCCC staff and faculty must list their work title.

Letters to the editor can be submitted to the PIONEER office, located in room 1F2 on the first floor of the Art and Humanities Building, mailed to 7777 S. May Ave., Oklahoma City, Okla. 73159, or submitted via e-mail to editor@occc.edu with a phone number for verification included. The PIONEER ONLINE also can be accessed at www.occc.edu/pioneer.

Vol. 40 No. 1Jeremy Cloud................................EditorSarah Hussain....................Senior WriterChristy Johnson.....................Staff WriterMike Wormley........................Staff WriterPriscilla Colley.......................Staff WriterEmily Schorr..............Community WriterSean Tolbert.......................Sports WriterRachel Morrison...............PhotographerErin Peden.......................Photographer

Sue Hinton....................Faculty Adviser

Thewestern world has a wonderfully imbecilictrackrecordforperpetratingthedoublestandard.Amidsttheturmoilandviolencesurroundingthe

recentArabSpringoccurringincountriessuchasLibya, Egypt andTunisia, thewest (predominantly the U.S.andEngland)cautiouslypraisesprotestors and demonstratorswho have wreaked violencein the name of what BritishPrimeMinisterDavidCameronreferredtoasapreciousmo-ment for social and politicalreformintheMiddleEast.The most integral part to

organizing the variousmove-mentsacrosstheregionistheuseofsocialmediatoconnect

andorganizegroupsofprotesters.Thistoolwasrecognizedtobesoimportantthatit

promptedthen-EgyptianPresidentHosniMubaraktopulltheplugonhiscountrysaccesstotheWorldWideWebtocurbtheflowofinformationbetweenthosewhosoughttoousthimfromhis30-yearrule.Cameron andotherworld leaders chastised the

moveandcalledforthereturnofsocialmediaaccess

Cameron: free-speech pretender

MaRk PaRisi/offtheMaRk.coM

EDITORIAL | Social media empowers citizens, frightens government

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS | Obama addresses U.S. downgrade by credit rating agency

inthenameoffreespeech.Mubaraksattemptwasunsuccessfulandhewas

removedfrompowershortlythereafter.Shiftthefocussixmonthslaterandwenowsee

largeportionsofEastLondoninflames,andriot-ingandlootingdotthelandscapeoftheentiretyofCameronsBritishIsles.Theevents,occurringinresponsetoapoliceshoot-

ing that took the lifeof aneastLondonman,hassparkedsomeoftheworstriotinginLondonshistory.Inthewakeoftheviolence,Cameronaddressed

BritishParliamentonAug.11toinquireastowhetherthebanningofsocialmediaaccesstothoseinvolvedintheriotingisaviablesolutiontocurbingthevio-lencetakingplaceinthecityaswellasthecountry.Itsnotatallsurprisingthatwhenfacedwithsimilar

proteststhe shoe trulyhasmoved to theotherfootforCameronanditwouldbeatrulyvacuouspropositiononhispart to assume the resultswilldifferinanyway.The outlawing of social media as a method of

controllingthepopulaceisoneofthehallmarksofagovernmentthatrefusestounderstandwhytheirpopulaceisinupheaval.ThereislittlefearthatCameronwillbeoustedin

themannerofMubarak,buttheattempttooutlaw

socialmediaisatrulyillustrativesignthat,regardlessoflocation,aninformedandconnectedpopulationisafrighteningprospecttoanyworldleader.

Sean M. TolbertStaff Writer

OnFriday,Aug.5,welearnedtheUnitedStatesreceivedadowngradebyone of the credit ratingagenciesnotsomuchbecause theydoubtourabilitytopayourdebtifwemakegooddecisions,butbecauseafterwitness-ingamonthofwranglingover raising the debtceiling,theydoubtedourpolitical systems abilitytoact.The markets, on the

otherhand,continueto

believeourcreditstatusisAAA.Infact,BerkshireHa-

thawayChairmanWar-renBuffett,whoknowsathingortwoaboutgoodinvestments, said, Iftherewereaquadruple-Arating,IdgivetheUnitedStatesthat.I, and most of the

worldsinvestors,agree.Thatdoesntmeanwe

donthaveaproblem.Thefactis,wedidntneedarating agency to tell us

thatweneedabalanced,long-term approach todeficitreduction.Andwedidntneeda

rating agency to tell usthegridlockinWashing-tonoverthelastseveralmonthshasnotbeencon-structive,tosaytheleast.We knew from the

outset that a prolongeddebate over the debtceilingadebatewherethethreatofdefaultwasusedasabargainingchip could do enormous

damagetooureconomyandtheworlds.But heres the good

news:Ourproblemsareeminentlysolvable.Lastweek,wereached

an agreement that willmake historic cuts todefense and domesticspending.But theres not much

further we can cut ineitherofthosecategories.What we need to do

now is combine thosespending cutswith two

additionalsteps:taxre-formthatwillaskthosewho can afford it topay their fair shareandmodest adjustments tohealthcareprogramslikeMedicare.I know were going

through a tough timerightnow.Weve been going

through a tough timeforthelasttwoandahalfyears.AndIknowalotofpeopleareworriedaboutthefuture.

President says economy problems eminently solvableButhereswhatIalso

know:Therewillalwaysbeeconomicfactorsthatwecantcontrolearth-quakes, spikes in oilprices, slowdowns inotherpartsoftheworld.But how we respond

to those tests thatsentirelyuptous.For the full transcript of

Obamas speech, visit the Pioneer Online at www.occc.edu/pioneer.

