Through its Regional Campuses the University can provide Connecticut's citizens with diversified educational programs - both credit and noncredit - in five different locations around the State. These programs represent a continuing effort to extend the University's resources to all parts of the State.
All five Regional campuses - at Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Torrington and Waterbury - extend easier access to baccalaureate study on a local basis. Here students may begin freshman - sophomore study in most baccalaureate programs, in all of the University's schools and colleges. The regional campuses each offer a limited number of four-year degree programs developed in accordance with the educational needs of the communities they serve. In addition, many students will anticipate moving to Storrs for work toward the Bachelor's Degree, after two years at the local campus; in some programs they will relocate earlier, to accommodate specialized curricular needs.
University standards for admission and student achievement are uniform for all campuses. Similarly, although the variety of course offerings is somewhat more limited at the local campuses, courses offered there are identical to those offered at the main campus, and occupy the same place in the University's curriculum as those offered at Storrs. Compressed videoconferencing, high bandwidth networks and other mechanisms link these campuses with the main campus. The Hartford, Torrington, and Waterbury campuses are administratively organized into a Tri-Campus partnership by which the three campuses share resources in order to enhance the offerings to students at the three sites.
All five regional campuses offer evening courses, intended particularly to serve students who are employed and wish to continue college study on a part-time basis. In addition, each campus serves as a local center where the College of Continuing Studies offers a wide range of non-credit programs, courses, and certificates. Graduate programs in Business Administration, for example, are offered in Hartford and Stamford. The Bachelor of General Studies Degree program administered by Continuing Studies provides a means by which selected adult students may use local campus facilities to pursue undergraduate study at the junior and senior level in individualized curricula at all of the regional campuses.
The University is committed to offering at such locations courses and other programs that meet the educational needs of citizens in nearby communities. Comments and inquiries should be addressed to the Director of the local campus, who can provide more specific information on current local University programs.
Joseph Comprone, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost and Director
Avery Point is the University of Connecticut's campus-by-the-sea, established in 1967 on the seventy-three acre Gatsby-era estate of industrialist Morton Plant. Situated directly on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames River in Groton, the Avery Point campus offers a broad range of day and evening courses in an environment enhanced by the ever-present sights and sounds and smells - the very feel - of the ocean.
At UConn Avery Point, students may select from extensive academic program offerings in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Agriculture and Natural Resources; the Schools of Engineering, and Fine Arts; and the professional Schools of Education, Business, Allied Health, Pharmacy and Nursing. Avery Point students enrolled in any of these programs can look forward to a smooth transition to Storrs as early as the end of the sophomore year.
In addition to offering courses required for fulfilling all of the University's general education requirements, UConn Avery Point offers a wide range of 200-level and above courses, including those of the multi-disciplinary Coastal Studies and, once approved, the newly developed Maritime Studies program, both of which are offered primarily at Avery Point.
The campus also offers a significant number of courses in the evening. This scheduling accommodates the needs of working students and students enrolled in the Bachelor of General Studies program. The BGS program is a junior-senior level interdisciplinary degree program for non-traditional part-time students, tailored to individual student needs and goals. Students may complete the entire BGS degree program at the Avery Point campus.
Academic resource facilities include Avery Point's 28,500-volume library which is networked for computerized searches and Internet access to numerous bibliographic and full-text databases, and which provides traditional library services as well. The campus' Learning Resources Center is an active and popular hub for supplemental instruction programs, tutorial help, and assistance with special projects including writing, math, the sciences, study skills and computer literacy.
The Coastal Studies classes and laboratories are held in the new Marine Sciences building. The undergraduate academic complex features newly renovated chemistry and physics laboratories, a state-of-the-art personal computer laboratory, distance learning facilities, a new high-tech classroom, the UConn Co-op bookstore, and other classrooms, laboratories, and seminar rooms. The campus gymnasium offers an all-purpose basketball/volleyball/tennis court, six-lane swimming pool, and fitness training facilities in support of fitness and selected athletic programs for women and men.
Campus venues for social functions and cultural activities include the
newly renovated Avery Point Student Center, the 375-seat Avery Point theatre,
and the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art located in the campus' landmark
Branford House mansion.
