The report reveals that the majority of transfers occurred in students' second year, regardless of the direction ...]]> One-third of all students who began their postsecondary education in 2006 transferred (before earning a degree or certificate) to a different institution within a five-year period, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

The report reveals that the majority of transfers occurred in students' second year, regardless of the direction of transfer (vertical, lateral or reverse). The most prevalent transfer destination was public two-year institutions, even among students who started at a four-year institution.

NEBHE and the New England states have been keenly interested in students' transfer activity.

Among transfer-related efforts in New England:

Advantage U is a partnership between Maine Community Colleges and the University of Maine system guaranteeing community college graduates admission to a university in the U of Maine system.

MassTransfer is designed to ease the college transfer process in Massachusetts through defined coursework, an online portal, and resources for faculty and students.

The Transfer Guide published annually by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education outlines the articulation policies across all three public institutions in the Ocean State.

NEJHE recently highlighted new trends in student transfer in an article titled The Good Business of Transfer by national consultant Chari A. Leader. She noted that academic and career entry and exit points now span a lifetime for "swirling, dropping in, dropping out, and moving on" learners.

University of Maine System Chancellor Richard L. Pattenaude emphasized the confluence of economic development and higher education in a joint session of the Maine state Senate and House of Representatives in his "State of the University" biennial address on March 30.

“Historically, higher education has meant ...]]>

Pattenaude presenting at NEBHE's 2011 Excellence Awards

University of Maine System Chancellor Richard L. Pattenaude emphasized the confluence of economic development and higher education in a joint session of the Maine state Senate and House of Representatives in his "State of the University" biennial address on March 30.

“Historically, higher education has meant personal growth and discovery, creating and preserving knowledge, and helping our students become lifelong learners and better citizens,” Pattenaude noted. “Today, however, the new ‘normal’ in higher ed is all about rebuilding our economy and creating opportunities for our students to live and work in Maine.”

To steer a path to this "new normal," the chancellor outlined three initiatives already underway to improve: remediation rates, transfer issues and the University System’s responsiveness to business needs. He noted:

• UMS is partnering with the Maine Community College System and Maine Department of Education commissioner Stephen Bowen to prepare a “Complete College America” grant which will focus on college preparation, remediation and retention.

• Maine’s universities and community colleges will work to solve transfer problems among public institutions.  “We are committed to working collaboratively to make the transfer experience smooth, seamless and effective,” Pattenaude said.

• The University System is working to help address the state’s need for graduates in information technology and computer science programs.

Pattenaude said the University System has made significant progress since his 2009 biennial address, which kicked off the New Challenges, New Directions initiative to focus on achieving long-term financial stability, keep education affordable and meet Maine’s changing educational and research needs.

For a complete text of Pattenaude's speech, click here.