Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Big Schools Sign Pact to Co-Enroll Students

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND – Portland Community College and Portland State University, who enroll more college students than any other schools in the state, will forge a new alliance to give students more choices and a clearer path to higher education. The agreement paves the way for joint admission and enrollment for both PSU’s and PCC’s current and prospective students. Basically, the new program will allow students to be admitted to both schools with one application. Students will pay each school’s respective tuition rate. The partnership is part of a trend in higher education to build better relationships between two- and four-year schools. "This agreement with PSU," said PCC President Dan Moriarty, "is very positive for our students and for PSU students. It gives greater flexibility and more security to students who already travel between both schools in pursuit of their bachelor’s degree. The arrangement will also benefit high school students who will be able to envision a clearer path to higher education."PSU’s Daniel Bernstine also sees the benefits. "This agreement sends a strong message to PCC students that we want them to transfer to PSU and that when they come they’ll have a good experience."The agreement will be formalized by a Nov. 1 signing ceremony with presidents Bernstine and Moriarty, along with student Robert Fisher, the first PCC student to take advantage of the agreement. The signing ceremony is set for Wednesday, Nov. 1, and will take place at PCC’s Sylvania Campus Performing Arts Center from 3 to 5 p.m., 12000 S.W. 49th Ave.In 1999, 2,230 PCC students transferred to PSU. Admissions coordinators expect the number to climb with the new program. "This gives students a safety net," said Craig Bell, dean of students at PCC’s Sylvania Campus. "Students do not always maintain a continuum due to work or family responsibilities. Now if they drop out, come back, take a class at PCC one term, at PSU the next, they do not have to re-apply for up to one year and their credits will be there, in the system."PCC, the largest post-secondary school in the state, serves 97,000 part- and full-time students annually in a wide variety of programs. The college boasts three comprehensive campuses, four workforce training centers and approximately 200 community locations throughout its five-county district. Portland State University serves more students than any other Oregon university, approximately 33,000 students annually, and offers over 100 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees.