SiMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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MEMORANDUM ?
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To ........ . ......... .
SENATE
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From
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SENATE UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
BRITISH COLUMBIA COLLEGE -
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UtVkSITY
CREDITTRA.SFER ?
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Subject .... ...
GUIDELINES..
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Date ?
DECEMBER 15, 1976
MOTION:
"That Senate approve in principle the report on
transfer credit guidelines, as set forth in
S76-11
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together with the attached foot-
notes that are necessary for clarification
of current policies at Simon Fraser University
and are ccinsidered to be appropriate to the
document."
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From .....
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SEN
AT
E
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UNDERGRADUATEADM
155 IONS
BOARD
Date .....
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5TH
....DECEMBER.,....
1976
SiMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
MEMORANDUM
"UNIVERSITY CREDIT TRANSFER GUIDELINES"
The Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board at its
meeting of 14th December, 1976, considered the
attached report of the Post-Secondary Coordinating
Committee of the Universities Council of B.C. on
"University Credit Transfer Guidelines". Each
public University and College has been asked to
consider the proposal in principle and respond to
the Committee With its comments.
After thorough examination and discussion of the
proposal, the S.U.A.B. has approved the proposal
In principle and present the attached footnotes
'(in italics) as an appropriate response for approval
by the Senate.
As a result, the S.U.A.B. passed the following -
MOTION: ?
" That the Senate approve in principle
the report on Transfer Credit Guide-
lines together with the attached
footnotes which are necessary for
clarification of current policies at
Simon Fraser University and are con-
sidered to be appropriate to the
document.
Attach.
AC1I:bc
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SUAB 75
TO: THE SENATE UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS BOARD
The attached report of the Post-Secondary Coordinating
Committee of the Universities Council of B.C. has been
forwarded to the Senate Undergraduate Admissions Board
for approval. This approval will be in principle, as
each institution has been asked to respond separately.
The report has been discussed informally by Dr. D.
Birch, Prof. L. Wilson, H. Evans and myself, the result
ofwhich is the following motion. and footnotes (in
italics).
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MOtION: ?
" That the Senate Undergraduate Admissions
Board recommend to Senate approval in
principle of the report on Transfer
Credit Guidelines, together with the
attached footnotes which are necessary
for clarification of current policies
at Simon Fraser University and are con-
sidered to be appropriate to the document.
Attach.
ACM:bc
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June 21, 1976
BRITISH COLUMBIA COLLEGE-UNIVERSITY CREDIT TRANSFER GUIDELINES
PREAMBLE
1.
For the purposes of these guidelines, credit transfer is
defined as the awarding of academic credit by a College
Council, or University Senate, for academic achievements
at another institution. Students who are awarded academic
credit by one institution for work carried out at another
are referred to as "transfer students".
NOTE: In the case
of
Simon Fraser University, this would
not include "visiting students" or other similar special
cases.
2.
The ultimate aim of the British Columbia Credit Transfer
Policy is to provide a service to students by facilitating
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their obtaining the best possible education in the most
economical and efficient manner. This principle of econo-
my and efficiency implies minimum repetition or recapitu-
lation of studies, and maximum recognition of demonstrated
knowledge and skills. Thus, claims on students and
faculty time and effort are minimized.
NOTE: Simon Fraser University recommends the substitution
of
"courses" for "studies".
3.
The transfer of students between colleges and universities
in British Columbia should be carried out
in
an atmosphere
of mutual trust and respect, based on full and free
exchange of information between these institutions. To
this end, the major requirement for transfer policy imple-
mentation is the establishment of active subject-discipline
articulation committees, with equal representation by all
colleges and universities offering courses and programmes
in the subject .areas. An Articulation Committee shall
provide the major forum for the discussion of all matters
relevant to the transfer of credit within or associated
with the discipline.
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GUIDELINES
1. ?
Discussions concerning individual courses or programme
of study at public colleges and universities in BritIsq
Columbia should, in general, be initiated with the
relevant Articulation Committees, so that questions of
suitability of course content, adequacy of supporting J
facilities and related matters, may be discussed at a
early stage of negotiations between institutions.
