General Information About the College

Raritan Valley Community College is a comprehensive community college that offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. Information about RVCC can be found by visiting its website at www.raritanval.edu.

The College’s distinguished faculty hold advanced degrees and have broad experience in their fields. Class size is small and students have easy access to excellent facilities, including the expanded Science Center and Arts Building, the West Building, The Theatre, the Event Center, the Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership, and the Workforce Training Center.

The student population is approximately 6,300 each semester, which includes over 2,500 full-time students.

Financial support from Hunterdon and Somerset counties, and from the State, enables the College to offer the highest quality education at a relatively low cost.

Approximately 1,400 courses are offered each semester in day, evening and weekend sessions and online. Programs of study include career programs that are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions and transfer programs that prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate programs.

Comprehensive student support services, including tutoring, counseling, and transfer and career advisement, are available to all students.

A wide variety of non-credit professional development courses are offered as well as customized training for business and industry.

The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College offers the best in dance, music, and theatre.

The RVCC Planetarium offers public star shows and laser concerts, as well as programs for school, camp and community groups, and professional development for educators.

Physical Facilities

The College’s main campus is located on a 240-acre site in Branchburg, Somerset County, New Jersey. In addition to classrooms and laboratories, the main campus houses a student center, Theatre, library, swimming pool, gymnasium, fitness center, Planetarium, observatory, cafeteria, a tutoring center and a Workforce Training Center.

Visit the College, or call for more information at (908) 526-1200.

In support of its mission to make higher education as accessible as possible to the residents of the communities it serves, the College also offers selected courses and programs at off-campus locations.

History

Somerset County College was officially established on April 5, 1966 by the appointment of a nine-member Board of Trustees. The College opened its doors to 229 students on September 12, 1968 at its temporary home: Green Brook High School. In May of 1970, the first commencement was held for 75 graduates.

In July of 1968, the College found a permanent home with the purchase of a 240-acre site in Branchburg.  The current Arts Building was the first structure and housed all College operations. In September 1973, students finally moved into new facilities that included Hunterdon Hall and Somerset Hall buildings. The second phase of construction was completed in 1975, adding to the complex a new College Center—including the dining hall, bookstore, counseling, Student Activities area—and a Physical Education building featuring a full gymnasium, fitness center and swimming pool. The campus continued to grow with the opening in 1985 of a new library and a 1,000-seat Theatre.

The College’s major redefining moment came when freeholders (now known as county commissioners) from Hunterdon and Somerset approved co-sponsorship of the College. The first bi-county college in the state, Somerset County College was officially renamed “Raritan Valley Community College” in July 1987.

March 1990 marked the official opening of the 100-seat Planetarium. As part of the College’s 25th anniversary celebration in 1993, the library was named to honor founding trustee Evelyn S. Field, and the Theatre was named for founding trustee Edward Nash.

In June 1993, a Child Care Center opened to serve the children of RVCC students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The Center for Advanced Teaching and Technology, which opened in 1994, brought multimedia resources into the classroom via fiber optics, enabling RVCC to become the first community college in the state to offer the new classroom technology. Four years later, the state-of-the-art Conference Center opened, serving as a conduit to bring the corporate and academic communities together.

Other additions to the College complex include the Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice. In September 2002, the Christine Todd Whitman Science Center opened. The facility houses the biology, chemistry, physics and engineering laboratories, as well as a lecture hall that provides interactive centers for teaching using technology. A tutoring center opened in September 2005, offering students centralized tutoring services for all academic areas. The West Building opened in fall 2007 and houses 18 classrooms. The 3M Observatory, located next to the RVCC Planetarium, opened in spring 2013 and the Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership opened in 2014. The College continued to grow during the 2016-2017 school year, with the opening of an expansion to the Science Center in September 2016 and a new Workforce Training Center in spring 2017. A new addition to the existing Arts Bilding, featuring approximately 7,500 square feet of indoor space and 2,000 square feet of outdoor space, opened in spring 2023.

From its early days in Green Brook High School to today, Raritan Valley Community College is constantly expanding and improving to meet the changing educational needs of Somerset and Hunterdon County residents.

Accreditation

Raritan Valley Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801, 267-284-5011. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.

The following credit programs are also independently accredited: Nursing - Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN); Ophthalmic Science - Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; Medical Assistant Certificate program - Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MEARB) sanctioned by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP); Occupational Therapy/ Occupational Therapy Assistant - Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association. Raritan Valley Community College is licensed to operate and to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.

