Off-campus learning available at Hudson Valley

Hunter Wallace
News Editor

Off-campus courses are now available to Hudson Valley students registering for the 2017’s fall semester.

Students have the option of taking general education classes located at any of Hudson Valley’s 12 off-campus locations.

“The college has been out in the community, providing locations that are convenient to where a person either lives or works, so he or she has more of an opportunity to take classes that might assist them in getting a degree, or simply complete a course in a specific area,” said Off-Campus Coordinator Debra Kowalski.

For students with longer commutes, off-campus courses may have particular appeal.

“One of the selling points is that you can cut down on your commute, save your gas and take a class that might be part of your curriculum in a convenient location,” said Kowalski.

“With the way parking can be like on the main campus, off-campus courses may be very appealing to students,” she said.

Many off-campus courses are held in the evening, so students working during the day are able to fit them into their schedule more easily.

“Most of the courses are in the evening, so if a student gets out of work and the location is only a mile or two down the road, it saves on their commute.

It’s really for the convenience of the student and how it fits into their schedules and enables them to take a course they might otherwise be unable to take,” said Kowalski.

These off-site courses may offer a different experience compared to their main campus counterpart.

“I think there would be the possibility that you may encounter students that you may not otherwise encounter,” said Kowalski. “In general, it’s a different feel taking an off-campus class; it tends to be quieter, by virtue of there being one or two classes in an entire building in some locations,” she said.

Off-campus classes typically begin later than courses on campus. Fall off-campus courses usually begin two weeks after regular classes, whereas spring off-campus classes often start one week later.

“Courses are scheduled this way to provide a secondary location, in case a particular class that was supposed to meet on campus is cancelled or is unable to proceed,” said Kowalski.

Potential off-campus students should consider their personal situation thoroughly before deciding to take an off-site course.

“I think it’s a matter of timing, convenience and benefiting from the least amount of cost. It really is an individual choice,” said Kowalski.

If students wish to enroll in an off-campus class, they can do so by meeting with their adviser in person or online through WIReD.

For more information, please contact the Office of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions by phone at (518) 629-7338, email at coned@hvcc.edu or stop by the Guenther Enrollment Services Center room 231 in person.