College Catalog 2009 - 2010

College Information

Mission Statement

Community College of Philadelphia is an open admission, associate’s degree-granting institution that provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and life long learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

greater insight into their strengths, needs and aspirations, and greater appreciation of their own cultural background and experience;
increased awareness and appreciation of a diverse world where all are interdependent;
heightened curiosity and active interest in intellectual questions and social issues;
improved ability to pursue paths of inquiry, to interpret and evaluate what is discovered, and to express reactions effectively;
self-fulfillment based on service to others, preparation for future work and study, and enjoyment of present challenges and accomplishments.

Vision
To serve Philadelphia as a premier learning institution where student success exemplifies the strength of a diverse, urban community college.

Core Values
Integrity
The College places fairness and honesty at the center of all of its policies and operations. We uphold the highest ethical standards in striving for academic and professional integrity in all that we do. We strive to be both responsible and responsive in utilizing resources to meet student and community needs.

Academic Excellence
The College sets, expects and maintains high educational standards consistent with the needs of the students, region and changing workforce. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing high-quality, innovative and flexible educational opportunities and services in an accessible student-centered environment.

Diversity
The College embraces and understands the importance of providing an education and environment that promotes the uniqueness of students, faculty, staff and the communities that we serve. We affirm that diversity is crucial to a democratic society, as it enriches the educational experience and celebrates differences among individuals.

Commitment to Teaching and Learning
The College functions as a learning organization, continually adapting, improving and evaluating its services to promote lifelong intellectual and personal development. We believe that learning is rooted in both curiosity and inquiry, and is engendered by dedicated, creative and enthusiastic teaching, utilizing appropriate and optimal modes of delivery. Technology supports and serves the learning process.

Communication
The College is committed to effective, open and proactive communication. We take responsibility to listen, speak and write clearly to inform others and foster collaboration by using and respecting a matrix of communication channels. Collaborative partnerships are strengthened when communication is ongoing and productive.

Respect
The College promotes respect, civility and courtesy in our day-to-day interactions with others. We seek to instill respect for and appreciation of members of the College community, our facilities, our environment, our community and the institution in which we work.

History of the College
The College was created on April 28, 1964, by legislation in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, following a decade of studies and surveys. More than 596,000 students have passed through the College’s classrooms since the College opened its doors to its first class of 1,941 students. College surveys show that most of those men and women—in both academic-transfer and vocationally- oriented programs—have remained in the greater Philadelphia area to earn their living.

The College moved to its newly constructed campus on Spring Garden Street between 16th and 18th streets in 1983. The more-than-$70-million facility was developed around the former United States Mint Building, which was renovated for administrative offices, library and classrooms, and to which classrooms, laboratories and other facilities were added with the construction of two award-winning buildings.

In 1991, the College added two additional buildings—a state-of-the-art Gymnasium with basketball courts, Nautilus-type training machines, and an aerobics room and classrooms, as well as a modern, three-story student life building with meeting facilities, an additional cafeteria and a coffee house.

The Center for Business and Industry, located on the corner of 18th and Callowhill streets, opened in 2003. This high-tech facility offers wireless classrooms, a computer lab, smart podiums, videoconferencing capabilities, a career center and a testing center. Students can also enjoy lounge and study areas, as well as a cyber café. Many programs and courses at the Center focus on workforce development in order to enhance the region’s workforce.

The College also has Regional Centers at 12901 Townsend Road in the Northeast, 4725 Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia, and at 1300 West Godfrey Avenue in Northwest Philadelphia. Each provides a service center with information, counseling, advising, testing and classroom space for Philadelphians for whom these locations are convenient.

The Welcome Center
The Welcome Center is located in the Mint Building at the 17th Street entrance (M1-17) and serves all individuals who wish to explore the quality educational opportunities offered at Community College of Philadelphia. The Welcome Center provides prospective students and their families with a wide range of information about the College.

In the Welcome Center, prospective students can apply for admission and speak to staff about potential programs of study.

To provide easier access to the College, the Welcome Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday from late August through early May. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday. For a complete list of the Welcome Center hours including limited Saturday hours.

Visitors
Visitors to the College are welcomed. Requests for information may be made at the security desk in the lobby of each building. Visitors wishing to meet specific members of the faculty or administration are advised to make appointments in advance by calling the departmental office. Group visits may be arranged through the Office of Admissions by calling 215-751-8010.

Locations
Main Campus
Community College of Philadelphia’s Main Campus occupies 14 acres just north of the heart of Philadelphia. The most prominent building is the turn-of-the-century former U.S. Mint Building, which remains a historic building and landmark. Two large, modern buildings containing classrooms, laboratories, meeting facilities, a cafeteria, library, bookstore, and faculty and administrative offices were designed to complement and attach to the Mint on the west and south sides. The Winnet Student Life Building houses a wide range of activity spaces for students, as well as classrooms and student support services. The 97,000- square-foot Center for Business and Industry contains conference rooms, student lounge areas, office space and classrooms in order to serve students in technology-related paths and offer programs and specialized training to area businesses. The College’s Gym attracts many fitness-conscious students, faculty and staff. A 635-car parking garage provides secure and sheltered parking for students, faculty, administrators and guests. The campus is well served by SEPTA city division lines.

