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President Judy Olian of Quinnipiac and President Paul Broadie II of the Housatonic and Gateway Community Colleges signed an agreement to allow easier student transfers to Quinnipiac on July 17. The changes take effect immediately and cover transfer students between the schools, honors students, dual-enrollment students and online students. 

Students who “… graduate with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from community college with an associate degree in arts or an associate of science in business, college of technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree,” among also attending to all other requirements in the transfer process, are guaranteed admission to Quinnipiac with the status of a third-year student or junior. 

“As outlined in our new strategic plan, developing tighter and more convenient transfer arrangements for community college students expands opportunity, builds inclusive excellence, and provides access to the rich portfolio of learning and growth opportunities at Quinnipiac,” Olian said.

The president’s statement also explained how students transferring to Quinnipiac can take one course per year at the university free of charge. The amount of times students can take free courses is capped at three. 

“We are incredibly proud of our partnership with President Olian and our collaborative work with her team,” Broadie said. “This transfer articulation agreement creates a wonderful opportunity for hard-working community college students in pursuit of a higher degree. The opportunity to take free classes at Quinnipiac University while completing their associate degrees provides remarkable access and incentive for our students.”

Quinnipiac graduate, Matt Corso believes the new agreement won’t be favorable for Quinnipiac. 

“I believe increased diversity in any setting is a great plus, but this won’t be beneficial to Quinnipiac,” Corso said. “To implement a seamless transition program between Quinnipiac and the two community colleges, we can’t change the standard if we want to continue to enhance the Quinnipiac experience.” 

Corso said that the 3.0 GPA standard was too low, and that he believed Quinnipiac rushed into the partnership without insight from Quinnipiac students. 

“The students deserve a voice at the table and to at least be heard,” Corso said.

However, other students and alumni at Quinnipiac agree with the agreement at large.

“I know that there are so many students in community colleges that had no other choice but to go there, aside from academic setbacks, whether it be financial or personal,” Quinnipiac graduate, Filomena Stabile, said. “This will help alleviate that and hopefully create some more well-rounded, open-minded, and understanding graduates.” 

All students who transfer must meet the individual requirements of the majors they are transferring into. As of now, it is unknown how many community college graduates will enroll at Quinnipiac next semester.