Viking News

Berlin Holocaust effort praised

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

OCC remembered the Holocaust with a series of five events dubbed "Holocaust Remembrance Week" recently.

One event, a presentation on Jewish history in Berlin and titled "50 Years Later: Reflections on and from Berlin," was presented by William Lavundi, professor of English and literature, who spoke about the city before, during and after the Holocaust.

Prof's book chronicles life as 'chosen one' of cult

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Jayanti Tamm's experiences with a cult can be traced back to her birth. The cult's leader, Guru Sri Chinmoy, told the story of how she, when only a few hours old, folded her hands together as if in a prayer and bowed her head to him. He announced she was the "chosen one" and was called down to earth to serve him.

College to increase campus greening

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

OCC is looking to step up its efforts to become a greener campus, according to Julius Raichle, manager of safety and environmental compliance. The campus already has several policies in place that reduce the harmful effects to the environment.

Recycling goes beyond the usual paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic.

Tutors available on message board

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Finding a tutor is just a click away with OCC's new learning-resources community-message board on Ocean Cruiser.

"The message board allows students to communicate with each other about any academic related issue," Lorett Cramer, career specialist in the Center for Academic Services, said.

Men's tennis qualifies for national tourney

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The OCC men's tennis team has qualified to participate in the national championship competition.

The Vikings earned this honor with a third-place finish in the National Junior Colligate Athletic Association Region XIX tournament at Mercer County College Apr.

'Editorial': Assessment practices inconsistent, often inexplicable

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Not only has OCC gone assessment crazy, but also its practices for the assessments are inconsistent in a variety of ways.

For a writing assessment that is part of "writing across the curriculum," a student is asked to surrender the rights granted to them under the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

'Perspective": Graduates should help shape Ocean County culture, which helped shape them

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Graduation commemorates a milestone. For some, this milestone is the first in a long line of future ssuccesses. For others, it may be the last in an enduring series of trials.

What makes this day so monumental? It is graduates' last day as OCC students; it is the completion of a task, the ending of a journey.

'Critic": 'Taxpayer Field,' 'New House' pose viewing, identity problems

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Colossal failures usually have multiple causes. Blame can usually be laid at the feet of several people. This is the certainly the case with the two new baseball stadiums in New York. The Mets' new home, "Taxpayer Field" (Citi Field), and the new Yankee Stadium, "the New House," as Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay likes to refer to it, woefully miss the mark of grandeur that has been the hallmark of new stadiums designed by the legendary HOK Sport.

'Letter': qualifications, abilities questioned

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This afternoon I finally had a chance to sit down and read your Mar. 5 issue in which you criticize Prof. (Gary) Shaffer.

I am inclined to agree.

As a former student of his, I find it hard to believe he is qualified or even capable of running so much.

'Leter': faculty dissent root of civility luncheon

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I noted with interest the recent Civility Luncheon held on campus.

Historically, the idea of an administrative action of this sort originated in the fact that, during the early years of Jon Larson's administration, the then existing College Council did not endorse a good number of administrative proposals.