President Barack Obama

Sean M. Tolbert

PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER AUGUST 19, 2011 3

COMMENTS AND REVIEWS

Cowboys, aliens in HollywoodFILM REVIEW | Western thrill ride is a short flight

Genre blending isnothing new for Hol-lywood.Screenwriters and di-

rectorshavebeenminingthesameliterarydepositsofinspirationthatfictionauthors have alreadyclaimed for decades inordertodeveloppre-con-ceivedsettingsandstory-arcs and interchangethem with, sometimes-disparatecounterparts.Thiscanbeasuccess-

fultransition(e.g.JamesCamerons sci-fi/hor-ror classic Alien); butother times it can leadtofailure.CowboysandAliens

isthefilmadaptationofthe 2006 Platinum Stu-diosgraphicnovelofthesamename.Thestoriesdiverge to

a wide degree, but the

overall premise of old-American-west drifters,lawmenandprospectorsfacing the onslaught ofalien invaders is essen-tiallythesame.The cast of the film

is notable with DanielCraig (Casino RoyaleandDefiance)playingtheleadastheamnesiacoutlawJakeLonergan.Lonergan awakens

amidst the mesas andgrass-stretchedplainsofNew Mexico and findshis way to the min-ingtownofAbsolution.Craigplaysthestandardtacitwesternherowitha squinting problemwith success and yougenerallygrowtoliketheanti-herothroughoutthefilminpartduetothesupportingcharactersheinteractswith.

Olivia Wilde (FoxsHouse) provides theeye-candy and servesasavehicle for theplotwhile Sam Rockwell(Moon, Choke, andFrost/Nixon) uses theextremely limited roleofDocthebartendertofurther flex his under-ratedactingmuscle.Roundingouttheno-

tables is film iconHar-rison Ford (IndianaJonesno,youknowwhoHarrisonFordis.)Ford plays wealthy

cattle baron ColonelWoodrow Dolarhydeandservesastheclosestembodimentofahumanvillain.Andattheageof 69, Ford shows yetanotherfacettohisawe-someactingability.Thefilmisentertaining

with some well-dreamt

specialeffectsandsomepristine direction fromactor/director Jon Fa-vreau(IronMan).Ifyouare looking for

afilmthatdistractsyouthenmostassuredly,thiswilldothejob.Yet, as I walked out

ofthetheater,Iwasleftwanting just abitmorefromthefilm.It felt rushed and I

neverreallygrewtocareaboutanyofthecharac-tersexceptforRockwellsandtherewerequestionsIhadaboutthealiensthatbuggedme.Overall, this isanex-

perienceworthseeinginthetheater,butIwouldhesitate to recommendanyoneownthefilm.Rating: B-

Sean TolbertSports Writer

Diggy Simmons lives up to his nameMUSIC REVIEW | Hip-hop artist follows in his fathers footsteps, in a different way

Mostchildrenwanttogrow up to be like oneparent or the other butwho knew Rev. Run ofRunDMCwouldhaveahip-hopchildprodigyonhishands?Daniel Diggy Sim-

mons, the 16-year-oldson of Rev. Run seemsto be following in hisfatherslyricalfootsteps,but is determined tomake a name all of hisown.Great Expectations

is one of Diggys firstsinglesreleasedin2010.Thissongisprettymuchwhatisexpectedfromthetitle.Herapsaboutwhatisexpectedofhimcon-sideringwhohisfatherisaswellaswhatheexpectsfromhimself.Thisisafeelgood, keep-your-head-upsonganditshouldnot

beoverlooked.CopyPasteisanice

low mellow tune thatcaneasilybebumpedinthehottestofcarsorjustlistenedtoatthecrib,justonchill.Diggyspitsmuchgame

on thesongMadeyouLook,onwhichheusesseveralcleverpunchlineswithgreatlyricaltiming.This isntDiggysfirst

foray into the field. Hehas appeared on otherup-and-coming artistsalbums, one being theremixedversionofMind-less Behaviors Mrs.Right.HeaddspureEastCoastswagtothisalreadydanceabletune.Diggy stunned hip-

hoploverswhenhepar-ticipated in the Cypheron the BET Hip-HopMusic Awards with his

Im-not-scared-because-Im-ready-for-whateverattitude.He proves his lyrical

chopswhenheperformsa free style to MobbDeeps Shook Ones.Deeps version, releasedin1995,isahardacttofollowbutDiggysurpris-inglyholdshisowninhistwo-minutesequel.The Dig-ster deserv-

inglymadeXXLmaga-zines Freshman Classlistofsomeofthemostnotable up-and-comingartists.ThislistincludesYelaWolf, BigKrit andMeekMill.Althoughheisknown

touseafewofwhatweinOklahoma call cursewordsorjustplaincussin,hissongsarenotprofan-itylacedorexplicit.He is not speaking

aboutwomeninanun-flatteringlightnorishepromotingdrugusagesohe is somewhat parentfriendly.Asofyet,Diggydoes

not have a release dateora title tohisupcom-ing CD but it is highlyanticipated.He has two mixed

tapes The First Flightreleased in 2009, andAirborne released in2010,bothofwhichmetravereviews.IfDiggySimmonsal-

bum stays in the samemindsetofthesongshehasalreadyreleasedhisalbumwouldeasilymakeit tonumberone statusonthehip-hopcharts...uh, thats if it ever getsreleased.Rating: AChristy Johnson

Staff Writer

Energy and persistence conquer all things. BenjaminFranklin(1706-1790)

Welcometoallnewandreturningstudents.Wehopethefallwillbeagreatsemesterforeachofyou.Herearesometipsthatcanhelpinsurethatthis,andeveryother,semesterisaproductiveoneforyou:1.Attend class. Sometimes students think

thatbecausetheyarentinhighschoolanymore,attendanceisoptional.OCCCexpectsthatyoushowupandparticipate.Anactivelearnerisamoresuccessfullearner.Also,thefirstdayofclassexposesyoutowhattheclasswillentailandallthatisexpected.If itdoesntfeel likeagoodfit,makeadjustmentsbeforeitmightimpactfinancialaidoryourGPA.2.Gettoknowpeople.Talktoyourprofes-

sors.Getacquaintedwithotherstudentsinyourclasses.Joinastudentgroup(orstartoneofyourownifyoudontfindanexistinggrouptoyourliking).Themoreconnectedyoubecome,thelessisolated(andoverwhelmed)youllfeel.3. Take advantage of campus resources.