The following non-credit programs are independently accredited: Certified Nurse Assistant; Dental radiology license - the State of NJ Dental Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners; EKG technician certification - American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT); Pharmacy technician certification - National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board; Phlebotomy lab assistant certification - American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT); CPR - American Red Cross and The American Heart Association.

All accreditation documents are available for review during regular business hours.

Memberships

Raritan Valley Community College is a member of:

•    Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
•    Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
•    American Association for Paralegal Education
•    American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Offices (AACRAO)
•    American Association of Community Colleges
•    American Bar Association
•    The American Council on Education
•    American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges
•    American Society of Air-Conditioning Engineers
•    American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
•    American Welding Society
•    The Association for Continuing Higher Education
•    Association of American Colleges & Universities
•    Association of Community College Trustees
•    The Association of Governing Boards
•    Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
•    Campus Compact
•    College Consortium for International Studies
•    Colleges and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
•    Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
•    Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
•    Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
•    Edge
•    Educause
•    Employer Association of New Jersey
•    Hunterdon County Bar Association
•    Instructional Technology Council
•    Manufacturing Skill Standard Council
•    Mathematical Association of America
•    Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars & Officers of Admissions (MSACROA)
•    National Associate of Veteran’s Program Administrators
•    National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)
•    National Association of Developmental Education (NADE)
•    National Association of Foreign Student Advisors
•    National Association of Legal Secretaries
•    National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
•    National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
•    National Collegiate Honors Council
•    National Council for Marketing & Public Relations
•    National Council for Workforce Education
•    National Institute for Metal Working Skills
•    The National League of Nursing
•    New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counseling (NJACA)
•    The New Jersey Association of Colleges & Universities
•    New Jersey Association of Legal Secretaries
•    New Jersey Association of Veteran Program Administrators (NJAVPA)
•    New Jersey Association on Higher Education and Disability (NJAHEAD)
•    New Jersey Business Industry Association
•    New Jersey Council of County Colleges
•    New Jersey Library Association
•    New Jersey State Bar Association
•    North East Regional Computing Program
•    Open Education Consortium
•    Paralegal Association of NJ
•    Quality Matters
•    Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC)
•    Service Members Opportunity Colleges
•    The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
•    Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
•    Somerset County Bar Association
•    Teachers of Accounting in Two Year Colleges

Academic Freedom

Raritan Valley Community College has endorsed the statement on Academic Freedom adopted by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). This statement is as follows:

Teachers are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of their other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.

Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject. Limitations of academic freedom because of religious or other aims of the institution should be clearly stated in writing at the time of the appointment.

College and university teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As scholars and educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.

The College also supports the position of AAUP that “students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.”

The College also supports the appearance of guest speakers at events approved and/or sponsored by the College to support its mission, its academic programs, or the educational interests of its faculty and students. When guest speakers are invited to make presentations at such events, it should be made clear that the College’s hosting and/or sponsorship of the event does not imply that the College approves or endorses the views expressed by the speaker.

Copyright Compliance

Raritan Valley Community College requires that all members of the College community respect intellectual property rights, adhere to the provisions of all Federal Copyright Laws, and secure appropriate permission for the reproduction of any copyrighted materials. The College expects faculty members to be aware of the limitations of the “fair use” doctrine, which allows limited use of copyrighted materials, for educational purposes, without specific authorization.

The College Library is responsible for securing appropriate authorization for the reproduction and use of copyrighted materials by any member of the College community. The Library Director is the College’s designated officer for copyright compliance.

Use of copyrighted materials in distance learning environments and online course management systems must adhere to guidelines established by the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act of 2002.

Public Integrity

Raritan Valley Community College is committed to the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of its programs and activities and in the representation of those programs and activities to the public and to the constituencies it serves. This commitment to institutional integrity extends, but is not limited to, the following specific areas of activity:

• The College does not provide incentive compensation, prohibited by law, to any of its employees or to any other individuals or organizations for the purpose of securing student enrollment (recruitment) or for securing financial aid for potential students.
• The College will not intentionally misrepresent to the public or to the constituencies it serves its educational programs, financial charges, or the potential employability of its graduates. 

