Union County College
Encyclopedia
Union County College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college
located in Union County
, New Jersey
. As the first and oldest of New Jersey's 19 community colleges, Union County College has been serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College has four campuses situated in Cranford
, Elizabeth
, Plainfield
and Scotch Plains
. The College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
. The college offers more than 80 programs with degrees in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and certificate programs provided by the Continuing Education program. It also offers distance education classes using the online system called Angel Learning
which allows students to gain credits toward degrees at their own convenience.
, New Jersey, with 243 evening students. With massive numbers of people out of work, there was strong pressure to educate people as a way to provide jobs; one account suggests that the official who "established Union County Junior College" was the Union county schools superintendent, Arthur L. Johnson, who was seeking ways for people to find employment and better themselves. According to one source, it was the oldest community college in New Jersey. Still, the college was "pitifully underfinanced" and rented space from a local high school. Its initial budget was $17,000 for the entire school. Its purpose at the time wasn't so much to teach undergraduates but to "provide jobs for unemployed teachers" during the Great Depression
, according to historian
Donald R. Raichle. An early administrator was Dean Hubert Banks Huntley. Raichle described the college's emerging mission was preparing "students in the first two years of college to make possible their later transfer to other colleges and universities. But funding problems became even more severe, and a lack of funds from the federal government in the middle 1930s forced a change back from public to independent status. Vocational training was emphasized; the curriculum catered to students who did not plan to further their education at four-year universities. The college was to have four distinct homes from its founding until 1983.
Twin challenges presented themselves in the next few decades: first, after World War II
, returning soldiers bolstered by the GI bill swamped colleges and became a severe strain on resources in the late 1940s. In the 1960s, the college faced competing pressures from the "rapid proliferation of public community colleges in New Jersey." Career education became more varied, more sophisticated, more costly, according to Raichle.
By 1983, another major change happened. The college had grown to 6000 students. It merged with the Union County Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, and it once again became a public college with the official name of Union County College. The college's structure was established by state statute on August 17, 1982. Between its founding in 1933 and 2007, it taught 1,100,000 students, with large numbers of them advancing to four-year colleges and universities, and it has graduated more than 25,000 students as well. The merger was presided over by college alumnus Dr. Saul Orkin, who had been president since 1974; Dr. Orkin died the following year of a heart attack at age sixty.
In 1992, there were 4,000 full and part-time students in Elizabeth, and 6,500 students in Cranford and Plainfield. One report in the New York Times in 1997 noted that graduates from New Jersey schools often had relatively high default rates––high relative to other states and to the national average––nevertheless graduates of Union County college had a lower default rate (9%) than the national average of 10%. In comparison, three New Jersey schools had average default rates greater than 25% and were in danger of losing funding as a result. In the latter years of the first decade of the twenty-first century, an economic downturn caused admissions to swell, as students unable to afford pricier colleges descended on cost-effective alternatives such as community colleges; enrollment at Union County College was up 17% in 2010. And many students and families found that community colleges such as Union County college were attractive educational values.
.
, soccer, men's and women's basketball
, volleyball
, and golf
. In September 2009, the men's soccer team won the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Championship
by completing an eleven game winning streak which included six straight playoff victories. After their victory, they were congratulated by college president Thomas Brown as well as two county Freeholders. Ten players of the 2009 national championship team belong to the Institute of Intensive English (IIE) Department. In 2009, the women's basketball team was undefeated and was ranked No. 8 nationally among Division 2 junior colleges.
Iota Xi, Psi Beta, and Mu Alpha Theta. Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. The Iota Xi Chapter has thus far been awarded Five Star Chapter recognition 29 years in a row.
for the Detroit Tigers
in 1972. Some have become philanthropists and donated substantial sums to the college. For example, coffee industry leader Edward Aborn, who helped develop instant coffee, donated to the college. Alexi Friedman was a specialist Navy fighter called a SEAL and pursued a degree in criminal justice
at the college. The school is working to maintain ties with alumni; in 2011 it wanted to hear back from graduates regarding such questions as What are you doing now? and How did Union County College help you change your life? It maintains databases of alumni and wants to feature prominent alumni on its website, according to the manager of Alumni Relations, Sara Guerin.