OCCCwantsstudentstobesuccessful.Thatswhywehirefriendly,knowledgeablepeople,furnishstate-of-the-artlearningspaces,investintechnologyandofferreal-timeonlinetutor-ingforwhenwearentavailable.Successfullycompleting classes might be a challenge attimes,butitshouldntfeellikeastruggle.Letusknowifyouneedhelp.4.Recognizewhatauniqueandspecialper-

sonyouare.Learnthestrategiesandtechniquesthatbestfityou.Exploredifferentcareersandacademicpathsthatbestfityourstrengths.Mosteveryonecandocollege,butnotnecessarilyinthesameway.5.Askquestionssothatyoucanmakethe

bestdecisionsforyourself.Itseasyforanyofustogetcaughtupintheemotionofasituationandreactinsteadofthinkaboutouroptions.Takeadeepbreathandaskuswhatwemightrecommend.Ultimately,thedecisionisyours,butitwillbeamoreinformeddecision.Some of you may subscribe to the myth

thatitsthesmartpeoplewhoaresuccessfulincollegeandinlife.Smartpeopleflunkoutanddropoutofschooleveryyear.Thosewhoarepersistentandwillingtoworkhardarethewinnersinlife.WeinStudentSupportServicesarestandingbytohelpyouhaveanawesomesemester.

Mary TurnerLearning Support Specialist

Persistence equals success

4 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

Southside Target store hits the bulls eye

Ghost Story a magical readBOOK GIVES LONG-TIME READERS SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SomewhereinChicago,theresawizardwhofreelancesasaprivatedetectiveandgoestoe-to-toewiththeworsttheworldhastooffer,forthe sakeof truth, justice, and theAmericanway.Cornyasitmaysound,thatsthe

basicpremisebehindJimButchersDresdenFiles,anongoingseriesthats13booksinandgoingstrong.ReleasedJuly26,thelatestbook

GhostStoryisoneofthebestyet.Thestorypushesthemainchar-

acterHarryDresdentogrowandmature while dealing with thedeath of someone close to him.Wellactually,itshisdeath.Ofcourse,beingawizard,death

doesntstickquiteasstronglyandhegetssentbacktosolvehisownmurder.While thepremise is so clich

thatHarryhimselfpointsouthowclichitis,thenovelactuallydeliversastrongstory,showcasinghowthevari-oussupportingcharactersaredealingwith the supernatural chaos thathastakenoverChicagoafterthelossofitsprotector.

Despite the storys serious tone,Butcherssenseofhumorsneaksinallovertheplace,lightingeventhedarkestmomentswithgallowshumor.Andasalways,thepopculturerefer-

encesaresothickyoucouldcutthem

withabutterknife.One of themost startling ele-

mentsofthisstoryisthat,asaghost,Harryisalmostcompletelyunabletousemagic.SeeingnotonlyhowHarryreacts

tobeinghelpless,butalsohowhisallieshavelearnedtoworkaroundtheabsenceoftheirmysticalheavy-weight,drivesthecharactersinnewdirections.And it gives long-time readers

somefoodforthoughtaboutwheretheseriesmightbeheaded.Finally, the endingdoesnt just

twistittangoes,leavingreaderspleasantlyshockedandbeggingforthenextone.Due toButchershabitofdrop-

ping explanations for everythingintoeverybook,GhostStorycanbereadasastand-alonenovel.Butunliketherestoftheseries,tofully

appreciate this one, readers shouldreally check out the previous book,Changes.Rating: A

Jeremy CloudEditor

NexttimeyourecruisingthroughMoore,keepaneyeoutforabigredbullseyeinthesky.No,itsnotashootingrangeitsheaven

onearthforsouthsideshopaholicsandfami-liesalike.OklahomasnewestTargetstore,locatedat

720S.W.19thStreet,next toHomeDepot,openedlastmonth.ThislocationmarksthesecondTargeton

thesouthside,andtheonlyoneworthvisiting.In the past few years, the state of south

OklahomaCitys flagship store at 44th andWesternhasgreatlydeteriorated.Whatwasonceafamily-friendlyshopping

experiencetransformedintoahauntforgang-bangersandotherundesirables.Itbecamethekindofplaceyoudidntwant

tobecaughtincomenightfall.However,thisnewstorehitsthemark.Fromthemomentyoustepthroughtheautomatic

doors, the experience is unlike anything youwillever find at other mass retailers, including otherTargetstores.Thestoreassociatesarecheerfulandfriendly,often

askingifyouneedanyhelpratherthanjusttrudgingbyyouasifyouareinvisible.

Theyevenwheeloutshoppingcartsforyou,makingyoufeelabitlikeroyaltyasyoustrollaboutthestore.Andeventhoughyoumightfeellikeamillionaire,

youwonthavetodoleoutcashlikeone.Ifyourelookingforahigh-qualitywardrobeonalow-qualitybudget, lookno further thanTargetsclothingde-partments.Withteesstartingat$8andsomejeansascheap

as$15apop,TargetoffersWalmart-pricedattireatamuchhigherquality.

ButTarget ismuchmore thanaclothingstore,sellingeverythingfromRachelAshwellbeddingtodishwareandschoolsupplies.This new location even boasts a grocery

sectionakintotheWalmartNeighborhoodMarkets.Youmightnotfindanycartiresdownthe

sameaisleasyourhamburgermeat,butisthatreallysuchalossanyway?Andwhenyouredoneshoppingandyour

stomachisrumbling,youcanstopbyanex-pandedeatingareathatincludesalltheoldstandbys likehotdogsandpretzels,aswellasaPizzaHutthatsellspersonalpanpizzasfor$4.99each.Theres even a miniature Starbucks that

sellscoffeeandteaifyourehankeringforacaffeinefix.Whether youve lived on the southside all your

lifeoryourejustdrivingthroughMoore,youhavetomakeastopatthebigtanbuildingwiththeun-mistakableredsign.Youwontbedisappointed. Rating:A+

Whitney KnightOnline Editor

BOOK GIVES LONG-TIME READERS SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT

TOP 20 MOVIES weekend of Aug. 15 through 17

www.boxofficemojo.com

1. The Help2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes3. The Smurfs 4. Final Destination 55. 30 Minutes or Less6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 27. Crazy, Stupid, Love.8. Captain America: The First Avenger9. Cowboys & Aliens10. The Change-Up11. Glee The 3D Concert Movie12. Horrible Bosses13. Friends with Benefits14. Transformers: Dark of the Moon15. Zookeeper16. Cars 217. Midnight in Paris18. Born to be Wild (IMAX)19. Sarahs Key20. Green Lantern