Student Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Policy

It is the intention of the College to create, promote, and maintain an educational environment in which all students are treated with dignity and respect. Accordingly, student harassment, intimidation, and bullying are strictly prohibited on the College campus; at any other location where the College offers courses or sponsors events; and/or at or in connection with any College-sponsored function or event.  This prohibition applies to all students and to all employees of the College, including student workers, and to all consultants, contractors, and other individuals performing work for the College.

Potential violations of this policy should be reported immediately to Jason Fredericks, Dean of Student Affairs, (908) 526-1200, extension 8311, Jason.fredericks@raritanval.edu. Title IX related incidents can be reported directly to the Raritan Valley Community College Title IX Coordinator, Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration, at (908) 526-1200, extension 8260, Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, NJ 08876, Cheryl.wallace@raritanval.edu. 

All members of the College community are expected to cooperate with any investigation arising from an alleged violation of this policy. Retaliation against any individual reporting apparent violations of this policy and/or providing information or participating in any investigation of an alleged violation of this policy is also strictly prohibited.

Any faculty member, staff and/or administrator who observes, receives a report of or otherwise becomes aware of the potential or actual violation of this policy shall immediately report the incident.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary penalties, up to and including expulsion from the College and/or termination of employment.

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Dean of Student Affairs or the Title IX Coordinator.

Definitions

Student harassment, intimidation, or bullying is defined to include:

Any gesture, any written, verbal, or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or series of incidents, that is reasonably believed as being motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental, physical, or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on College property or at any College-sponsored function, that:

• Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the College or the rights of students; and that
• A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to the student’s person or reasonable fear of damage to the student’s property; or
• Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
• Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Authority

This College policy draws its authority from the following sources:

•     New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
•     Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act
•     Title IX of the Education Amendments Act
•     Americans With Disabilities Act
•     Americans With Disabilities Amendment Act
•     Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
•     Age Discrimination in Employment Act
•     Other Applicable State or Federal Law

 
Definitions

Protected Class – A group of individuals protected by law on the basis of a protected trait or characteristic including race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information and/or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, veteran status, military service,  disability or handicap, or any other  trait or characteristic protected by law.

Discrimination – Differential treatment on the basis of a protected trait or characteristic or actual or perceived membership in a Protected Class.

Harassment – Any gesture; physical act; or any written, verbal, or electronic communication; or other conduct or treatment related to or based upon a protected trait or characteristic or a Protected Class that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment, education, or participation in a College program or activity or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.

Sexual Harassment – Sexual harassment is one form of prohibited harassment.  Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other written, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s education, employment, or participation in a College activity;
• Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions affecting that individual’s academic standing, employment status, or participation in a College activity; or
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment, education, or participation in a College activity or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.

Examples of Sexual and Other Types of Harassment include, but are not limited to:

•     Display of offensive or explicit material or objects
•     Distributing offensive, obscene, or harassing messages or photos electronically (via e-mail, text, phone, or any other electronic media)
•     Possession, review, or display of graphic/inappropriate reading or other material
•     Comments (including compliments) referring to, relating to, or on account of a protected trait or characteristic or membership or perceived membership in a Protected Class
•     Epithets, slurs, jokes, teasing, or use of slang referring to, relating to, or on account of a protected trait or characteristic or membership or perceived membership in a Protected Class
•     Demeaning references, nicknames, or slang based upon or referring to a protected trait or characteristic or membership or perceived membership in a Protected Class
•     Practical jokes, pranks, or teasing relating to, referring to, or on account of a protected trait or characteristic or membership or perceived membership in a Protected Class
•     Explicit sexual references or descriptions, sexual teasing, jokes, innuendo, etc.
•     Suggestive, insulting, or obscene comments, gestures, sounds, etc.
•     Unwelcome, unnecessary, unwanted, or inappropriate physical or sexual contact
•     Sexual propositions, or repeatedly asking out or otherwise pursuing a person who has indicated they are not interested
•     Isolation or any other differential or threatening treatment
•     Physical interference
•     Extortion, threats, or intimidation
•     Coerced or forced sexual activity
•     Stalking, physical or sexual threats, or physical assault

Retaliation – Adverse or differential treatment of any individual as a result of having made a report or complaint or harassment, discrimination, or other violation of this policy or participation in or provision of information in connection with an investigation of a violation of this policy.

Policy

It is the policy of the College to promote and maintain a work and academic environment in which all members of the College community are treated with dignity and respect.  The College recognizes the human dignity of each member of the College community and expects all employees and students to promote respect and dignity for others so that all employees and students are free to pursue their goals in an open environment, able to participate in the free exchange of ideas, and able to share equally in the benefits of the College’s employment opportunities and educational programs and activities.