Associates in arts degrees
Associate in Science degrees
Associate in Applied Science degrees
Certificates
and Newark Airport
and was curated by Mary Birmingham.
described by the Suburban News as a "humorous" but "ultimately tragic commentary on political responsibility." In 2010, it did its first musical entitled Crowns with a four-weekend run from September through October in the Roy Smith theater on the Cranford campus. Theater groups sometimes get funding from county officials from grant programs; in 2010, the college received $2,100 to help pay for a dramatic performance of A Few Steps in a Stranger's Shoes which promotes understanding between students. Some productions attract reviews in the New York Times such as Rinne Groff's drama The Ruby Sunrise, which examined television's "allure and power." To celebrate the college's 75th anniversary, Jane Anderson's play about astronaut Christa McAuliffe in the Challenger explosion was performed in 2008.
for speakers of other languages. The purpose of the Institute is to enhance students' English language for work or academics. After placement testing, students enter one of six levels of instruction that matches their abilities. In Levels 1 to 4, students register for four courses to improve listening, speaking, reading and writing, and study skills
. In Levels 5 and 6, students register for four courses: two core courses covering advanced structures, listening, conversation and study skills, an academic reading course, and an academic writing course. Students may enroll in an additional pronunciation and conversation elective. Upon completing each course, there is an exit test to assess proficiency. While enrolled in ESL courses, students may take some additional content area courses, depending on a student's level.
but after 1992 moved into a renovated utility building. There were 4000 full and part-time nursing students in Elizabeth in 1992. In one account, there were 2,000 nurses receiving further training at the Trinitas school in 2010. The Muhlenberg and Snyder program offers a day or evening track in nursing. Muhlenberg offers an Accelerated Program designed for individuals who have earned a BA or graduate degree in another discipline and wish to continue their studies in nursing. The nursing or clinical portion of the program can be completed in one year by attending from January to December as a full-time day student. Muhlenberg also offers an LPN
–to–RN
Career Ladder Program. After successful completion of an LPN transition course, the LPN program may be completed in two semesters.
, also known simply as the Sperry Observatory, is an astronomical
observatory
owned by the college and jointly operated with on the Cranford campus. It was named after William Miller Sperry, a Cranford businessman and co-founder of the S&H Green Stamps
Company. The building was dedicated on May 16, 1967. In 2010, with tight budgets, the group which shares uses of the facility, called the Amateur Astronomers Inc., had discussions with the college about how to share expenses and resources. There were negotiations between the private group and the school about budgeting; the school owns the observatory but paid most of its expenses; when budgets got tight during 2009 and 2010, there was considerable pressure to use the facility for other purposes such as classrooms. There were many discussions, but by May 2010, the group and the college came to a "win-win" agreement about how to work together. Their new agreement will be in effect until July 2012. The Amateur Astronomers group meets in Nomahegan Hall each month and sponsors talks on celestial topics.
. But in 1992, the school paid $2 million for the seven-story Elizabethtown Gas Company building in the downtown section, and then spent another $11 million renovating it. The new facility has a 3100 square feet (288 m²) auditorium with a stage and theatrical lighting, a lounge, a library, exhibition rooms and galleries, and represented a major expansion of the college in the city of Elizabeth.
Source: Union County College budget.
The budget in 2010 was approximately $66 million based on a count of 9,782 state fundable full-time equivalent students for the 2010–2011 school year, according to one report. It was based on an estimate of $6 per credit hour as well as other possible course fees. In addition, the school gets sizeable sums from the state of New Jersey, including funds to educate "disadvantaged New Jersey residents who would not be able to attend college without financial assistance and special support services"; according to one estimate, the college received $570,310 from the NJ Educational Opportunity Fund in 2010.
, Montclair State College, and New Jersey Institute of Technology
. In an indirect way, it competes with private colleges such as Fairleigh Dickinson University
. It also competes with schools which it brings students to, such as four-year colleges such as Rutgers. Last, while the college draws students mostly from Union County and charges in-county residents less tuition, it is often compared with similar county colleges across New Jersey in terms of performance, costs, and efficiency (see also New Jersey County Colleges).
- Cranford campus - Elizabeth campus - Plainfield campus - Scotch Plains campus
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
located in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. As the first and oldest of New Jersey's 19 community colleges, Union County College has been serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College has four campuses situated in Cranford
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
, Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, Plainfield
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
and Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
. The College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation...
. The college offers more than 80 programs with degrees in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs, and certificate programs provided by the Continuing Education program. It also offers distance education classes using the online system called Angel Learning
Learning management system
A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content...
which allows students to gain credits toward degrees at their own convenience.
