By Jeremy Zhao
Mount Royal’s new university designation has caused confusion for those navigating university transfer programs.
MRU has been restructuring its programs and working on new degrees as part of its transition to a university, but there’s been concern about the impact on transfer agreements between the institution and the University of Calgary.
Elaine Wong, U of C Recruitment and Admissions director, said while Mount Royal may be changing status, there are currently no changes to transfer agreements. Uncertainty still looms, however, as to how current and future transfer agreements will work.
“We have very limited information,” said Wong. “Until Mount Royal tells us what the changes are, we are not at liberty to say.”
Wong added the current transfer agreements and guidelines are governed by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer. ACAT is an independent body whose mandate is to develop “policies, guidelines and procedures designed to facilitate transfer agreements among post-secondary institutions,” according to their website.
Provost and vice-president, academic, Robin Fisher, who sits on the ACAT council, confirmed there has been “no cancellation of transfer agreements” between the two institutions.
“Students still have the option to move from Mount Royal to any other institution,” said Fisher.
Mount Royal’s university transfer program – which is different than a transfer agreement – no longer exists, said Fisher.
This program would allow students to complete their first two years at MRU, and their last two years at another university to obtain a full degree. Since Mount Royal is now a university, it will be offering full four-year degrees as of next year, and the need for a transfer program for certain degrees is no longer required.
According to the MRU website, students can no longer apply to the University Transfer program for the bachelors of science, arts or commerce as of fall 2008. Students still enrolled in transfer programs are given the opportunity to switch to the U of C to complete their last two years.
Fisher said there is always speculation on the effects of change on institutions. He said the focus should be on Mount Royal’s new programs.
“We think it’s a good change because there will be more spaces, more degrees and more opportunities,” said Fisher.
While transfer agreements have not been cancelled, future agreements remain unclear.
For example, Wong explained that there are concerns regarding how the new business program will transfer over to the U of C should a student still want to move on. MRU’s new business program, currently being planned, does not contain a MATH 249 equivalent, a first-year calculus class, while the U of C requires it for its business undergraduates.
“[MRU] is not necessarily modeling to be a feeder university, and is devising their own program,” said Wong. “Their first priority may not be in full transferability.”
Fisher said there will always be an issue when it comes to co-ordinating transfer agreements and that MRU will be working with institutions like the U of C on how new courses transfer between schools.
“Our mission is to have a great undergraduate university,” said Fisher. “We will continue to have a good relationship with the University of Calgary.”