The College is committed to ensuring that all current and prospective employees and students are given equal opportunity and treatment and providing its students with an academic environment and its employees with a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.  No student or employee shall be denied participation in, the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity or in employment based upon membership or perceived membership in a Protected Class.

Discrimination and harassment are strictly prohibited on the College campus and at any other location where the College offers programs or activities or sponsors events.  Discrimination and harassment are also prohibited in connection with College programs, activities, and events and in terms and conditions of employment.  Harassment or discrimination through social media or other electronic communication is also prohibited.  This prohibition against discrimination and harassment applies to all students, prospective students, employees, and prospective employees of the College, including student workers, and to all consultants, contractors, and other individuals performing work for the College.  

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

Potential violations of this policy must be reported immediately to:

Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration
(908) 526-1200, extension 8260
Cheryl.wallace@raritanval.edu

An individual does not have to be the direct target of the discrimination or harassment to report it.

Any faculty member, manager, supervisor, or administrator who observes, receives a report of, or otherwise becomes aware of potential or actual harassment or discrimination or any potential violation of this policy, shall immediately report it to the Vice President of Human Resources, Compliance & Security. Failure to make such report will subject the manager, supervisor, or administrator to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Upon receipt of a report under this policy, a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation will be conducted. The College is committed to handling reports of discrimination and harassment swiftly, fairly, and with sensitivity.  Upon completion of the investigation, the College will take corrective action, as appropriate and consistent with the results of the investigation.

To the maximum extent feasible, the privacy of all persons involved will be respected during the course of any investigation. However, an adequate investigation of any report under this policy will generally require disclosure to the accused party and other witnesses in order to conduct a meaningful investigation.

All members of the College community are expected to cooperate with any investigation arising from alleged violations of this policy.

Retaliation against any individual reporting apparent violations of this policy and/or participating in an investigation is also strictly prohibited.  Retaliation must be reported and will be investigated and corrected in the same fashion as other violations of this policy.

Students found to be in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary penalties, under the Student Code of Conduct, up to and including expulsion from the College. Employees found to be in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary penalties, up to and including termination of employment.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Vice President of Human Resources, Compliance & Security.

Professional Demeanor and Interaction

Employees and students are expected to interact professionally and treat each other with the dignity and respect expected of mature adults in a professional setting.  Unprofessional, disrespectful, undignified, or inappropriate conduct or communications will not be tolerated irrespective of whether such conduct otherwise violates this policy.

The following administrator has been designated to handle inquiries/complaints regarding non-discrimination policies and Section 504:

Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration
Human Resources, Somerset Hall, S220
(908) 526-1200, extension 8260
Cheryl.wallace@raritanval.edu

Disability Accommodations

The College will not discriminate against any qualified individual with a disability with respect to any aspect, term, condition, benefit and/or privilege of hire or employment and/or with respect to participation in or receipt of benefits, services, programs or activities of the College.

The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with properly documented disabilities in compliance with all applicable laws and/or regulations.

Students with Disabilities

The College recognizes that the legal rights and responsibilities that affect students with disabilities in a college setting are different than those in a high school setting and responds to those differences in compliance with all state and federal laws.  Questions about these differences or any other issues affecting students with disabilities should be directed to the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education, College Center 124, (908) 526-1200, extension 8534, or e-mail caie@raritanval.edu.

The College is committed to providing equal educational access for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with all applicable laws and/or regulations. An individual with a disability who is qualified for admission to the College has the same access to programs, services, and activities as any other student. The College will make reasonable adjustments to its rules, policies, practices and procedures and will remove architectural, communication, and/or transportation barriers and provide auxiliary aids and services in order to accommodate the documented disability of a student, unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the particular program, service, or activity, or pose an undue burden on the College. The College’s commitment to providing reasonable accommodations extends to students who are temporarily or permanently disabled.

Reasonable accommodations may include appropriate academic adjustments based upon a student’s disabilities and individual needs when necessary to avoid discrimination.  In providing an academic adjustment, the College is not required to lower or substantially modify essential requirements or to make modifications/accommodations which would result in a fundamental alteration of the programs or activities being offered or impose an undue burden on the College.