HAVE AN IDEA FOR A REVIEW? SEND IT TO EDITOR@OCCC.EDU

PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER AUGUST 19, 2011 5

ofPhotography,buthehastaughtotherphotographyclasses.Theclasswill focusonmovements

and issues related tophotography aswellaspastphotographers,suchastheaforementionedHine.Wewilldiscussthingsliketheuseof

OCCCstudentKeaniYoungsaidshewelcomesthechange.Itsagreatidea,shesaid.Instead

ofwaitingforsecuritytocallpoliceifsomething happens, theyre alreadyrightheretohandleit.Boyd said police officers have the

abilitytoarrestanddetain,somethingSafetyandSecurityofficerscannotdo.Thechangeswonthappenovernight

he said. Boyd said the college willreplace security officers with policeofficersaspositionsbecomeavailable.Thetransitionwilltaketime.Long-term,werelookingathaving

solely a campus police department,hesaid.WerenotheretotellSafetyandSecu-

rityweretakingtheirjobs.Asattritionoccurs,wewillfillthosepositionswithpoliceofficers.

History of Photography class to be offered

Safety and security office is now campus police department

CENSORSHIP AMONG TOPICS TO BE EXPLORED IN NEW DOWNTOWN COLLEGE CLASS

TRANSITION HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING FOR A FEW YEARS

KATE JOHNSONNewsWritingStudent

Photographer Lewis Hinesphotoshadahugeimpactonthecreationofchildlaborlaws,ashisphotosdepictedvisualimagesofchildrenworkingandtheharshrealityoftheirsituation.GraphicArtsprofessorCharles

Rushton said he will includeHinesworkwhenhe teachesaHistoryofPhotographycoursethisfall.This is just one example of

howphotographyhasinfluencedAmericancultureandpubliclife,Rushtonsaid.The History of Photography

coursewillbetaughtforthefirsttimethisfallthroughOCCCinconjunctionwiththeDowntownCollegeinOklahomaCity.Theclasswilltakeplaceatthe

OklahomaCityMuseumofArtat6p.m.Tuesdaynights,begin-ning Aug. 23 and continuingthroughDec.13.Studentswillearnthreehoursofhu-

manitiescreditthatwillsatisfygeneraleducationhumanitiesrequirements.Accordingtohisbiographyonthe

OCCCwebsite,Rushtonsphotoshaveappearedinmagazinesandbooks.ThiswillbehisfirsttimeteachingHistory

PRISCILLA COLLEYStaffWriterstaffwriter1@occc.edu

OCCCtransitionedfromhavingacampusSafetyandSecurityOfficetohavingaCampusPoliceDepartmentAug.15.Thechangehasbeeninthemaking

since2008,saidJohnBoyd,BusinessandFinanceVicePresident.ItwasdiscussedbeforeIwasact-

ing Vice President of Business andFinance,Boydsaid.Hesaidtheswitchwillbeadvanta-

geoustostudents.Apoliceofficerisgoingtohavea

differentlevelofexperience,andwillhavedealtwithmanyuniquesituationsthat our safety and security officershavent.

photographsinsocialchange,Rushtonsaid.Andissuesofcensorship,whatshouldbeallowedinnewspapers,whatshouldbeshowninmuseums.Understanding thehistoryofpho-

tographycanhelpaphotographer tobebetterintheart,hesaid.

Boydsaidtheofficersareemployeesofthecollege,notOklahomaCityPoliceDepartmentofficers,andhavevariouslawenforcementexperience.Webegancreatingthenewdepart-

mentandworkingoutthelogistics.First,Boydsaid,jobdescriptionshad

tobecreated.We couldnt come up with those

outofthinair.Weconsultedotherlawenforcementagenciesandwithothercollegeswhohavepolicedepartments.OCCCstudentChrisWaychoffsaid

themoveseemsextreme,basedonthe(low)crimeratehereBoydsaidthatwasntafactor.Therewasnocriminaleventorcata-

lystforthechange.Ithadalreadybeeninthemindsofadministrators,hesaid.Hesaidbusinesswillgoonasusual.

The only noticeable change will be

Ithinkitsimportanttoknowwhats been done in the field.Whenyouseewhatotherpeoplearedoing,itgetsyoutoworktoahigherlevel.The class will learn about

documentaryphotography andhowthatstyleofphotographshasbecomepartoftheartworld,hesaid.Rushtonalsocalls theclassa

culturallesson.Itsdesignedtomakeyoumoreawareofculture.GusPekara,DowntownCol-

legedirector,saidtheclassisopentoanyone.Itwillbehands-onhumani-

tiesclass,notyournormalstyleofclass,Pekarasaid.Therewillbeanactualpersoninthefieldteachingtheclass.Studentsenrolledintheclass

alsowillreceivefreeparking.Thoseinterestedcanenrollat

OCCC,at theDowntownCol-lege,oronline.Thespecialtopicsclass isHUM2003,History ofPhotography.

Formore information, call Pekaraat 405-232-3382 or email gpekara@occc.edu.Students also can apply online

throughtheOCCCwebsite,orcangothroughtheDowntownCollegewebsiteatwww.downtowncollege.com.

uniforms.There are differences in uniforms

frompoliceofficers to safetyandse-curity.Thatsbydesign.Apersonneedstounderstandifthey

aredealingwith apoliceofficeror asafetyandsecurityofficer,Boydsaid.Our top priority at the college is

students.Ifthestudentswerenthere,wewouldntbehere.Thepoliceofficersknowthatandare

expectedtoaccommodate[students]tothesamelevelasthesafetyandsecurityofficers.Ourpoliceofficersunderstandthey

areheretoservethestudentbody,andprovidesafetyandsecuritytoeveryonewhostepsonthiscampus.Formoreinformationonthecampus

department,call405-682-7572,orvisitwww.occc.edu/security.

Courtesy of www.metmuseum.org

Newsies at Skeeter Branch, St. Louis, Missouri, 11:00 am, May 9, 1910, a photograph by Lewis W. Hine (18741940) an American photographer who will be studied in the History of Photography class offered this fall.

