By
Emily Severson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Proposal one of many handed down from Gov.'s task force
One of the recommendations made by the Governor's Task Force on higher education could increase admission standards for future University of Arizona students in order to redirect some unqualified college students to community colleges.
The task force, including UA President Peter Likins, recommended the controversial redirection of students initiative in the hopes that it will lift Arizona above its current dropout rate. About half the students who enter one of the public universities as freshmen leave before completing a degree program at the university, the task force's report stated.
The recommendation states that the Arizona Board of Regents should consider the use of more rigorous admission standards if Gov. Jane Hull agrees with the recommendation.
The purpose of the initiative is to direct students to the right place to begin their higher education. The idea is based on the concept that if some of the students who do not complete degrees at the university level would be redirected to the community colleges, they would be more likely to complete a bachelor's degree.
The task force has not decided how this redirection will take place, but raising admissions standards was suggested at a meeting between the ABOR and the State Board of Community Colleges on Nov. 16.
"The impact of the program is to optimize a student's individual pathway through their studies and their place in society," Likins said.
If Hull approves the redirection, it is crucial for students to make an easier transition from the community college level to the UA, Likins said.
"It is important for students to be able to have a seamless transfer through transfer support services," Likins said.
Most community colleges have university offices to encourage students to get their bachelor's degree, said Pete Gonzalez, a staff member of the community college board.
The task force recommendation will go to the governor's office in mid-December, Matthew Ortega, the assistant executive director of public affairs for ABOR, said. If approved, the recommendation would not immediately affect students.
"Nothing has been formally adopted. The idea was to have some discussion about this concept. It was not necessarily to find a definitive direction," Ortega said.
Another factor in the redirection is that the main campuses at some Arizona university are reaching capacity and the community colleges have the capacity for an influx of students.
"The redirection would use community colleges for their capability to absorb so many students," Gonzalez said.
