What is my classroom and how do I find it? Students receive emails with their classroom locations prior to their course starting. If a classroom location changes, students will be notified by email of these changes. During the semester course classrooms can be found listed on this page.
Campus Map: https://bit.ly/3msnHEY
Directions to ILR Classrooms – or scroll down to the bottom of this page
Directions to Dance Studio with photos
What is ILR?
The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) is a program for people, 55 years and over, who want to keep learning about the past and present, about their world, and about themselves and one another. Classes are taught by volunteer instructors who have expertise and experience in the subjects they teach. There is a lot of interaction, but there are no tests, no grades and no credits.
What can I learn?
ILR courses are determined by the interests and expertise of its members. “Peer learning” is the operating concept: members may serve as volunteer instructors as well as students sharing knowledge from their experiences in the workplace, from lifelong pursuit of a hobby or avocation or from the study of a favorite subject.
Who can join?
The ILR is for men and women 55 years and over. Courses usually meet one time per week during daytime hours. A course may run anywhere from one to twelve weeks depending on the subject and the instructor. Most courses run on average 4 to 6 weeks.
When can I join?
You can join the ILR when you register for courses. The ILR runs both a fall and a spring semester. Registration opens up prior to the start of the semester. Please check the Courses and Registration page for more information on registration.
Do I have to be retired to apply to ILR?
No, but you must be 55 years or over.
Do I have to have a college degree?
No. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds with a strong interest in continued learning.
Can I get a degree from ILR?
No. ILR courses and workshops are non-credit/non-degree offerings, and part of The College’s Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Members take courses at ILR for the pure pleasure of learning.
How many courses may I take per semester?
Members select five (5) courses per semester, plus bonus courses. The membership fee is for the current semester.
Are all ILR courses available online?
ILR offers both in-person and online classes.
What are the guidelines for registration?
Registration is available online, by phone or in-person. At the start of each semester there will be a designated registration begin date. On that date, prospective members complete the registration form, choose their courses and pay the fee.
In consideration of others needs and requests, please register ONLY for classes you plan to attend REGULARLY. If you register and realize you will not be attending the course, notify the ILR office as soon as possible so that we may open up the seat to another member. It is not necessary to notify the office if you cannot attend a single class.
Does ILR have a membership fee, if so, how much is it?
In order to take classes, ILR members pay a nominal fee prior to the start of each semester. The fee is subject to change.
Where can I get more information or submit a course proposal for a course that I would like to teach?
For more information, contact:
Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR)
Bergen Community College
Continuing Education and Workforce Development
400 Paramus Road, TEC 116
Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: 201-447-7156
E-Mail: [email protected]
Can ILR members use the Fitness Center and Pool?
ILR members can use the Fitness Center/Student Weight Room S-128 and Pool during “Free Hours” for these facilities during the semester in which they are registered with the ILR. Hours vary for each semester and are subject to change without notice. Classes have preference over “Free Hours.” Refer to the bulletin board posted at the entrance of room S-128 (Pitkin) for the current “Free Hours” of operation.
A valid College ID and a medical “M” sticker are required to use either facility. The medical form must be on file with Health Services in HS-100 located at the main campus. For more information contact Health Services at 201-447-9257.
Bergen County residents may use the college track when there are no student activities taking place on it.
Where do I park?
For all classes on the Paramus campus park in the Student Parking Lot B. You do not need a parking pass. The Technology Building is closer to Lot B’s G-9 area. The Pitkin Education Center is closer to Lot B’s G-1 area.
How do I log into my online class?
You will be sent a link to your online class about a week prior to to the start of the course. This link will be the same link for all class meetings.
How do I find my classroom?
Download the Paramus campus map here: https://bit.ly/3msnHEY
ILR classes are being held primarily in Tec-201 with some classes held in other locations.
Directions to Classrooms Commonly Used by the ILR
TEC-201 and other TEC classrooms are in The Technology Building. Enter from either side of the building and take the stairs or elevator up to the second floor.
A-104 is on the first floor near the Student Center area of the Pitkin Education Center.
B-323 is in the Pitkin Building. This classroom is close and easy to get to as long as you use the P-27 Entrance. This is a small entrance along the side of the Pitkin building. It is near a small white gazebo that sits just outside of the main outdoor courtyard. (From the Technology Building exit the main lobby and walk straight on the path across the road, and you will see Entrance P-27 directly in front of you.) Once you enter through the P-27 Entrance, you will see a bank of elevators in front of you. Take them up to the 3rd floor. When you exit the elevator you can only turn left. Your classroom is a few doors down on the left.
C-211 is in Pitkin. The easiest and most direct route to C-211 is to use the outside Gym/Pool entrance to Pitkin. From the B Parking Lot, walk past the T1 entrance of the Technology Building (T1 entrance that faces Pitkin) down a short road towards the Pitkin Gym/Pool entrance. Pass the East Entrance, and continue walking toward the small parking lot in front of the Gym/Pool entrance. This entrance will be on the left near the end of the parking lot. Enter and walk straight ahead (pass gym, pool, bathrooms, workout room, Bergen Cares and Threads) down a long hallway until you reach the elevator on the left hand side which is shortly after Threads. Take the elevator up to the second floor. When you exit the elevator, room C-211 will be directly ahead on your left.
Download/View – C-21 Directions (with 2 additional routes)
Gym-B is in the Pitkin Education Center. Enter using the Gym and Pool Entrance on the East side of Pitkin and proceed straight. You will see Gym B on the left hand side pretty shortly after entering the building.
Dance Studio C-106D: Use the P-32 Entrance. This entrance is off the main courtyard to the left of the large South Entrance. You will be entering the Student Center area near the One-Stop Registration (a large room with glass-walls). Walk past the One-Stop Registration down a long hall towards the Bookstore. Turn left just past the Bookstore and follow the signs over the doorways as well as on the rooms until you get to the Dance Studio. It is a quick walk from the bookstore, but one with a few quick turns. You will find yourself walking past the Office of Multicultural Services and then through a narrow hall with a bank of green lockers. The dance studio comes up shortly after the lockers.
Download/View – Dance Studio Directions with photos
L Classrooms: Enter Pitkin via the South entrance by Public Safety. These classrooms are in the nearby hallways off the lobby area.
S-132 and S-138 are in the Pitkin Education Center. Enter via the South Entrance. Walk down the short L hall in front of Public Safety. At the end of the hall take a quick right and then a quick left through the double doors following the signs to the Lecture Halls. S-138 is the first lecture hall on the right. S-132 is a little farther down the hall.
S-343 is in the Pitkin Education Center Science (S) Wing. Use the South Entrance to Pitkin which faces the outdoor courtyard. You will see Public Safety on your right and elevators on your left. Take the elevators up to the third floor. Head right past the water fountain and restrooms through a doorway into a long hallway with a brownish orange floor. Turn left onto this hallway and start heading down it. When the doors turn green you have entered the Science Wing. Walk a bit further and take your first left passing a bank of vending machines. S-343 is a few doors down on the left.
CONTACT THE ILR
Main Number: (201) 447-7156
General Email: [email protected]
Technology Building, TEC-115, Paramus Campus
400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652