The City University of New York

In households of high school juniors and seniors, mailboxes are overflowing with information from colleges and universities. Parents struggle with questions of finance. Discussions around the dinner table are tense. A major decision is about to be made, and its financial impact on the family and on the life of the student will be great.

How does one judge the worth of a college? Traditionally, quality is equated with selectivity. The words "acceptance," "admissions standards," and "rigor of the curriculum" conjure up the image of large numbers of students vying to qualify for acceptance in a freshman class. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university provides the student with an opportunity for a better life. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university validates the parental experience of 18 years. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university is the "Cinderella slipper" in our meritocracy.

The City University of New York

In households of high school juniors and seniors, mailboxes are overflowing with information from colleges and universities. Parents struggle with questions of finance. Discussions around the dinner table are tense. A major decision is about to be made, and its financial impact on the family and on the life of the student will be great.

How does one judge the worth of a college? Traditionally, quality is equated with selectivity. The words "acceptance," "admissions standards," and "rigor of the curriculum" conjure up the image of large numbers of students vying to qualify for acceptance in a freshman class. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university provides the student with an opportunity for a better life. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university validates the parental experience of 18 years. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university is the "Cinderella slipper" in our meritocracy.

So why would anyone attend a college that accepts everybody? Are quality and high standards possible in such a college? Is a selective admission process a necessary ingredient for a quality education? For over 20 years, American educators have been debating these issues. As the president of a community college that operates under open admissions, I subscribe to the principle that we can maintain high academic standards while admitting everyone. It just takes a different approach.

Under an open admissions policy, anyone with a high school degree is welcome to matriculate in a program of study at most community colleges. All matriculated students are given a battery of basic skills placement examinations. These are not entrance exams. Rather, they provide the college and the student with information as to appropriate placement in college-level courses. Students who do not demonstrate the required competence must enroll in a developmental or "remedial" course designed to provide concentrated assistance to bring them quickly up to college level work. In most cases, this is accomplished in one semester, but it may take longer. Some colleges and universities require an "exit from remediation exam" of their students before they can enter a "college-level course." Thus, developmental courses are the foundation for academic quality in a community college. Without a strong remedial program, community colleges cannot expect an entering student who has been out of school for ten years or who has demonstrable academic deficiencies to enter a college-level class and do well. Remediation is neither recognition of failure, nor a waste or resources. Remediation is as important to an open admissions college as a strong curriculum, equipment and buildings. Without an effective remedial program, the alternatives are to become selective or, indeed, lower academic standards.

The best way to visualize the difference between an open admissions college and a selective admissions institution is to use the analogy of a funnel. The admissions process is the wide end of the funnel, and the curriculum is the narrow portion. In a selective admissions institution, the funnel is very small. The admissions office selectively recruits students who best fit the narrow portion. On the other hand, in an open admissions college, catchment areas are much wider. The enrollment office recruits all persons who are interested in the programs offered by the college and who have a high school degree or the equivalent. The important point is that the narrow portions of the funnel (the curricular offerings) of both colleges have the same core. The college-level curricula of selective and open admissions colleges should be equally rigorous.

Students who graduate from a community college and transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution typically have a grade point average that is equal to or better than those at the baccalaureate-granting institution. This is clear proof that those who graduate from a community college are prepared to meet the rigors of a baccalaureate-granting junior and senior year. Some students need a little bit of help -- others more -- but at the end of the day, the majority of students are as ready to complete their baccalaureate as those who enter through the selective admissions process. In addition, for those who choose to enter the world of work, our technical and specialized programs prepare them well.

Community colleges maintain high standards through our efforts in the classroom. The faculty at community colleges focuses primarily on teaching and channel their efforts into the learning process. As in other undergraduate colleges, be they selective or not, our faculty publish in their discipline and in the discipline of pedagogy. In addition, our colleges' expertise in teaching traditional and non-traditional students has been amply documented by our successes.

So you see, it makes a great deal of sense for families to consider community colleges. A well-prepared high school student can save up to $25,000 or more in tuition alone by attending a community college and then transferring to the baccalaureate-granting institution of his or her choice. As a viable alternative for the middle class, community colleges offer the first two years at a low cost; our tuition remains at $2500, as compared to $14,0000 and $15,000 at other colleges. If a student lives at home, there are additional savings in room and board. The combination of the low tuition and the savings in room and board make a significant difference in the financing of a baccalaureate education.

This is why it is essential for the public to be aware that the measure of quality for community colleges does not lie in the admission process, but in the result of the experience. Community colleges offer an opportunity to everyone, but only those who are successful at college-level work will graduate or transfer. Our students are well prepared for employment or for baccalaureate-level work. We must do everything within our power to help them realize their dreams.