The University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College (MTC) have formalized an agreement that will give MTC students access to University programs and services to enhance their transfer to the Columbia campus.

The agreement, signed and announced July 17 by University President Andrew Sorensen and MTC President Marshall (Sonny) White Jr., creates the Bridge Program, which will take effect this fall.

MTC is the largest source of transfer students for the University, and about one-third of MTC's 15,000 credit-seeking students indicate a goal of transferring to a senior institution.

The agreement is the first to create a university-wide initiative with the goal of increasing access to higher education for the state's citizens. The University announced a similar, university-wide initiative with Greenville Technical College in May.

Sorensen said the program is intended to expand access and facilitate enrollment on the Columbia campus for MTC students.

"Education clearly is the path to a better life, and our technical colleges play an essential role in preparing students for the workforce and for further education," Sorensen said. "By entering into this partnership, we want to make the transition from Midlands Technical College to the University of South Carolina as seamless as possible and ensure that students are fully prepared to succeed academically and take advantage of every opportunity that the University offers."

White said the University is an essential partner with MTC in educating tomorrow's leaders.

"We at Midlands Technical College consider the University of South Carolina to be one of our most important educational partners, as MTC is the major supplier of transfer students to the University," White said. "We believe it is important to make the educational path as smooth as possible for all students, and the Bridge Program gives Midlands Technical College another opportunity to provide access to students who want to be at the University of South Carolina."

Kip Howard, University assistant vice provost for enrollment management, said the program packages some of the University's most successful student-oriented programs and services and formally expands them to the MTC campuses for students who declare their intent to enroll at the Columbia campus.

Each fall semester will highlight programs that inform students about University policies and programs, including information on admissions, financial aid and scholarships, and academic success. Spring semester will include more details on these topics, as well as information on careers and the University's Career Center program. Visits to the Columbia campus will be encouraged.

Students who elect to participate in the Bridge Program are allowed to enroll in the University after successfully completing 30 hours of general studies and successfully meeting the University's academic criteria. Students also can enroll after completing an associate degree containing 60 hours.

Howard said the University would begin contacting eligible students immediately, including students who were rejected by the University for fall 2007 admission or students who have been deferred to spring 2008.

"Our goal is simply to give students who want to attend the University of South Carolina better preparation with programs that will help them make the transition successfully, graduate with a four-year degree, and be prepared for a successful career or graduate school," he said.

One of South Carolina's largest two-year colleges, MTC enrolls approximately 15,000 students annually. About one in three college-bound high school graduates in the college's service area is served by MTC. The college's Continuing Education Division provides training opportunities to more than 30,000 individuals annually, and is the largest provider of non-credit, professional upgrade training of any two-year college in the state.

7/07