OCC boasts record number of Cal State transfers

Recent reports show that two important numbers on the Orange Coast College campus are headed in opposite directions.

Those directions are both positive, however. OCC’s transfer rate is up -- substantially -- and crime numbers are down.

According to a recent report issued by the California Community College chancellor’s office, OCC ranks first out of 109 community colleges statewide in the number of students who transferred last year to the 23-campus California State University system. University of California transfer figures for last year are not yet available.

A total of 1,452 students transferred from OCC to the Cal State system in 2004-05, an increase of 26.6% over the previous year’s total.

The college has consistently ranked among the state’s leaders in students transferring to the Cal State system. OCC was first in the state in 2000-01 and 2001-02, second in 2002-03 and third in 2003-04.

OCC led the 2004-05 state list by a substantial margin. Fullerton College was second with 1,372 transfers. Pasadena City College and De Anza College of Cupertino were tied for third with 1,320 transfers, and Mt. San Antonio College of Walnut was fifth with 1,274 transfers.

Santa Monica College was sixth (1,256), Diablo Valley College seventh (1,156), American River College eighth (1,125), Riverside College ninth (1,085) and Fresno City College 10th (1,084).

In addition to OCC and Fullerton, other Orange County community colleges listed among the top 25 transfer schools to the California State University system were Saddleback College at 22nd and Santa Ana College at 24th.

In a report issued this month by OCC’s public safety department, crime statistics for 2004-05 dropped for the fourth year in a row and were the lowest recorded on campus in 13 years.

Campus crime numbers for the 2004-05 school year were 1.1% lower than the previous year, 18.9% lower than 2002-03, 23.1% lower than 2001-02, and 48% lower than 2000-01. Since 1992-93, OCC’s enrollment has grown by more than 12%, yet crime is down by 50.3%.

“Orange Coast College experienced a relatively low incidence of criminal activity on campus during the 2004-05 academic year,” said John D. Farmer, director of the campus public safety department. “We saw decreases in several primary categories.”

OCC had three minor or verbal assaults on campus in 2004-05, compared to six in 2003-04. Grand theft of personal property was down compared to 2003-04, from six to three. Vehicle thefts went from 13 to 11. In 2003-04, OCC had two incidents of indecent exposure. None were reported last year.

There were no murders, rapes, robberies, hate crimes, arson fires, bomb threats or burglaries of OCC property on campus in 2004-05.

Farmer attributed OCC’s low rate of campus crime to continuous, high-visibility patrols carried out by public safety department staffers.

“Our staff members patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 365 days per year,” he said. “That presents a major deterrent to crime.”

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People may apply online for spring classes at OCC by logging on to orangecoastcollege.edu.

Spring semester classes begin on Jan. 30, 2006. Registration begins the first week in December.

The spring schedule is now posted on OCC’s website.

A printed version will be available early next month in the admissions office.

Anyone who has been an Orange Coast College student in the past, but is not presently enrolled, must submit a new application for spring classes.

For application information, call (714) 432-5072.

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OCC’s International Center will host its 13th Study, Work and Travel Abroad Fair on Friday.

The fair runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the quad. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

“The fair is geared toward answering questions from students who are interested in study, work or travel abroad,” said OCC International Center staff assistant Gary Lewis.

Representatives from 21 different study abroad programs will be on campus to answer questions and distribute literature.

Information will be available on a variety of different study and travel opportunities.

* JIM CARNETT is senior director of community relations at Orange Coast College. Reach him at jcarnettocc.cccd.edu.