6 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

WHITNEY KNIGHTOnlineEditoronlineeditor@occc.edu

From registering yourvehicle to parking inproperplaces,OCCChaspark-ingregulationsstudentsshouldfollow,saidOCCCPoliceChiefJimFitzpatrick.Fitzpatrick said students

whofailtoobeythefollowingrulescouldfacefinesofupto

Decals, reckless driving among campus parking infractions

$100:Allvehiclesthatwillregu-

larlybeparkedoncampusmustbe registered. Free parkingdecals can be obtained fromRecordsandGraduationSer-vices,locatedonthefirstfloorof the Main Building wherestudent IDs are obtained. Ifstudentsdonthaveadecalontheirvehiclesonthefirstdayofclasses,theycouldbefined$5.Ifthedecalsarentaffixedproperly, students could befined$3.Drivers also are required

to park in designated areas.Students, faculty and em-ployees,disableddrivers,and

visitors all have adesignatedplace to park. Student park-ing spaces are identified byyellow parallel lines. Facultyandemployeeparkingspacesareidentifiedbyblueparallellinesand lettering that statesfacultyandemployeeparking.Handicapped parking spacesaremarkedwiththecustom-arysignasprescribedbylaw.Studentswhoparkinfacultyoremployeeparkingspacesmaybefined$15.Afineof$100willbe imposedonstudentswhoparkinahandicappedspotorin afire lane.They alsomayfacefinesfromOklahomaCity. Studentsmust also drive

withcautionwhileoncampus.Violationsforfailuretostopata stop sign, going thewrongwaydownaone-waystreetandrecklessdrivingcarry$25fines.Similarfinescanbeimposedfornotyieldingforpedestriansand speeding. In addition tofineschargedbyOCCC,stu-dentsmayberequiredtopayfinestothecityiftheyareinviolationofanyfederal,state,orlocallawsandordinances.Formoreinformationabout

parking violations, fines, ve-hicleassistance,andtemporarydecals, contact the OCCCCampus Police Departmentat405-682-7572.

AllOCCCparkinglotsarepatrolled24hoursadaybythecampusPoliceDepartment.Unregisteredvehicles,thosewithanimproperly-placeddecal,thoseillegallyparkedwithinfacultyoremployeeparkingspaces,orthoseillegallyparkedwithinhandicappedspacesorfirelanesmayreceivefinesofupto$100.Inaddition,driverscaughtdrivingrecklessly,speeding,failingtostopatstopsign,goingthewrongwayonaone-waystreetorfailingtoyieldtopedestriansmayalsobefined.

If you get a fine...

Fines may be paid in the Bursars Office. When

a fine is paid, a receipt will be issued and the

Safety and Security Department

notified. Once all fines have been

paid, all restrictions on the person will

be removed.

Students can avoid costly parking violations

PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER AUGUST 19, 2011 7

Assistance available for help navigating OCCCShownaremapstoallthreefloorsoftheMainBuildingwhichincludes

the SEM Center, Health ProfessionsCenter,andArtsandHumanities,aswellasamapoftheVisualandPerform-ingArtsCenter.ManyofOCCCslabsandclassrooms,

aswellas theBookstoreandCollegeUnion,arelocatedintheMainBuilding.Moreclassroomsandlabsarefound

intheVisualandPerformingArtsCen-ter,inadditiontofacultyofficesandastate-of-the-artfilmstudio.Forthefallsemester,theMainBuild-

ing,andVisualandPerformingArtsCenterwillbeopenfrom7a.m.to11p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and7a.m.to5p.m.Saturdays.CampusisclosedSundays.College workers will be on hand

throughoutthefirstweekofclassesto

helpstudentsnavigatecampus.Inad-dition,studentsareencouragedtoaskanycollegeemployeefordirectionsforhelpnavigatinganyofthebuildings.FormoreinformationaboutOCCC,

visitthecollegeswebsiteatwww.occc.edu.

Keith Leftwich Memorial Library Hours

Visit the Pioneer Online for additional campus maps, as well as exclusive news,

interactive features, polls and more. Youll also find links to the Pioneers Twitter and Facebook pages.

Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

8 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

SPORTS UPCOMINGINTRAMURALS

EVENTS

SPORTS | College fitness classes can help battle academic stress

Have sports news you want to share? e-mail Sean at:

Aug. 23 - Aug. 31: Registration for OCCC 8 on 8 Flag Football League. Season begins Sept. 9 For more information, call the Wellness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310. Aug. 23 - Aug. 30: Registra-tion for 6 on 6 Volleyball Sea-son. Season begins Sept 6. For more information call the Well-ness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310. Aug. 23 - Oct. 19: Registration for O-Trip 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament takes place Oct. 28 For more information, call the Wellness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310. Sept. 17: Pepsi: Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition, Girls and Boys age groups from 8 to 15. For more information, call the Wellness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310.

Sept. 17: OCCC Youth Soccer. Ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 10. For more information, call the Well-ness Center at 405-682-1611, ext. 7310.

All event news is due Mon-day by 5 p.m. for inclusion in

the next issue. Email sportswriter@occc.edu.

eRin Peden/PioneeR

SEAN M. TOLBERTSportsWritersportswriter@occc.edu

Balancing a collegework-loadandkeepinganexerciseregimencansometimesbeadauntingtask.OCCCsHealthandWell-

ness Center is currentlytaking enrollment for Fall Fitnessprograms that, according to a re-cent college press release, are gearedto help students stay healthy whilemaintainingafocusontheirstudies.Mental health website www.

psychcentral.comcitesexerciseasoneof 10 ways to relieve stress, stating:[excercise] releases good hormonesthat keep [your] stress hormones atbay.OCCC student Fatemah Bennett

saidstayingfitisoftenawelcomees-capefromherschoolworkaswellasawayofhelpinghertofeelproductive.Imthekindofperson[who]likes

tostaybusyandnotfeellikealoserbynothavinganythingtodo.

Enrollment is currently open forprograms such as intramural FlagFootball and classes that includeZumbaandLearntoSwim.Theseclassesnotonlyusesportsbut

combine wellness activities such asgroup fitness, indoor/outdoor groupgames and swim time according tothepressrelease.College students arent the only

ones who can benefit from the col-legesfitnessprograms.For students with children who

are looking to stay activeduring theschoolyear,OCCChasanumberofyouth-oriented programs scheduledaround the Oklahoma City PublicSchoolsystem.The OCCC Health and Fitness

press release for the fall programsshows youth classes would includeExtreme Sports and Fitness FunoverthefallbreakandTheAmazingRaceandReindeerGamesoverthewinterbreak.For a list of class times, costs and

enrollment options, call RecreationandFitnessat405-682-7860.