History
Union County Junior College opened on October 16, 1933 in RoselleRoselle, New Jersey
Roselle is a Borough located in Union County in the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 21,085....
, New Jersey, with 243 evening students. With massive numbers of people out of work, there was strong pressure to educate people as a way to provide jobs; one account suggests that the official who "established Union County Junior College" was the Union county schools superintendent, Arthur L. Johnson, who was seeking ways for people to find employment and better themselves. According to one source, it was the oldest community college in New Jersey. Still, the college was "pitifully underfinanced" and rented space from a local high school. Its initial budget was $17,000 for the entire school. Its purpose at the time wasn't so much to teach undergraduates but to "provide jobs for unemployed teachers" during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, according to historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
Donald R. Raichle. An early administrator was Dean Hubert Banks Huntley. Raichle described the college's emerging mission was preparing "students in the first two years of college to make possible their later transfer to other colleges and universities. But funding problems became even more severe, and a lack of funds from the federal government in the middle 1930s forced a change back from public to independent status. Vocational training was emphasized; the curriculum catered to students who did not plan to further their education at four-year universities. The college was to have four distinct homes from its founding until 1983.
Twin challenges presented themselves in the next few decades: first, after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, returning soldiers bolstered by the GI bill swamped colleges and became a severe strain on resources in the late 1940s. In the 1960s, the college faced competing pressures from the "rapid proliferation of public community colleges in New Jersey." Career education became more varied, more sophisticated, more costly, according to Raichle.
By 1983, another major change happened. The college had grown to 6000 students. It merged with the Union County Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, and it once again became a public college with the official name of Union County College. The college's structure was established by state statute on August 17, 1982. Between its founding in 1933 and 2007, it taught 1,100,000 students, with large numbers of them advancing to four-year colleges and universities, and it has graduated more than 25,000 students as well. The merger was presided over by college alumnus Dr. Saul Orkin, who had been president since 1974; Dr. Orkin died the following year of a heart attack at age sixty.
In 1992, there were 4,000 full and part-time students in Elizabeth, and 6,500 students in Cranford and Plainfield. One report in the New York Times in 1997 noted that graduates from New Jersey schools often had relatively high default rates––high relative to other states and to the national average––nevertheless graduates of Union County college had a lower default rate (9%) than the national average of 10%. In comparison, three New Jersey schools had average default rates greater than 25% and were in danger of losing funding as a result. In the latter years of the first decade of the twenty-first century, an economic downturn caused admissions to swell, as students unable to afford pricier colleges descended on cost-effective alternatives such as community colleges; enrollment at Union County College was up 17% in 2010. And many students and families found that community colleges such as Union County college were attractive educational values.
Enrollment
An estimate for all enrollment at all schools within Union County College, including diverse programs such as continuing education and others, was 37,000 in 2010. But of these, the undergraduate enrollment was approximately 13,000 (2009 data). Of undergraduates, comparable to national trends, there were more women (8388) than men (4813). There were slightly more part-time students (6413) than full-time students (6338). The student body is ethnically and racially diverse. Generally, most students who apply are accepted, although the college has been declining some applications recently because of space limitations; in recent years, the college accepts 86% of applicants; of these, about 36% choose to attend.| Students | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Applied | 11,069 | 10,090 | 10,843 |
| Admitted | 9,712 | 8,950 | 9,376 |
| Acceptance ratio | 88% | 89% | 86% |
| Chose UCC | 3,559 | 3,219 | 3,416 |
| Percent choosing UCC | 37% | 36% | 36% |
Student life
Since there are no dormitories, all students are commuters, unlike students who live in dormitories on campus. With the economic downturn of 2007–2010, students from wealthier towns who might normally go to "brand-name" colleges were attending Union County College, according to enrollment manager David Sheridan, who noted that community colleges have seen "big increases in enrollment" but found that many classes were "filled to capacity." The school works with students of varying capacities. For example, it accepted one student who had had learning issues in high school, and had a 1.9 grade point average, but with work and effort, and enrolling in extra courses during summers, he graduated with honors in biology in 2010 and has been accepted to Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
Traffic and parking