Originally organized in 1946 the University of Connecticut's Hartford Campus moved in 1970 to its present location in West Hartford where it is known as the Greater Hartford Campus. As its name indicates, the Greater Hartford Campus is intended to serve a broad section of the greater Hartford area populace and, as do all University regional campuses, offers students the flexibility of balancing family, work and other personal commitments while receiving the full benefit of the University of Connecticut's high quality education and resources.
The Greater Hartford campus facilities include a state of the art Information Technology Center which features a high-tech computer lab and classroom and the Harleigh B. Trecker Library which is fully integrated with and linked to the University Library System, including Storrs, all Regional Campuses, the Law School and the UConn Health Center.
Many faculty members of the Greater Hartford Campus are recognized world wide as leaders in education and research. Students benefit from the opportunity to interact with these faculty members in an intimate classroom environment.
As a Tri-Campus partner, the Greater Hartford Campus not only offers a wide range of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses to its 1100 undergraduate students, but also a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business & Technology, a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Community Studies, and a Bachelor of General Studies Degree. The College of Continuing Studies provides a number of certificate program options. An MBA program and a Masters of Education with Teacher Certification for College Graduates are also offered. The University's School of Social Work graduate programs (MSW and Ph.D) are offered on the Greater Hartford Campus as well. Additional multidisciplinary programs at the bachelor and masters levels are currently being developed to enhance the Tri-Campus.
In addition to offering its students the University of Connecticut's broad range of contemporary educational opportunities, the Greater Hartford Campus also reaches out to its community through a wide variety of special artistic and cultural programs.
Established in 1951, the Stamford Campus represents the combined efforts of the University, the State of Connecticut, and the Stamford Community to develop and maintain a distinguished educational program in southwestern Connecticut. The first building completed under the UConn 2000 Initiative, the new campus boasts the latest in state-of-the-art technology and the most modern science laboratory equipment. Additionally, the distance learning classrooms link UConn Stamford to Storrs and the other regional campuses for extended instructional activities.
Located in the center of downtown Stamford, students may complete majors in American Studies, Economics, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Business and Technology; they may also complete a Bachelor of General Studies degree or pursue an Individualized Major. A sophomore Honors Certificate Program and junior - senior level Honors Program provide talented and motivated juniors and seniors with opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary Honors courses as well as carry out research and community based projects. The Connecticut Information Technology Institute (CITI) offers non-credit professional development opportunities in IT as well as credit-bearing courses for several degree programs.
The GE Capital edgelab is a 10,000 square foot multimillion dollar information technology learning facility. A model partnership between UConn's School of Business, CITI, and GE Capital created the edgelab. It provides student interns with the opportunity to work closely with UConn faculty and GE executives on real world e-business projects.
As a regional University center, Stamford attracts and accommodates a highly pluralistic student body, drawn from a variety of ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds. Besides the traditional college-age student, a special effort is made to meet the widely diverse needs of the non-traditional students who commute from the surrounding communities. Courses are offered both days and evenings.
The Stamford campus recognizes its special urban character and welcomes its close relationship with major corporations in Fairfield County. Dedicated to strengthening its ties with these organizations and non-profit social service agencies, the campus encourages students to take advantage of off-campus learning such as internships and service learning; faculty are also encouraged to participate in a constructive exchange of ideas with those outside the University.
In the Fall of 1957 the University of Connecticut began offering late afternoon classes at Torrington High School. The popular program grew rapidly and as a result of a generous bequest from Julia Brooker Thompson, the Torrington Campus was established as a University of Connecticut Regional Campus in 1965.
The 100 acre Torrington Campus is located on a hilltop in a quiet, rural setting at the outskirts of the City of Torrington. In addition to classrooms, The M. Adela Eads Classroom Building hosts a 17,000 volume library electronically linked with all University libraries, an art studio, computer rooms, a University Co-Op Bookstore, a large auditorium and a cafeteria/lounge to accommodate the needs of commuter students. There is safe and ample parking for all students.
The quality of instruction and accessibility of faculty are special features of the Torrington Campus. Classes are uniquely small with a general ratio of 1 instructor to 20 students, providing each student with opportunity for personal guidance and encouragement.
In addition to academics, the students are offered a wide variety of social events sponsored by the Associated Student Government and a free membership at the Torrington YMCA.
