Orange Coast College HANDBOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Message from the OCC President Welcome to Orange Coast College! As an international student, you bring with you new world experiences and perspectives that I invite you to share with the OCC community. Here in southern California you will find the best the United States of America has to offer in higher education. The Community College is a uniquely American form of education and is the gateway to higher education for more than 2.9 million students in California who want to pursue a baccalaureate degree, enter the workforce, and become community leaders. You will learn that the Orange Coast values are Community, Learning, Access, Stewardship, and Sustainability. You will have an opportunity to make a difference in our community through student clubs, student government, and service learning. Learning is central to our focus and together we are a learning community. The access provided in the Community College structure is unique and allows for seamless educational transitions from high school to Orange Coast College, and on to the best four-year colleges and universities. Steward- ship is the way we demonstrate the way we cherish and nurture our responsibility as citizens, to our local and worldwide communities. Sustainability is a standard for the way we develop long-term strategies and protect our natural resources and environment. You will join our successful alumni in a few short years like, Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika, who came to Orange Coast College from Zambia in 1959 when she was 19 years old. Following OCC, she continued her education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and New York University. She returned to Zambia and had a successful career with the United Nations Children’s Fund, fighting for the rights of African women, children, and refugees. She went on the serve in the Zambian Parliament and also as the Zambian Ambassador to the United States. Whatever your goals, we will help you get there! Sincerely, Dennis R. Harkins, Ph.D. The International Center Located on the 4th floor of Watson Hall • 2701 Fairview Road • Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Phone: (714) 432-5940 • Fax: (714) 432-5191 email: [email protected] www.orangecoastcollege.edu/international 2 Handbook for International Students Visual Campus Tour Art Center This state-of-the-art facility houses the Visual Arts Departments including Art, Digital Media Arts & Design, Film / Video and Photography. The Art Center also houses the Visual and Performing Arts Division Offices and includes a gallery for students called the Student Project Space. Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion OCC’s new galleries are state-of-the-art, and rank among the finest in the nation. Our security, lighting and digital sound systems meet National Museum Standards for operation and security. We consulted with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and five other museums on security, lighting and sound for our facility. The lights in the Doyle Arts Pavilion can be set in 2,700 different configurations. We have eight large north-facing skylights in the Pavilion that provide us with exceptional lighting all day long. The Arts Pavilion consists of a Main Art Gallery, and the Young Artists Gallery. Robert B. Moore Theatre Our largest performing space is the Robert B. Moore Theatre. This beautiful, recently renovated theatre was designed by the world famous architect, Richard Neutra. It is a 916-seat theatre capable of hosting full scale Broadway type shows, dance concerts, and symphony orchestras. It is here that the Theatre Department performs special productions, such as a yearly Shakespeare performance, sellout children’s theatre productions and summer musicals. Horticulture Department The Horticulture Department boasts excellent facilities, modern equipment, and a well-equipped classroom building set in the midst of beautifully landscaped grounds. These grounds contain a large collection of trees, shrubs, vines, and ground cover that serve as a laboratory for many of the classes. A nursery with over 6,000 square feet of greenhouse space and shade structures round out these fine teaching facilities. Student Health Center Students who are enrolled and are attending classes may seek medical care at the Student Health Center for the following: acute short-term illnesses and injuries, initial assessment of injury & illness (flu, sprain, laceration, infection, etc.), physical examinations, basic vision and hearing screening, blood pressure screening, and First Aid. All medical records are kept confidential. 