Title 5 Changes Defining a Transfer Associate Degree

Spring
2010
Resolution Number
04.04
R
Assigned to
Resolutions Committee
Category
Articulation and Transfer
Status
Completed

Whereas, The California community colleges have multiple missions, one of which is to prepare students for transfer, and do an exemplary job of providing transfer students with their lower-division baccalaureate education;

Whereas, Transfer students who complete a minimum of 60 baccalaureate units, including general education and major preparation coursework, are experiencing a delay in reaching their educational goals due to the competitiveness for university admission as well as the disproportionate and excessive fee increases, making a bachelor’s degree out of reach for many California community college students;

Whereas, The coursework necessary for upper-division transfer to the California State University and the University of California systems, while including the most rigorous courses offered at the California community colleges, differs from the coursework needed to earn an associate degree, and as a result many transfer students leave the community college system not eligible for an associate degree; and

Whereas, Students, community colleges, universities, legislators and the general public share a desire to minimize unnecessary classes and units and maximize efficiency and wise use of taxpayer resources;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with the Chancellor’s Office to enact changes to Title 5 that would define distinct associate degree requirements for students who are attending a California community college preparing to transfer to a University of California or California State University campus, and these requirements would include a minimum of 60 baccalaureate units, full certification of the IGETC or CSU General Education Plan, and articulated major preparation coursework based on the upper-division transfer admission requirements of the receiving institution; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges recommend a policy to local senates to align the courses and units required for associate degree transfer majors so as not to exceed the lower-division major requirements at the universities and to refrain from adding any additional local graduation requirements.

MSR Disposition: Referred to the Executive Committee to study and return with a recommendation in Fall 2010.