Tuesday, February 25 – Friday, February 28, 2025 (Spring Enrollment)
Tuesday, September 2 – Friday, September 5, 2025 (Fall Enrollment)
Program Overview
To prepare for success in your transition to Guttman Community College, all first-time, first-year, associate degree-seeking students are required to complete the Bridge Program. This non-credit-bearing program is designed to help you understand Guttman’s academic expectations, identify your learning strengths and challenges, develop and practice goal-setting skills, familiarize yourself with campus resources, and cultivate a sense of belonging within the college community.
- Winter Bridge (Spring Enrollment)
- In-person degree-seeking students will participate in the in-person Bridge Program held at the Guttman South Campus (50 West 40th Street) February 25 – February 28, 2025.
- Online degree-seeking students will participate in the Online Bridge Program February 25 – February 28, 2025.
- Summer Bridge (Fall Enrollment)
- In-person degree-seeking students will participate in the in-person Bridge Program held at the Guttman South Campus (50 West 40th Street) September 2 – September 5, 2025.
- Online degree-seeking students will participate in the Online Bridge Program September 2 – September 5, 2025.
In-Person Bridge Program
Program Structure
The in-person Bridge Program lasts four (4) days.
- During the first three (3) days, you will participate in nine (9) class sessions focused on academics, student success, and community building.
- On the fourth day, you will complete your culminating course experience and attend the New Student Convocation. This special event marks the completion of your Bridge Program experience and offers a chance to celebrate your transition to Guttman Community College with fellow new students, faculty, and staff.
Bridge Time Commitment
You will be assigned to either a morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) bridge schedule that corresponds with the fall class schedule you have selected for the semester you are entering.
Bridge Days 1-3:
- AM Bridge Schedule: 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (4.5 Hours/Day)
- PM Bridge Schedule: 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm (4.5 Hours/Day)
Bridge Day 4:
- Culminating Course Experience & New Student Convocation: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (3 Hours)
Bridge Attendance Policy
To begin classes at Guttman Community College, you must arrive on time each day and participate in your entire Bridge schedule block (AM or PM). Additionally, you must complete all Bridge activities and assignments.
How will my participation be monitored?
Absence or Tardiness: Arriving late or leaving early is an attendance violation. Severe tardiness (over 15 minutes late) counts as an absence.
Missing a Full Day or Multiple Attendance Violations: If you miss a full day or the equivalent of a full day (3 sessions), the Bridge Response Team will contact you to discuss your absences and create a make-up plan.
Missing More Than 3 Sessions: If you miss more than 3 sessions, the Bridge Response Team will contact you to discuss your continued absences, create a make-up plan, and connect you with Student Success Advisor. You will be required to meet your Student Success Advisor during the first week of classes to create and adopt a success plan for the fall semester.
Failure to Engage: Failure to Engage: If you fail to participate in the Bridge Program and complete the required coursework by 11:59 pm on March 2nd (Winter Bridge)/September 7th (Summer Bridge), you will no longer be eligible to begin classes for the semester and will be dropped from all your courses on March 3rd (Winter Bridge)/September 8th (Summer Bridge). All appeals must be made in writing to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs by 11:59 pm on March 5th (Winter Bridge)/September 10th (Summer Bridge).
Appeal letters should be emailed to BridgeProgram@guttman.cuny.edu and must contain the following:
- First Name and Last Name
- Student EMPLID Number (can be found in CUNYfirst)
- The reason for the lack of engagement/completion in the Bridge Program
- Supporting documentation when applicable
What if I am Unable to Attend the In-Person Bridge Program?
If you are enrolled in an in-person degree program for the upcoming semester and cannot attend the in-person Bridge Program due to extenuating circumstances, you may submit a request to join the online Bridge Program.
- Submit your request by 11:59 pm on February 15th (Winter Bridge) and August 24th (Summer Bridge). Requests will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and you will be notified of the decision via email by Tuesday, February 18th (Winter Bridge)/Tuesday, August 26th (Summer Bridge).
The Common Read
This year’s common read book is Angie Cruz’s Dominicana. The novel explores themes of identity as 15-year-old Ana marries Juan and moves from the Dominican Republic to New York City in 1965. Students are provided a free copy of the text upon completion of New Student Orientation.
Online Bridge Program
Online Bridge Program (For online Liberal Arts and Health Information Technology students)
- Online Degree-Seeking Students:
- You will automatically be enrolled in the online asynchronous version of the Bridge Program.
- The program is asynchronous, meaning you can determine what time you log in to review and complete your daily assignments.
- You should allocate approximately 3 hours each day, to complete all online Bridge components
- Technology Requirements:
- A reliable internet connection and a laptop or desktop computer are required.
- Phones, tablets, or iPads are not suitable for completing program activities.
- Ensure you have access to Brightspace and other necessary digital platforms used in the program.
AccessABILITY Services
Accessible Materials
Students who require accessible materials, please contact the Office of AccessABILTY Services via email at accessabilityservices@guttman.cuny.edu as soon as possible.
Accommodations
If you received accommodations in high school, such as extended time on exams, a reader, or a separate location, please contact the Office of AccessABILITY Services as soon as possible at accessabilityservices@guttman.cuny.edu.
For any questions or additional information, please reach out to us at BridgeProgram@guttman.cuny.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you to Guttman Community College and supporitng you throughout the Bridge Program!