In an effort to provide cooperation between Saint Mary's and Holy Cross Colleges, an agreement has been signed that allows students who receive an associates degree to make an easier transfer into Saint Mary's.

"This articulation agreement has been the desire of the two institutions and their presidents for many years," said Saint Mary's Dean of Faculty Karen Ristau.

"It has taken careful review during the development stage and is now finalized. It may result in a small increase in our enrollment but actually since it is a benefit to Holy Cross students, they may see it as a positive marketing strategy for their college."

Students at Holy Cross who wish to transfer to Saint Mary's for a bachelor's degree will be able to do so with a minimal loss of credit. The agreement notes that Saint Mary's does not accept courses from two-year colleges to substitute for 300 and 400 level courses and that this holds true for Holy Cross.

Students who wish to transfer must assume that courses beyond the introductory level will count as general electives. A grade point average of 3.0 is also required of Holy Cross transfer students and applicants must submit an official transcript, a recommendation from an advisor and an essay.

"It was our intention to make the transfer process a bit smoother by giving prospective transfer students from Holy Cross, a clearer understanding of the admission process, which courses would transfer and what grade point average would be required," said Saint Mary's admission director Mary Pat Nolan.

This articulation agreement does not affect the Saint Mary's-Holy Cross College Linkage Program. The Linkage Program is for one year only and during this year students take four courses at Holy Cross and one course at Saint Mary's, while residing on Saint Mary's campus. To be admitted as a full-time Saint Mary's student a GPA of 3.0 is required.

"If students in the Linkage Program wish to continue their studies at Holy Cross after the Linkage year, they become Holy Cross students," Nolan said. "As such, when they apply for transfer admission to Saint Mary's, they will be evaluated by the Saint Mary's Admission Committee under the terms of the articulation agreement."

The agreement is a help to admission counselors because it lists what Holy Cross course may be transferred and gives a clearer direction to students who wish to transfer. The Saint Mary's admission office will provide materials such as the college bulletin and will schedule meetings with prospective students and with faculty to provide information regarding transfer opportunities.

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