North Little Rock – Members of the Arkansas Association of Public Universities and the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges applauded as Governor Mike Beebe recently signed The Roger Phillips Transfer Policy Act. Rep. Mike Burris introduced HB 1357, which will make transferring credits between state colleges and universities easier. Burris invited the daughters and grandchildren of Roger Phillips to witness the signing.  

“This Act will tear down the barriers between two-year and four-year colleges and make it easier for students to transfer their credits,” said Burris. “I appreciate the Phillips family for championing this cause to help other students in the state.” 

President of Southern Arkansas University and AAPU Chairman Dr. David Rankin said, “We want to see students complete their education, and we believe that this measure will help them do so. We are so glad that Rep. Burris made this issue a priority to help students finish their degrees, even if they relocate.”  

The Act takes effect January 1, 2010 and will allow students attending two-year colleges who have completed courses with a grade of C or better in associate degrees of arts, science or arts in teaching to transfer the courses to four-year state universities. The same transfer rules also will apply to students transferring from one state university to another. 

“We are so pleased to be able to work with the Association of Public Universities to find a way to help our students further their education,” said Ed Franklin, executive director of the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges. “This spirit of cooperation will benefit Arkansas students.” 

Tim Wooldridge, executive director of Arkansas Association of Public Universities agreed, “It’s important to make transitions as seamless as possible.” 

Representative Mike Burris (D) of Malvern is serving his third term in the House of Representatives. The late Roger Phillips was a long-time educator and a friend of Burris who brought the problem of transfer credits to the legislator’s attention.   

The Arkansas Association of Public Universities is a membership organization of Universities in Arkansas dedicated to enhancing the quality and quantity of educational opportunities for Arkansas citizens in order to derive the many benefits of an educated citizenry for our state. 

The Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges is a membership organization of 22 two-year institutions dedicated to providing information about the value and impact of the two-year colleges to the citizens of Arkansas.

 

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