Relief not far for stressed students

Keeping focused

Film major Omsun Guevara spends his free time working out in the OCCC gym. Located in the Wellness Center, the gym is open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Prioritize: Put the most important and timely goals ahead of those that dont fall into your gotta do list. Exercise: Be it intense aerobics, gentle stretching, or Tai Chi, exercise helps the brain release good hormones that keep stress hormones at bay. Laugh: Laughter really is good medicine. Let yourself go with those deep belly laughs where you snort at the end and see how much better you feel.

courtesy www.psychcentral.com

STRESS BUSTERS

sportswriter@occc.edu, call 405-682-1611, ext. 7676, or drop by 1F2

in the Arts and Humanities building.

Im the kind of person [who] likes to stay busy and not

feel like a loser by not having anything to do.

Fatemah BennettOCCC Student

LOG ON TO THE PIONEER ONLINE FOR

BREAKING NEWS, ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AND TO ACCESS ARCHIVES

DATING BACK TO 1998.

WWW.OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER AUGUST 19, 2011 9

Smoking: Police chief says voluntary compliance preferredContinued from page 1

EMILY SCHORRSeniorWriterseniorwriter@occc.edu

OCCC students en-countered thieves oncampus during the last

part of the summer se-mester.On July 28, Liliana

Pineedo reported herwalletzebraprintwithpink lilies missingfromthewomenslocker

room. According to areport,Pineedosaidsheplacedherwallet inthelocker but did not lockit.Later in theevening,shereceivedacallfromher bank about $300

chargedatToysRUsonher debit card. Pineedosaidshecanceledthecardimmediately.Anotherreportoftheft

by student Eva AnayaalsowasmadeonJuly28.

Anaya told campuspolice officers $300 incashwastakenfromherbackpackthat, shesaid,was left unattended for30minutesonthesecondfloorofthelibrary.

Anaya said she didntnoticethemoneymissinguntil the following day.According to a report,asecuritycameraintheareawasunabletosub-stantiateherclaim.

GED: Cuts result from state downturnsContinued from page 1

dency,theGEDisanimportanttool,Bloombergsaid.Bloomberg said the reduc-

tionisaresultofdecliningstaterevenues.The state Board of Educa-

tion that oversees the adulteducationfundsvotedtocutadult basic education out ofthestatescommoneducationbudget,hesaid.Rural communities have

beenhurtevenmore.Marti-nez-Brookssaidthatbecauseruralareasdontserveasmany

students, places like Wood-wardandWatongaarereceiv-ing50to60percentcutsinstatedollars,whichismorethanhalfoftheirfunding,shesaid.Ruralcommunitieshavehad

to lay off teachers and someclassesarebeingdroppedduetolackoffunding.Its sadbecause those stu-

dentsneedassistancejustlikethose inOklahoma County,Martinez-Brookssaid.Bloomberg said OCCCs

GED program is importantbecause98percentofallbusi-nesseswillacceptpeoplewho

haveaGEDinlieuofahighschool diploma. Ninety- sixpercent of all colleges anduniversitieswhoacceptahighschooldiplomawillaccepttheGEDasanequivalent,hesaid.Without the GED, as an

interventional tool, the doortoabetter standardof livingiseffectivelyclosed.For adults who were not

abletocompletehighschool,thereisnotanotheralternative,hesaid.Formoreinformationabout

GED classes at OCCC, call405-686-OCCC(6222).

Thieves target students on campus during break

ornot.Ifyouareacurrenttobacco

userandyouwanttoquit,wecanputtogetherclassestohelpwiththat.A couple of us have been

trained and certified by theAmerican Lung Associationandwecanofferclassesorworkwithyouone-on-one.She said help also is avail-

ableforthosewhochoosenottoquit.That may mean altering

your smoking habits so thatyou smoke less or changingyourclass schedulesoyourenothereforanextendedperiodoftime,Turnersaid.Whileitmaynotbeideal,we

canmakeitworkifyouwantittowork.The fact that the school is

willing tohelpbothsmokersandnon-smokersalikesoundsgood to Bethany Vander-Schans,awritingtutorintheCommunicationsLab.Shesaidshe quit smokingmore thanfivemonthsago.

They dont smoke at [theUniversity of Central Okla-homa] where I go now andit canbe very stressful to bea smoker on a non-smokingcampus.Butitcanalsobeacatalystto

stopsmoking,ifonlytoreducethatextrastress.However, someofOCCCs

penalties seem a bit harsh,VanderSchanssaid.Ifeelliketakingdisciplinary

actionagainstviolatorsintheirroleasastudentoremployeemightbeabitextremebutitsnothardtofollowtherulesandrespectaninstitution.I would hope it wouldnt

gettothat,andthatstudents,facultyandstaffwouldchoosetofollowthepolicyratherthanfacethosetypesoffines.History professorRayMc-

Cullar said while the policyitselfisagoodthing,itmightnotbethebestsolutiontotheproblemitwasputinplacetoaddress.Ibelievethatweretalking

outbothsidesofourmouths.Ifweresoworriedabouthealth

thatweregoingtobantobacco,we should also ban high-fatfoodsandBigGulps,andinsti-tuteamandatorycalisthenicsprogram.Ontheotherhand,ifitsjust

tobaccowereworriedabout,then the government needsto stop subsidizing tobaccofarmers.But while were all saying

howworriedweareabouthowunhealthy tobacco is, wereusing the taxes on it to payforhealthcareprogramslikeSoonerCare.Despite misgivings about

banningsmokinginpersonalvehicles and concern overtheneedforacloserlookatacomplexissue,McCullarsaidhesupportstheban.I hate cigarettes, he said.

Ismokedfor25yearsandIhatewhattheydotopeople,IhatethattheyreaddictiveandsinceIquit,IlikewhoIamasanon-smoker.Fitzpatricksaidwhetherthe

policyworksorwhetheritisorisnt thebest solution isnowbesidethepoint.

