Video boosts recruiting effort

Orange Coast College has just released a unique new eDVD that is designed to introduce potential students to the college, its programs and its many services.

Titled “We’ll Help You Get There” ? the college’s longtime slogan ? the eDVD project was launched in the fall of 2004 by OCC’s class schedule committee. It was approved in the spring of 2005 by the campus’ planning and budget committee, and shooting for the eDVD took place between October 2005 and January 2006.

Coordinators for the project included myself and Chauncey Bayes, the college’s talented graphics designer and an adjunct photography instructor.

OCC’s eDVD is being used primarily to recruit local high school students, out-of-state students and international students. The targeted age demographic is 18 to 21 ? the largest age cohort on campus. Forty-four percent of OCC’s students are under 21. The eDVD is available on campus, and will be taken by recruiters and counselors this spring to a host of off-campus events and locations.

Bayes says the eDVD contains new software technology.

It allows a person to view the interactional eDVD and then link directly to the college’s website to seek additional specific information, Bayes said.

A person watching the eDVD can connect with OCC’s class schedule, catalog, online application form, Admissions Department, Financial Aid Office, Athletic Department, Student Services Program and Career Program.

The new package opens with a 90-second visual introduction to Orange County’s lifestyle and to the Orange Coast College campus. Viewers can then navigate five sections on the eDVD: “About OCC,” “Academics/Transfer,” “Student Life,” “Career Connection” and “Getting There.” Each section is five to seven minutes. “Getting There” focuses on campus services that are available to students, including financial aid.

A sixth section, “Contact Info,” links viewers directly to OCC’s website.

Within the next few weeks, the school will have a podcast version of the eDVD on the Web and have the eDVD streamed on Orange Coast College’s website, Bayes said.

More than 40 OCC students, alumni and faculty members were interviewed on camera for the production. Campus and lifestyle assets were also compiled. The college expects the eDVD to give prospective students a distinct sense for what the campus culture is about. Potential students will hear ? from the mouths of Coast students ? what it’s like to attend OCC and what it “feels” like on the campus.

None of the interviews were scripted. The comments were honest, authentic and powerful.

OCC ATTRACTS 4,000 FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR DAY

Speaking of recruitment, more than 4,000 high school students turned out for OCC’s 23rd annual High School Senior Day last March 21.

Students came from nearly every high school in Orange County and from schools from throughout Southern California. There were many out-of-state students as well.

Seniors received early registration materials for fall 2006 classes and a T-shirt. Activities included a free barbecue; campus and departmental tours; OCC preview sessions; exhibits and displays spotlighting OCC programs, services and clubs; musical entertainment; transfer information; occupational program information; counseling and guidance information; and financial aid information.

About 300 students took English and math placement tests.

Orange Coast College is one of the leading transfer institutions in the nation. Last year, OCC ranked second out of California’s 111 community colleges in the number of students it sent to the University of California and California State University systems.