Community College of Philadelphia

College Information

Mission Statement
Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate 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 Phila-delphia by preparing its 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.

Community College of Philadelphia seeks to create a caring environment which is intellectually and culturally dynamic and encourages all students to achieve:

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.

Vision Ideals

A college environment that values and supports a culturally diverse and intellectually dynamic community and prepares students for global citizenship.
Respected liberal arts and transfer programs that facilitate student preparation for the baccalaureate experience.
Superior career programs that prepare students to meet current and evolving labor market needs.
Innovative developmental and literacy programs that prepare students for more advanced educational and training opportunities.
Agile programs that meet the needs of employers and emergent workforce development initiatives.
Responsive continuing adult and community education programs that enhance and encourage individual growth and development.
An engaged and excellent faculty, staff and administration that enable students to meet their full potential.
A teaching and learning environment that exemplifies ongoing and productive communication and collaboration across the institution.
Strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with public and parochial schools, community organizations and governmental agencies that model effective community-based educational programs.
State-of-the-art technology employed to enhance teaching and learning.
Accessible and affordable education designed to optimize opportunities for student participation.
A supportive learning community that uses learning outcomes to measure success and guide innovative curricular and program improvements to meet individual and group needs.

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 life-long 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 580,000 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.

n 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, which is 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 North-east, 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.

Accreditation
Community College of Philadelphia is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also approved by the Council of Higher Education and the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Visitors
Visitors to the College are welcomed. Requests for information may be made at the 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. Group visits may be arranged through the Office of Admissions.

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 five days a week, late August through early May, from 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Friday. Summer hours are 9:00 a.m.– 7:30 p.m. Monday–Wednesday and 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Thursday.

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 served or used in any of the facilities of the College.

Smoking Policy
Since Community College of Philadelphia is concerned about the health and comfort of its students, faculty members, administrators, staff, and visitors, the College is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is, without exception, prohibited in any College building or facility or within ten feet of any entrance. This includes all offices and communal areas within the College. Cigarette urns are provided adjacent to major building entrances, and individuals are encouraged to use these urns and not litter the campus with cigarettes.

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 super-vision 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 (chemistry, 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 Phila-delphia Child Development Center provides drop-in care (see pages 8-9). For more information, please call 215-751-8765.

Privacy of Educational Records and Social Security Number
Each year the College informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. This act is intended to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal or formal hearings.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (as amended) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the Director of Student Records and Registration, Dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The College official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

he right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Community College of Philadelphia to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5920

Although Community College of Philadelphia does not publish a public directory, the Office of Student Records and Registration, at its discretion, does disclose the following information: name, address, e-mail address, telephone numbers, curriculum, full-time or part-time status, dates of attendance, and degree(s) conferred (including dates).

Currently enrolled students may, under the provisions of FERPA, withhold disclosure of such information. To prevent disclosure, written notification must be received by the Office of Student Records and Registration by October 1 of the fall semester and February 15 of the spring semester.

The College will honor each request to withhold the information listed above but cannot assume responsibility to contact a student for subsequent permission to release them. Decisions about with-holding information should be made very carefully. Should a student decide to inform the College not to release information, any future requests for such information from non-institutional persons or organizations will be refused.

Community College of Philadelphia assumes that failure to request the withholding of "directory information" indicates approval for disclosure.

Community College of Philadelphia uses SCT Banner as its administrative software system. Student identification numbers are system-generated. In order to use the College’s voice response system and access the College’s portal, MyCCP, for online services, this identification number must be used with a personal identification number (PIN) provided by the College. In addition, the College requires the Social Security Number (SSN) as a condition of enrollment. Although it is not used as the primary student identification number, the SSN is required for tax reporting, financial aid processing and educational tracking purposes. Community College of Philadelphia will not disclose the SSN without student consent unless required to do so by federal, state or local law.

Act 48 - Continuing Professional Education for Certified Educators

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on November 23, 1999, passed into law Act 48. This law addresses requirements for professional education planning and requires all certified educators (teachers, principals, and superintendents), every five years, to earn six college credits, six continuing professional education credits, or 180 clock hours of continuing professional education, or any combina-tion of collegiate studies, continuing professional education courses, or learning experiences equivalent to 180 hours.

