Community college students looking to transfer to any CU campus may have an easier time starting this spring.
CU introduced its CU Guaranteed transfer program today. The program guarantees eligible community college students admission into the Arts and Sciences programs in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver.
According to a news release from University Relations Associate Vice President Ken McConnellogue, CU Guaranteed is the only transfer program of its kind in the nation.
Eligible students must acquire 30 semester hours at a Colorado community college, which they will transfer to CU along with a GPA of at least 2.7. The requirements are different from other guaranteed admissions programs, which ask for an associate degree and 60 credit hours.
“This agreement will enhance our strong partnerships with Colorado’s community colleges and will allow thousands of transfer students to take advantage of programs at our research universities,” said CU President Bruce Benson.
Benson said the program is also predicted to meet state and national goals of increasing the number of individuals with college degrees.
“CU Guaranteed dovetails with national and state imperatives for educational attainment, including Gov. Ritter’s recently announced Complete College Colorado initiative,” Benson said.
President of the Colorado Community Colleges System Nancy McCallin said CU Guaranteed should benefit community college students and the state.
“The Colorado Higher Education Strategic Plan promises access, quality and successful completion for all Colorado citizens,” McCallin said. “CU Guaranteed allows those promises to be translated into reality with the guarantee of a smooth, seamless transfer from Colorado Community Colleges to CU’s three campuses.”
Vicki Leal, program director for CU’s Academic Affairs department, said improving processes related to transitions between community colleges and four-year institutions will increase the likelihood of a student attaining a bachelor’s degree while also reducing completion time and cost.
The program is effective beginning spring semester 2011.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Carli Auran at Carli.auran@colorado.edu.
