College of the Ouachitas

1/24/2012 - Campus Alert System (SchoolCast)

Spring 2012 student email information has been uploaded into our emergency notification system (SchoolCast). Students should have received an email with their user name and password. Once you receive this information you should visit https://www.myschoolcast.com and update your contact information. Our system has the capability to send alerts via email, telephone, mobile phone, and mobile phone text messages. You should have at least one telephone contact. This system is how you will be notified of campus emergencies and closings.

If you did not receive the email with your login information, make sure that your email address on file is correct. You can verify/update your email information by logging into Self-Service and clicking the My Profile tab then Account Information. Be sure to save your changes in Self-Service. If you have any questions or need help with SchoolCast or Self-Service, contact the helpdesk at 501.332.0285 or email studenthelp@coto.edu.

We will be conducting a test of the emergency notification system on Tuesday, January 31st at 9:00 a.m.

1/20/2012 - College Goal Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 pm

Looking for Money for College?

Let us help you find it at college goal Sunday on February 19, 2012 at 2:00 pm!

What is College Goal Sunday?

A one-day event to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Arkansas Universal Scholarship Application (YOUinversal).

Why should I attend?

If you are even thinking about education beyond high school, you will most likely need financial help. College Goal Sunday is the perfect place to get the help you will need to complete your financial aid application.

What Should I bring?

The PIN you receive by going to www.pin.ed.gov at least one week before College Goal Sunday. A PIN is needed for both the student and at least one parent.
Your latest tax information (2011 Tax Returns) for both you and your parents. If you don’t have your 2011 tax forms yet…come to College Goal Sunday anyway.
2011 W-2 Forms
Social Security Numbers

For more information visit collegegoalsundayusa.org

1/20/2012 - Applying for 2012-2013 Federal Aid

Important Information Regarding your 2012-2013 FAFSA

The U.S. Department of Education recently created an enhancement to the FAFSA filing process by allowing applicants and parents to retrieve tax data from the IRS. This new process is called the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. We strongly recommend that parents and students select this option when filing their 2012-2013 FAFSA. This option will streamline and expedite the processing of your financial aid.

Although the FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov may be filed any time after January 1st, we suggest you file your FAFSA after February 1st and after you have filed your 2011 federal taxes in order to take advantage of the IRS Retrieval Tool.

What is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool?

IRS Data Retrieval tool will allow FAFSA filers to request and retrieve their income and tax data from the IRS
Electronically filed tax return information will be available in 1-2 weeks after the return has been filed
Data from paper tax returns will be available in 6-8 weeks

What are my next steps?

File 2011 federal taxes as soon as possible
Wait for the IRS to process your return
File 2012/2013 FAFSA after February 1 and use IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Do not select “Will file”

12/7/2011 - Attention Online Students

COTO is planning to improve our online education program by reviewing some online policies and procedures, revising some courses that we think could be more effective, creating additional online courses, and developing online student services. Would you please help us by completing this survey. Your responses will be kept confidential. Thank you!

Click here to take the survey

11/30/2011 - Dr. Ballard Retirement Reception
A Retirement Reception honoring Dr. Barry Ballard will be held on the COTO campus, Thursday, December 1, 2:30-5:00pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

11/3/2011 - Cosmetology Center Ribbon Cutting Nov. 7
Join us November 7, 2pm-4pm, for an Open House/Ribbon Cutting at the new COTO Cosmetology Center. Over the summer, the Center was completely remodeled and expanded adding 2000 square feet. The program has also partnered with the CHI Corporation and is now a "CHI Enviro Partner School". Everyone is invited to come celebrate and tour the new facilities.

10/27/2011 - College of the Ouachitas Announces New President

College of the Ouachitas Board of Trustees today announced Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker, a veteran community college administrator, as the College’s new president.

Dr. Schoonmaker will begin in his new position as president during the first weeks of January 2012. He succeeds Dr. Barry Ballard who announced his retirement in May.