There is no full-time housing for the college so all students must commute to campus by bus, car, or sometimes by walking. Parking spaces fill up quickly and between 9am and noon there are few spots, if any, available in the student parking lots. There is two-hour parking in a small lot across the street from the Cranford campus in Nomahegan park. Buses frequently stop at the Cranford campus and provide transportation to diverse points in Union county and elsewhere. Parking was reported by the Cranford Chronicle in 2010 to be a "creeping problem" with few available spots during peak hours. Some nearby residents are irked when driveway access is blocked by student cars. The problem has officials whether the college could rent spaces at a parking facility and run a shuttle service between the garage and the school. To get a parking space for a semester, students are required to pay a fee.Clubs
Student-run clubs include:- Student Government Association
- World Language Club
- International Cultural Exchange Club (ICE)
- Black Heritage Club
- HSA:Haitan Student Association
- The Foreign Students Voice
- CheerleadingCheerleadingCheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
Club - Outing Club
- Catholic Student Organization
- Hispanic Culture Society
- Christian Fellowship Club
- Green Revolution Club
- Business Management Association
- Gaming and AnimationAnimationAnimation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
Society (GAS) - History Club
- Psychology Club
- Mathematics Club
- Art Society
- Criminal Justice Club
- ASP: Association Of Future Paralegals
- Architecture Club
- SAGA:Straight and Gay Alliance
- The Student Volunteer Club
- Running Club
- The Scroll
Athletics
Union County College offers baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, soccer, men's and women's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
. In September 2009, the men's soccer team won the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Championship
National Junior College Athletic Association
The National Junior College Athletic Association , founded in 1938, is an association of community college and junior college athletic departments throughout the United States. It is held as Divisions and Regions. The current NJCAA holds 24 separate regions.-History:The idea for the NJCAA was...
by completing an eleven game winning streak which included six straight playoff victories. After their victory, they were congratulated by college president Thomas Brown as well as two county Freeholders. Ten players of the 2009 national championship team belong to the Institute of Intensive English (IIE) Department. In 2009, the women's basketball team was undefeated and was ranked No. 8 nationally among Division 2 junior colleges.
Academic honor societies
Honor fraternities include Phi Theta KappaPhi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa, also ΦΘΚ or sometimes PTK , is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges. It also includes Associate's degree-granting programs offered by four-year colleges...
Iota Xi, Psi Beta, and Mu Alpha Theta. Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. The Iota Xi Chapter has thus far been awarded Five Star Chapter recognition 29 years in a row.
Professors and faculty
The college hires numerous professors, teachers and educators for many positions. Professor Lawrence D. Hogan taught history at the college and wrote the "definitive book on black baseball" entitled Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball, which received critical attention from The New York Times. During Black History month, Dr. Hogan partnered with former pitcher and first baseman, Robert Scott, to speak about the contribution of minorities to the sport. Biologist Thomas Ombrello led a nature walk around Fairview, and has taught biology and zoology at the college for 34 years.Alumni
Many Union County alumni have become prominent. Alumnus Brian Sheekey was drafted to play baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in 1972. Some have become philanthropists and donated substantial sums to the college. For example, coffee industry leader Edward Aborn, who helped develop instant coffee, donated to the college. Alexi Friedman was a specialist Navy fighter called a SEAL and pursued a degree in criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
at the college. The school is working to maintain ties with alumni; in 2011 it wanted to hear back from graduates regarding such questions as What are you doing now? and How did Union County College help you change your life? It maintains databases of alumni and wants to feature prominent alumni on its website, according to the manager of Alumni Relations, Sara Guerin.
Administration
- Personnel. Dr. Margaret McMenamin will be invested as the President of the college on April 14, 2011. She succeeded departing president Thomas H. Brown. The vice president of Administrative Services and Executive Assistant to the President is Dr. Stephen Nacco. The college has hired professionals from businessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
to staff important positions; in 2010, it hired telecommunications executive Ellen Dotto to be the Executive Director of College Relations. In one instance, a former Union County official, who had been chairman of the college, at the age of 74 was found guilty of stealing over $28,000 from his church over an eleven year period, stealing $40 to $50 a week from the church, but there were no reports that he stole from the college or committed thefts while being an official. The school has a board of trustees. One former board member named Ethel Heim was notable for living to be 106 years old. The school notifies students about matters such as school closings, such as snow days, by posting information on its website as well as having a text-alert system.
