University in the High School Breaks Record

 

The College's University in the High School (UHS) offerings have expanded for Fall 2003, yielding significant increases in part-time enrollments for the College and excellent opportunities for regional school districts to serve students. As compared to Fall 2003, when UHS courses drew 211 students, Fall 2003's record 530 student headcount is beyond expectations and is the primary driver behind the College's extraordinary part-time enrollment numbers. The most popular courses are Pre-Calculus, eCommerce, and Business Law; however, across all high schools, the College offers a wide array of courses.

 

The growth in UHS offerings is due to the work of Dr. Euclid Rose, who was appointed as Assistant for Continuing Education in Fall 2002. This is a full-time, temporary, grants-funded position. Dr. Rose's charge was to oversee expansion of extension site offerings and to take steps to ensure that the quality of off-campus courses is equal to those taught on-campus. Dr. Rose delivers an unparalleled level of service to school districts and it is his accessibility and promptness which have generated so much interest in SCCC's offerings.

UHS courses are currently offered in fifteen local high schools, such as Guilderland High School, and the Capital Region BOCES. Each course is taught by a certified teacher who has been approved as an adjunct faculty member through our normal approval process. Once approved, the adjunct instructors teach SCCC courses to high school students, utilizing the same course outlines and textbooks as used by on-campus instructors. Similar to on-campus practices, new adjuncts teaching UHS courses are observed in the classroom, and formal evaluations are written.

Griffin Holly, UHS instructor for BUS 109 E-Commerce at Guilderland High School

It is anticipated that for Spring 2004, three new high schools will join the ranks of those offering our UHS courses: Schalmont, Ballston Spa, and Watervliet. It is also anticipated that up to 250 new students will enroll in Spring UHS courses, bringing our annual total to approximately 800 students. The goal for the 2004-2005 academic year is to exceed 1000 students participating in UHS courses.

The College is a member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partners (NACEP), an organization of colleges and universities which offer UHS-type courses. The College is adhering to NACEP standards and hopes to apply for organizational accreditation by next year. In addition, the College is a member of SUNYCEP, an organization of SUNY two-year colleges which offer courses in high schools. Last December the SUNYCEP winter meeting was held on the SCCC campus. As compared to most SUNY institutions, SCCC's UHS program is in its fledgling stage. Finger Lakes' Gemini Academy serves 1400 students; Corning's ACE Program serves more than 1800 students; Genesee's ASP Program serves 2100; and Monroe's Dual Credit program serves more than 4000 students annually!   Return to the Stone Soup newsletter