Employees with Disabilities

The College is committed to employing, and/or advancing in employment, qualified individuals with disabilities and to providing employees with access to all benefits and privileges of employment.  The College will make reasonable accommodation to known disabilities of employees and applicants, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the essential functions of the job and the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship on the College.  

Public Accessibility

The College is committed to providing a campus environment and physical facilities that are readily accessible to and useable by individuals with disabilities. The College is also committed to making every reasonable effort to accommodate a disabled individual’s access to and participation in College services, programs, activities and/or events, with appropriate notice.

Requests for Accommodation/Modification and Grievance Procedures

To request accommodations, students should contact the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education, Lower Level Library L-029, (908) 526-1200, extension 8534, or e-mail caie@raritanval.edu. Determination of eligibility is made on a case-by-case basis.

RVCC has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for the equitable resolution, within a reasonable time, of complaints by students with disabilities alleging violations of their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who believe they have been denied equal access as described in the above-mentioned laws should follow the procedures listed below.

Students should submit a Level I grievance form to the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education to resolve the complaint. It is requested that the grievance is filed within 45 days of the alleged violation. If the student does not think that the matter has been resolved at this level, they may submit a complaint to the Dean of Student Affairs or designated official within 10 days of the Level I appeal. The final appeal should be sent to Cheryl Wallace, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration, Somerset Hall 220.

No Interference or Retaliation

Individuals who exercise rights under this policy or applicable law are protected from retaliation.  Any form of retaliation or interference with the exercise of rights under this policy and/or applicable law is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action up to expulsion from the College and/or termination of employment.  Retaliation or interference should be reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in this policy.  

Veterans and Eligible Spouse Policy

Authority

This College policy draws its authority from the following source:

• The U.S. Department of Labor, Training, and Employment Guidance Letter No. 10-09

Preamble
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) recognizes the sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. To assist those who have served our country, RVCC offers many veteran-friendly services and assists our country’s veterans in their educational success. The College supports the full integration of veterans into campus life and encourages veterans to take advantage of the broad range of academic and social activities. Educational information and assistance are available for military service members and their families.

Definition
Priority of Service (POS) means that a covered person receives access to the service or resource earlier in time than a non-covered person or if the service or resource is limited, the covered person receives access instead of, or, before a non-veteran.

Policy
In accordance with the Department of Labor’s TAACCCT-funded workforce programs, RVCC will provide priority of service to qualified veterans and eligible spouses in these programs. TAACCCT priority of services shall include:

•  The opening of in-person registration one week earlier for eligible veterans and spouses
•  Priority placement in competitive ranking programs, once all other minimum requirements have been met
•  Priority services will include class registration and job placement services

The veteran or eligible spouse shall identify themselves upon application to begin the priority of service process. Appropriate documentation must then be provided to the Coordinator for International Students and Veterans Services. The veteran or eligible spouse shall be identified at the point of entry by completing an admissions application, whether in person or online. Veterans or eligible spouses shall be asked to self-identify upon application. Veterans and eligible spouses must meet all eligibility and program requirements for participation in order to receive priority for a program.

Eligibility

For purposes of this policy only, the following definitions will apply:

Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable, as specified in 38 U.S.C. 101(2). Active service includes full-time duty in the National Guard or a Reserve component, other than full-time duty for training purposes.

Eligible Spouse: The spouse of any of the following:

(1) Any veteran who died of a service-connected disability;

(2) Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for the priority, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:

(i) Missing in action;

(ii) Captured in the line of duty by a hostile force; or

(iii) Forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power;

(3) Any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, as evaluated by the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(4) Any veteran who died while a disability, as indicated in (3) above, was in existence.
The status of a veteran or an eligible spouse can be verified by a variety of official documents, including, but not limited to:

• A DD 214 (issued following separation from active duty);
• An official notice issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs that establishes entitlement to a disability rating or award of compensation to a qualified dependent;
• An official notice issued by the Department of Defense that documents the eligibility of an individual, based on the missing or detained status of that individual’s active duty spouse; or
• An official notice issued by a State veterans’ service agency that documents veteran status or spousal rights, provided that the State veterans’ service agency requires Federal documentation of that information.

RVCC Foundation

The RVCC Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit that exists for the expressed purpose of raising philanthropic funds to support of the priorities of Raritan Valley Community College. In that role, the RVCC Foundation seeks to create and manage relationships with corporations, organizations, private foundations, and individuals to provide engagement and funding opportunities that align with the College’s role as center of intellectual thought, cultural vibrancy, and personal development, and as an engine for economic growth. The RVCC Foundation is also responsible for managing the RVCC Alumni Association and related engagement with our thousands of graduates across the region, state, country, and beyond.
 
