FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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
Classroom List of ILR Courses for Fall 2024 (updated 10/4/2024)
IR-055 Irish Short Stories Seamus Gibbons and Kelly Keane TEC-201
IR-058 Music Appreciation Jon Cavallerano TEC-203
IR-060 Legal Issues Concerning Elderly Robert J. Romano, Jr. TEC-201
IR-063 Basics of Weather Forecasting Jess Geller TEC-201
IR-085 Presidential Crises II James Devine TEC-201 (TEC-203 on 11/26)
IR-088 AARP Driver Safety JoAnn Mitchell Bonus S-343
IR-090 Film Program 1: Women Who Win Theo Solomon A-104
IR-152 Math 101 Ronald Grinblat S-343 – CANCELLED
IR-153 Progressive Movement Janet Dinardo-White TEC-203
IR-162 Presidential Crises I James Devine TEC-201 (TEC-203 on 10/17)
IR-167 Memoir Writing and Gratitude Shelley Reich L-145
IR-245 U.S. Supreme Court Keith Danish TEC-203
IR-247 ILR All Campus Choir Barbara Heitmann Bonus A-104
IR-251 Basic Math Skills Saeed Manii S-343
IR-256 In The Record Various Speakers from The Record TEC-201
IR-313 Japanese American Experience Emily Ginder TEC-201
IR-316 History of Ukraine and Russia Yuri Bloshtein L-141
IR-335 Let’s Travel: Italy’s Hidden Gems Lainie Ognibene Online
IR-362 Magical Micro World Yelena Bobovnikova L-148
IR-393 Financial Fitness in Retirement Chepauskas and Maimone S-343
IR-418 Understanding Wine Lainie Ognibene Online
IR-437 Intro to Digital Photography Ray Turkin S-343
IR-480 WWII: Air Force; FDR; Truman DeStefano and Feingold TEC-201
IR-521 Topics in Biology and the Environment Robert Dill TEC-203
IR-602 Five U.S. Presidents Tom DeStefano A-104 (S-138 on 10/10)
IR-619 Watercolors for All Barry Shiff TEC-203
IR-630 Mah Jongg Linda Cohen TEC-201
IR-640 Discovery Series Mario Medici TEC-201
IR-649 Spanish in Action Cecilia Diaz TEC-206
IR-676 Sketching for All Barry Shiff TEC-202
IR-680 Alzheimer’s 101 Jenna Noecker Bonus TEC-201 – Technology Building
IR-702 Neurology 101 Judith Lustig TEC-201
IR-709 Energize and Thrive Angela Goldman B-323
IR-711 Introduction to Korean Hyun Kim TEC-201 – New Bonus Class
IR-724 Genetic Genealogy 101 Fred Voss TEC-201 – CANCELED
IR-750 Clash: Robeson and Robinson Altschuler and Burke TEC-201
IR-775 President Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School Rick Feingold TEC-201
IR-814 Film Program 2: Dealer’s Choice Theo Solomon A-104
IR-852 Early 20th Century America: Trials; Fads… Carol Lafond TEC-203
IR-860 Financial Planning in Retirement Traphagen Wealth Advisors S-343
IR-911 Mindfulness Theory and Practice Peter Dlugos TEC-214 – Technology Building
IR-919 Healthcare Costs and Social Security Theresa J. Yarosh S-343
IR-925 Astrology Connection Victoria Carrelle TEC-206
IR-930 History of Women in Photography Harmon Kaplan TEC-201
IR-939 Senior Balance Yoga Rennie Ackerman TEC-206
IR-948 U.S. Space Program Joe Lennox TEC-201
IR-957 Current Events Club Herman Lindenbaum TEC-201
IR-965 Makers of History Manfred Weidhorn Online
IR-975 Transforming Power of the Gospel Linda Lawrence Bonus TEC-206
IR-977 Artificial Intelligence Fred Voss TEC-201
IR-978 Lively Discussions – Spirituality Book Club Rachel Wieland Bonus TEC-203
IR-980 Secret WWII Concentration Camp Diary Timothy Boyce Bonus TEC-201
IR-990 Plan for Aging in Place in the Home Wendy Sabin Bonus TEC-201
IR-995 Acting Workshop Glen Vincent TEC-204
What is ILR?
The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) is a program for people, 55 years and older, 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 older. 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 older.
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
Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development
400 Paramus Road, TEC 116
Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: 201-447-7156
E-Mail: ilr@bergen.edu
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.
Gym-B is in the Pitkin Education Center. Enter using the Gym & 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.
L Classrooms: Enter Pitkin via the South entrance by Public Safety. These classrooms are in the nearby hallways off the lobby area.
S-138 is 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-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: ilr@bergen.edu
Technology Building, TEC-115, Paramus Campus
400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652