Community college

A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.

Australia

In Australia, the term community college is not used. Analogous to community colleges are colleges or institutes of Technical and Further Education (TAFEs); institutions mostly regulated at state and territory level. There are also an increasing number of private providers of varying social esteem; often these are colloquially called "colleges".

TAFEs and other providers carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults enhance their numeracy and literacy skills. The majority of Australian universities can also be traced back to such forerunners, although obtaining a university charter has always changed their nature. In TAFEs and colleges today, courses are designed for personal development of an individual and/or for employment outcomes. Educational programs cover a variety of topics such as arts, languages, business and lifestyle; and are usually timetabled to be conducted in the evenings or weekends to accommodate people working full-time. Funding for colleges may come from government grants and course fees; and many are not-for-profit organisations. There are located in metropolitan, regional and rural locations of Australia.

Onondaga Community College

Onondaga Community College is an accredited two-year educational institution that services Onondaga County, New York, at two campuses. Onondaga Community College is a college of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State.

History

The college was founded in 1961 in Syracuse, New York. SUNY OCC opened its first Residence Halls in August 2006.

Campuses

The college has two campuses. The main campus is on West Seneca Turnpike in Syracuse, and the North Campus is on Route 57 in Liverpool, New York.

Organization and administration

Onondaga Community College is a college of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State.

Academic profile

The College is a Training Center for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium.

Student life

Arts

The music program is one of OCC's most well-known and it offers various opportunities. The faculty is made up of accomplished musicians, such as members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and of the Society for New Music. The school offers extra-curricular activities, such as an indoor drumline, which has competed in the WGI world prelims in the Independent Open Class. The school holds music festivals such as JazzFest and the Central New York Day of Percussion, where world class acts such as Victor Wooten, Tommy Igoe, Aretha Franklin, and others come to perform and to give clinics.