College of the Ouachitas Board of Trustees selected Schoonmaker after a nationwide search with more than 50 applicants. Schoonmaker was one of five candidates recommended to the Board for the position by a 15-member presidential search committee. The Board selected three finalists who were invited to the school for campus and community tours, meetings with faculty and staff members, and public meet-and-greet sessions. Each finalist gave a presentation entitled Visionary Leadership to approximately 60-80 College employees, Board members, and community leaders, followed by a formal interview with the College’s Board of Trustees.

The Board indicated that Schoonmaker has the potential to be a very successful president and can provide the visionary leadership to take COTO to the next level.

Mrs. Jean Harper, chairman of the Board, said, “Dr. Schoonmaker seemed to connect very well with our faculty and staff. He is a tremendous communicator. And he demonstrated a sincere passion for the College and for his work as an executive. All of the members of the Board received comments from students, faculty, and staff about candidate preferences and there was a strong support for Dr. Schoonmaker. Dr. Ballard has been a great leader for us these past eleven years, and we believe Dr. Schoonmaker is a winner and can be a very effective leader for us going forward.”

Dr. Schoonmaker is the current Vice President of Instruction at Clatsop Community College, a two-year college located in Astoria, Oregon, with an enrollment of 7,000 students. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President of Instruction and Student Services at Southwestern Oregon Community College, Oregon. His professional career spans 20+ years where he has worked at large, public universities; small, private liberal arts colleges; and spent the last twelve years working in community colleges. He has taught college courses as an adjunct faculty member, advanced in student services to the position of Chief Student Affairs Officer, and held progressively responsible instructional administrative positions, including service as Vice President of Instruction at two community colleges.

Schoonmaker received his doctorate degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University, his Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Western Illinois University, and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Vermont.

“There is no greater calling in my mind than to help COTO ‘continually identify and address the changing and learning needs of the communities we serve,’” says Schoonmaker, referring to the College’s mission statement.

Schoonmaker, his wife, Tonya, and 11-year old daughter, Stephanie, look forward to settling down in Malvern and becoming active members of the community. He also has two adult children.

10/19/2011 - Attention Online Students
We want your feedback! Soon you will receive an email invitation to respond to the Priorities Survey for Online Learners being administered on behalf of the College of the Ouachitas by the Noel-Levitz Corporation. Your responses are anonymous and will be used increase the effectiveness of our online program. The survey will take only 10-15 minutes to complete. Those who take it will be entered into a drawing for one of five COTO flash drives.

10/16/2011 - Presidential Candidate Receptions
The College of the Ouachitas Board of Trustees invites you to attend the Presidential Candidate Receptions and Presentations, to be held on October 19, 20, and 24, at 3:30pm in the COTO Great Room (A300).

10/14/2011 - Attention Fall 2011 Graduates

Participate in the graduate survey and be eligible to win a $50 gift card. The purpose of this survey is to gather information relating to how you as a graduate see College of the Ouachitas meeting your educational needs. The information you supply will be kept completely confidential and will be used to further improve the programs and services offered by COTO. However, if any item requests information that you do not wish to provide, please feel free to omit it. The results are absolutely anonymous. Names will be kept for purposes of the drawing but in a separate file from the survey.

Thank you for participating in this survey.

A drawing will be held on January 4, 2011 for a $50 gift card. The winner will be notified immediately following the drawing.

Click here to take the survey.

9/30/2011 - Annual Security Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the college is required to distribute the annual security report and crime statistics for the previous year by 1 October. One method of distribution is to email the location of the document to all employees and students. The current report can be found by clicking the following link. http://www.otcweb.edu/campus-info/campus_security/reports/2011_security_report.pdf.

9/28/2011 - COTO NAMES THREE PRESIDENTIAL FINALISTS

Malvern, AR--College of the Ouachitas is one step closer to finding a person to replace Dr. Barry Ballard as the College’s president.

Ballard announced earlier this year that he would retire effective December 31, 2011, after 10 years as president of the College.

The College announced this week that it has selected three candidates for the president’s position after the Board of Trustees met in special session on Monday. The candidates will each be invited to Malvern and the COTO campus next month for tours of both the campus and the community, a public reception, a formal presentation by the candidate and a formal interview with the Board of Trustees.

According to Mr. Kennye Price, President of Career Search Associates, the Board of Trustees’ search consultant, over 40 applications were received and all of them were rated using a rubric form that was based on the presidential profile adopted by the Board.

