One thing you will notice right away when you walk into your first class at OCC is that the class is small compared to other colleges and universities. In many schools freshmen classes will have up to 300 students. The average at OCC is about 27 students, and generally no class is larger than 37. This insures that you won’t be lost in the crowd…and that you get your questions answered.

FACULTY
Classes are taught by professors who have advanced degrees and years of experience, not by student teaching assistants as is the practice at most large universities. Click on the Faculty Directory on the right to check it out.
Incidentally, the common way of addressing faculty is by calling them either "Professor" or "Doctor". You can call them "Doctor" if they have a Ph.D. or Ed.D. Degree; otherwise Professor is fine.

CLASS TIMES AND DAYS
Although the college offers some online classes (you receive and submit assignments over the Internet) most classes are on campus and have a lecture discussion format. A three credit hour class will typically meet for two hours and 50 minutes per week. The instructor will provide a break in the middle so you can stretch your legs. Night classes generally meet one night per week, while day classes meet two days week, usually Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.

CLASSES
At the beginning of the semester you will get a syllabus which lists all assignments, tests, grading scale, text books, etc. There is an example of class syllabus on the right. The instructor will have a class list containing all of the students registered in the class. If you aren’t on the list, then you aren’t registered, so you need to contact the enrollment services department. If you decide, for whatever reason, not to attend the class any longer you need to drop the course, either on the web or by contacting the enrollment services department. The schedule of classes specifies deadline dates for dropping classes.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Remember that while colleges and universities encourage discussion of topics, students are expected to treat others with civility, integrity and respect. That means; get to class on time, be prepared, plan to stay for the entire class, turn off your cell phone and follow the guidelines found in the Student Handbook. The student handbook contains a wealth of information about student rights and responsibilities.

GRADES
The course syllabus will specify all of the course requirements, including how you will be graded. Your instructor will determine your final grade in line with the college’s grades and grading policy. If you have a disagreement with the grade you receive, contact your instructor. All final grades are available on the college web site. To access your grades from the home page click on ‘online services’ then click on “grades.”

STUDENTS
Wondering if you’ll know anyone in the class?

• The average age (mean) of an OCC student is 28, but the largest number of students (mode) is between the ages of 19 – 23.
• Each year OCC normally has the largest freshman class in the state.
• Most of those students come from Oakland County.
• 15% of the high school graduates in the county enroll at OCC each year.
• 95% of the students work
• 70% attend part-time
• 59% are female
• 55% attend at night
• Don’t be afraid you’ll miss out on the international atmosphere of a big university; OCC has over 1,000 international students.

Get to know your fellow students. They’re fascinating people and we’re sure you will have much in common with them.

QUESTION
Is it possible to get a grade of B+ from a professor in a credit course?

Hint: look in 'grading policy'.

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