The North Hudson Higher Education Center is the largest construction effort ever undertaken by Hudson County Community College (HCCC). The Union City-based building has seven floors and 92,330 square feet. It includes an enrollment/registration center, bookstore, student and faculty lounges, community activity spaces, testing/counseling/tutoring facilities, library, outdoor courtyard, rooftop terrace and much more.
The cost of the new building was $28.2 million
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The cost of the new building was $28.2 million, paid for by a Chapter 12 state funding program for community college construction and campus revitalization.
Classes offered
The college held its official grand opening ceremonies Wednesday, Sept 28 at 4800 Kennedy Blvd. in Union City. More than 300 classes are being offered at that location.
Among the areas of study offered are: accounting, anthropology, biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, business law, chemistry, computers and computing, economics, English (writing, composition, and speech), ESL (English as a second language), film, history, humanities, literature, marketing, management, math, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, theater, and college survival skills.
In addition, non-credit classes will also be offered, including computers, introduction to keyboarding, and ESL. A complete list of classes is available online at www.hccc.edu/schedule.
According to Deseree McFarlane from the communications department, registrations for fall closed in mid-September, but some are classes available online that begin later in the semester.
Green, high-tech and modern building
When students and members of the community visit Hudson County Community College’s new North Hudson Higher Education Center, they will likely be impressed by what they see — a soaring three-story lobby, glistening terrazzo floors, sunlight-flooded classrooms and public areas, the latest in computer equipment, a glass-enclosed pedestrian bridge linking the structure with the neighboring Light Rail Transit Station, and attractive comfortable furnishings. But equally significant is what one may not see — a series of features and elements that make the building more energy efficient, better ventilated, and more comfortable.
“In designing North Hudson Higher Education Center, the college wanted to be certain to incorporate features that would improve the quality of the environment and contribute to operational energy and cost savings,” said HCCC Board of Trustees Chair William Netchert.
Among the sustainable elements incorporated into the campus are:
-A photovoltaic rooftop system that will generate electrical power by converting solar rays into direct current electricity. -Daylight and occupancy sensors that turn lights on/off as people enter/leave spaces.
-Low-flow fixtures (sinks and toilets) for greater water conservation.
-Rainwater harvesting tanks.
-High-efficiency mechanical equipment, such as light shelves that help reflect light deeper into instructional spaces.
By including the features noted above and other green elements into the design and construction, the North Hudson Higher Education Center acquired the 26 points necessary for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This internationally recognized system of the United States Green Building Council measures how well a building performs in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources.
Dr. Paula P. Pando, vice president at Hudson County Community College, mentioned that what students gain from attending Hudson County Community College is a top-notch education from qualified and credentialed faculty. But just as important, HCCC students are provided with a world-class support team who appreciates each student as an individual. “Our president, Dr. Glen Gabert, and our faculty and administration are committed to making HCCC a student-centered educational institution,” she said. “The people of this college work hard to ensure our students have the best curricula, faculty, support programs and physical environment in which to learn.”