New and Readmitted Students

Dear Student,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Reading Area Community College as you begin another chapter in your life. Starting something new takes tremendous courage, and I applaud your desire to obtain a college education.

We are here to help you achieve your goals whether you are working toward an associate degree, preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university or taking a few courses for personal development. Students who are new to the college experience often express doubts about their ability to accomplish all that is expected of them while juggling multiple responsibilities. You may be having some similar thoughts, but Reading Area Community College has a staff and services designed to make your transition to college as comfortable as possible.

Given that Reading Area Community College is so inexpensive - about $3,000 per year for a Berks County resident - it is clearly in your best interest to complete your associate degree before transferring to the four-year college of your choice. By completing your degree at RACC, you will position yourself to be eligible to receive scholarships to continue your education and reduce the amount of student loan debt to complete your bachelor's degree. You will also benefit from our support services such as tutoring, counseling and a small classroom environment that will contribute to your success as a RACC student and beyond.

Get ready for a truly exciting and challenging time of your life. Work hard, but be sure to have some fun along the way. There are a number of clubs, organizations and athletic opportunities available, and this is a great way to meet some new people and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. I hope that you will take advantage of the many services and opportunities Reading Area Community College provides and get the most out of your college experience.

If you find yourself unsure about your next step, encounter difficulties in your classes or have questions about anything, please ask so we can help you. If you're not sure where to go for help, please contact me at 610.607.6255, email Diane Marabella or stop by my office in 127 Berks Hall, and I will help you through it.

Sincerely,

Diane M. Marabella

Vice-President for Enrollment Management/Student Services

Important Links

WebAdvisor

Please be sure to use the WebAdvisor to locate your classrooms before the first day of classes! Instructions for accessing your personal information via Web Advisor are listed below. If you have any difficulties, please contact our webmaster for assistance.

For those students who do not have computer access, the Student Government Association has purchased a number of student kiosks located throughout campus (Berks Hall outside the Admissions Office on the first floor, Berks Hall cafeteria, Penn Hall student lounge, Student Union Building and the Yocum Library), which will allow you to access the Web Advisor.

Students should go to the RACC website (www.racc.edu) and click on “Web Advisor”. Sign in to the system by entering your name using your first and last full name with lower case letters and no spaces. This will be your user name each time you login.

IF this is the first time you are using Web Advisor, please enter the last six digits of your social security number and you will be prompted to create a new ID which should be a combination of letters and numbers with at least six to nine characters. Remember this ID because you will use it from this point forward each time you login to the system.

Follow the directions on this page each term in order to access your class schedule and room locations, grades at the conclusion of every term, your academic transcript, account information including account balances and financial aid, etc.

Note: If you are unable to locate your classes on web advisor, printouts of all classes and their locations will be posted in the lobbies of all buildings and by the elevators in Berks Hall, Penn Hall and the Yocum Library beginning the first day of term.

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Student Identification Cards

All students must obtain a STUDENT ID CARD.

Visit the Security Desk in Penn Hall during the first week of the term anytime from 8:30AM - 11AM and will resume at 4:00PM-7:00PM! Also, will be open from 8:30AM-12:00 noon only for the first Saturday of each term!

Student ID Hours
Day Time
Monday through Thursday 8:30AM - 11:00AM
Monday through Thursday 4:00PM - 7:00PM

REMEMBER - You must have your RACC student ID card or state ID in order to have your ID card updated or made. Also,to use the Computer Labs, Testing Center, Fitness Center, and to access the Parking Garage you must have a current ID card!!!!!

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Final Grades

Final grades will not be sent to your home at the end of the term. Instead, your final grades will be available on the Web Advisor.

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Fitness Center

The College Fitness Center is located at the southern end of the Gust Zogas Student Union Building and is open for student use during the following hours each term:

Fitness Center Hours
Days Hours
Monday - Thursday 9AM - 9PM
Friday 9AM - 5PM
Saturday 9AM - 12 NOON

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Health Insurance

Please contact Special Risk Consultants, the health plan administrator, at 610-489-6100 if you have any questions about the health care plan.

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Parking & Security

PLEASE NOTE: Students will need a student ID card in order to enter and park in the parking garage.

Students may use the Student Lot A (along Franklin St. marked “RACC Parking”), Student Lot B (located at the Orange Car) and the parking garage. Additional student parking is also available on the surface lot behind the Gateway building at Second and Washington Street.

For those students who desire an escort to their car, please contact the Security Officer in the lobby of the building in which you have your classes and request an escort to your car.

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Emergency Call Boxes

Two emergency call boxes have been placed in the Orange Car Parking Lot, two in Student Lot A and two in the lot surrounding Schuylkill Hall. The call boxes, when activated, will contact Security immediately. These call boxes were purchased through the efforts of the RACC Alumni Association.

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Student Activities

Anyone interested in playing men’s basketball, women’s basketball, intramural sports or beginning a baseball team should contact the Dean of Students’ office in B127 or 610.607.6244 or Kimberly Rivera. You must carry eight or more credits per term in order to be eligible for play.

There are many opportunities to join college clubs and organizations. Review the enclosed summary which identifies the activities and clubs which exist at RACC.
PRIDE Alliance, an educational/social club for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies is now forming. Please contact Kym Kleinsmith for more information and meeting times.

Please also visit the “Student Activities” section on the RACC website or contact Sue Gelsinger, Coordinator of Student Activities for more information.

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School Closings

When inclement weather conditions or other situations necessitate unscheduled cancellation of classes, the College will attempt to notify students as quickly as possible. Unscheduled school closings are announced on the “inclement weather hotline” at 610.607.6293, the college website (www.racc.edu), and the following radio stations:

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Emergencies

Please be aware that the College does not have a public address system; therefore, students cannot be contacted for any reason other than in cases of severe emergencies.

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Evacuation Procedures


If students need to evacuate the College premises for any emergency, be sure to take all backpacks, supplies, etc. with you as you leave the building.

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