This week’s update will focus on two topics:
- Successful Transfer of Credit – MnSCU Report to the Legislature
- NCTC Foundation Scholarship Ceremony – Thief River Falls Campus
Successful Transfer of Credit – MnSCU Report to the Legislature
Responding to concerns about transferability of credits within Minnesota’s public colleges and universities, the 2010 session of the Minnesota Legislature passed a law requiring the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to “develop and implement a plan to improve credit transfer within the system.” The law also requires the Board of Trustees to report to the legislature by February 15 of each year through 2014.
The 2012 report will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at its January 17 meeting. It is available to review at http://www.mnscu.edu/board/materials/2012/jan18/asa-03-transfer.pdf
In brief, the report makes four primary conclusions:
- A study of best practices in transfer throughout other public systems in the United States reveals that the MnSCU system has implemented almost all of these best practices, including statewide collaborations, communication of policies, academic policies, and use of data.
- Ninety-one percent of students who transfer within MnSCU institutions do so successfully without experiencing problems. Of the nine percent who have reported problems, one third were related to acceptance of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) courses and one third were related to course equivalency determinations. Of those students who appealed after encountering difficulties, 90% were able to have some or all of their disputed credits accepted.
- The “Smart Transfer Plan” is well on its way to full implementation. The plan focuses on five areas:
- Colleges and universities will use a common format for course outlines, the primary documentation of course content
- A complete evaluation of all Minnesota Transfer Curriculum courses was completed; course equivalencies are displayed in u.select, a course equivalency database.
- Students will be automatically informed of their rights to appeal and the processes through which they can appeal transferability of credits.
- Information related to transfer on all institutional home pages will be consistent and accurate
- Advisors and other staff involved in transfer activities will receive on-going and consistent training.
- Successful transfer is a major priority for the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees.
At Northland, we have embraced the steps underway to insure that students receive thorough advising and guidance in their choices of courses, programs, and majors. We work with universities to bring representatives to our campuses to meet with students and help them make their transfer plans. Our Academic Affairs and Standards Council works to insure that course outlines are clear in their communication of intended outcomes and course content.
NCTC Foundation Scholarship Ceremony – Thief River Falls Campus
On Thursday evening, Jan. 12, eighty individual students were awarded more than 130 scholarships by the NCTC Foundation in an event in the college theater in Thief River Falls. Nearly $75,000 was awarded.
This was a great event – a celebration of academic excellence on the part of our students and a recognition of the generosity of the many donors who have supported student scholarships over many years. Donors include private businesses, community organizations and individuals, including college retirees, NCTC alumni, educators and employees. Several of the scholarships have been established in honor of or in memory of family members, friends, or notable individuals.
The tagline of the NCTC Foundation is “Enriching Lives through Investing in People.” The truth of this statement was in high visibility last Thursday. I was so pleased to see that nearly all of the student recipients were present to accept their scholarship certificates. Many donors or representatives of donors were also in attendance to make personal presentations. The college and the community work well together. This ceremony is a great example of the support our students enjoy. A similar scholarship ceremony will be held at the East Grand Forks campus on Tuesday, January 17th.
Upcoming College Events
Jan. 17 – TRF Campus Health Fair –for employees, students & public – 12-2 – Gunderson Commons
Jan. 17 – EGF Campus Spring Scholarship Awards Ceremony – 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 – Pioneer Basketball vs. Rainy River Community College; 6 & 8 p.m.
Jan. 21 – Pioneer Basketball vs. Hibbing Community College; 2 & 4 p.m.
Feb. 1 – TRF Campus Open House
Schedule
My schedule for this week:
Mon., Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Holiday – Travel to St. Paul
Tues., Jan. 17 – St. Paul – MnSCU Board of Trustees
Wed., Jan. 18 – Dakota County Technical College – MnSCU Board of Trustees, Travel to TRF
Thurs., Jan. 19 – EGF – Cabinet, Shared Governance Council
Fri., Jan. 20 – EGF – meetings
Have a wonderful week.