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To this end, both colleges and universities should be
prepared to provide the following information: course
name, course number, hours per week (lecture, lab,
seminar), objective of course, outline of topics covered,
texts and required readings; and, although subject to
change without notice, the initial proposals for method
of instruction, method of evaluation, and the names and
qualifications of instructors. A standard form might
be used by all colleges and universities to exchange this
information.
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NOTE: Simon Fraser University recommends adding the
following statement as the second sentence in Guideline
1:-- "Prior discussion by the appropriate departments
should be encouraged." In addition, for Simon Fraser
University, the qualifications of instructors would not
include a curriculum vitae but a statement indicating
the nature of degrees or similar qualifications and
areas of competency.
2.
The final decision on the awarding of transfer credit
rests with the College. Council or University Senate
concerned.
3.
A college or university which denies the transfer of
credit requested by another institution shall state the
reasons for this refusal.
4.
Agreements on transfer credit must be made between
specified authorities
in
the respective institutions,
in
order that contracts once made would be duly recorded
and recognized.
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5. Once an agreement has been reached on the conditions
of credit transfer of an individual course or programme
of study, it shall not be abrogated without reference
to the specified authorities
in
the institutions
affected, and the relevant articulation committee.
6.
A university planning changes to its curriculum which
will affect the requirements for credit transfer must
inform the members of the relevant articulation committees
as soon as possible, preferably a year in advance of its
implementation, so that other institutions can consider
the desirability of alterations to their courses and pro-
grammes.
NOTE: Simon Fraser University recommends deletion
of
the following:-- ". . . preferably a year in advance
of
its implementation, . .
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In addition, for Simon
Fraser University, the Registrar will normally communi-
cate curriculum changes to the Chairman
of
the British
Co lwnbia Post-Secondary Coordinating Committee immediate-
ly following approval by Senate, and in certain circum-
stances, may also provide data to the relevant committee.
7.
The colleges and universities have a responsibility to
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fulfill the commitments
in
the course descriptions,
and to notify the other institutions in the system should
any major change
in
the course content or level occur.
NOTE: For Simon Fraser University the Registrar would
normally inform the Chairman
of
the British Columbia
Poet-Secondary Coordinating Committee.
8.
Institutions should consider transfer students on the
same basis as their continuing students except that
admission of college students to university should
normally be subject to a minimum overall average of
Colleges must accept the responsibility of ensuring that
"C e
represents an acceptable level of achievement rela-
tive to further studies; maintenance of relative standards
should be one of the functions of the Articulation Com-
mittees. Notwithstanding this general provision, a univer-
sity, while recognizing the right of a college student to
transfer, may require a higher level of achievement on
transfer to match the level required of its own students
for admission to programmes of study to which access Is
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subject to limitations. Universities must make
provision, whilst maintaining confidentiality of the
records of individual students, for reporting the
progress of transfer students to the colleges from
which they had transferred.
NOTE: For Simon Fraser University, the confidentiality
of
the records
of
individual students must be main-
tained, but must not unduly inhibit appropriate ins titu-
tional and non-institutional research. Studies requir-
ing review
of
individual student records may be under-
taken provided overall confidentiality is maintained.
The Registrar will have authority in these matters.
9.
Transfer arrangements between colleges and universities
are assumed to be based on "lower division" (ie; first
and second year) studies. It is recognized that the
assignment of "year level" to any individual course
might vary at different institutions, and therefore,
specific exceptions to this rule might occur under
inter-institutional agreements.
10.
Transfer of credit would be identified in the following
categories by the universities:--
(i)
specific equivalent of a given course
(ii)
unspecified (elective) credit in a discipline
or department
(iii)
unspecified (elective) credit in a Faculty
(iv) unspecified (elective) credit up to 9 semester
hours (4.5 units) for college courses not
identifiable with university course offerings
but which the colleges evaluate as being appro-
priate for academic credit on transfer.
