News Release

Contact:

Jonathan Lackland
217.557.7334
lackland@ibhe.org

        Candace Mueller
217.557.7354
mueller@ibhe.org

November 19, 2012

Facilitating college completion for transfer students in Illinois

IBHE poised to hear public community college, public university, and private university experts discuss the importance of transferability through articulation strategies

Springfield - Illinois’ economic future is dependent upon a well-educated workforce. However, as the cost of college continues to increase and more students are place-bound or working, they are starting their college programs at the local community college, which makes supporting transfer success a key service offered by Illinois colleges and universities.

At the December meeting, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will hear from higher education experts on successful efforts underway to improve transferability among colleges, including baccalaureate-completion opportunities that currently exist between community colleges and public and private four-year institutions in Illinois. The focus will be on two IBHE-supported transfer programs available to Illinois students:

• The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. IAI works best for students who know that they are going to transfer but undecided on where.
• u.select: a nation-wide, web-based transfer information system that provides students with fast and accurate course and transfer information on colleges around the country. Many Illinois institutions participate in u.select, and it is free for anyone to use.

“One of the recommendations under Goal 3 of the Illinois Public Agenda is to strengthen articulation through stable funding and expansion of transfer tools such as the Illinois Articulation Initiative and u.select,” Carrie J. Hightman, IBHE Chairwoman said. “Students who are planning to begin their postsecondary studies at an Illinois community college but will pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university deserve a clear path forward to completing their degree. This is an opportune time for a closer examination of how obstacles to transfer can be removed for Illinois’ students.”

The IBHE will meet Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, located at 17 North Dearborn Street, Chicago.

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