Lane Community College student Susie Jiing hopes to attend the University next year, but is worried about her credits transferring successfully.
“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of weirdness in transferring my credits,” she said. “I’m worried about having to take more classes than I have to.”
Because most classes at LCC are three credits and the standard at the University is four, transferring credits is just one hurdle LCC students such as Jiing have to jump when trying to attend the University. To make transferring easier and higher education more accessible to more students, however, the two schools have teamed up to create the Dual Admission-Enrollment Program.
The new program will be offered to 100 LCC freshmen for fall term 2001-02. In an effort to eliminate excess paperwork, students will need to complete only one admission form and one financial aid form, and pay one application fee. Students will also be able to take classes at both schools simultaneously, so general requirements can be completed at LCC while students pursue their major requirements at the University.
Elizabeth Bickford, University director of student financial aid, said by being able to attend both schools, students can take advantage of LCC’s lower tuition costs while receiving credits from the University.
“It’s a wonderful way to blend the opportunities of both schools and lower tuition,” she said.
Bickford said one problem for current University students who need financial aid is they have to take at least 12 hours per term to receive support, and if they split those hours with LCC, they are not eligible. But she said the new agreement will make it possible for students to attend both schools and receive support.
“This is just one of the benefits of the program that will really help students out,” Bickford said.
Helen Garrett, director of enrollment services for LCC, said she is confident about the future of the program.
“Students have been navigating the two schools on their own, but now we’re going to help them as a team,” she said.
Garrett said Oregon State University already has a similar agreement with Linn-Benton Community College, but the LCC-University of Oregon program is starting out small during its first year.
“We want to give it care in its first year to make sure things get rounded out,” she said.
Garrett said each school offers opportunities the other does not. While LCC offers night and weekend courses, the University offers certain upper-division courses that LCC does not, she said.
“Students get to tap into everything both schools have to offer, and we’re giving them structure as they navigate through both,” she said.
Bickford said it is unclear whether the dual program will one day expand to include all students from both schools.
“It’s going to depend on the success during the first two years,” she said. “It’s very complicated to put a program together like this at the administrative level.”
So for the time being, Jiing and other students in her position will have to deal with the current complications of transferring between the two schools.
“I hope it all works out for me,” Jiing said. “I’m just thinking about my future.”