Credit transfer program makes switching schools easier

Brittany Goldfield-Rodriguez
Editorial Intern
Beginning this fall, students wishing to transfer between post-secondary institutions will find an easier and more efficient way of doing so, one that doesn’t involve retaking previously completed courses.
The Council of Ontario Universities is working closely with student groups, Ontario’s universities and colleges representatives and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to draft policies that will make it easier for Ontario students to move from one university to another while carrying over their credits.
“We have a system here in Ontario that currently doesn’t provide much access when it comes to switching into new institutions because you’re not certain whether or not you will be able to get the credits that you have already taken at other schools,” said Canadian Federation of Students- Ontario chairperson Sandy Hudson.
Hudson said the program will launch in fall 2011 and that its predominant intention is to increase student access to secondary education, thereby increasing the quality of secondary institution.
“[The transfer system] will be very beneficial to students, not only those seeking to transfer from college to university, but also for university to university,” said York Federation of Students (YFS) vice-president campus life Vanessa Hunt.
Hunt estimates the program will collectively save students $40 million and the province $100 million.