The three finalists are:

Dr. Michael DeLong, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Ozarka College, Melbourne, Arkansas
Dr. Steve Rook, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Rich Mountain Community College, Mena, Arkansas
Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker, Vice President of Instruction, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, Oregon

The Board of Trustees hopes to finalize the appointment of a new COTO President before the end of October, 2011, so as to give the new person and family adequate time to transition to the College and the Malvern community early in the new year.

During their individual visits to Malvern scheduled on October 19th, 20th, and 24th, the candidates will be very busy. They will each tour the campus visiting all major divisions and departments, attend an informal lunch with the Board of Trustees, and enjoy a driving tour of the community hosted by members of the Board.

In the afternoon, they will visit with the COTO Faculty Council, and beginning at 3:30 p.m., the general public, faculty and staff of the College are invited to a reception in the COTO Great Room. At 4:00 p.m., each candidate will make a 20 minute formal presentation to those assembled during the reception followed by an open question and answer session. The topic of the presentation is: VISION: The importance of visionary leadership and the role of the College President in providing it.

Following an eventful day, the candidate will meet with the Board of Trustees in Executive Session in the COTO Board Room.

The Board of Trustees invites all faculty and staff and the general public to meet these candidates during the tours and/or during the reception, hear their formal presentations, and ask questions of them during a Q & A session after their respective presentations. The Board feels that all three of these candidates are qualified, have the right credentials, have had successful experiences in significant two-year college administrative posts and have great potential to provide executive leadership for the continued growth and development of the College. The Board also recognizes that there is a certain culture in the five-county service area, in the Malvern community and in the College itself. The Board wants to select the person who is the perfect fit for this particular situation and job to maximize the potential for success.

The new president will begin January, 2012.

9/27/2011 - Web Address Change for Self-Service
We will be bringing down Self-Service on Wednesday, September 28th at 10:00am in order to install a new security certificate for our new domain name. Once this is complete, the URL (web address) will no longer be https://selfservice.otcweb.edu/selfservice but will reflect our new domain name and will be https://selfservice.coto.edu/selfservice. Any bookmarks or saved favorites will have to be updated to reflect this change. We will also be changing the links on our web site to reflect this change.

9/21/2011 - Presidential Search Update

The COTO Presidential Search Committee met on Monday, August 29; Tuesday, September 6; Wednesday, September 7; and on Thursday, September 8. Mr. Kennye Price, President of Career Search Associates, the Board of Trustee's search consultant, reported to the Committee that over 40 applications were received and that all of them had been rated using a rubric form that was based on the presidential profile adopted by the Board. Mr. Price presented copies of the application documents of the top twenty candidates that met the qualifications and the Committee discussed each one and selected seven candidates to interview. Based on the seven hour-long interviews using internet-based WebX interface, the Committee identified five outstanding candidates to recommend to the Board of Trustees.

For additional information on the candidates, follow this link.

9/19/2011 - Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year college students, will hold its first meeting of the semester on Monday, September 26, 2011 at noon in B307. Contact Ms. Lisa Irwin or Dr. January Schultz for more information

9/2/2011 - Emergency Notification System (Update)

Fall 2011 student e-mail information has been uploaded into our emergency notification system (SchoolCast). Students should have received an e-mail with their user name and password. Once you receive this information you should visit https://www.myschoolcast.com and update your contact information. Our system has the capability to send alerts via e-mail, telephone, mobile phone, and mobile phone text messages. You should have at least one telephone contact. This system is how you will be notified of campus emergencies and closings.

If you did not receive the e-mail with your login information, make sure that your e-mail address on file is correct. You can verify/update your e-mail information by logging into Self-Service and clicking the My Profile tab then Account Information. Be sure to save your changes in Self-Service. If you have any questions or need help with SchoolCast or Self-Service, contact the help desk at 501.332.0285 or e-mail studenthelp@otcweb.edu.

We were going to test the system on the 31st of August but we still have a number of students who have not updated their contact information. We postponed the test until Thursday, September 8th to give everyone time to update their contact information.

