Program allows students to transfer to IU without leaving the
state
Jesse Sando dreamed of getting a bachelor’s degree through four
years as a Navy man and 29 years as a United States Postal Service
union organizer.
Program allows students to transfer to IU without leaving the state
Jesse Sando dreamed of getting a bachelor’s degree through four years as a Navy man and 29 years as a United States Postal Service union organizer.
“I’ve been working part-time to sustain my education,” Sando said. “It’s been a life-long dream. I knew when I retired it was one of the things I wanted to do before I died.”
The retired 57-year-old started working toward his degree four years ago when he enrolled at Gavilan College, focusing on sociology classes. As he completed his associate’s degree, he thought he would have to put his education on hold for financial reasons. He applied to California State University, Monterey Bay, but even with a scholarship he knew he wouldn’t be able to afford two years at the coastal university.
But a new partnership between Gavilan College and Indiana University, the state university system in Indiana, has opened new options for Sando.
He is one of the first Gavilan College students to apply for the 90-30 program – an option that will allow him to complete 90 credits at Gavilan and then transfer to Indiana University for the last 30 credits – without leaving the state.
The program is unique in several ways. First students can transfer up to 90 credits to IU, rather than the 60 credits most colleges or universities will accept. Students can take classes locally at community college prices for an extra 30 credits. Then students are allowed to complete the last 30 credits through IU at in-state Indiana costs through distance learning courses.
“The classes are done online or through correspondence courses,” said Jesus Olivas, a Gavilan College counselor. “Students who have other obligations or can’t leave the city can still finish their bachelor’s degree.”
Indiana University has partnered with eight community colleges in California and seven in Illinois on the 90-30 degree program, though Gavilan College is the only bay area community college to offer the option.
“This partnership makes it possible for students to earn a bachelor’s degree without community or moving to another area,” said John Pruitt, interim vice president of student services at Gavilan.
The agreement between the two colleges was completed in Spring 2006 and Sando is one of the first students to apply for it.
“Thank goodness this came up,” Sando said. “I was going to take a break until I could afford to go, but this came up. The cost of a UC or CSU is tremendous.”
The California State University Web site estimated the 2005-2006 cost of attendance at $11,000 per year – and a transfer student from Gavilan College would have to complete 60 credits, or the equivalent of two years at the campus.
“The cost for one year of upper division classes [at IU] is about $5,000, including books,” Olivas said. “It’s a pretty good price and students can do it in one year.”
Like other community colleges in the region, Gavilan College has about 20 percent of their students transferring to four-year colleges or universities, according to Olivas. He hopes the 90-30 option will increase the number of Gavilan students who complete a bachelor’s.
“That’s why this is such a great program,” Olivas said. “The first thing we considered is that we have a lot of students who can’t leave home.”
While Sando plans to concentrate on sociology in his coursework, when he completes his degree, he will receive bachelor’s of general studies.
“The only drawback is that you can’t just pick any major you want,” Olivas said. “But you can concentrate in those subjects you want.”
However for students who want to pursue a career in science or business, Olivas admitted the general liberal arts program might not be the best fit.
“If you came to me and told me you really want to go into engineering, I probably wouldn’t recommend it,” Olivas said. “They wouldn’t prepare themselves to get an engineering degree.”
Since completing his general education and meeting the requirements for the 90-30 program, Sando has sent off his application and awaits a response for the out-of-state university.
“For me, it’s like a blessing and the timing is perfect,” Sando said.
To find out more, students can speak with a Gavilan College counselor at 408-848-4723, or contact Indiana University at 1-800-334-1011.