The RVCC Foundation seeks to provide financial support for programs and services that public and tuition sources do not cover. This includes scholarship support for students demonstrating academic excellence or financial need; service learning opportunities that promote social responsibility and civic engagement; faculty research and special initiatives; student leadership development; and basic assistance for students challenged by food insecurity or related issues, as well as unexpected emergencies. The RVCC Foundation also raises funds to support the College’s facilities master plan, for technology and other strategic priorities.

There are many ways to partner with the RVCC Foundation to help ensure that the College continues to provide high-quality education at an affordable cost, and to promote intellectual achievement, lifelong learning, personal growth, and improved social mobility for our students and the community more broadly.

For additional information, please contact a member of the RVCC Foundation staff:

Michael J. Marion, Executive Director & Chief Development Officer, (908) 648-8567, Michael.marion@raritanval.edu
Janet Dunne, Development Associate, (908) 648-8355, Janet.dunne@raritanval.edu
Cindy Haddad, Development Assistant, (908) 648-8412, Cindy.haddad@raritanval.edu

RVCC Foundation Board of Directors

Allan Boomer (Chair)
Elissa Santo (Vice Chair)

Richard Berliner
Andrew Borkin
David Bunevich
Vince Cirianni
Alyssa Darden
Patrick Delaney
Sebastian Galvez
Paige Greenfield
Parag S. Jategaonkar
Stacey Kimmins
Jomil London
Gene C. McCarthy
Michael J. McDonough, President, RVCC
Raquel Mura
Jeanne K. Perantoni
Steven A. Reichman
Joel F. Reyes-Guzman
Paul Stramaglia
Erika Tooman, Esq.
Jimena Torres
Dan Van Tran
John Trojan
Gary C. Woodring

EMERITUS STATUS

Patrick Fittipaldi
Peter S. Johnson
Dr. Richard D. Wellbrock

Workforce Training Center

Raritan Valley Community College’s Workforce Training Center offers innovative opportunities to build a strong, secure and productive workforce right in Branchburg, NJ.

For businesses, the Workforce Training Center customizes training solutions in English as a Second Language, computer software, effective communication, leadership, and much more. In partnership with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, some of this training can be delivered at no cost to a New Jersey business or employee.  In partnership with the region’s top industries, the Workforce Training Center develops new programs and career pathways to meet the talent needs of the local economy.

For individuals, the Workforce Training Center provides high quality, compact, in-person or online professional development courses in areas like Six Sigma, health professions, finance, project management, technology and more, as well as basic computer skills and English as a Second Language to ensure one’s resume remains competitive. 

For a sustainable career path, the Workforce Training Center offers specialized programs in Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Commercial Energy Management, and Environmental Control Technology (HVAC). Designed in partnership with industry leaders to close regional skills gaps, these programs directly translate to in-demand employment. 

For additional information and policies regarding career programs, call (908) 218-8871 or go to https://www.raritanval.edu/career-training.

Returning & Incarcerated Student Education (RISE)

The Raritan Valley Community College RISE program manages the Associate Degree in Liberal Arts program inside the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) facilities.  Currently, the program has active students in facilities for men, women, and youth. Each semester, the program enrolls approximately 500 students in the full variety of courses that comprise a liberal arts education. RISE students are held to the same success standards as are  main campus students.  The RISE program is taught by either full-time or adjunct instructors, often using personnel that also teach on the main campus.  All RVCC RISE instructors go through the academic credentialing process used on the main campus.  In addition, they complete several intensive training programs offered by the RISE administration as well as the NJDOC. The RISE program has grown from a few dozen students in a single facility in 2009, to the current statewide offering.

Academic Departments

RVCC offers the following eight Academic Departments:

Arts and Design
Virginia Smith, Co-Chair, extension 8633
Darren McManus, Co-Chair, extension 8562
(908) 526-1200

Business & Public Service
T. Tracy Rimple, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8321

Communication & Languages
Richard Treut, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8429

English
Ronald Tyson, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8309

Health Science Education
Linda Romaine, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8290

Humanities, Social Science, Social Work & Education
Isabel Gutierrez-Bergman, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8331

Mathematics & Computer Science
Lori Austin, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8576

Science & Engineering
Marianne Baricevic, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8535