Policies & Procedures

Policies and Procedures

Effective 4/1/2022

Woonsocket Education Center is a facility whose operations, management, and supervision are provided for by Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC). The center is an innovative facility that unites higher education, business, industry, and community partners to serve the workforce and community needs of the region.

Mission

To serve as a host facility coordinating efforts of postsecondary institutions in providing education and workforce training responsive to the needs of students, employers, and Rhode Island.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the OPC’s center staff include but are not limited to: conducting needs assessments, strategic planning, selecting or brokering courses and programs, coordinating and marketing services, facility maintenance and assuring the quality of delivery.

Goals

The OPC shall strive to meet the following goals regarding the center:

  • To provide enhanced access to postsecondary education in Rhode Island.
  • To meet the needs of the region’s workforce with quality education and training programs.
  • To promote a climate of cooperation among postsecondary institutions, governments, and businesses.
  • To position Rhode Island as a technologically advanced area, helping to create a skilled and trained workforce, and facilitating the economic development of the state.
  • To facilitate the integration of educational goals and career development of the citizens of Rhode Island.

Resources

Regulations

Safety & Emergency Procedures

We encourage staff, trainees, guests and property neighbors to promptly and accurately report all crimes and public safety incidents to the Woonsocket Education Center executive director. The facility engages 24-hours/day surveillance camera recordings of the premises for security and safety purposes.

In the event of a medical emergency, call 911.

In a safety or security emergency, immediately notify others in the area of the situation and sound an appropriate alarm. As soon as safely possible, call 911.

After notifying first responders and securing your own safety, notify the operations manager of the facility.

A defibrillator is located next to the elevator and some first aid supplies are located near the reception desk on the third floor.

Safety Policies

Facility usage fees

Scheduling facility use

Scheduling Academic Credit Courses

OPC will give priority to the scheduling of academic credit courses and workforce development programs each semester at the Woonsocket Education Center. In addition, any degree-granting programs being offered at the center will receive top scheduling priority.

Participating institutions that wish for their course schedules to be listed in the online calendar each semester must submit all course schedule information.

All course descriptions should be submitted electronically to the Executive Director. Rooms will begin being assigned on the opening date for submission. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In the event of a scheduling conflict for special use rooms, the Executive Director will work with Rhode Island state and private institutions to try and accommodate all requests. It may be necessary to explore options such as changing days, times, etc. to meet the needs of all institutions.

There may be occasions during a semester when an instructor would like to meet in another room for a limited time period, such as a computer lab, multi-use room, etc. In order to schedule time in a room other than the room assigned for the course, the instructor should complete the Equipment/Special Room Request Form. Woonsocket Education Center staff will try to accommodate all such requests.

Multi-Use Room 201 will be reserved for conferences, workshops, and special events and may not be available for credit courses except when not previously booked by another entity.

Scheduling Non-Credit Courses Or Other Activities

Any requests for facility use (with the exception of the semester credit course offerings) must be done in writing to the Executive Director on a Room Request Form. The Operations Manager will seek to accommodate these requests on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Liability

Damages to the Woonsocket Education Center and/or its contents are the responsibility of the organization that booked the event. Damages include those incurred by acts or omissions of the event organization’s agents, employees, participants, guests, or students.

All events must adhere to federal and state laws as well as municipal regulations.

Security

Woonsocket Education Center is equipped with multiple interior and exterior digital video cameras for safety. If on-site security personnel are desired, the booking organization is responsible for securing appropriate coverage. To coordinate logistics, please notify the Executive Director when security personnel are expected to be on the premises.

Location