Degree Check It Out
By Andy Jensen, News Writing Student
Students wanting to monitor their progress toward earning a degree at OCCC will be interested in Degree Check It Out.
The event hosted by Graduation Services will take place Monday, Feb. 16 and Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the common area next to the coffee shop. Staff will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer any questions students may have.
“We can tell you what you are lacking for your degree,” said Barbara Gowdy, director of Graduation Services.
OCCC president says budget shortfall may require cutbacks
By Matt Bishop, Staff Writer
A state budget shortfall may reduce funding for OCCC next year, meaning employees likely won’t see raises, said President Paul Sechrist in an e-mail.
While Sechrist assures students their education will not be directly affected by the economic hardships, he said sacrifices will need to be made by others at the college.
“[The] President’s Cabinet has already begun to lay out the options for a shortfall,” Sechrist said.
“Those options are centered around cutting expenses, deferring projects, limiting hiring of new faculty and staff, and no increases in salary.”
This wouldn’t be the first time college employees have gone without raises. A story in the June 23, 2003, issue of the Pioneer showed employees did not receive raises for two years straight — in fiscal years 2003 and 2004.




