IU, Ivy Tech sign credit transfer agreement

IU and Ivy Tech State College-Bloomington officials signed an agreement last month that provides the first framework for the transfer of credits between the two institutions.\nThe agreement allows students earning an associate's degree in science in general studies at Ivy Tech to transfer their credits to IU's bachelor's degree program in general studies.\n"This actually came about from a discussion I had with the dean of academic affairs at Ivy Tech about giving students the opportunity to transfer to IU," said Ron White, IU's director of of the division of continuing studies. "It was obvious to link our bachelor's program with their general studies program."\nThe credit transfer agreement was initiated and welcomed by both institutions. White said both institutions wanted better links so those graduating from community and technical colleges have better opportunities to transfer to IU.\nThe general studies degree is designed for working adults, the predominant portion of students enrolled at Ivy Tech. White said this program offers more flexible opportunities for adults to earn a degree with many classes in the evening, which are easier for working adults to attend.\nHowever, some younger students see the credit transfer as just an easier way to get into IU.\n"My grades were so lackluster that I couldn't get in anywhere but Ivy Tech," Ivy Tech freshman Erick Valler said. "I'm just putting in time there until I can get to IU. The classes aren't quite as difficult there."\nValler was planning to transfer even before the agreement was announced. This just helped confirm his decision. \n"I've been planning to transfer all along, but this agreement makes it even better," he said.\nTransferrable credits between IU and Ivy Tech have raised controversy in the past. Some believe it is unfair that a student can study at Ivy Tech for a couple of years, transfer to IU and instantly be on the same level as a student that has spent all his time at IU.\nHowever, White said he doesn't believe the agreement will devalue an IU education.\n"That's not fair to say that," White said. "That would imply that Ivy Tech isn't up to snuff, and that's just not the case. And also, our faculty and their faculty are better coordinating their studies so students have the best chance of succeeding when they transfer here."\nInterim IU-Bloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis agrees.\n"Since the students will be competing with currently enrolled Bloomington students in that degree program, they will need to do as well as the students who started here as freshmen," Gros Louis told the IDS in an e-mail. "Thus, I don't think the fact that they've taken courses at Ivy Tech will strengthen or weaken the degree. Rather, it provides an opportunity for a baccalaureate degree for those students capable of achieving it."\nAdministrators say there is a large possibility for more agreements between Ivy Tech and IU in the future.\n"This is a great opportunity for our students," said John Whikehart the Ivy Tech-Bloomington chancellor, in a statement. "It's also an excellent beginning for us to think about other opportunities to work together collaboratively."\nWhite said he also sees a bright future for agreements between the institutions.\n"The general studies agreement was the first, but I certainly wouldn't expect it to be the last."\n-- Contact senior writer Chris Freiberg at wfreiber@indiana.edu.