The agreement was signed by UD President Patrick Harker and Delaware Tech President Orlando J. George Jr., during a ceremony held Friday, Dec. 7, at Delaware Tech's Wilmington Campus, and broadcast live to Delaware Tech's campuses in Georgetown and Dover.
“The University of Delaware is excited to have this new agreement in place and is honored to continue a close working relationship with Delaware Technical and Community College,” Harker said. “Cooperative ventures such as this are of great benefit to the University and to Delaware Tech, but more importantly to those Delaware students who are able to start a UD education program at Delaware Tech locations throughout the state. Moreover, for students who qualify for the state's Student Excellence Equals Success (SEED) program, tuition is free.”
The UD Associate in Arts Program was initiated in 2004, replacing the former Parallel Program, which has been discontinued. The Associate in Arts Program offers a set of courses that fulfill requirements not only for the associate degree itself, but also general education requirements for the bachelor of arts degree.
“Delaware Tech opened its doors in 1967 and at the same time began a partnership with our sister institution that has made a difference for thousands of Delawareans,” George said. “Today, Delaware Tech and the University of Delaware celebrate a 40-year partnership of providing Delawareans with access to higher education.”
Under the program, the University is responsible for academic administration of the Associate in Arts Program, including admission of students, academic advisement and associate degree conferral.
Delaware Tech provides classrooms, offices and other facilities, as well as ancillary services such as libraries, bookstores and textbook orders, parking and security. The two institutions work together on classroom scheduling, setting the annual academic calendar, developing an annual budget and tracking student success.
In tracing the history of the UD-Delaware Tech partnership, George noted that the significant growth in the program from the approximately 36 students that signed up in 1967 to more than 650 students currently enrolled statewide in the Associate in Arts Program.
“The partnership has been so successful because it benefits everyone involved,” George said. “Delawareans benefit because they can earn an associate degree without ever having to leave the community in which they live. Our institutions benefit because we are able to fulfill our missions of increasing educational opportunities for the citizens of this state, and last but not least, our state--its employers and taxpayers--have all benefited from the increased social and economic rewards that an educated workforce brings.”
For students, program benefits include small classes in a small campus environment close to home; close contact with UD faculty, academic advisers on each campus; and clear-cut requirements leading to the degree. Besides offering tuition that is about one-third that for students admitted to the main UD campus, the program offers courses offered in summer and winter sessions to help students stay on track academically.
Students who complete the program are guaranteed a spot on the Newark campus with junior status in any of 28 majors that lead to the bachelor of arts degree, and can compete for slots in any of the other undergraduate majors offered on UD's main campus.
“The University is pleased to offer the Associate in Arts Program, which offers students a great option to begin a college education,” Harker said. “On behalf of all my colleagues at UD, our thanks to Dr. George and all of our friends at Delaware Tech for making this possible. We look forward to another four decades--and more--of cooperation between the University of Delaware and Delaware Tech.”
After the signing of the agreement with UD and Delaware Tech pens, Harker asked the audience of administrators from both schools to join in a resounding “Go Hens” cheer in support of the UD football team which meets Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday, Dec. 8, in the NCAA semifinal clash at McAndrew Stadium.
“We are all so proud of what the UD football team has done in representing the First State,” George said.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photo by Kevin Quinlan