The Torrington Campus has traditionally provided students with the opportunity to pursue the first two years towards a degree in the University of Connecticut's approximately 100 majors, a Four Year Bachelor's Degree in General Studies and an Individualized Major program in which students can design his/her own degree. Now, as a Tri-Campus partner, the Torrington Campus is also able to offer a Bachelor of Science in Business and Technology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Community Studies.
The Torrington Campus continues its long-standing and active involvement/outreach in the neighboring community. It is home to the Litchfield County Writers Project that houses a collection of 500 plus published works of Litchfield County authors. Local authors visit classrooms regularly. The Torrington Campus coordinates a tutoring program for Torrington public schools. The Torrington Campus has formed a partnership with LACASA (Litchfield County Autism and Spectrum Association), Northwestern Connecticut Community College, the Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and other state agencies to offer a training program for caregivers of autistic clients.
In 2001, a Cooperative Extension Service building was added to the Torrington Campus. A Master Gardening Program, 4-H Programs and a variety of other offerings serving the agricultural community are available.
The University of Connecticut's Torrington Campus offers contemporary education and active community involvement in a personal and rural community setting.
Edna L. McBreen, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor
William J. Pizzuto, Ph.D., Executive Director
With the goal of offering both traditional and non-traditional commuter students easier access to a University of Connecticut education, the Tri-Campus concept was conceived in the late 1990s. Today the Greater Hartford, Torrington and Waterbury Campuses have joined in a vibrant "Tri-Campus" partnership.
While retaining their own individual and unique characteristics, the three regional campuses are now working together as a team, sharing faculty, facilities and resources. Through this exciting Tri-Campus partnership, the University is now able to offer commuter students the opportunity to complete four-year degree programs without having to travel to the Storrs Campus to complete junior and senior level courses.
Presently the Tri-Campus offers Four Year Degree programs in Business & Technology and Urban & Community Studies as well as the previous wide and diverse range of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses. Students are now able to combine courses offered at any one of the three campuses for credit toward a degree in their chosen field.
Encouraged by student interest and receptive to students' needs, the Tri-Campus is progressing toward the establishment of additional Four Year Degree programs in American Studies, Family Studies, Psychology and Individualized Majors.
Embracing the University's Land Grant Mission and in tune with community needs, the Tri-Campus is working with area State Legislators, the University of Connecticut Health Center and concerned citizens to establish Care Giver Training for those working with Autistic clients.
Through collaborative efforts with the University's 25 year old BGS
program, which provides evening and weekend courses for students at the
Junior-Senior level; the Cooperative Extension Service and the region's
Community Colleges, the Tri-Campus team approach has opened virtually all
University doors to area commuter students.
The University of Connecticut at Waterbury originally established in 1942 as an Extension Center to address the educational needs of students in the surrounding areas, has grown steadily to meet the continued and varying demands of area students and has long been a fully recognized University Regional Campus currently serving more than 737 students many of whom are freshmen, sophomores and returning adults.
The Waterbury campus is located in a new state-of-the-art facility in downtown Waterbury. It is the flagship institution of Waterbury's economic/educational urban development initiative along with a new Arts Magnet School for middle and high school students and the completely restored historical Palace Theater.
The Waterbury Campus includes multi-purpose classrooms, science labs, seminar rooms and lecture halls, four high-tech computer labs, a three-floor atrium library linked directly to the University Library, the University's Co-Op Book Store, a fitness center, student recreational facilities, a snack bar, an interior courtyard that will give Waterbury a rare reserve of green and a 270-car parking garage. On street public transportation offers an additional convenience to the campus community.
As a Tri-Campus partner the Waterbury Campus offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Technology, an MBA program, a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Community Studies and course work toward the Masters of Social Work. For those students who wish to continue their education in the evening, a large number of courses are offered at all levels, including advanced courses toward the Bachelor of General Studies Degree and new Weekend College program. A selection of junior and senior courses in several majors including Mathematics, English, History, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies are available year round during the day and evening as this University of Connecticut regional urban campus continues to respond to the diverse needs of its diverse community.
The new Waterbury Campus has been designed to facilitate not only highest
quality contemporary learning opportunities but also maximum community
outreach.