The head of Spoon River College said his institution has been working with Western Illinois University since January on ways they can collaborate more closely.
SRC President Curt Oldfield said one issue they’re studying is the transfer process between the two institutions.
He said students expect their community college class credits to be accepted at Western, but sometimes they’re told they have to retake a course.
“After students hear that, they go and find somewhere else where all of their courses are going to transfer and they’re going to be able to graduate within two more years after they’ve graduated from their community college,” Oldfield said.
“We’re also unearthing other barriers that may be in place. So we’re trying to really turn every stone over and think about what is it that’s preventing a student from coming to WIU and how can we help the university overcome those barriers.”
Oldfield said their report will be completed in January, so it won’t provide immediate help to Western, but he said it’s a way SRC might be able assist the university in the long-term.
Oldfield thinks the plan will prove to be a roadmap that Western can share with all of the state’s community colleges.
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