- School calendar. Different schools host orientation programs and open houses throughout the year; for example, the Trinitas nursing school holds open houses including in October. The college hosts an orientation for students in January who are beginning classes in the spring semester. In May, the college hosts events to inform prospective students about matters such as course offerings and financial aid. The events are free of charge but students are urged to make appointments in advance and to bring in tax documents if contemplating applying for financial aid. Graduation is typically in the middle of May at the Cranford campus. The student with the highest grade-point average and earned the most credits at the college is awarded the Alumni Prize. Post-Day Awards are given to students, both full and part-time, who graduate and who exemplify the college's ideals of "scholarship, leadership, and service." The latter award is given to honor two students who, en route to their Union County College graduation fifty years ago, died in an automobile accident. While it is a two-year college and most students transfer to area colleges, the school does graduate some students in selected areas. In 2010, there were 900 graduates who specialized in more than 75 different academic disciplines.
Programs of study
The college awards degrees and certificates in numerous program areas, including:Associates in arts degrees
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- American Studies
- Audio Production
- Biology
- Business
- Business Management
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Computer Information Systems
- Communications/Film
- Communications/Journalism
- Communications/Multimedia
- Communications/Public Administration
- Communications/Public Relations
- Communications/Radio
- Communications/Television
- Criminal Justice
- Liberal Arts
- Early Childhood/Elementary Education
- Education
- Drama/Fine Arts
- Graphic Design/Fine Arts
- Illustration/Fine Arts
- Music/Fine Arts
- Photography/Fine Arts
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Visual Arts/Fine Arts
- International Studies
Associate in Science degrees
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Computer Science/Engineering
- Social Services
- Sonography
- Liberal Studies
- Professional Nursing at Muhlenberg Hospital and Trinitas School of Nursing
- Psycho-social Rehabilitation and Treatment
- Information Systems Technology
- Mathematics
- Nuclear Medicine
- Respiratory Care
- Radiography
Associate in Applied Science degrees
- Accounting
- Administrative Support
- American Sign Language - English Interpreting
- Automotive Technology
- Civil/Construction Engineering Technology
- Computer Science
- Dental Hygiene
- Electronics/Electromechanical Engineering Technology
- Fire Science Technology
- Game Design Creation
- Game Design Development
- Help Desk Technology Support Specialist
- Hospitality Management
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Business Marketing
- Sports Management
- Paralegal Studies
- Paramedic Emergency Health Science
- Physical Therapist Assistant
Certificates
- American Sign Language - English Interpreting
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- Audio Production
- Criminal Justice
- Dental Assisting
- Educational Interpreter Program
- Homeland Security
- Office Professional
- Interpreting Spoken Language
- Paramedic Didactic Training
- Paralegal Studies
- Practical Nursing
Art
The Tomasulo Gallery has featured talented artists from New Jersey and elsewhere. In 2002, it displayed Nigerian-themed works by Morristown-based sculptor Bisa Washington entitled Down to the Bone. The college works with county officials to promote various arts programs such as the H.E.A.R.T. project (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) which gives grants to artists, historians, and local groups; the amount of funding in 2010 was $75,000. The county's Teen Arts Festival attracted almost 4,000 middle and high school students for a two-day interval of music and dance performance as well as art exhibitions and workshops. In 2006, it showcased seven photographers whose work focused on New Jersey areas such as Asbury ParkAsbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
and Newark Airport
Newark Airport
Newark Airport may refer to:Airports:* Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, United States * Newark-Heath Airport in Newark, Ohio, United States Other:...
and was curated by Mary Birmingham.
Theater
Union County College has a professional theater company which has performed a wide variety of shows, including some of a political nature. For example, in 2008, it performed two plays relating to the presidency of George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
described by the Suburban News as a "humorous" but "ultimately tragic commentary on political responsibility." In 2010, it did its first musical entitled Crowns with a four-weekend run from September through October in the Roy Smith theater on the Cranford campus. Theater groups sometimes get funding from county officials from grant programs; in 2010, the college received $2,100 to help pay for a dramatic performance of A Few Steps in a Stranger's Shoes which promotes understanding between students. Some productions attract reviews in the New York Times such as Rinne Groff's drama The Ruby Sunrise, which examined television's "allure and power." To celebrate the college's 75th anniversary, Jane Anderson's play about astronaut Christa McAuliffe in the Challenger explosion was performed in 2008.
