College officials looking into 'what went wrong' during shooter scare

An investigation is under way as to what went wrong Friday when a fire alarm was activated instead of an intruder alert, said Jerry Steward, executive vice president.

Steward said an initial report should be completed by the end of the week.

He said he believes the faulty alarm was a result of human error, rather than a mechanical malfunction.

In addition, Steward said, he believes an outside party will step in and review the college’s safety procedures.

“We want to get a different perspective,” he said. “We want someone who can review our practices and make sure we are responding in the most efficient way possible.”

President Paul Sechrist said the college will hold a public forum at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4 and at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 8 to address questions and concerns about campus safety.

“We want to hear anything students, staff and faculty have to say about the incident Friday whether it’s criticism, praise or suggestions on how to handle it better in the event this should happen again,” Sechrist said by e-mail.

He said a location for the meeting is still in progress.

Stay tuned to the Pioneer Online for further updates on this story.

‘Odd Couple’ set to premier in college theater

Landa McClure/Pioneer
John-Printes Davis, journalism and broadcasting major, performs a scene from the upcoming play “The Odd Couple,” with cast member Philip Aken, psychology major.

WHAT: “The Odd Couple”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
WHERE: Bruce Owen Theater
COST: Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets are $5. Thursday’s performance is free to OCCC students and staff.

Demerye Paulin
News Writing Student

In 1965, playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon introduced “The Odd Couple” to the world.

Now, 45 years later, the OCCC theater department will perform it at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the Bruce Owen Theater.

Adjunct professor Jacque Hocking, director of the play, spoke about what separates “The Odd Couple” from other plays of the past.

“Neil Simon wrote it,” she said. “He knows how to blend tragedy and comedy together.”

The plot of the story revolves around two men with opposite personalities trying to live under one roof.

Hocking said she helped the students prepare for their roles during the winter break.

She told them to “read through the entire play, get a sense of what happened and watch the movie.”

In the story Felix Unger, with his neat habits, is divorced from his wife. He then moves in with his friend Oscar Madison, a free-spirited and less tidy individual.

When the movie debuted, Walter Matthau played Oscar Madison, and Jack Lemmon played Felix Unger.