It's not always about money

By: Joshua Seiden

Posted: 10/8/07

In light of the anti-education General Assembly in Jefferson City and ensuing University of Missouri System Board of Curators-mandated budget cuts, "entrepreneurial" has been the buzzword du jour at UMKC. If it don't make dollars, it don't make sense.

Last week, UMKC took a detour from the business model, opting instead for a solid commitment to making higher education affordable and accessible to as many students as possible.

On Oct. 3, Chancellor Guy Bailey and Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) President Thomas Burke signed an articulation agreement between the two institutions. With the agreement in place, students from KCKCC can now transfer to UMKC without fear of losing credit hours in the process.

A KCKCC news release quoted UMKC Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler as saying students can save as much as $10,000 by attending KCKCC for their first two years. Tyler also noted continued talks of additional transfer scholarships and the potential of offering UMKC courses on KCKCC campuses.

UMKC, as are area community colleges, is primarily a commuter school. Commuter institutions generally attract greater numbers of working students; those students in greatest need of cost-effective education consisting of courses that accommodate busy schedules.

In signing the articulation agreement, UMKC has affirmed the importance it places on serving this demographic, as well as serving those with other obligations prohibiting them from enjoying the traditional college experience.

In the midst of a financial crunch, it would have been easy for our university to instead become more selective when it comes to accepting transfer credit, effectively strong-arming students who may not necessarily be ready into entering the fray of a four-year institution.

Many students would have been forced to bite the bullet, resulting in sub-par grades and mounting debt. Through the articulation agreement, UMKC has placed the greater good ahead of short term financial gains through investing in the future of the community.

Among the dividends we can expect will be a more well-prepared workforce and a better educated electorate; an electorate that will opt for capable legislators willing to adequately fund higher education. Money should never serve as a barrier to entry for those who wish to enhance their knowledge.

As one who has partaken in UMKC's articulation agreements with area community colleges, I can vouch for the benefit of having such a resource available. It is comforting to know our institution does put learning first, whether that learning takes place here or elsewhere.

jds8t2@umkc.edu