Hours of Operation
While classes are in session during the spring and fall, the College is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. During the summer (mid-May to mid-August), the College is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and closed Friday through Sunday.

Regional Centers and Neighborhood Sites
To make its programs accessible to residents throughout the city, the College employs a network of three Regional Centers and neighborhood sites, most of which provide classroom space for both credit and noncredit course offerings. See inside back cover for a map of College locations. The Northeast Regional Center, located at 12901 Townsend Road; the Northwest Regional Center, at 1300 West Godfrey Avenue; and the West Regional Center, at 4725 Chestnut Street, offer on-site placement testing, registration, academic and personal counseling, and tutorial services. Two of the Regional Centers (Northeast and Northwest) house a library, bookstore, and cafeteria. All three Regional Centers feature modern biology labs in addition to well-equipped classrooms and computer laboratories. Free parking is available. All the sites are accessible by public transportation.

For more information about any of the Regional Centers or their programs, please call the Northeast Regional Center at 215-972-NERC (6372), the Northwest Regional Center at 215-751-8773 or the West Regional Center at 267-299-5850.

For more information about locations of neighborhood sites and course offerings at each site, please call 215-751-8372.

Distance Education
Distance Education enables students to extend their educational opportunities in a more flexible instructional setting. Online courses are delivered via the Internet. Many are campus-free, but some require a few meetings on campus. For a complete list of distance education courses, degree programs, meeting schedules, instructors and more, please visit the Distance Education Web site http://www.ccp.edu/de.

Semesters
The College offers classes during Fall and Spring semesters and during three summer sessions (Summer I, Mid-summer, and Summer II). The College also offers classes in other formats, including shorter terms and accelerated programs. For more information about course offerings, please visit the College’s Web site at https://oasis.ccp.edu:4051/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched.

Noncredit Offerings
The College offers a variety of special noncredit offerings through Corporate Solutions and the Division of Adult and Community Education (DACE) for students who seek educational experiences that carry no college credit. They are offered at the Main Campus and many off-campus sites during each academic cycle, and are reviewed and updated regularly in response to community needs and interests.

For more information on workforce and professional development, please visit www.ccp.edu/site/business, call 215-496-6158, or e-mail csinquiry@ccp.edu.

For more information on courses for personal enrichment, please call 215-751-8381.

Controlled Substances
College policy prohibits the illegal possession, use, or sale of drugs or other controlled substances on College property. Law enforcement agencies will be informed of violations. In addition, alcoholic beverages are not to be sold, served, used or possessed in any of the facilities of the College.

Smoke-Free Buildings Policy
Community College of Philadelphia is concerned about the health and comfort of its students, faculty members, administrators, staff and visitors. Smoking is, without exception, prohibited in any College building or facility. This includes all offices and any previously designated smoking areas inside any campus building. Anyone who wishes to smoke must do so outside of College buildings and facilities. Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of any entrance, exit, or loading dock or as posted otherwise. Smoking is also prohibited on adjacent stairways, ramps or landings leading to any entrance, exit or loading dock.

Selling and Soliciting
The College is a publicly funded institution. However, College buildings and facilities are provided for use exclusively by students, faculty, staff and the administration, and only for the educational purposes of the College.

Selling or soliciting for charitable, political, social, religious or other causes by nonstudents is prohibited on College property. Distribution of literature (handbills, tracts, leaflets, etc.) by outside agents for external agencies is also prohibited on College property. Selling, distributing leaflets or soliciting by College students is regulated by College policy administered through the Office of Student Life.

Minors
The presence of small children or other minors on campus is discouraged because the College has neither the staff nor the facilities to provide adequate supervision. In the event of extenuating circumstances, students are held accountable for the provision of supervision when children are on campus. Faculty have the authority to exclude children and non-student minors from the classroom. Under no circumstances are children allowed in the Gymnasium or instructional laboratories (science, electronics, computer science) or support service areas (duplicating, craft shops). Parents of disruptive or unsupervised children may be directed to remove them from campus. The College assumes no liability whatsoever for any injury incurred by children or minors who are not registered students while on College property. Note: This policy does not preclude events sanctioned by the College and the involvement of children associated with educational activities specific to a curriculum. The Community College of Philadelphia Child Development Center provides drop-in care. For more information, please call 215-751-8765.

Crime Act
Information regarding the Crime Act (commonly referred to as the Cleary Act) is available through the Department of Safety and Security located in M1-23.

Inclusive Language
In compiling this Catalog, every effort has been made to use inclusive language which does not discriminate with regard to gender. Any remaining references to the male gender shall be intended to include, wherever applicable, the female gender as well.

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