Sam Houston State, Blinn Sign Agreements

From left, SHSU President James F. Gaertner, State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Blinn President Don Voelter.

The presidents of Sam Houston State University and Blinn College met Thursday with State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst and other officials from the two schools to mark the finalization of three cooperative strategies to improve transferability for students.

It was the second such event in two weeks for James F. Gaertner, SHSU president. A similar agreement-signing was held Feb. 24 with North Harris Montgomery Community College District.

Blinn president Don Voelter hosted Gaertner, Kolkhorst and others for a ceremonial signing and a luncheon on the Brenham campus.

During the past year the two institutions have completed 34 articulation agreements in more than 40 majors allowing for students to maximize the amount of course work completed for the associate degree at Blinn that can be applied to a bachelor's degree at Sam Houston. The agreements have been placed on line, making them readily accessible via the Internet to students and counselors at both schools.

Other agreements allow for "reverse transfer" in which students may transfer course work from Sam Houston State to Blinn to complete requirements for the associate degree.

"This program is specifically designed to allow students to receive the advantage pursuant to completion of the associate degree when they leave Blinn prior to degree completion," said Ron Johnston, vice president of academic affairs for Blinn.

The third agreement is "joint admission" which provides students a mechanism to maximize their utilization of facilities and programs offered jointly by Blinn and Sam Houston State while making the transition from the associate to bachelor's degree.

"We already have our first student to co-enroll at the two institutions," said David Payne, provost for Sam Houston State.

Kolkhorst, whose District 13 includes both schools, said she hopes more of the state's institutions of higher learning will establish similar agreements.

"Blinn has been a pioneer in pursuing articulation agreements with four-year institutions," she said. "There are 21 million Texans out there that don't want to hear that something can't be done. They don't understand why this 3-hour course won't transfer from here to here.

"Bureaucracy should never get in the way of education."

She expects the Blinn and Sam Houston State cooperation to be a driving force in the state's Closing the Gaps initiative to make education available to more Texans all over the state.

"Blinn College and Sam Houston State University have individually and jointly pledged to rededicate their efforts to improve the educational opportunities afforded our students," said Voelter.

Officials from the schools said they anticipate additional cooperative degree offerings (articulation agreements), examining ways to facilitate the transfer of financial aid between institutions (including joint enrollment) and additional counseling opportunities including access to counselors from both institutions for students making a transition between the two schools.

"Sam Houston State University and Blinn College have enjoyed a great relationship and share a lengthy bond," said Gaertner. "This year marks our 125th anniversary and Blinn has been offering exceptional education programs for almost that long.

"I am also aware of Blinn's growing enrollment -- which is similar in numbers but even larger than our enrollment in Huntsville and the University Center in The Woodlands -- and of Blinn's many exceptional programs. These agreements will only enhance and improve our already strong ties."

Joining in the ceremonies from Sam Houston State were David Burris, community college liaison; Mitch Muehsam, director of graduate studies; Dick Eglsaer, associate vice president of academic affairs; and Joey Chandler, director of recruiting and admissions.

Other Blinn officials present were John Barkman, executive vice president; Barbara Pearson, vice president for the Brazos County campuses, John Harris, vice president of student services; and John Robertson, vice president of business services.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
March 11, 2004
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