Transitioning the Transfer Credit Culture from Boos to

Transitioning the Transfer Credit Culture from Boos to Woo-Hoos: It’s a Marathon, not a Sprint … … or is it an Obstacle Course? AACRAO 2017 Technology & Transfer Conference

Presenters Adrian R. Cornelius University Registrar University of Maryland adrianc@umd. edu Sandra Quinn Coordinator Transfer Credit Services University of Maryland sjquinn@umd. edu

Overview • History of transfer credit at UMD • Reorganization/transition of Transfer Credit Services • Obstacles and challenges throughout the marathon • Boos to Woo-hoos • Tools and resources implemented • Training materials

History of Transfer Credit at UMD • 1992 - Established Transfer Credit Center (TCC) = Admissions + Registrar UMD transfer course articulation database created • 2013 - TCC rebranded as Transfer Credit Services (TCS) • 2015 - TCS reorganized under the Office of the Registrar Office • 2016 - Extensive assessment of TCS Assessment of international transfer credit (Admissions + Education Abroad + Registrar)

Reorganization/Transition of TCS • Staffing • Transfer course evaluation process • Policy and procedure compliance ◦ Acceptability vs. Applicability of transfer courses ◦ Repeat and duplicate credit policies ◦ Prior Learning Credit (e. g. AP, IB, CLEP, A-Level) • Business Practices • Resources to students, advisors, and support staff

Obstacles and Challenges • Technology limitations ◦ SIS – Enhancements – Data – Workflow – Articulation database – Imaging Ticketing system – ET errors • Varying business practices ◦ Record touchpoints – Evaluation process workload – Evaluators’ responsiveness Obtaining syllabi & course descriptions – # of students – Exceptions to policy • Communication and the dissemination of information ◦ Students – Advisors – Support staff • Enforcement of polices and procedures ◦ Documentation – Stakeholder engagement & support for compliance – Training TC acceptability v. applicability

Stakeholder Engagement • Stakeholders’ agendas • Varying degrees of policy enforcement, resulting in “exceptions” • “I’ve been here for 20 years …” • Communication & support up and down the chain • Balancing academic integrity with supporting students

Boos! • 2016 AACRAO Tech and Transfer Conference ◦ Asked if other institutions post transfer courses to the student’s record with a default acceptability of YES, and then later remove the credits once the courses have been evaluated for acceptability …

Woo-hoos! “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. ” ~ George Bernard Shaw “Without continual growth and progress, such words and improvement, achievement and success have no meaning. ” ~ Benjamin Franklin

1) Technology • Change the default acceptability from “YES” to “PENDING” • Restrict the display of transfer courses on the student’s record until a baseline evaluation of the courses is completed by TCS • Add codes in SIS to better communicate notations on the student record • Implement electronic workflow (inquiries, updates, etc. ) • Investigate issues with ET and ways to improve postings to student records • Update ARTSYS (Articulation System for Maryland College and Universities) database • Modernize transfer course evaluation system (u. Achieve Transfer Articulation) • Acquire a new SIS

2) Business Practices • Streamline review of student records (to reduce multiple touch points) • Establish expected timeline for the completion of evaluations (10 days) • Require third-party international credential evaluation • Centralize location for receipt of transcripts • Make baseline decisions on acceptability for general elective credit • Institute guidelines for exception to policy (rare and extraordinary circumstances? ) • Implement periodic review of transfer courses for acceptability to UMD (5 years) • Staff a table at Orientation • Cross-train TCS staff

3) Stakeholder Engagement • Transfer Evaluator Workgroup • Documentation (cheat-sheets, spreadsheets, process flowchart, policy FAQs, contacts, etc. ) • Training/workshops • Advisor Guide • Proactive Communication (instructions, changes, etc. ) • Increase e-mail communication with newly admitted students • Collaborations (Undergrad Admissions + Orientation + Registrar) to ensure accuracy of information • Mass e-mails to currently enrolled students • Website enhancements

Tools & Resources Implemented • TES (Transfer Evaluation System) - https: //tes. collegesource. com/ • ARTSYS - http: //artsys. usmd. edu/ • Wufoo online forms - https: //www. wufoo. com/ • AACRAO Edge - http: //edge. aacrao. org/ • ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) - https: //www. ece. org/ • Google Translate and Google Translate App • Google Drive & Shared Documents

Training Materials • Advisor training resources http: //www. transfercredit. umd. edu/advisortraining. html ◦ Acceptability vs. Applicability of transfer courses ◦ Interim SIS/Unofficial Notations cheat sheet ◦ Who to Contact When for Assistance cheat sheet • Student handouts on domestic and international transfer courses http: //transfercredit. umd. edu/handouts/New. Transfer. Info. pdf • Prior Learning Credit policy - http: //www. transfercredit. umd. edu/plc. html • Transfer Evaluation Process - http: //www. transfercredit. umd. edu/tceval. html • Database of Transfer Course Evaluations http: //www. transfercredit. umd. edu/tclookup. html

Thank You!

Presenters Adrian R. Cornelius University Registrar University of Maryland adrianc@umd. edu Sandra Quinn Coordinator Transfer Credit Services University of Maryland sjquinn@umd. edu