Transfers to CSUS made easier

It may soon be easier to transfer to a four-year college thanks to a new program called the “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) between California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and Yuba College.The MOU is a special relationship improving the transfer rate and the overall success of the student once in college. Dr. Epler, President of Yuba College, spearheaded the coordination of this program after reading about a similar agreement between Los Rios Community College District and CSUS.A unique aspects of the MOU will be the opportunity it provides to area high school students. Targeted high schools will recruit promising eleventh grade students to sign an agreement guaranteeing admission to CSUS upon completion of their transfer course work at Yuba College.“This program will help students to meet their goals,” stated Dr. Farrell, Dean of Student Development at Yuba College. Dr. Farrell works closely with CSUS to develop the MOU.High school students who enter this program are offered concurrent enrollment, enabling students to take college courses while still in high school.“It’s possible that some students will have their first year of college done when they graduate high school,” said Farrell. “Some students could be looking at a three-year baccalaureate.”Another innovative aspect of this agreement is faculty-to-faculty dialog set to take place between CSUS and Yuba College. Faculty members of both institutions are in the process of comparing their curricula, in an effort to improve programs. The MOU offers increased services to existing Yuba College students.On-the-spot admission to CSUS, which already exists at Yuba, will now offer pre-admission advising by a CSUS transfer adviser. Students of CSUS will serve as peer mentors to offer information and support to future alumni.The MOU was signed September 26 of 2001, although both colleges are still in the process of implementing the program and finalizing all of the details.For more information on this or other transfer opportunities, call the Yuba College Transfer Center at (530) 634-7767.