Institute for Intensive English
The Institute for Intensive English provides a full-time program of intensive instruction in EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
for speakers of other languages. The purpose of the Institute is to enhance students' English language for work or academics. After placement testing, students enter one of six levels of instruction that matches their abilities. In Levels 1 to 4, students register for four courses to improve listening, speaking, reading and writing, and study skills
Study Skills
Study skills or study strategies are approaches applied to learning. They are generally critical to success in school, are considered essential for acquiring good grades, and are useful for learning throughout one's life....
. In Levels 5 and 6, students register for four courses: two core courses covering advanced structures, listening, conversation and study skills, an academic reading course, and an academic writing course. Students may enroll in an additional pronunciation and conversation elective. Upon completing each course, there is an exit test to assess proficiency. While enrolled in ESL courses, students may take some additional content area courses, depending on a student's level.
Nursing
The College offers a variety of options in nursing. The Trinitas School of Nursing and the Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools of Nursing are approved by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing and are fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. Trinitas offers a generic program as well as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) program. The LPN–to–RN Completion Program is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to return to school, but need to maintain their employment status. Classroom and clinical experiences are designed to meet the specific needs of the LPN. Trinitas had been using leased space in a converted warehouse in the Elizabethport section of the city of ElizabethElizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
but after 1992 moved into a renovated utility building. There were 4000 full and part-time nursing students in Elizabeth in 1992. In one account, there were 2,000 nurses receiving further training at the Trinitas school in 2010. The Muhlenberg and Snyder program offers a day or evening track in nursing. Muhlenberg offers an Accelerated Program designed for individuals who have earned a BA or graduate degree in another discipline and wish to continue their studies in nursing. The nursing or clinical portion of the program can be completed in one year by attending from January to December as a full-time day student. Muhlenberg also offers an LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurse is the term used in much of the United States and most Canadian provinces to refer to a nurse who cares for "people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The term licensed vocational nurses is used in...
–to–RN
Registered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
Career Ladder Program. After successful completion of an LPN transition course, the LPN program may be completed in two semesters.
Specialty programs
The college offers diverse specialty programs to meet the needs of many different publics. Here are a few selected programs:- Sign language and Deaf Studies. Union County College offers two program tracks for students to choose from: the Associate of Art Degree or Certificate of Completion.
- Pharmacy technician programs. The college has offered programs called a Certified Pharmacy Technician program for area teenagers. The thirty hour program prepares them to work as pharmacy technicians and to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
- Contractor training. One course deals with the safe removal of paint containing lead.
- Industry-business institute. The college works with area employers to find job opportunities for students and graduates.
- Environmental awareness. It promotes environmental awareness by hiring David G. Brown II to be part of the Green Workforce Service Program which works with labor unions and other institutions to find job opportunities in the green field. It is working with public organizations and other municipalities on solar panel projects.
- Retail Skills. The institute hired Henri Baptiste to be the Employer Outreach Coordinator at the Retail Skills Center in the Jersey Garden Mall in Elizabeth, and he will help coordinate job opportunities for college students in the city of Elizabeth. It helps people find work in the retail firms and at malls. The center in the Jersey Gardens site helps people learn the skills necessary to be successful salespersons, and includes sales training with help from Union County College instructors; the college does not own the Retail Skills Center but is one of its sponsors, according to the New York Times.
- Continuing education. It has numerous programs for persons interested in keeping up–to–date on new technologies such as computers. A line up of courses included such topics as: Microsoft Windows XP, Business Chinese I, Build Your Own PC, Microsoft Word 2007, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Spanish for Managers, Spanish for Health Care Professionals, Smart Couples Finish Rich, Investing for Income, Investing for Safety, Investment Planning for College and Other Educational Purposes, and Tax-deferred and Tax-free Investing. The college helps job seekers improve computer and job search skills. Many programs for senior citizens are provided free of charge.
- Voice-over work. The college has a course on doing voice-over work:
- Testing assistance. It helps students prepare for the High School Proficiency Assessment or HSPA via the office of continuing education.
Facilities
The college has facilities on four different campuses: Cranford, Elizabeth, Scotch Plains, and Plainfield.Libraries
The Union County College Libraries are the Kenneth Campbell MacKay Library at Cranford, the Elizabeth I. Kellogg Library at Elizabeth, and the Plainfield Campus Library. With over 125,000 volumes in the combined collections, the libraries also subscribe to approximately 300 print journals, magazines, and newspapers. Approximately 30,000 full-text periodicals are available to students and faculty and others from 50 online subscription databases.- MacKay library on the Cranford Campus serves as the main library at the College, with more than 100,000 volumes and more than 300 journal and newspaper subscriptions. There is a 38-seat information commons, a 28-seat hands–on library instruction room and ten study rooms. A collection of award-winning children’s books known as the Stock Collection is available for the children of students, staff, and faculty.