The bottom line is, good,bador indifferent,nomatterhowanyonefeelsaboutit,thispolice department has beentasked with the assignmentof enforcing compliance andwere going to have to fulfillthat.

But obviously, we realizethat were going to do thisin away thatmeets the bestinterests of the college andeveryonehere.No ones going to be am-

bushed. Everyones going tobegivenachancetocomply.

10 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

CAMPUS COMMUNITY CAMPUSHIGHLIGHTS

OKC Arts Alive! class offeredCOMMUNITY | Downtown College class offers students chance to see live stage performances

Audition for Pulitzer Prize-winning playAuditions for the theatrical production of

Fences, by August Wilson will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, and Thursday, Aug. 25 in the Bruce Owen Theater. Direc-tor Brent Noel is looking to cast the roles of five African-American males and one African-American woman. No experience necessary. Students and non-students are welcome to audition. For more information, contact Brent Noel at bnoel@occc.edu.

Learn study skills at Brown Bag lunchLearn how to improve your study skills.

Student Life will be hosting a study skills session from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the Main Building in CU1. Stu-dents are allowed to bring their lunches. For more information, email Amy Reynolds at amy.e.reynolds@occc.edu or visit www.occc.edu/studentlife.

How to get part-time jobs and internships Learn how to search for part-time jobs

and get internships. Student Life is hosting a Brown Bag session on how to search for jobs and obtain internships 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the Main Building in CU1. For more information on this Brown Bag special, email Amy Reyn-olds at amy.e.reynolds@occc.edu or visit www.occc.edu/studentlife.

OCCC Garage SaleThe Faculty Association Scholarship Com-

mitee will hold their annual Garage Sale this fall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, in CU 1, 2 and 3. All proceeds will go to-wards student scholarships. If you would like to bring donations during the summer please contact Linda Boatright at 405-682-1611, ext. 7468.

All Highlights are due Monday by 5 p.m. for inclusion in the next issue.

Highlight forms can be picked up in the Pioneer office, located in 1F2 of tthe

Arts and Humanities building, just inside Entry 2.

MIKE WORMLEYCommunityWritercommunitywriter@occc.edu

A lot is goingon indowntownOklahomaCity,whenitcomestotheperformingarts.Studentsenrolled inOKCArtsAlive!will learn

firsthandwhentheyattendconcerts,playsandotherperformancesaspartoftheirclassassignments,saidRuthCharnay,OKCArtsAliveprofessor.Everysemesterincludesattendingatleastoneballet

andoneperformancebythePhilharmonicorchestra.Thethree-credit-hourhumanitiesclasswillbetaughteveryFridaynightbeginningthesecondhalfofthefallsemester,Charnaysaid.Last years required productions included

PhantomoftheOpera,acollectionofmusicwrittenbyBillyJoelandperformedbythePhilharmonic,theBroadwaymusicalShrek,theOCCCproductionofShakespearesAMidsummerNightsDream,TunaChristmas,Oliver,andTheNutcrackerballet.TheshowsaredifferenteverytimeandtheCivic

Centerhasyettopostitsfallseason,Charnaysaid.However,shesaid,thisyearsselectionshouldbejustasgoodaslastyears.OKCArtsAlive!isaneight-weekclassthatbegins

Oct.18.TheintentistoexploretheperformingartsthroughattractionsavailableinOklahomaCity.Twofeaturesoftheclassarethatitdoesnothavea

Rachel MoRRison/PioneeR

Counting the days

Student Fikirte Hagos picks up an OCCC calendar from Student Life. The Student Life office, located on the first floor of the Main Building near the campus police department, has staff available to answer questions and provide information.

textbook,andmostweekstheclassishelddowntownattheOklahomaCityCivicCenterratherthanoncampus.OKCArtsAlive!isahumanitiesclassopentoeveryone.CharnaysaidclassescomparabletoOKCArtsAlive!

would be Music Appreciation or Introduction toTheater.However,shesaid,theyaremorefocusedintheirfieldofart,whereasArtsAliveismorefocusedonthecommunityaroundthearts.[This class] discusses professional, community,

amateur,andunionproductions,shesaid.Itasks,How isOklahomaCitydifferentbecause the artscommunityexists?Studentsfindoutitsnotjustabunchofpeople

whodothisforfun,thatitsabusiness.Atypicalclassmeetsat6p.m.whenCharnayand

thestudentsdiscusstheupcomingeventthatnight.Wewilltalkaboutwhatitis,whatittakestoput

ontheproduction,whattolookfor,aestheticsandthepleasureofthearts,shesaid.Thereisalecturefollowedbyatriptotheboxoffice

topurchasetickets.Studentsareexpectedtopurchasetickets,whichusuallycostbetween$10and$12foreachshowwithastudentdiscount.Broadwayshowsarethemostexpensive,typically

$25aseat.Thetotalcostofalltheshowsfortheclassisbetween$80and$100,whichisstilllowerthanthecostofatextbookinmanyclasses.After the event, students meet and review the

show,sometimesincludingdiscussionswithpeopleinvolvedintheproduction.Tofurtherencouragestudentstoexplorethearts,

Charnaysaid,thereisalsoaprojectinwhichstudentsselectandvisitaneventindependently,andreportbackontheirexperiences.Students love the class, Charnay said. The

majority of people that go havent had thoseexperiencesbeforeand[many]sayIllbeback.ForothersitisanexcusetogooutonaFriday

nighttoseeaconcert.For more information on HUM 2003 OKC

Arts Alive!, contact Charnay at 405-682-7558 orrcharnay@occc.edu.

AUGUST 19, 2011 11PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

CLASSIFIEDS TODAYS CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Pioneer classified advertising is free to all enrolled OCCC students and employees for any personal classified ad. Ad applications must be submitted with IDs supplied by 5 p.m. Mondays prior to the publication date. For more information, call the Ad Manager at 405-682-1611, ext. 7674, or email adman@occc.edu.

NEED 10 STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ROCK CLIMBING: In order to petition to start a rock climbing club I need ten students, and 2 faculty or staff sponsors. Contact James at 405-694-7779, or jamesspear24@yahoo.com.

