General Information About the College

Raritan Valley Community College is a comprehensive two-year 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 Science Center and West Building, The Theatre, and The Conference Center.

The student population is approximately 8,400 each semester, which includes about 3,700 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 courses, seminars, workshops and customized training for business and industry are also offered.

The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College offers the best in dance, music, theatre, and children’s programming year-round.

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 theatre, library, swimming pool, gymnasium, fitness center, planetarium, observatory, cafeteria, and an academic support 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 other off-campus locations. Current additional sites include: RVCC @ Bridgewater, Bridgewater, NJ; Hunterdon County Polytech Career Academy, Flemington, NJ; and Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, NJ.

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 North Branch. With the first phase of construction underway, the current Arts Building was the first structure and housed all College operations. In September 1973, students finally moved into new facilities that included the current 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 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.

With the merger and new name, the College continued to expand. 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, biotechnology, chemistry, physics and engineering laboratories, as well as a lecture hall that provides interactive centers for teaching using technology. An Academic Support Center opened in September 2005, offering students centralized tutoring services for all academic areas. The West Building opened in fall 2007. The 18-classroom building houses the Computer Science department. In a far-reaching effort to enhance workforce training programs for Somerset County residents while reducing administrative costs by sharing services, in July 2010 RVCC assumed administration of all post-secondary programs previously offered by the Somerset County Technology Institute (SCTI) in Bridgewater. The 3M Observatory, located next to the RVCC Planetarium, opened in spring 2013 and the Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership was scheduled to open in 2014.

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, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000. 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 following College programs are accredited: Nursing - National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC); Ophthalmic Science - Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; Allied Health - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education; and Health Information Technology - CAHIIM, the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. 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 of Higher Education. The Medical Assistant Certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

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

Memberships

Raritan Valley Community College is a member of:

• The American Council on Education
• The Association of Governing Boards
• American Association of Community Colleges
• The New Jersey Association of Colleges & Universities
• The Association for Continuing Higher Education
• The National League of Nursing
• National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD)
• Alliance Members of League of Innovation
• New Jersey Virtual Community College Consortium
• American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges
• National Association of Developmental Education (NADE)
• College Consortium for International Studies
• National Collegiate Honors Council
• Campus Compact

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 the Dean of Student Services, Diane Lemcoe, located in the College Center, (908) 526-1200, extension 8976, dlemcoe@raritanval.edu, or Jason Fredericks, Assistant Dean of Student Services, (908) 526-1200, extension 8311, jfrederi@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 potential or actual violation of this Policy, shall immediately report same to the Dean of Students.

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 Services.

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 perceived 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.
   

Discrimination and Harassment

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.  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.

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.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

Potential violations of this policy must be reported immediately to Nancy Moore, Vice President for Human Resources and Labor Relations, (908) 526-1200, extension 8345, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerville, NJ 08876, nmoore@raritanval.edu; or to John Trojan, the Vice President of Finance, (908) 526-1200, extension 8203, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerville, NJ 08876, jtrojan@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 or the Vice President of Finance.  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 and/or the Vice President of Finance.

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 and/or reasonable modifications 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 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 Maria Schiano in the Office of Disability Services, College Center  143, (908) 526-1200, extension 8418 or e-mail disabilityservices2@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 modifications 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 modifications/accommodations extends to students who are temporarily or permanently disabled.

Reasonable modifications/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 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 Maria Schiano in the Office of Disability Services, College Center 143, (908) 526-1200, extension 8418 or e-mail disabilityservices2@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 (Section 504). If you believe you have been denied equal access as described in the above mentioned laws, follow the procedures listed below.

Students should submit a Level I grievance form to the Coordinator of Disability Services to resolve the complaint. It is requested that the grievance be filed within 45 days of the alleged violation. If the student does not think that the matter has been resolved at this level, he or she may submit a complaint to the Dean of Student Services within 10 days of the level I appeal. The final appeal is to Nancy Moore, VP for HR and Labor Relations, 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 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.  
 