- The Kellogg Library is located on the first floor of the Elizabeth I. Kellogg Building.
- The Plainfield Campus Library is located on the lower level of Building #1 on the Plainfield campus. Both the Kellogg and Plainfield libraries have more than 10,000 volumes and approximately 75 periodical subscriptions available for students doing research. These collections are tailored to support the curriculum offered on each campus.
Academic Learning Centers
The ALCs provide academic support to the student population through tutoring and computer assisted instruction at all three campus locations.Sperry Observatory
The William Miller Sperry ObservatoryWilliam Miller Sperry Observatory
The William Miller Sperry Observatory, also known simply as the Sperry Observatory, is an astronomical observatory owned by Union County College and operated by Amateur Astronomers, Incorporated. The observatory is located on the property of Union County College on their Cranford, New Jersey...
, also known simply as the Sperry Observatory, is an astronomical
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
owned by the college and jointly operated with on the Cranford campus. It was named after William Miller Sperry, a Cranford businessman and co-founder of the S&H Green Stamps
S&H Green Stamps
S&H Green Stamps were trading stamps popular in the United States from the 1930s until the late 1980s. They were distributed as part of a rewards program operated by the Sperry and Hutchinson company , founded in 1896 by Thomas Sperry and Shelly Hutchinson...
Company. The building was dedicated on May 16, 1967. In 2010, with tight budgets, the group which shares uses of the facility, called the Amateur Astronomers Inc., had discussions with the college about how to share expenses and resources. There were negotiations between the private group and the school about budgeting; the school owns the observatory but paid most of its expenses; when budgets got tight during 2009 and 2010, there was considerable pressure to use the facility for other purposes such as classrooms. There were many discussions, but by May 2010, the group and the college came to a "win-win" agreement about how to work together. Their new agreement will be in effect until July 2012. The Amateur Astronomers group meets in Nomahegan Hall each month and sponsors talks on celestial topics.
Sidney F. Lessner Building
The Trinitas nursing school had been using a leased warehouse space in the Elizabethport section of ElizabethElizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
. But in 1992, the school paid $2 million for the seven-story Elizabethtown Gas Company building in the downtown section, and then spent another $11 million renovating it. The new facility has a 3100 square feet (288 m²) auditorium with a stage and theatrical lighting, a lounge, a library, exhibition rooms and galleries, and represented a major expansion of the college in the city of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth I. Kellogg building
The Kellogg building on the Elizabeth campus houses the second largest nursing school in the United States. It has six stories and cost $48 million to build, and serves 8,300 students, including 2,300 enrolled in the nursing program. The building houses the new "Trinitas nursing school, the college's Industry Business Institute, continuing education offerings, lecture hall, and a state-of-the-art information commons and library" according to the Suburban News. A ribbon cutting ceremony to mark its opening was held in September 2009. It has a state-of-the-art simulation learning center. To enhance learning, some mannequins can be hooked up to simulate a pregnant woman, complete with fetal monitoring and models that "actually breathe" with simulated heart and lung sounds.Budgets
| Money coming in... | |
| Students Tuition & Fees | $42,565,266 |
| State Appropriations | $9,599,247 |
| County Appropriations | $12,733,103 |
| Other | $1,796,677 |
| Total Current Fund Revenues | $66,694,293 |
| Money going out... | |
| Instruction | $31,686,022 |
| Public Service | $1,675,150 |
| Academic Support | $4,564,850 |
| Student Services | $5,950,356 |
| Institutional Support | $14,377,905 |
| Operation & Maintenance of Plant | $8,440,010 |
| Total Education and General Expense | $66,694,293 |
Source: Union County College budget.
The budget in 2010 was approximately $66 million based on a count of 9,782 state fundable full-time equivalent students for the 2010–2011 school year, according to one report. It was based on an estimate of $6 per credit hour as well as other possible course fees. In addition, the school gets sizeable sums from the state of New Jersey, including funds to educate "disadvantaged New Jersey residents who would not be able to attend college without financial assistance and special support services"; according to one estimate, the college received $570,310 from the NJ Educational Opportunity Fund in 2010.
