Statement of Commitment
Hudson Valley Community College is committed to providing caring, personal, high-quality service at a reasonable cost to support students’ success in reaching and raising their goals.
Mission Statement
Hudson Valley Community College provides transformative, student-centered and high-quality educational opportunities that address the diverse needs of local and global communities.
Vision Statement
Deliver what the future demands. Hudson Valley Community College will meet the educational needs of a rapidly transforming world by leading today and anticipating tomorrow.
Core Values
Hudson Valley Community College is committed to:
LEADS – Leadership, Excellence, Accessibility, Diversity, Service
LEADERSHIP: Hudson Valley provides rigorous academic curricula and challenging co-curricular opportunities to promote the development of leadership qualities in students and to facilitate leadership development among faculty, staff, and students. Whether in our classrooms, labs, online environment, or throughout the Capital Region, Hudson Valley faculty, staff, and students lead the higher education landscape while developing the next generation of global citizens.
EXCELLENCE: Hudson Valley’s commitment to excellence impels faculty, staff, and students to consistently strive for outcomes that are exemplary rather than simply satisfactory. This striving for excellence touches on all aspects of life at our institution, from academic programs (oncampus, online, off-campus) to our environment, from student services to athletics, from publications to our daily activities. We celebrate our achievements and contributions to the greater society.
ACCESSIBILITY: Accessibility to high-quality education is vital to the growth and prosperity of the local, national, and international communities. Hudson Valley provides educational access to a diverse community of traditional and non-traditional learners in an environment that fosters lifelong learning and freedom of inquiry and expression.
DIVERSITY: Each individual must be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and acceptance. Our commitment to diversity requires each of us to continuously ensure that our interactions are respectful, protect free speech, and inspire academic freedom. Hudson Valley values equity, inclusion, and dignity for all. We recognize that our differences make us stronger. We take action when we observe someone being treated unfairly or in a demeaning manner.
SERVICE: Meaningful service to students is at the center of life at Hudson Valley, as is service by students, staff, and faculty to our greater community. We share skills and expertise to assist others through campus clinics, off-campus internships, service learning, and numerous volunteer opportunities to extend the culture of service well beyond our campus.
Historical Preamble
The college was created to respond to the needs of Rensselaer County and other nearby counties following World War II, and after the closing of the Veteran’s Vocational School in 1953. At first, the college’s programs were largely technical, but by 1960 the first science, business, and liberal arts programs were added. In the decades since, the college has steadily increased its offerings, both in degree and certificate programs, so that it is now comprehensive in its majors and mission.
Since its inception in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College has been sponsored by Rensselaer County under the supervision of the State University of New York. As one of the 30 community colleges in the state, all of its programs are registered and approved by the New York State Department of Education* with the authority to award certificates and associate’s degrees in arts, science, applied science, and occupational studies.
Hudson Valley Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. Many of the college’s academic programs are also accredited by specialized national professional accrediting associations.
In 1966, the college began administering the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center to better serve the needs of the community.
* New York State Education Department Office of Higher Education and the Profession’s Cultural Education Center, Room 5B28, Albany, NY 12230, (518) 474-5851
Strategic Priorities and Goals
Prepare Students for Continued Success by Being Both High Tech and High Touch
- Continue to build a positive and seamless student experience
- Develop approaches to identify and address the full spectrum of student challenges to increase student performance
- Enhance virtual learning, ensure online course quality, and further develop robust, rich online experiences for learners
- Integrate AI into the curriculum and programs as appropriate and ethical to ensure opportunities for student success and identify ways it can be used to assist in streamlining college operations
- Establish a resource and support center designed to assist international and English as a Second Language students in succeeding at HVCC and beyond, manage international partnerships, and grow study abroad opportunities
Deliver Innovative, Timely Academic Programming and Structures for Today and Tomorrow
- Complete ATEC building to expand opportunities in skilled trades programs and to support our workforce in high-demand areas
- Standardize processes for prioritizing academic offerings and examining market penetration and transferability to ensure optimal capacity and enrollment in programs
- Continue meaningful engagement with community partners to align health services industry collaboration opportunities and academic programming
- Emphasize the paramount role creativity plays in STEM, health sciences, and the liberal arts
- Continue developing the next iteration of the STEM High School and other early high school college programs
Serve as the Community’s First Choice for Education and Workforce Development in the Capital Region
- Expand program offerings and sponsorships to address business and industry needs
- Engage community, alumni, advisory boards, donors, funding agencies, stakeholders, and benefactors to further support HVCC
- Enhance relationships with industry, pre-K-12, and higher education partners to ensure HVCC is aware of the needs of today and tomorrow
- Increase offerings, student support services, and opportunities at HVCC North, HVCC South, the Educational Opportunity Center, and the Albany International Airport
- Continue to develop partnership opportunities to attract skilled workers of diverse backgrounds to the Capital Region
Empower Faculty and Staff to Enhance Operations and Continually Improve the Student Experience
- Identify, adopt, implement, and further develop tools that fully enhance communication with students, the campus community, and our partners
- Improve faculty and staff recruitment and retention and expand opportunities for professional development
- Continue to develop an infrastructure that emphasizes safety and security, first-rate facilities, data-informed decision-making, and cutting-edge technology
- Enhance commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice
- Develop a collaborative culture built on cross-functionality to empower employees to be forward-thinking and develop innovative solutions
Community Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
Hudson Valley Community College serves residents of the Capital Region and other areas in appropriate and diverse ways, striving always to improve their quality of life by offering affordable education, training and service. As a full-opportunity college dedicated to teaching and learning, Hudson Valley Community College makes it possible for every applicant to pursue an appropriate program of study. In the spirit of its mission, the Community Bill of Rights and Responsibilities states that:
All members of the college community have the right and responsibility to work and learn in a collegial setting:
- Where all members of the college community are treated with courtesy and respect;
- That has clear ethics and conduct codes with fair and consistently enforced consequences for noncompliance;
- That is safe, orderly and drug free;
- That has clearly stated, high academic standards and the instructional materials and equipment necessary to implement rigorous academic programs; and
- Where the college’s mission statement drives all academic and administrative operations and functions.