RVCC Foundation

The Raritan Valley Community College Foundation is the fund-raising arm of RVCC. The Foundation engages individuals, local businesses, corporations, and other foundations in philanthropic activities to support the College’s standing as a premier academic institution and the most important source of culture and continuing education in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

The RVCC Foundation’s annual fund provides financial support for programs and services that public and tuition sources do not cover. These include scholarship support for students demonstrating academic excellence and/or financial need; service learning opportunities that promote social responsibility and civic engagement; and grants for faculty projects and student enrichment projects. The Foundation also raises funds for the Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice. These programs offer opportunities for students, faculty and the general public to connect with the College beyond the classroom and have their horizons expanded and their lives enriched. Other funding priorities include the Theatre at RVCC, the Planetarium, and the Art Gallery. The RVCC Foundation also is raising capital funds to build the Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership. The Center will provide adaptable space that will allow faculty and students to interact more readily in both formal and informal collaborative activities across all disciplines, and promote integrated learning experiences that will enhance their studies.

There are many ways to partner with the Foundation to help ensure the College continues to provide high quality education at an affordable cost and to promote intellectual achievement, lifelong learning, and personal growth for students and the community at large.

For additional information, call (908) 526-1200, extensions 8411 or 8349, or visit the Foundation website at www.raritanval.edu/foundation.

RVCC Foundation Board of Directors
 

Mr. Nicholas F. Pellitta, Chair
Mr. Frank T. Araps
Mr. N. William Atwater
Mr. Kenneth Bateman
Mr. Andrew Borkin
Ms. Melinda A. Ciattarelli
Mr. Vince Cirianni
Mr. Patrick Fittipaldi
Ms. Carol B. Guttschall
Ms. Donna LoStocco
Mr. Suleman Madha
Mr. Gene C. McCarthy
Ms. Elisabeth McConville
Dr. Catherine M. McVicker
Ms. Jeanne K. Perantoni
Dr. Jennifer Redmond
Mr. Steven A. Reichman
Mr. Peter G. Schoberl
Ms. Erika Senska
Ms. Theresa Richardson
Mr. John Trojan
Mr. James Ventantonio, Interim President, RVCC
Mr. Gary Woodring
Mr. Peter S. Johnson (Emeritus)
Dr. Richard D. Wellbrock (Emeritus)

Workforce Development

Raritan Valley Community College’s Workforce Development division offers innovative programming for businesses and workers to help build a strong, secure and productive workforce.

For businesses, RVCC offers customized workforce training and small business assistance. In partnership with local industries, the College is developing new training programs to meet workforce needs. In partnership with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, RVCC offers free skills training for qualified New Jersey employees.

For individuals, RVCC provides high quality affordable professional development courses in a wide array of areas including Six Sigma, health professions, finance, project management and technology. English as a Second Language instruction is also available.

For those looking to train for a new career, RVCC offers special training in such areas as auto technology, cosmetology and medical assistant that has been designed in partnership with industry leaders.

For additional information, call 908-218-8871 or visit the Workforce Development section of the RVCC website.
 

Academic Departments

RVCC offers the following nine Academic Departments:

Business & Public Service
Third Floor, Hunterdon Hall
Pattiann Kletz, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8878

Communication & Languages
Second Floor, Somerset Hall
Kevin Hinkle, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 6698

Computer Science
West Building
Tom Edmunds, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8969

English
Third Floor, Somerset Hall
Karen Gaffney, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8816

Health Science Education
Second Floor, Hunterdon Hall
Patrice Case, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8877

Humanities, Social Science & Education
Third Floor, Somerset Hall
Karen Gutshall, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8816

Mathematics
Second Floor, Somerset Hall
Rosemarie Gorini, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8546

Science & Engineering
Whitman Science Center
Margaret Czerw, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8817

Visual and Performing Arts
Arts Building
Ann Tsubota, Chair
(908) 526-1200, extension 8876