MOM NEEDS HELP: Need responsible, clean female to help with light housework in exchange for room and board. No babysitting. NW 122nd and Council area. Good personal references a must. Call 405-728-1710.

FOR SALE: Limited edi-tion wakeboard, still pack-aged, $200; new, limited edition Jim Beam bean bag/cornhole toss game, $150. 405-818-0083.

FOR SALE: This space for your business ad. Reach thousands of potential customers for just $16 a week.E-mail your informa-tion to adman@occc.edu. Or call Cynthia at 405-682-1611, ext. 7674.

NEED HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE ON CAMPUS

WHILE YOU ATTEND CLASSES AT OCCC? For more information

contact: Dr. Barb Carter at the

OCCC CDCLS. 405-682-7561

RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDResearchers at OU Health Science Center need healthy volunteers ages 18 to 30, who have a parent with, or without a history of an alcohol or drug problem. Qualified participants will be

compensated for their time. Call (405) 456-4303 to learn more about

the study and to see if you qualify.

FOR SALE: 1994 Maz-da Protege, more than 200,000 miles, but very well maintained, good a/c. Standard. Priced to sell. Call 405-840-5334.

FOR SALE: Entertain-ment center/bookshelf/TV stand has multiple uses for books, photos, etc. Maple color engineered lumber. $50. email: 4allmypets@yahoo.com for photo.

FOR SALE: Pecan Bald-win, upright electric piano. Great sound. Call 405-840-5334.

FOR RENT: Nice bedroom in a house with other students. $380 per month with all bills paid, including internet. Lo-cated in good neighborhood near 104th and Western,$100 deposit. No pets or indoor smoking. Call 405-794-9999.

DO YOU ENJOY WRITING STORIES? ARE YOU A POET? IS PAINTING YOUR

PASSION? CAN YOU CAPTURE

LIFE ON FILM? Why not submit your

entry to the OCCC Absolute literary anthology for possible

publication?Applications are available on the table outside the Arts and Humanities

Division office.www.occc.edu/pioneer

12 AUGUST 19, 2011 PIONEER | OCCC.EDU/PIONEER

TWENTY STUDENTS TOOK PART IN 12-DAY TRIP

Students, staff sample Costa Ricas pure lifeKATE JOHNSONNewsWritingStudent

In Costa Rica, locals haveadopted an unofficialmotto:pura vida, Spanish for thepurelife.EarlythissummeranOCCC

groupof30,including20stu-dents,wereabletosamplethepurelifeofCostaRica.ModernLanguageprofessor

AbbieFigueroaledthegrouptotheCentralAmericacountryfromMay22toJune3inordertoexperienceLatinAmericanculturefirsthand.Studentssaidtheycameaway

from the experience with anewperspectiveonlifeoutsidetheU.S.The trip impactedmy life

in a big way, said studentRebekah Davis. It was life-changing.Itopenedmymindto different ways of life. Imalreadyreadytogoback.Elementaryeducationmajor

Tiffany Perry, who attendedOCCCbeforetransferringtotheUniversity ofOklahoma,saidthetripopenedhereyes.Itmademewant to learn

moreSpanishandmoreabouttheirculture,Perrysaid.She said shewants tohave

more interaction with thepeopleshemetinCostaRica.Plannersdesignedtheexcur-

siontoensurethatstudentsgot

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COSTA RICA?www.occc.edu/pioneer

FOR MAPS, FACTS, AND MORE PHOTOS

acquainted with residents ofthehostcountry.During the trip, we only

used local transportation,saidChristianAlyea,tripco-ordinator.Wewantedtoshowstudents

thelocalwayandthelocallife,justhowthelocalsdoit.FiguroasharedAlyeasgoal,

toputstudentsindirectcontactwithCostaRicans.Shewantedtoavoidthetouristbubble.The trip was for cultural

immersion,Figueroasaid.Shedescribed the tripas a

combinationofstudyingandvacation.We started working on it

lastyear,lastsummerinfact.Studentswhoenrolledinthe

programreceivedthreecollegecreditsinSpanish.While there was no class-

room learning, the studentsand other group memberslearnedthelanguagethroughactivities.Oneexampleistheshopping

competitionswhenthegroupmembershadtonegotiatewiththelocalsofCostaRicascapitalSanJosusingonlySpanish.Theyalsowere required to

keep journals and some stu-dents later prepared reportsaboutthetrip.Thestudentsalsointeracted

withstudentsattheUniversityofCostaRica,Alyeasaid.

While the trip was cer-tainly educational, it wasalsoachanceforfunandforstudentstolearnmoreaboutthemselves.Atfirstitwashardtoadjust,

Davissaid.Itwasmyfirsttimeoutofthe

country.Ilearnedhowtoshare.Everybodycametogetherlikeabigfamily.IovercamealotoffearsIdidntknowIhad.Amongtheactivitieswasa

mountainhike.Iovercamealotoffears,like

heights, said Rainey Sewell,astudentattheUniversityofOklahoma.Oneofmyfavoritethingswasvisitingawaterfallandgettingtojumpoffit.Otheractivitiesincludedsea

kayaking, zip lining throughthe rain forest canopy on acable suspended several feetintheair,andtakingawild-life tour where they learnedabouttheanimalsandplantsofCostaRica.Youcouldseesomuchof

thenature,saidRuthCharnay,Communications and Artsdirector.Charnay said the locals

workedtokeepthelandpris-tineandlesstouristy.Figueroasaidasimilartrip

maybeofferednextyear.

The12-daytripcostatotalof $1,350, airfare included.Thestudentswereadvisedtobring $200 to $300 for anyextraexpenses.It was an adventure, for

sure,Sewellsaid.Everyday

Photo couRtesy www.cia.gov

Costa Ricas Volcano Arenal, seen here from the town of La Fortuna, remains active. Lava flows continuously on the opposite side of the 5,358-feet tall volcano.

Photo couRtesy www.cia.gov

The sun sets over one of Costa Ricas many beaches, known as playas in Spanish. With a coastline that stretches over 1,100 miles, the beaches of Costa Rica are often referred to as the most idyllic and beautiful in the world.

wasanadventure.Wehadnewexperienceseachday.Perryhadsimilar thoughts

aboutthetrip.Iwould suggest it toany-

one,shesaid.Tryeverything.Doit.