8/29/2011 - Free Lunches!
You may have been told that there's no such thing as a free lunch, but that's not true on COTO's campus! Several organizations offer student "feeds" throughout the semester that are open to all students. Here are the ones coming up in September: BCM - every Wednesday from 11:45-1:00 in I109; MBSF - September 12 and 26 from 10:30-12:30 in the Eagle's Nest; SGA - September 13 and 14 at 11:00 in the Eagle's Nest

8/24/2011 - Campus Alert System (SchoolCast)

Fall 2011 student email information has been uploaded into our emergency notification system (SchoolCast). Students should have received an email with their user name and password. Once you receive this information you should visit https://www.myschoolcast.com/ and update your contact information. Our system has the capability to send alerts via email, telephone, mobile phone, and mobile phone text messages. You should have at least one telephone contact. This system is how you will be notified of campus emergencies and closings.

We will be conducting the first test of the emergency notification system on Wednesday, August 31st at noon.

8/23/2011 - Refund Date
Refund checks will be disbursed for account balances on September 23, 2011

7/22/2011 - Presidential Search

The College of the Ouachitas Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the position of President. The Board is seeking an experienced CEO who is a strong advocate for student success, institutional effectiveness, and academic quality. Details on the position (skills, abilities, characteristics, qualifications, compensation, benefits and required application documents) are all listed under “Presidential Search” at www.coto.edu. COTO is a comprehensive public two-year college serving 6,000 credit, non-credit, and adult students in a rural, five-county service area located in Malvern, Arkansas one hour southwest of Little Rock. To apply, send the 4 required application documents electronically to kprice1946@aol.com. Start date is January 2012. COTO is an equal employment opportunity affirmative action institution and minorities are urged to apply.

Additional information and instructions can be found here

7/12/2011 - Name Change FAQs
We are excited about being College of the Ouachitas, and we hope you are too. Even though our name will change, our focus will continue to be our current and future students, our graduates, employer partners and all members of our communities. Since we’re sure you have many questions about the name change, we've provided a list of FAQs that can be viewed here.

5/16/2011 - DATA 1123 FIT Test Out Information

The Test Out is comprised of 6 parts: Computer Concepts, File Management, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. You must score 70 percent out of 100 on each of the 6 parts in order to “Test Out” of the course.
You will have 3 hours to complete all components of the test. You will take the concepts part first. Then the remainder of your time can be spent working the other 5 parts.
The test will be given on the following dates:

Test Date	Schedule by	Call to schedule	Test Time	Room
May 20	May 19, 4:30 p.m.	Jessica Beard, 501.332.0201	9-12	B110
May 24	May 23, 4:30 p.m.	Cathy Boyett, 501.332.0207	6-9 p.m.	B110
September 27	September 26, 4:30 p.m.	Jessica Beard, 501.332.0201	6-9 p.m.	B110
September 30	September 29, 4:30 p.m.	Cathy Boyett, 501.332.0207	9-12	B110

The Test Out non-refundable fee is $50 and must be paid in advance of the testing date. You can pay this fee to the Business Office (see Rebrenda Schultz).
You must bring to the test the paid receipt and a photo ID.

If you pass the test, credit will be recorded on your OTC official transcript. This is credit only and will not calculate into your GPA because no grade is assigned. Because no grade is assigned, this credit is not transferrable to another institution.

Additional information can be viewed here

4/27/2011 - Fall 2011 Scholarship Information
Apply now for Fall 2011 Scholarships. Visit the scholarship information page for application information.

3/3/2011 - RN Testing and Information
Deadline for the RN Class starting in January 2012 is the first Friday in October, 2011 at 4:30p.m.

