HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2008 - 2009 CATALOG ANDSTUDENTHANDBOOK AN EXCEPTIONAL PLACE FOR YOU TO SUCCEED A Nationally Selected ACHIEVING THE DREAM College One of Three in Connecticut 900 Lafayette Blvd. Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-332-5100 www.hcc.commnet.edu CATALOG 2008 - 2009 HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE 900 Lafayette Boulevard Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604-4704 www.hcc.commnet.edu CONTENTS Information . .inside front cover Calendar . .3 About Housatonic . .4 Mission of the College . .4 Workforce Development . .4 Accreditation . .5 Continuing Education . .5 Connecticut Community College System Mission . .5 Housatonic Museum of Art . .6 Admissions . .7 Placement Testing/CLEP/DSST . .7 Programs for High School Students . .8 Transfer Students . .10 Fees & Financial Information . .11 Financial Aid . .11 Academic Procedures . .16 Fresh Start . .19 Grading . .17 Academic Support . .23 Library . .24 Graduation . .24 myCommNet (Student Self-Service) . .25 Transfer from HCC to other colleges . .26 Student Services & Activities . .27 Guaranteed Admission Agreement . .27 Scholarships . .14, 27 Early Childhood Laboratory School . .29 Where to go for help . .32 Floor Plans . .34 Degree Programs . .37 Certificate Programs . .70 Course Descriptions . .82 People . .122 Board of Governors . .122 Board of Trustees . .122 Regional Advisory Council . .122 Board of Directors, HCC Foundation . .122 Program Advisory Committees . .123 Administrators, Faculty and Staff . .124 College Policies . .137 Index . .155 2 HCC 2008-2009 Catalog CALENDAR 2008 • 2009 FALL 2008 SPRING 2009 Orientation August 6 & 18 Martin Luther King Day January 19 Late Registration August 26 - 29 College Closed Labor Day Weekend August 30 - Sept. 1 Late Registration January 20 - 23 College Closed Classes Begin January 26 Classes Begin September 2 Last Day For Enrolled Students to Add Open Course Last Day For Enrolled Students Without Permission February 2 to Add Open Course Without Permission September 9 Lincoln’s Birthday February 12 College Closed Last Day to Declare Audit Status September 25 Presidents Day February 16 College Closed Last Day To Drop Courses and Receive Automatic ‘W’ October 6 Last Day to Declare Audit Status February 23 Columbus Day (classes in session) October 13 Last Day To Drop Courses Mid-Term Grades entered and Receive Automatic ‘W’ March 2 by Faculty October 23 Mid-Term Grades entered Last Day to Complete ‘I’ Grades by Faculty March 20 from Spring/Summer ‘08 November 6 Spring Break April 6 - 12 Veteran’s Day November 11 College Closed Easter Break April 10 - 12 College Closed Last Day To Drop Courses November 13 Last Day to Complete ‘I’ Grades Thanksgiving Holiday November 26 - 30 from Fall/Winter ‘08 April 13 College Closed on November 27 Last Day To Drop Courses April 20 Last Day of Classes December 12 Professional Day April 24 Final Exams December 13 - 19 No Day classes. Evening classes held Final Grades Due December 23 Last Day Of Classes May 12 Final Exams May 13 - 19 Final Grades Due May 21 Memorial Day May 25 Winter 2008- 2009 College Closed Commencement May 28 Registration Begins October 31 Classes Begin December 26 New Year’s Day January 1 College is closed: (2008) August 30, 31; College Closed September 1; November 11, 27; December 25; (2009) January 1, Weekends 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18; February 12, 16; Classes End January 13 April 10-12; May 25; and July 3, 2009. See Academic Calendar brochure for a complete listing of when the College buildings are closed. www.hcc.commnet.edu 3 HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE Role and Scope The student body has grown and continues Academic Goals to grow and reflect the diversity of the service Housatonic Community College serves an region. Changes in student ages, educational Housatonic Community College is a two- eleven-town area in Southwestern Connecticut, goals, racial, ethnic, social, and economic year comprehensive community college centering on the City of Bridgeport, diversity are responded to with flexibility and authorized to award the Associate in Arts and Connecticut’s largest city. A member of the responsible adjustment in programs and services. Associate in Science degrees. Students are Connecticut Community-Technical College Outreach to the local community is part of the prepared to continue their education, and to system, the College was founded in 1967. In mission of the College. Non-credit courses, transfer their credits to four-year institutions 1997, the College moved to its present site in seminars, cultural events, and forums are throughout the country. The career programs of downtown Bridgeport. In fall 2008 our new designed to respond to specific learning needs the College prepare graduates