Revised Discussion Document
Kansas Board of Regents
Transfer and Articulation Task Force
February 17, 2011

This document is based on responses provided from faculty, chief academic officers and community college presidents to the initial draft provided. One fundamental tenet emphasized by all respondents is that faculty members have the principal role and responsibility to ensure the viability of transfer among Kansas universities and colleges. However this process develops, the faculty must play the primary role in ensuring its viability.

Web-based Transfer Portal. Many respondents expressed support for a system level web-based entity that would link to campus transfer and articulation guides. Implementation would require a system level staff coordinator as well as a campus level transfer/articulation coordinator. The goal is to develop a web-based transfer portal providing students with readily available, clear and consistent information on transfer and articulation. One question to address is whether we wish to find the resources to support an existing commercial product.

General Education Core. A Faculty Advisory Panel should be appointed to reach agreement on the knowledge and skills to support curriculum alignment for general education courses. This group would use the general education fields laid out in the policy manual as a starting point from which to establish a firm core of 35-45 credit hours that would function as a Transfer Module. The goal would be for students completing the Transfer Module to have the certainty that these hours will apply to the bachelor's degree.

Transfer and Articulation Advisory Council. A system level Transfer and Articulation Advisory Council should be established with responsibility to develop and implement the web-based portal. This body would meet on-line and face-to-face at least once a year to address issues related to transfer and articulation in the system. Membership will consist of faculty, institutional representatives, and Board staff.

Coordination. Each technical and community college and university will appoint a transfer coordinator/ombudsperson responsible to monitor issues related to transfer and coordinate with the system and other campus coordinators. The ombudsperson will serve as the initial contact for resolving problems at the campus level and coordinate with the System Ombudsperson in working to resolve disagreements.