Tuition and expenses
Textbooks can be expensive; however, Union County College has launched programs in conjunction with college bookstores to make textbook rentals a viable alternative. Typically, students can rent a textbook for a semester at reduced cost, paying by cash or credit card or with financial aid funds, and may even use highlighters on the pages, but at the end of the semester must return the book in good condition or else face a steep fine. The school can offer scholarships via a Foundation to selected students and raises money sometimes by promoting gala events.Competitors
The college competes with other areas schools for students, including other state-supported schools such as Kean UniversityKean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
, Montclair State College, and New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public research university in Newark, New Jersey. It is often also referred to as Newark College of Engineering ....
. In an indirect way, it competes with private colleges such as Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university founded as a junior college in 1942. It now has several campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom.-Description:...
. It also competes with schools which it brings students to, such as four-year colleges such as Rutgers. Last, while the college draws students mostly from Union County and charges in-county residents less tuition, it is often compared with similar county colleges across New Jersey in terms of performance, costs, and efficiency (see also New Jersey County Colleges).
Relations
It is a vital part of Union county, being a major employer as well as an engine for jobs and training. It hosts numerous functions, including political events.- Political events. The college was the venue in 2008 for Governor CorzineJon CorzineJon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
to make a speech about budget shortfalls, including proposed toll hikes to relieve the state's budgetary mess. Former president Bill ClintonBill ClintonWilliam Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
spoke at a rally at the college to rally support for democratic candidate Linda Stender.
- Speakers. It hosts speakers on diverse topics including ghost investigator Craig McManus.
- Volunteer work. In some instances, students provide training and educational services to the community; for example, five students in 2010 instructed the public about first aid practices in GilletteGillette, New JerseyGillette is an unincorporated area within Long Hill Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 07933. See Gillette ...
. The college offers programs in continuing education, including an Encore Careers initiative to help workers 50 years and older find new opportunities.
- Interaction with county officials. The school is well-connected with county officials and cooperates closely on many initiatives together. It sponsored a mobile paper-shredding program so that residents and students and others could "eliminate clutter in their homes" as well as "fight identity theft"; the shredder pulled up on a Saturday in April and Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon notified the media. The college hosts events such as county police and fire department Pipes and Drums bands. When arts exhibits by teens are displayed in the college, then they are also displayed in legislative offices and promoted with the help of the county's office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs as well as its parks departments. Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, who has been a public official since 1995, has helped implement initiatives for senior citizens, including free courses at Union County College through the Senior Scholars Program. In addition, some political initiatives are managed with the help of the college; Freeholder Alexander Mirabella worked with the college to promote a "green educational curriculum" as well as teacher training programs to help people adjust to the emerging green economy. It works with Union County government officials on initiatives such as the New Jersey Historic Preservation Conference, including a large meeting on the Elizabeth campus of the college to explore architectural preservation.
- Rehabilitation efforts. It has partnered with the United Way and the County of Union's Department of Human Services to help formerly incarcerated individuals gain access to services and improve their lives.
- Relief efforts. When trouble struck the island of HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, the college's Elizabeth branch opened up a resource center to help Haitian immigrants and to provide services.
- Academic competitions for area high schoolers. Events such as the Science Olympiad are held at the college as well as the Teen Arts Exhibit and bridge-building competitions for students from area high schools. A recent competition had students building bridges using tongue depressors and glue, with bridges spanning more than four feet. Reporter Leslie Murray described the event:
- Relations with towns. During the budget shortfalls of the economic downturn, there have been strains between the college and the town of Cranford. The main campus is a part of Cranford but is a nontaxable entity, and when budgets got tight, the municipality met with college officials to try to seek solutions to the shortfalls. Cranford's Carolyn Freundlich met with college officials to explore cost-saving strategies such as sharing services as well as using the college's substantial expertise in certain fields. The city of ElizabethElizabeth, New JerseyElizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
is trying to improve its downtown area to be more of an attraction for college students, but many students stay away over concerns about crime; there have been efforts by city officials to try to improve the Little Colombia district of Elizabeth, which is a two block area along Morris Avenue near the train station, to be more appealing to students, possibly by having later hours of operation and offering free wireless service.
External links
- Official web site
- NJTransfer.org
- Union County College website
- National Honor Society in Psychology for Community and Junior Colleges
- National Honor Society in Mathematics for Junior Colleges and High Schools.
- Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi Chapter
- Cranford campus - Elizabeth campus - Plainfield campus - Scotch Plains campus