Testing and Information Meetings
Date	Exam Time	Meeting Time
August 26, 2011	8:00-11:30 am	11:30 am
August 26, 2011	12:30-4:00 pm	4:00 pm
September 9, 2011	8:00-11:30 am	11:30 am
September 9, 2011	12:30-4:00 pm	4:00 pm
September 23, 2011	8:00-11:30 am	11:30 am
September 23, 2011	12:30-4:00 pm	4:00 pm

Click here to sign up for an exam

2/28/2011 - Transfer Fair March 8th
The Transfer Fair will be March 8th in the Great Room from 10:30 to 12:30

2/21/2011 - Embracing Diversity

TRiO Student Support Services Presents "Embracing Diversity" February 23 and 24 9:00am - 3:00pm in the Great Room (A300)

Lee Standing Bear will be speaking at 9:00am on February 23

2/15/2011 - Spring 2011 Graduation Application

Completing your program of study in Spring 2011?
Planning to receive a diploma?
Expecting your transcript to indicate you have graduated?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions, come to the office of Student Affairs in Hall A100 before March 18th, 2011 or go to http://www.otcweb.edu/future-students/college_forms.asp, download the graduation application form and return it to the Registrar in Room A114.

2/10/2011 - Practical Nursing Test Rescheduled
The practical nursing test has been rescheduled for Friday, February 25th. Questions can be directed to 501.332.0203 when campus re-opens on Monday.

2/10/2011 - Campus Closed Friday February 11
The campus will be closed on Friday, February 11th due to inclement weather.

2/9/2011 - Campus Closed Thursday February 10
The campus will be closed on Thursday, February 10th due to inclement weather.

2/8/2011 - Campus Closed Wednesday February 9
The campus will be closed on Wednesday, February 9th due to inclement weather.

2/8/2011 - Refund Checks
Pell refund checks will be available at O T C on Friday, February 11th, if the campus is open. Because of inclement weather, student loan refund check availability has been delayed to Monday, February 14th.

2/4/2011 - Nursing Clinicals Canceled 5 February
O T C Nursing Clinicals for Saturday, February 5th, have been cancelled.

2/4/2011 - Campus Closed Friday, February 4th
Campus will be closed, Friday February 4th due to inclement weather conditions.

1/31/2011 - Routine System Maintenance February 11th
The Information Technology department will be conducting routine maintenance on the online course (Blackboard/WebCT) and Self-Service web servers beginning at 3:00 pm on Friday, February 11th. These servers will not be available during this time and should be back online no later than 5:00 pm the same day.

1/27/2011 - Follow us on Facebook
Want to keep up with important "stuff" going on at OTC? Be the first to know.....Follow us on Facebook and tell your friends about us too!

1/26/2011 - Campus Alert System Test Results

A test of our emergency notification system was conducted at noon on Wednesday, January 26th. This test was done using all communication methods available (text message, email, telephone messages). If you did not receive these messages, it may be because you have not updated your contact information in SchoolCast. You should have received an email with your username and password to SchoolCast in order to add your contact information.

If you did not receive this email or do not remember your login information, stop by the helpdesk located on the second floor of the Arts & Science building for assistance. The helpdesk can be reached at 501.332.0285. The only way to receive emergency notifications is to make sure you have the correct contact information in SchoolCast.

We plan on conducting a second test sometime in the next few weeks so you still have time to update your information.

1/20/2011 - Campus Alert System (SchoolCast)

Spring 2011 student email information has been uploaded into our emergency notification system (SchoolCast). Students should have received an email with their user name and password. Once you receive this information you should visit https://www.myschoolcast.com/ and update your contact information. Our system has the capability to send alerts via email, telephone, mobile phone, and mobile phone text messages. You should have at least one telephone contact. This system is how you will be notified of campus emergencies and closings.

We will be conducting the first test of the emergency notification system on Wednesday, January 26th at noon.

1/13/2011 - Schedule Adjustments Deadline Extended

Due to the inclement weather on Monday and Tuesday, students may add and drop classes today and Friday. Please refer any new transfer students and any returning students who have the required admissions documentation to an admissions advisor.

New students who have never attended college will not be admitted on these days.

1/12/2011 - Campus Open January 13
The campus will be open and classes in session on Thursday, January 13th

1/11/2011 - Campus Closed January 12
The campus will be closed and all classes have been cancelled for Wednesday, January 12 due to inclement weather conditions.

1/10/2011 - Campus Closed Tuesday January 11
The campus will be closed and all classes have been cancelled for Tuesday, January 11 due to inclement weather conditions.

1/9/2011 - Campus Closed January 10
The campus will be closed and all classes have been cancelled for Monday, January 10 due to inclement weather conditions.