Lansing Community College Articulation Guidelines

Articulation is the process that facilitates the movement of a student from one educational institution to another. In support of the 2006-2011 Strategic Plan, Enrollment Management Strategic Initiative, Lansing Community College will capitalize on partnership and articulation opportunities whenever this will enhance students’ success and increase access to advanced educational opportunities.

Articulation Principles

Lansing Community College intends to enter into agreements that

• are based on mutually agreed upon goals and standards.

• offer a high degree of student success/goal attainment.

• are learner centered.

• are mutually beneficial to all parties.

• are adequately supported by the College’s financial and human resources.

• align with the college’s strategic plan.

There are two types of articulation agreements, General and Program specific. One or both of these agreements are acceptable as Articulation Agreements with an organization. The presence of Transfer Guides does not constitute an articulation agreement with an organization.

General Articulation Agreement

This agreement outlines the terms and conditions in broad terms and requirements for students to articulate to a four-year institution.

Program Articulation Agreement

This agreement may stand-alone or may serve as an addendum to a General Articulation Agreement. Program agreements identify specific courses, certificates or degrees to be transferred. A list of the courses may serve as this agreement but it is recommended that a statement of understanding be developed.

Articulation Agreement Content

To ensure quality and consistency of agreements, the following areas should be addressed in all articulation agreements that Lansing Community College enters into.

• Purpose of agreement
  Brief statement indicating the reason for forming this agreement. Example: “Lansing Community College and … are forming a partnership through this articulation agreement to better serve students and prepare them to enter a world-class workforce. Both institutions recognize that working together, their collective efforts are much stronger than their individual efforts”.

• Description of degrees/programs that are covered in this agreement
  Include any parameters and/or exclusions of the agreement. A general agreement may address general admission to the institution with required GPA’s or other general requirements. A complete list of programs covered in the agreement should be attached with available course lists. Transfer guides that support the agreement must be developed and published in the Advisor Book. Each transfer guide will indicate, “This transfer guide represents an articulation (partnership) agreement between Lansing Community College and XYZ College/University that facilitates the transfer of LCC students to XYZ College/University.”

• Provision for periodic reviews of agreement and curriculum modifications
  This section should contain language specifying the frequency and timelines for agreement review, assessment of curriculum changes and any other conditions that may affect the agreement. Example: “Representatives of both institutions agree to review on a regular basis (annually) to assess curricular changes and other conditions that may affect the nature of this agreement; or as curricular changes are made, they will be communicated in a timely manner to both parties.”

• Define responsibilities and commitment including marketing of defined programs
  This statement should include role of college representatives and availability of appropriate publications and promotional materials to the Lansing Community College students.

• Cancellation provision and expiration dates of the agreement
  This statement includes the requirement of advanced written notification, typically 6 months to 2 years, of cancellation of the agreement and reasonable accommodations for students already in the process of this agreement.

Appropriate Signatures

The agreements should reflect the signatures of the primary constituents as listed below. Validity of the agreement is in question if identified signatures are not present. Those signatures include:

• General Agreements – LCC President and Vice President of Academic Affairs

• Program Agreements- President (optional), Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean, Department Chair (if appropriate)

Contact Person

In order to maintain the agreement, each institution should identify an individual to serve as a contact person responsible for all aspects of the articulation agreement. (This does not need to be included in the agreement but should be included in a cover letter or other type of written communication between institutions.)

1/02/02
Revised: 11/12/02, 01/14/03