DECEMBER 2020 | Trouble viewing? View online
Hey Bobcats!
Welcome to "Bobcat Newsflash," your new and improved student newsletter.
They say no two snowflakes are alike. In a lab, researchers have been able to replicate "stellar dendrites" — the name for those classic, six-pronged flakes. But natural-born stellar dendrites, on their journey down through the atmosphere, are all affected by atmospheric conditions just a little differently. Read more about snowflakes.
Dates & Deadlines
December Dates
Dec. 7-11: Finals week
Dec. 13: Fall term ends
Dec. 17: Fall term grades posted to Bobcat Web Account
Dec. 21-25: Winter Break, College is closed
Jan. 1: New Year's Day, College is closed

Winter term registration info and deadlines.
WINTER TERM PRIORITY DEADLINE
If you’re attending Winter term, Financial Aid will give priority consideration to those students completing and submitting their requirements by Dec. 1.
TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS
For transcripts to be processed before Winter Break, requests must be submitted no later than 4 p.m., Dec. 18. In addition, COCC does not process transcript requests during the first week of the term, Jan. 4-8.
Coming Up...COCC Foundation 2021-22 Scholarship Process Opens Feb. 1
Around Campus
Students Help Determine Wi-Fi Update
A recent student survey is helping inform some Wi-Fi updates at COCC. Nearly 300 students participated in the poll, with questions related to expanding Wi-Fi coverage and offering hotspot devices. “The ITS department is now actively working on adding expanded, 24/7 parking lot Wi-Fi to the Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras campuses,” explains Laura Boehme, chief information officer. “We will make an announcement when that work is done, hopefully early Winter term.” Additionally, with more than 90% of polled students saying it would be beneficial, the College has requested 100 Wi-Fi hot spots from the state to help convert cell reception into Wi-Fi and is hoping to offer those in the near future. Thanks to all the students who participated — COCC is working to be responsive to your needs. 
First Nations Student Union Meetings
Join the First Nations Student Union each Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m., for an informal meeting. Get involved with Diversity and Inclusion and student events, as well as plan fun club activities. Zoom ID# 948 2260 8953.
Careers in View
Career Close-Ups/Job Fairs
Take a peek at COCC's health care careers through a one-hour virtual info session. Nursing has two this month: Dec. 2 & 4.

On Dec. 3 & 17, at 3 p.m., join Tracy Dula, Career Services coordinator, for a live jobs fair. Dula will share current information from local employers in these live 30-minute sessions. Contact tdula@cocc.edu no later than noon on the day of the session to receive a Zoom link.
Heading for Higher Heights
Gravity seems to be losing its grip on Elexis McAllister. A former ranked snowboarder who competed at the state and national levels throughout high school — including taking home a gold medal in the soaring halfpipe contest at the Oregon Interscholastic Snowboard Association state competition — McAllister, also a kiteboarder, is now gunning for higher heights. Read Elexis' story.
Academic Resources
Library's First Virtual Display
The Barber Library has assembled its first-ever "virtual book display" featuring a selection of CLERC (Children’s Literature and Equity Resource Center) titles that recognize, acknowledge and nurture Native American identities, featuring many Native American authors and illustrators. Books can be requested for curbside pickup.
Assistance for Students in Need
Helpful Resources Connect Bobcats with Aid, Support
Tucked inside the student government office on the Bend campus, there's an upright cabinet that plays a central part in countless educations: the COCC food bank. On its shelves, dry goods, canned items and hygiene products are stocked for students coping with financial challenges. It's paid for and managed by the Associated Students of COCC.
"ASCOCC does the purchasing for each campus and distributes the food here on the Bend campus, while the branch campuses coordinate their distribution according to what works for them," explains Gordon Price, coordinator of Student Activities.
 
Another helpful program is brand-new this September. It's a partnership with Thrive Central Oregon, a local nonprofit, that will better assist students in sourcing community resources and opportunities. The one-year pilot project allows for the hiring of a part-time Thrive resource specialist, supervised by COCC. The program, which essentially brokers connections to existing resources, is serving students at all four campuses.

Learn more about these and other support systems at COCC.
Tell us what you think
Bobcat Newsflash student newsletter is emailed each month to help keep you informed of upcoming deadlines, campus news, and events!

If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, contact us at welcome@cocc.edu.
Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way, Bend OR 97703 | 541.383.7700 | cocc.edu