This page provides current announcements, semester updates, catalog releases, reminders, and important notices for all ILR students.
Please check this page regularly during the semester, especially during the first two weeks when classroom locations or schedules may change.

Updates are posted throughout the year to help students stay informed and prepared.

Spring 2026 Program Announcements

Spring 2026 Catalog Published

Friday, January 16, 2026 – Live Now Click Here

Spring 2026 Registration Opens

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Spring 2026 Semester Dates

Monday, March 2 through Friday, May 29, 2026

Spring 2026 Course Load

Students may take:

Four Primary Courses
Three Bonus Courses

Holiday Closures for Spring 2026

No classes will be held on:

Spring Break: March 9 through March 13
Passover: April 1
Good Friday: April 3
Memorial Day: May 25

ILR remains open on Presidents Day (February 16).

Course Updates and Catalog Corrections

Attention Students: Please review the following changes to the current semester schedule. These updates supersede the information printed in the physical catalog.

COURSE CANCELLATION: IR-995 Acting Workshop

The following course has been removed from the schedule:

Course: IR-995 Acting Workshop
Instructor: Glen Vincent
Status: CANCELLED
Note: We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the registration office for assistance with transfers.

IR-990: How to Plan for Aging in Place

Date Correction: The session previously listed for Monday, April 13, has been rescheduled.

Correct Date: Wednesday, May 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: In-Person, Paramus Campus
Instructor: Wendy Sabin
Registered students have been notified via email.

IR-393: Financial Fitness in Retirement

Schedule Adjustment: To accommodate scheduling needs, one session has been moved from Thursday to Tuesday.

Revised Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 29 (replaces Thursday, April 30)
Full Schedule: April 9, 16, 23 (Thursdays); April 29 (Wednesday); May 7 (Thursday)
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Instructors: David Chepauskas and James Maimone

Sing Sing Sing

Time Correction: Please note the updated meeting time for this course.

Incorrect Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Correct Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

NEW COURSE: Drawing 101: Value and Shading Basics

Instructor: Myra Gatchalian This six-week beginner course focuses on the fundamentals of light, shadow, and realistic shading techniques using graphite and colored pencils.

Duration: 6 Weeks (2 hours per session)
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Required Materials: Sketch pencils; Canson Mixed Media Sketch Pad (7x10in, 98lb).

Instructor Spotlight: IR-088 AARP Smart Driver

Instructor: JoAnn Mitchell, MBA, CMP We are pleased to welcome JoAnn Mitchell to our faculty. JoAnn is a certified AARP Smart Driver instructor with over 20 years of experience in adult education and a professional background in global engineering.

Important Note on Holiday Closures

Standard breaks (Spring Break and Passover) are noted in the catalog for some courses but not all.

If your course lists a “Closed” date: No class will be held.
If no “Closed” date is listed: The course is pre-approved to meet as scheduled.
Verification: Please confirm the specific holiday schedule with your instructor during the first week of class.

Highlights from Recent Semesters

The ILR offered more than fifty courses during the Spring 2025 semester. Course topics covered a wide range of subjects, including:

Understanding Art History
Current Events Discussion
Environmental Issues of the Twenty-First Century
Memoir Writing and Gratitude
Latin Dance
Fun with Physics
World War One
Selected Topics in United States History
The Bergen Community College Common Read course
- This spring: Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
- Co-taught by Professors Carol Miele and Jaehyun Julia Lee-Hong

These offerings reflect the depth and diversity of ILR course topics each semester.

The Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 catalogs will continue to build on this successful model by expanding course variety and adding new topics based on student and instructor interest.

Classroom Location Updates

During the semester, classroom changes may occur due to campus scheduling needs.

How You Will Be Notified

All classroom changes are emailed to enrolled students.
Updated classroom lists are posted at the Continuing Education and Workforce Development front desk (TEC-115).
Updates are also posted on this News and Program Updates page.

Students are encouraged to check their email frequently, especially during the first two weeks of the semester.

Online Course Information

Students enrolled in online ILR courses will receive:

A virtual meeting link
Instructions for accessing the online classroom
Any required materials or attachments

These will be sent approximately one week before classes begin.

If you do not receive the link within three days of the start date, please contact the ILR office.

Weather-Related Closures

If Bergen Community College closes due to inclement weather:

All ILR classes scheduled for that day will be canceled
ILR staff will provide make-up dates when possible
Updates will be posted on this page and sent by email

Students may also check the Bergen Community College homepage for campus-wide announcements.

Movement Classes and Field Trip Requirements

Students enrolled in movement classes (such as yoga, tai chi, light exercise, or dance) or off-campus field trip courses must complete a Bergen Community College Accident Waiver.

Waivers may be completed:

In class
At the ILR office
Prior to the class using a printed form

Students will not be permitted to participate until the waiver is submitted.

How to Stay Informed

To ensure you receive all updates:

Check your email regularly
Add “[email protected]” to your email contacts
Visit this News and Program Updates page often
Refer to the ILR website prior to the start of the semester
Call the ILR office with questions

Contact the ILR

Telephone: (201) 447-7156
Email: [email protected]

Technology Building, TEC-115
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, New Jersey 07652