Act 48 regulations recognize collegiate credits from accredited institutions of higher education as appropriate for professional education purposes. Community College of Philadelphia is considered an approved higher educational institution by the Department of Education for providing continuing professional education credits or hours.

Students requiring Act 48 certification should complete an Act 48 Certification Form, which may be obtained at the Enrollment Services Counter (Room BG-5) at the main campus or at any of the three Regional Centers.

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.

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 an 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 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 several 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 and the Student Life facility provides flexible space for community meetings, student organizations, and classes. 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.

The campus is well served by SEPTA city division lines.

Library
The Main Campus Library is located just beyond the entrance to the Mint Building near 17th and Spring Garden streets. An online catalog and integrated network provide access to the College Library collection and numerous electronic databases. Classes taught by the Library faculty provide students with the knowledge and skills to locate, evaluate and use a wide range of resources to support their college coursework. The Library is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours during summer sessions and intersession are subject to change and will be posted at the main entrance to the Library.

The Northeast Regional Center, located at 12901 Townsend Road, and the Northwest Regional Center, located at 1300 W. Godfrey Avenue, both have Library facilities. The hours for each regional center library are available from the Library Web page and posted at each location. Your College ID card, with current validation, is required to enter the Library and to borrow materials.

For more information, check the Library Web page: http://library.ccp.edu.

Child Development Center
Child care is available for students at the College’s Child Development Center, which is located at 540 N. 16th Street, between Callowhill and Spring Garden streets. The Center is managed by Knowledge Learning Corporation, Inc., and serves children ages 18 months to five years. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children bring their lunches. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided. The Center is a “peanut free” environment. Foods containing nuts or nut byproducts are not permitted. The Child Development Center offers a Toddler’s Program and a Three-to-Five-Year-Old Program. Recognizing that a child’s first educational experiences are very important, both programs are designed to meet the developmental needs of children as they grow. The Child Development Center also provides drop-in care on a space available basis. For drop-in care, copies of a child’s most recent physical will need to be provided.

The Center is currently seeking full accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC) and adheres to all state requirements. For further information regarding registration procedures, fees, fee payment policies, summer programs, required physical and health policies, and visits/tours, call the Center director at 215-751-8764 or 8765.

Center on Disability
Reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments are coordinated for all qualified students with disabilities on an individual basis through the College’s Center on Disability. In order to receive special accommodations, students are required to both submit comprehensive documentation from a qualified professional stating the nature of their disability and attend a meeting at the Main Campus with the Center’s counselor to discuss and review appropriate academic adjustments. To ensure timely and effective service provision, students requiring special accommodations are urged to apply to the College no later than one month before the start of the semester.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to call the Center on Disability at 215-751-8050 or visit us on the Web at http://www.ccp.edu. Under About Us, click on College Offices and then on Center on Disability.

Hours of Operation
The College offers classes during the Fall and Spring semesters and during three Summer sessions. While classes are in session during the spring and fall, the College is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. During the summer (mid-May to mid-August), the College is closed Friday through Sunday.

Summer Sessions
Three seven-week summer sessions are offered: Summer Session I, Mid-summer Session, and Summer Session II. Additionally, the College offers some classes in other formats including 2-week, 4-week, 10-week or 14-week. Students from other institutions are advised to obtain the approval of their deans before taking courses for which they desire transfer credit. Students will be permitted to take up to eight credit hours in one session.

Ten-Week Sessions
Community College of Philadelphia offers courses in a 10-week accelerated session during the fall and spring semesters. These courses are ideal for the student whose time is limited. Students will be taught the same information presented during a 15-week semester in just 10 weeks. Classes will meet once a week for four hours or twice a week for two hours. Because of this intensive schedule, these courses are recommended only for those students who can take the extra time needed to attend the longer classes and complete the necessary assignments. Ten-week accelerated courses will be offered at the Main Campus. For more information about the 10-week sessions, call 215-751-8010.

Weekend (Saturday) Classes
To accommodate students who would like to study college subjects but who are unable to attend classes at conventional times, the College offers a selection of courses on Saturdays during the Spring and Fall semesters. These classes meet for three hours both mornings and afternoons. Contact the College Information Center, 215-751-8010,
for details.

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