NOTE: Simon Fraser University at present does not grant
Faculty credit (iii above) but does grant (Type III)
General Elective Credit (iv above) well beyond the above
maximum; but only on courses recognized for academic
transfer credit. Simon Fraser University proposes to
continue this policy.
11.
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Provision should be made for a forum (such as the Post-
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Secondary Coordinating Committee) where questions of
transfer of students among institutions in British
Columbia can be discussed by representatives of all
the public colleges and universities of the Province
and where, if necessary, recommendations can be formu-
lated for submission to College Councils and University
Senates. Appeals on any aspect of transfer policy,
unresolvable at other levels, may be made to this body.
NOTE: For Simon Fraser University, this is interpreted
as being appeals by a department, a faculty, or an
articulation committee only, with the understanding
that the committee would perform an ameliorating function
and that Guideline II would remain in effect.
PROCEDURE MANUAL
1.
Colleges seeking transfer credit for new or revised
courses shall make a formal submission to the relevant
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university official (see Appendix 1) with copies or
abridged statements to all members of the pertinent
Articulation Committee(s). However, it would be
desirable for all proposals to have had preliminary
screening in the Articulation Committees prior to their
formal submission. Although submissions may be made at
any time, each university will establish a deadline in
terms of inclusion of proposals in its published list
of college-university course equivalencies.
2.
Information should be provided in Guideline 1.
3.
The responsible university official who receives a
proposal will be expected to respond as promptly as
reasonable to the initiating college with a copy to
the office at the university that is responsible for
the publication of a list of course equivalencies and
a copy to the chairman of the relevant Articulation
Committee(s).
Orfox
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E.
COMMENTSOF THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY ON THE REPORT OF THE POST-SECONDARY
COORDINATING CO I
Ifl ITTEE
OF THE UNIVERSITIES COUNCIL OF B.C. ON "UNIVERSITY
CREDIT TRANSFER 'GUIDELINES"
The Department of Criminology wishes to express its profound
misgivings about the proposed "University Credit Transfer Guidelines". The
Department feels that the proposed guidelines have the potential to jeopardize
the high academic standards presently considered appropriate to post-secondary
education in the Province of British Columbia. In the Department's view, the
proposed guidelines are drafted in a vague and ambiguous form which clearly
invites future difficulties in interpretation. Furthermore, it must be
recognized that the proposed guidelines effect a radical change in the nature
of the credit transfer process as it now exists; the Department feels strongly
• that the direction of this change may well be detrimental to the academic
quality of its program.
The specific comments of the Department in relation to the individual
provisions of the Report are set out below.
Preamble
3. ?
This provision refers to transfer "between colleges and universities".
It would seem realistic to assume that transfer from a university to a college
is a relatively rare occurrence and therefore it must be fair to conclude that
the credit transfer process normally involves a decision by the university as to
whether or not a college course is of comparable academic quality to courses
offered at the univristy. In the light of this assumption, it is difficult to
determine why the major policy body in the area of transfer credit within any
particular discipline should be an "Articulation Committee" constituted on the
basis of "equal representation by all colleges and universities offering courses
and programmes in the subject areas". If we take the case of the Criminology
Department as an example of the practical effects of such a policy, it may
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readily be understood that grave threats are posed to individual University
departments by the implementation of such a policy.
Simon Fraser University is the only university to which Criminology
courses may be transferred in B.C. It has been the bitter experience of the
Departmental Articulation Committee that in a discipline which has a quasi-
professional orientation there is a compelling need to ensure that college courses
considered for credit transfer should not be "career" courses, oriented towards
the purely practical needs of practitioners working within the criminal justice
system. The Department feels that "career" courses are a legitimate offering
of the community college and perform a valuable function within the justice
system; however, it is convinced that courses designed exclusively for career
students are not (exception in exceptional circumstances) suitable for academic
credit transfer. Some colleges are (understandably) most anxious to combine
their career and transfer programmes and to argue that their courses are quite
capable of serving two masters; the Department of Criminology feels that there
is a fundamental incompatability between career and academic courses. It is
felt that college students who transferred into Upper Division Criminology
courses on the basis 6f career-oriented programs at the college level would
constitute a serious threat to the academic integrity of those Upper Division
courses. The Department is not arguing that career programs are in any way
"inferior" to academic programs - merely that they are different.
