Sec. 210c.
(1) A study committee shall be created to develop a process to improve the transferability and applicability of associate of arts and associate of science degrees as a block of credits between community colleges and public universities on a statewide basis. Building on the Michigan transfer network sponsored by the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and, where possible, existing local articulation agreements between individual institutions, the committee shall work to explore standards for program articulation between institutions so that an associate of arts or associate of science degree earned at a community college is considered the equivalent of the first 60 credits of a baccalaureate degree, and those credits can be seamlessly transferred and applied to the program of study at the receiving university.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the study committee created under subsection (1) explore issues relevant to block transfer agreements, including, but not limited to, the satisfaction of all lower division general education requirements, the applicability of equivalent courses to the major program of study, junior-level standing at the university for transfer students, and the completion of the baccalaureate degree with a limit of 60 post-transfer credit hours. Because of the legislature's interest in promoting degree completion, the study committee should also consider incentives for students to complete both an associate degree and a baccalaureate degree.
(3) The study committee created under subsection (1) shall consist of the following members:
(a) Ten representatives from community colleges selected by the Michigan Community College Association.
(b) Ten representatives from public universities selected by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.
(c) Four members of the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
(d) One member of the Michigan house of representatives selected by the speaker of the house.
(e) One member of the Michigan house of representatives selected by the minority leader of the house.
(f) One member of the Michigan senate selected by the senate majority leader.
(g) One member of the Michigan senate selected by the senate minority leader.
(4) The study committee created under subsection (1) shall submit a project status report and initial recommendations to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on community colleges and higher education, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the state budget director by March 1, 2016.
History: Add. 2015, Act 85, Eff. Oct. 1, 2015
Last modified: October 10, 2016