3 Handbook for International Students Library Comprised of over 100,000 titles of books, periodicals, videos, and audiocassettes, the Orange Coast College Library supports and enriches the quality of the educational program. The library is located on the west side of the campus near the Lewis Science Building, the Arts Pavilion, and Starbucks. Fitness Complex The new state-of-the-art, 49,000-square-foot Fitness Complex is located just north of OCC’s LeBard Stadium, off Monitor Way and Fairview Road. The new Fitness Complex is a two-story structure which includes a large multipurpose room that can be utilized as a gymnasium or large group instruction facility. The complex has a training facility for sports medicine, an equipment room, a 6,000-square-foot Strength Lab, a 2,600-square- foot Cardio Lab, housing 57 pieces of cardio equipment, an Exercise Science Testing Lab, and a fitness studio and classroom. Watson Hall Watson Hall houses the Student Services programs (including the International Center). The primary mission of all educational institutions is learning. Orange Coast College recognizes that there are many activities and programs outside of the classroom which enhance the learning process. Consequently, numerous student services have been established to help students move toward the attainment of their goals. ABC Complex Orange Coast College opened the new ABC (Allied Health, Biology and Consumer Science) Complex in January 2011.The building is the final project funded using $200 million in Measure C bonds approved by voters in 2002.The new 83,000-square-foot building, located off Merrimac Way between the Lewis Center for Applied Sciences and the Skill Center, is the largest classroom facility on campus. The ABC Complex includes more than $6 million in high-tech equipment which will prepare students for variety of careers. Bookstore You can visit Orange Coast College Bookstore to purchase your textbooks and supplies. You may also reserve textbooks on-line prior to the semester start date. Please contact the Bookstore at (714) 432- 5896 for more information. 4 Handbook for International Students Technology Building The Technology Center offers innovative training opportunities. By taking advantage of the variety of programs and resources offered at OCC, one can develop the skills needed to improve his/her earnings in an ever-changing economy. As one of the most innovative colleges in the nation, faculty and staff provide our diverse student population with a wide range of academic and career experiences in programs that meet the growing needs of the technology industry. John R. Clark Computing Center John R. Clark Computing Center provides students with PC and Macintosh computers as well as printers. The Center provides digital resources and tools as well as computer classes in its labs. All registered students can open a student account and use the facility. In addition, OCC provides wireless networking access throughout major areas of the campus. For general information, you can reach the Computing Center at (714) 432-5634. Harry & Grace Steele Children’s Center The Center has been serving student-parents with quality early care and education of young children for 35 years. The OCC Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center is part of campus Student Services with the primary goal of providing a comprehensive early care and educational program serving the families of student-parents, faculty/staff, as well as the community. The Center strives to promote a balance between healthy family living and academic/career success. LeBard Stadium Used for Soccer and Football, Lebard Stadium has recently undergone a dramatic face lift with the implementation of Field Turf, a state-of-the- art synthetic turf. Student Success Center OCC is committed to providing services that ensure student success. Students can receive free tutoring for most classes. Trained tutors assist in improving study skills as well as course content areas. For more information, please contact (714) 432-5559. 5 Handbook for International Students Immigration Information Immigration Terms to Know: DHS: The Department of Homeland Security 5 months (even if your current visa is not includes Customs & Border Protection (CBP), expired). Please see traveling section. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), I-94 (Arrival/Departure Document): The white card and Citizenship and Immigration in your passport or the online record indicates Services (CIS). your non-immigrant classification and the length of SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitors Information time you are al- lowed to stay in the United System. The internet-based database that is used States. F-1 students are granted admission for D/S to issue I-20s and keep track of international (Duration of Status). student records. In Status: Remaining in valid lawful status. As an F- SEVIS Form I-20: Cer- 1 student you must follow certain regulations in tificate of Eligibility which order to keep your lawful status in the U.S. If you permits a student to apply follow these regulations, you will be in status. If for an F-1 Visa and to you violate your status for any reason, you will be study at an approved considered out of status. Any violation will have educational institution in negative im- migration consequences including the United States. possible removal from the U.S. which will affect F-1 Visa: International future immigration benefits. Student visa (visa stamp I-901 Fee: As stated by the Department of in your passport) which Homeland Security (DHS): ―The SEVIS I-901 fee allows a student to is mandated by Congress to support the enter program office and the automated system that the U.S.