CATALOG INTRODUCTION

President's Welcome

Welcome to Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School, an institution that has a reputation for excellence that spans 80 years. Evolving from a traditional "junior college" to a full service community college/vocational school, HCC serves nearly 5,000 credit students every semester with a like number of individuals involved in community service and non-credit activities.

I encourage you to become acquainted with the many programs that are available, the outstanding faculty that provide instructional leadership, the student services that facilitate the learning experience, and the student centered nature of the entire institution. After you have looked at Hutchinson Community College in "cyberspace", I ask that you take the next step and visit our beautiful campus. Whether transfer, technical or short term training is your objective, Hutchinson Community College is here to provide you with a quality educational experience.

Sincerely,  Dr. Ed Berger
President, Hutchinson Community College

Board of Trustees

Mission, Vision, and Values

Accreditation

Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). NCA, founded in 1895, is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. Through its Commissions it accredits, and thereby grants membership to educational institutions in the North Central region: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. HLC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Program Accreditation

Disclaimer

This catalog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. Every reasonable effort was made to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate. Hutchinson Community College reserves the right, at any time, to change graduation requirements, costs, curricula and content, without notice. The college further reserves the right to add or delete course offerings and other information without notice. Information about changes is available from college counselors and advisors or on the college website.

History of the College

In the spring of 1928, Hutchinson voters approved the establishment of a two-year co-educational college to be known as the Hutchinson Junior College. The college held its first classes that fall. Enrollment was 187 students – 172 freshmen, 15 sophomores. Classes were held on the second and third floors of a newly constructed addition to Hutchinson High School at Seventh and Walnut.

In February 1938, the Board of Education acquired land on Plum Street and built Lockman Hall. Since then, a technical education building, athletic field, stadium, tennis courts, maintenance and warehouse buildings, a student union with two additions, two residence halls, a library, science building, fine arts building and an athletic complex have been added to the campus. The college also utilizes the Hutchinson Sports Arena, providing maintenance of the building in exchange for its use.

On July 1, 1965, the college's name was changed to Hutchinson Community Junior College and governance was transferred to an elected board of trustees. The name was changed again in 1980 to Hutchinson Community College.

In 1966, the John F. Kennedy Library and Kopke Science Hall were completed.

In the fall of 1967, Elland Hall and Kent Hall, residence halls for men and women were opened.

In April 1970, the college acquired 425 acres of land and buildings from the Hutchinson Air National Guard. They are used primarily for agricultural, emergency medical science, fire science, building construction and technical education courses. This location is called South Campus.

A wing was added to Lockman Hall in 1975. The college acquired Davis Hall (Ninth and Walnut) from Hutchinson Hospital Corporation in 1980. It is used for allied health curricula, Radio Kansas (HCC's public radio station), Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Kansas Small Mine Safety and Occupational Safety.

Stringer Fine Arts Center was opened in January of 1989.

On July 1, 1993, HCC merged with the local vocational school and was renamed Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School.

Another major addition to the Parker Student Union was completed in 1996.

In 1999 the college built the Shears Technology Center, which houses vocational programs and technical labs.

On April 27, 2003, after major renovation, the library was renamed the Rimmer Learning Resource Center, after John Rimmer, chairman of HUBCO and a major contributor to the college.

In the fall of 2006, a renovated Gowan's Stadium was reopened for use. The stadium plays host to a variety of high school, college, regional and national events.In 2008, the Reno County Industrial Center was renovated and expanded. The new facility was reopened in the fall and renamed the Ade-Wifco RCIC to recognize the contributions of Fred Ade and Wifco Corporation.The college continued to renovate and expand with the completion of a major renovation and construction project on the decades-old Science Hall. The facility was revamped into a modern scientific facility and was renamed the Richard E. Smith Science Center to recognized the major contributions of local entrepreneur and alumnus Richard Smith. The new facility was dedicated in the fall of 2010.The college has two off-campus sites: McPherson and Newton. A licensed practical nursing program is offered by HCC at McPherson Memorial Hospital. The Newton site is housed in the Axtell Educational Center.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Applicants for admission and employment, students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School are hereby notified that this Institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender/sex (including sexual harassment and sex discrimination), age, family/marital status, sexual orientation or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning HCC/AVS’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Americans with Disability Act of Section 504 is directed to contact the person who has been designated to coordinate the Institution’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing these laws.

Christopher Lau, Affirmative Action Officer

Hutchinson Community College - Student Success Center

1300 North Plum

Hutchinson, KS  67501

1-800-289-3501  x3583

lauc@hutchcc.edu