Cypress College App Hits iTunes, Android Stores
August 24, 2011 — 9:46 a.m.
Cypress College reached a notable milestone today as the college's first mobile application is available in the iTunes App Store and on AppBrain for Android. An official release is planned for Sept. 1.
From the official release notes:
The official Cypress College mobile application is designed to provide you with news, class schedule, grades, your daily course schedule, campus maps, staff/faculty contact information, and transit routes to the campus. We are happy to provide you with these valuable campus services in your pocket.
The mobile applications were developed by Brad Rippe, an IT Project Leader with the North Orange County Community College District, working with a team that included representation from both Cypress College and our sister institutions, Fullerton College and the School of Continuing Education (there are also apps available for both iOS and Android devices for FC and SCE.
The Cypress College application is a recognition of the tremendous interest in mobile computing among the student population.
Posted by Marc S. Posner
The semester's first edition of the @Cypress newsletter from President Dr. Michael Kasler is now available. @Cypress publishes each week durign the semester.
This week's headlines:
- Cypress College Above Capacity, Again, As 15,401 Students Enroll
A 5.1% reduction in the number of classes offered has resulted in a 1.7% dip in enrollment -- but classes are 2% over cap.
- Accreditation, Master Plan, Strategic Plan and Budget Highlighted at Opening Day Meeting
- "This Week," and "Chargers" Features
- Bonus:
--> New Student Welcome Night
--> Information from Opening Day
--> Dr. Dunsheath's Welcome Video and Full-Length Audio
To view this week's edition of @Cypress, click here.
Posted by Marc S. Posner
Cypress College's Financial Aid Office has compiled a Q-and-A titled "Answers That May Help You Avoid Long Lines at Financial Aid."
Students can avoid long lines and frustration at the Financial Aid Office by reading these questions and the corresponding answers:
- I'm new to Cypress College and did not apply for financial aid. Is it too late?
- I have applied for financial aid but do not know my status. Where can I find out what has happened to my application?
- What is a "fee waiver" and how do I apply?
- What is the North Orange Card?
- When will I get my money for Fall 2011?
- Is it true that the financial aid office can disqualify you for getting poor grades or a low g.pa.?
- Where can I find information about financial aid and scholarships?
- When can I apply for a student loan?
The full document, including the important answers, is available on the college website.
This publication joins two that were created last month to help students.
More information about Financial Aid is also available on the program's website and in an email distributed to all students in July.
Posted by Marc S. Posner
Watch Brandon Laird make his Major League Baseball debut (via MLB.com).
Late last month, Cypress College alumnus Brandon Laird made his Major League Baseball debut — and it was a memorable one.
Pinch hitting for New York Yankees star Derek Jeter in the seventh inning, Laird drew a walk in his first plate appearance and later scored. Laird's first official at bat (walks don't count), an inning, later produced a base hit and a run batted in.
Laird and the Yankees went on to win the July 22 contest 17-7 over the Ahtletics.
Writing for MLB.com, Matt Fortuna shared Laird's reaction to his first game:
"Can't even put it in words," Laird said. "I'm still speechless, and it's a dream come true. And to hit for a guy like that, it's a day I'll always remember."
At least one of Laird's teammates also found the situation remarkable, as reported by Fortuna:
"That was so great," Nick Swisher said of Laird's debut. "When I saw him putting his helmet on I was like, 'Man, what do you think you're doing?' And he said, 'I'm about to get an at-bat,' and I was thinking to myself, 'Who for?'
"I mean, pinch-hitting for Derek Jeter and getting your first Major League hit? That's not too shabby."
In all, Laird appeared in four games as an injury replacement before being returned to his Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Laird, who played at Cypress College during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, is the 16th Charger to reach the Major Leagues. Among them, is Laird's brother Gerald, who played at Cypress in 1999.
Cypress College's Sports Information Director Tom Sheridan reported:
Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was so impressed by the Cypress, Calif. native that he put him in the starting lineup the very next day.
Laird followed in his brother Gerald's footsteps by becoming the second Laird to make a big league roster after playing for legendary head coach Scott Pickler at Cypress College. His brother Gerald is a nine-year veteran catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In the Cypress College record books, Brandon Laird still ranks in the Top 10 of many offensive categories, while his brother Gerald still holds the single season records for runs and triples.
On the Cypress career-hitting list, Laird holds the all-time Charger records in total bases with 242, ranks second all-time on the hit list with 154, and games played with 106. His 97 RBI are good enough for sixth all-time, and his 33 doubles have him tied for seventh on the list.
Posted by Marc S. Posner