Mar 15, 2012
Board of Regents Approves Transfers Across 17 Institutions
The Board of Regents approved a seamless transfer agreement across its 12 community colleges, four state universities and Charter Oak State College.
“First and foremost, this proposal will help the students we serve more easily navigate the process by which they can earn a baccalaureate degree,” said Lewis J. Robinson, chairman of the Board of Regents. “The old saying ‘Time is Money’ has no better illustration than students paying for and taking general education classes at a community college, only to be told they don’t count toward their degree when they try to transfer them to a state university. It’s nonsensical, and with this new policy, it won’t happen.”
“The faculty at our 17 institutions deserve our thanks and appreciation for being such an integral part of this process,” said Robert A. Kennedy, president of the Board of Regents. “Change is never easy in a higher education setting, particularly when it involves the integrity of the classroom experience. The proposal that was agreed to today includes a number of improvements suggested by the Faculty Advisory Committee, and I believe they will help make the implementation of this policy smoother and protect the quality of the courses we offer.”
“This is exactly the kind of work I knew was possible when we first discussed the reorganization of higher education in this state last year,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “A workable transfer policy has been talked about in Connecticut’s higher education community for well over 30 years. But now that there is one board overseeing all 17 institutions, we can more seamlessly implement critical policies like this one.”
The policy is competency-based — meaning students will be expected to demonstrate competence across the knowledge and skill areas defined in general education. By Sept. 30, 2012, the 30-credit common core curriculum will be approved by faculty at the community colleges, state universities and Charter Oak State College, and a full major-by-major transfer plan will be adopted by July 2013.
“It's so exciting to work with the Board of Regents on an agenda that will help students get through college in a more expedient and successful way,” said Senator Beth Bye, co-chair of the legislature’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.
“Any reduction in college completion time is welcome news for students and families,” said Representative Roberta Willis, co-chair of the legislature’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “It reduces students' tuition costs, and it maximizes the use their financial aid and scholarship awards by the lowering the expense of taking duplicative courses.”
View the Transfer Agreement (pdf)