James Middleton, president of COCC, to retire
On April 15, Jim Middleton, the president of COCC, announced that he will be retiring June 2014. Middleton is the fourth COCC president in the college’s 63 years of operation. Since that time, the college has organized a presidential screening committee to search for the next president. “We appreciate Dr. Middleton’s many years of service to community colleges and particularly COCC,” said Bruce Abernethy, chair of the COCC board of directors.
COCC tuition increases by six percent
Starting summer 2013, COCC tuition increased by $5 for in-district tuition. The increase was due in part to an increase in basic costs to maintain the college as well as the addition of several full-time faculty positions.There is no direct link between the decrease in enrollment and the increase in tuition rates, Ron Paradis told The Broadside in an article published on May 7.
“Enrollment rates and tuition increases are not tied together directly,” Paradis said. “Enrollment is slightly down this year, but tuition and enrollment don’t really cross.”
Hit and run at Campus Center
On Jan. 24, a hit and run at COCC resulted in two arrests and damage to the Campus Center entrance. The vehicle was traveling northbound on College way, veered onto the wrong side of the road, and struck a parked motorhome before jumping the curb and running into the east side entrance of the Campus Center.
Bend Police arrested Todd Marshall and Velma Reyes on the scene, according to Bend Police Records Division. Marshall was charged with hit and run, criminal mischief, recklessly
Gandhi’s grandson speaks at COCC
The grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Arun Gandhi, came to the COCC campus on Feb. 20 to discuss his grandfather’s teachings. This was part of the campus’ fifth annual Season of Nonviolence. By coming to COCC, Gandhi’s hope is that his message will resonate with the younger generation.
“You are the leaders of the world; you are going to inherit this world,” Gandhi said. “It will be up to you to make a change, and make it a better world.”
Textbook theft last year reached $150,000, police investigating
Over one thousand textbooks were stolen from the COCC bookstore during the 2012-2013 academic year , according to Ron Paradis, COCC director of College Relations. This amounted to $150,000 worth of textbooks, and led the bookstore to reconfigure their checkout process by putting books behind checkout counters at the back. With this new model, employees will retrieve the books and students bring their class schedules.