Since thre is no permanent transfer agreement between the youthful
Criminology Department and the five or six colleges offering criminology courses,
it would seem inappropriate for the major policy-making body on transfer credit
to be based upon the principle of equal representation. In the case of
criminology, Simon Fiaser University would always be in a minority position
as the only university on the Articulation Committee. Since the "reality"
of the transfer process is that the colleges are asking that their courses
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should be transferable to Simon Fraser University's Criminology Programme
it does indeed seem strange that the university should have so little a say
in the formulation of policy which it regards as a critical influence upon the
future development of its Criminology Programme.
This proposed principle also suffers from an ubiquitous vagueness
which will surely provoke a variety of problems of interpretation in the not too
distant future. The present formulation makes no mention of the precise nature,
powers and functions of the proposed Articulation Committees. What is the
concrete effect of their decisions? How are decisions to be made?
Finally, it should be noted that the principle refers to "policy
implementation" rather than "policy formulation". Is this wording intentional?
If so, it would appear to contradict Guideline 2. on the other hand, is it
the intention of the proposed guidelines to permit the University Senate to
ignore policy formulated by an Articulation Committee? Should not these issu s
be dealt with before such changes are effected in the transfer process?
Guidelines
1.
If the situation in which a university course is to be credited by
a college is exceptional, it is wondered why the university should provide
information such as the "qualifications of instructors"?
From the point of view of the university seeking whether or not to
credit college courses, it must be stated that the information to be provided
is purely "formal" in nature. It is suggested that the provision of sample
essay or paper assignments and examination papers might provide a more realistic
picture of the substantive nature of a course.
2.
It is not entirely clear what the decision-making process involves
in relation to credit transfer. Will each university department maintain its own
articulation committee and make recommendations to Senate? To what extent
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must the Senate defer to policies formulated by the Articulation Committees
mentioned in Preamble 3? What arguments are there for abolishing the present
practice of decisions being made by the Registrar in cooperation with departmental
committees?
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4. ?
The Department wonders whether decisions made by the university as to
credit transfer should be described as "contracts"? On legal and other grounds,
such a description wot1ld appear to be entirely inappropriate.
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8. ?
Without questioning the principle that colleges may set the level of
achievement upon which transfer is based, it is suggested that the powers of
Articulation Committees in relation to the maintenance of relative standards
should be clearly staked in this proposed guideline. To leave such a critical
matter for future determination would be most unwise.
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10. ?
The Department feels strongly that the presently existing categories
of transfer credit should not be altered. In particular, the policy that courses
should not be transferable unless they are of acceptable quality should not be
altered. While college courses may not be "identifiable" with particular course
offerings theymay be of university quality nevertheless: there is no justification
for the university to abandon its right to examine academic standards in relation
to all college courses as it will do if type (iv) credit is accepted. It is
suggested that prop$al 10 (iv) be amended so as to read "which the University
evaluates as being appropriate for academic credit on transfer". No justification
is provided for the proposed type (iv) credit but it does appear arguable that
university students would be in a less favorable position than transfer students
if such a change were introduced: Why should university students not receive
similar credit for dourse offerings which are not identifiable as university
course offerings in the strict sense?
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11. ?
Guideline 11 is obviously open to the same criticism as that levelled
against Preamble 3.
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the forum proposed in Guideline 11 was based upon the
principle of equal representation, community colleges would far outnumber
universities when questions involving appeals came before it. Without in any way
questioning the integrity of the representatives from community colleges, it would
appear to be somewhat
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likely that when there is a direct conflict in philosophy
between universities and community colleges that the latter would have the
decisive say in any situation in which such conflict arose. Of course, it is
recognied that any recommendation by such a forum would have only advisory status.
HOwever, it is still the view of the Department that some different method of
constituting any such appeal body should be developed.
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7 January, 1977
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