Freedom of Expression and Assembly Policy
Purpose
Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) is committed to upholding the rights of free speech as guaranteed by the U.S. and New York State constitutions. We value the expression of diverse ideas and support individuals’ rights to assemble. This policy aims to facilitate opportunities for our community and external parties to share their views while ensuring that such expressions do not compromise campus safety or disrupt regular college operations.
Scope
This content-neutral policy applies to all HVCC students, faculty, staff, and external parties wishing to use designated areas for peaceful assemblies. External parties are defined as individuals or groups not affiliated with HVCC or its recognized student organizations who seek to use these public forums for free speech.
Policy
As a public college, HVCC makes its facilities available for public discourse, with reasonable regulations regarding the time, place, and manner of use. The following areas are designated as public forums for peaceful assemblies:
- The Student Pavilion, bordered by the parking lot, Hudson Hall, the McDonough Sports Complex, and Cross Road.
- The Veterans Memorial Quad, located next to the campus center and behind the Guenther Enrollment Services Center.
HVCC will not disrupt orderly assemblies in these designated areas unless participants engage in any of the following behaviors:
- Disrupting college classes, lectures, meetings, or other events.
- Obstructing movement of vehicles or people, including blocking hallways or doors.
- Engaging in actions that could foreseeably cause harm to people or property.
- Using audio equipment in ways that conflict with college operations or violate local laws.
- Constructing or erecting structures without authorization.
- Igniting any open flames.
- Holding assemblies that exceed 12 hours or occur between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
- Violating HVCC’s Regulations and Code of Conduct or any applicable campus policies.
Additionally, the following activities are strictly prohibited:
- Unauthorized entry into private offices or restricted college areas.
- Occupying any building.
- Blocking roadways on or near campus.
All participants in protests or demonstrations must provide college-issued or government-issued identification upon request from a college official.
HVCC enforces this policy rigorously. Students who violate it may face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, while external parties may be removed from campus.
Procedures for Student Free Speech and Assembly Requests
HVCC supports students in exercising their rights to free speech and assembly. The Division of Student Affairs oversees these activities to ensure safety and compliance with college policies.
Notification
Students or organizations must provide at least 24 hours’ notice to the Director of Student Life before engaging in assembly activities.
Services
To ensure participant safety and protect community rights, HVCC can provide services such as location, safety, crowd control, and sound equipment.
Request for Services
If services are needed, organizers must submit a written request to the Director of Student Life at least three business days before the event, including:
- The name of the student organizer.
- The designated area for use and requested services.
- The date, time, and expected number of participants.
A staff member from Student Affairs will respond within three business days to discuss accommodations and any necessary modifications.
Assemblies that do not require services may proceed with the prior 24-hour notification, but organizers must still comply with campus rules.
Procedures for Outside Third-Party Free Speech and Assembly Requests
External parties wishing to use designated public areas must:
- Complete a public forum application.
- Submit the application to the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance at least three business days prior to the desired date.
The college will review the application and respond by the close of business on the third business day prior to the event. If approved, the applicant will be notified. If the application is incomplete, it will be returned for completion.
Blackout Periods
Certain periods are designated as blackout periods when public forums are reserved for college activities, including:
- Spring and Winter breaks.
- Graduation events.
- Major campus celebrations.
- Days when the college is closed.
Additional Guidelines
HVCC will not inquire about the content of free speech, charge fees for forum reservations, or impose insurance requirements. The college reserves the right to terminate any assembly that violates this policy.
External parties are responsible for cleaning up any materials used during their event.
Completed applications should be sent to the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance at 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180.
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