for occupations building, Beacon Hall, adds approximately and to stimulate community dialogue. Non- in business, industry and the health services 174,000 gross square feet to the College credit offerings focus on the rapidly changing that ordinarily require no more than two years facilities housing additional classrooms, student nature and requirements of the workplace, as of collegiate study. All career curricula include activity and development space, computer and well as needs for personal enrichment. a core of studies in liberal and general educa- language labs, offices, expanded continuing tion as well as technical and occupational education facilities, and an enlarged bookstore. courses. This project includes a state-of-the-art renovated Housatonic’s Mission The College also offers a broad variety of Performing Arts Center in Lafayette Hall. The certificate programs and program options to Housatonic Museum of Art and Sculpture Our purpose at Housatonic Community prepare students for employment or advance- Garden are part of the teaching mission of College is to empower all individuals to develop ment in business, industry, health, and public the College. With nearly 4000 works in the to their full potential. We are committed to life- service organizations. Academic support services collection, and over 1700 displayed throughout long learning for all. As a knowledgeable and designed to help students succeed include the building, the Museum offers lectures, dedicated faculty and staff, we work together Writing Across the Curriculum Center, a demonstrations, and changing exhibitions in with students in a learner-centered, supportive, program for those with disabilities, and free the Burt Chernow Galleries. and stimulating environment. We prepare tutoring including online tutoring. A highly Housatonic is accredited by the New students to participate in, and contribute qualified and committed faculty and staff England Association of Schools and Colleges responsibly to, our global society. provide these support and instructional services and the Board of Governors for Higher primarily at the main campus and other sites Education of the State of Connecticut. We strive for: within the service area to meet educational • Affordable, accessible, and high-quality needs. In response to community and student higher education; needs, Housatonic offers Associate degree programs in preparation for transfer to four- • Sensitivity to students with diverse back- year institutions, as well as occupationally grounds, needs and goals; Workforce Development oriented Associate degree and Certificate • An intellectually active and culturally rich The Workforce Development Program at programs. Short-term, non-credit courses, environment that features the largest art HCC is part of the Business and Industry seminars and workshops, as well as targeted collection of any two-year college in the Services Network of the Connecticut student services, also help satisfy community country; Community Colleges System. The Workforce and personal enrichment needs. These • A state-of-the-art campus with up-to-date Development Program strives to provide work- programs prepare students for employment, technology and facilities designed to serve force training statewide for businesses, industry, and advancement in business, industry, health students, community groups, and local government and social service agencies, and services, fine arts, theater, digital media, early businesses; other. This special workforce training offers a childhood education, natural sciences, computer wide range of educational, professional and • A vital liberal arts foundation to help arts and information systems, and human customized training programs to meet the students to develop creativity, critical services. The College also assists local businesses immediate needs of our local businesses and thinking, and problem-solving skills; and institutions to train and update the skills of workforce development in this region. their workers. • Certificate, training, and associate programs The Workforce training involves assessment for transfer to baccalaureate institutions, for Housatonic is a student-centered institution of the company and the individual’s needs, specific job and employment skills, and for and is a participant in the national initiative, on-site training and re-training in specific fields, personal enrichment; Achieving the Dream. The College strives to curriculum development, quality instruction, provide high quality, accessible instructional • Comprehensive student support services seminars, workshops, certificates, certifications, and student services within an environment that work proactively with students for their or specialized courses. All training programs are of mutual respect among faculty, staff, and success; designed using our