OAKLAND COUNTY, Michigan – Oakland Community College (OCC) was one of three finalists out of 1,400 community colleges nationwide to be honored at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) conference in New Orleans, LA. OCC was recognized for its visionary work in the category of College Safety and Planning.
OCC was honored for fulfilling a number of safety and response criteria and its formation of a Clery Act/Title IX Compliance Committee two years ago in response to the addition of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The committee worked to ensure compliance with both the Clery Act and Title IX. As a result, OCC enhanced communication, training, community outreach and understanding of what responsible behavior looks like across its multi campus system.
"We are gratified to see the work we are doing to ensure a safe learning environment is being recognized," said Peter Provenzano, Interim Chancellor, OCC. "This remains a real team effort across the college, one of which we are committed to for continuous improvement."
In addition, OCC also created a Suicide and Mental Health Response Task Force that developed administrative guidelines and procedures to provide a consistent college-wide response to students experiencing suicidal ideation or mental health issues.
In its commitment to safety and planning, OCC conducts regular crisis training including active shooter and campus crisis team practice scenarios. OCC also updated its emergency alert system to provide more immediate and effective notifications. The college routinely reviews and updates its safety procedures for labs and classrooms.
For a copy of OCC's Department of Public Safety Annual Security Report, visit the college's safety page.
About OCC
With multi campus system throughout Oakland County, Oakland Community College is committed to providing academic and developmental experiences that allows each student to reach their full potential and enhance the diverse communities they serve. A fully accredited college, OCC offers degrees and certificates in approximately 100 career fields and university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts. More than a million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965.
About AACC
As the voice of the nation's community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for 12 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC's nearly 1,200 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.
Media Contact: Bridget M. Kavanaugh | Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | bmkavana@oaklandcc.edu