Posted: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 12:00 am
Dean: Dual-enrollment at LBCC, OSU helps socially, financially
By Alex Paul
For the Gazette-Times
Students who take advantage of the Degree Partnership Program between Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University can benefit both academically and socially, a six-month doctoral thesis project has found.
They also may save thousands of dollars in tuition over four years.
The program works well whether the student is fresh out of high school or coming to college at a later stage of life, according to Jackie Balzer, dean of student life at OSU.
She followed the progress of six students and graduates. Balzer interviewed each student several times throughout the course of the project. They represented a diverse group in terms of age, sex, class load and degree programs.
"This was a go-deep project," Balzer told about two dozen staff members at LBCC Monday. "Each person was much different from one another. I wanted them to tell their story."
Balzer called the program a pathway between the community college and the university. She said education officials nationwide point toward the need for seamless education systems and the partnership program meets that standard.
Across the board, students say they are proud to be enrolled in both colleges and that it eases a stigma among some students about attending a community college instead of a university.
In fact, Balzer said, community colleges are enrolling 50 percent of all new college students nationwide.
"There hasn't been much research up to now on degree-partnership programs," Balzer said.
Dual enrollment helps students "feel safer" and less confused, Balzer said, adding that it works differently for each student, but it works. Some students "get lost" when jumping from high school to a large university.
"Every instructor at LBCC knew my name," one of the students told Balzer.
Being able to access the smaller class sizes at LBCC was also a plus. The program lets students "test the waters" and avoid the "abruptness and feelings of isolation" that often engulf a new student.
Balzer said she was surprised to learn that even though funds were tight for the students, they all chose to pay student fees at both schools. That way they could access features such as recreation centers or purchase athletic tickets at discounts as well as be involved with student organizations on both campuses.
The LBCC/OSU partnership began in 1996, according to Patsy Chester, who has been instrumental in the effort since day one. Now semi-retired, Chester remains active in the program and works with Bruce Clemetson, LBCC associate dean of enrollment.
Nearly 6,000 students have dual-enrolled, according to Clemetson. In 2005, 1,700 students participated.
"The class of 2003 was the first class that had the opportunity to be dual enrolled all four years," Clemetson said. "Those students had a higher grade-point average and took 18 fewer OSU credits. The tuition cost saving for the student is about $8,000."
Even if a degree partnership student is taking all of his or her classes at LBCC, they can live in OSU student housing.
"The Degree Partnership Program is exactly what students want," Balzer concluded. "It's making a real difference in the lives of students."
Reporter Alex Paul can be reached at alex.paul@lee.net or 812-6076.
At a glance
• OSU/LBCC Degree Partnership Program students can enroll at either institution or both simultaneously each term. They can take any combination of classes that fits their needs, such as all at one school, all at the other, or some at each. They can change that schedule each term.
• There is a single application to both institutions based on the university's admission criteria.
• Students pay tuition based on where they are attending classes. LBCC class tuition is about $65 per credit hour. OSU tuition is about double that.
• Each school bills the student separately.
• Students can interact with academic departments and administrative offices at both campuses.
• To learn more, call the LBCC admissions office at 917-4811 or the OSU admissions office at 737-4411.