University Guarantees Admission For Some Students

REDLANDS>> Crafton Hills College students will be guaranteed admission at the University of Redlands under a new agreement to be signed by Dr. Wei Zhou, president of CHC, and Dr. Ralph Kuncl, president of University of Redlands. A ceremonial signing took place Wednesday, March 8 in the CHC Transfer Center. “The transfer agreement with University of Redlands will provide a seamless pathway for our students to earn a bachelor’s degree from one of the most highly-ranked private institutions in our own backyard,” Zhou said. “Even more exciting is the promise of a $10,000 scholarship for those students accepted into the program. With about 70 percent of our students receiving financial aid, this agreement alleviates the financial hurdle so many of our students encounter when they transfer from Crafton Hills College. Thus, it has the potential to take the widely discussed community college completion promise program to the next level.” Under the agreement, CHC will provide students with articulated transfer courses, develop student education plans and schedule courses in a pattern that supports their transfer as a junior-level student at University of Redlands. Crafton students must earn a 3.1 cumulative grade point average in 24 transferable units, and they must complete college-level English and mathematics with a grade of C or better. “This rare public-private partnership will increase the college-going rate in the Inland Empire, an area with the lowest college degree attainment rate in the State, and help provide the educated workforce that is needed here,” Zhou said. U of R President Ralph Kuncl said the university is proud to be a part of the promising pathway. “It is a dynamic partnership that puts higher education within reach of every student, guides them through the liberal arts to careers experience, and prepares them to succeed at each level,” Kuncl said. Envisioning a “cradle to career” pathway, the agreement also encourages a pipeline from the Yucaipa/Calimesa Unified School District and the Redlands Unified School District to Crafton Hills College, and then from Crafton Hills College to University of Redlands. “Increasing our partnership with the University of Redlands to include Crafton Hills College is an impressive move for our Redlands Unified School District community,” said RUSD Superintendent Lori Rhodes. “We are thrilled to be part of this collaboration. Our Redlands Ready Commitment prepares students for college, regardless if students choose the path of a community college or a four-year university. Joining forces with the U of R and CHC will certainly increase opportunities for our students to pursue higher education.” Cali Binks, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified District Superintendent, said CHC is a regional top ranked community college in the neighborhood. "This partnership provides a ‘direct express’ to baccalaureate degrees for our students,” Binks said.