WESTFIELD – A college degree just became much more affordable for area students.
Elizabeth Preston and William Messner, presidents of Westfield State University and Holyoke Community College, signed the President’s MassTransfer agreement Friday that would enable students to earn a bachelor’s degree from WSU after spending two years at HCC.
“Costs in the public sector have risen substantially and this is an effort to minimize costs as best as possible,” said Messner before the signing, adding that business and liberal arts programs will be the two significant areas of study benefitting most from the agreement.
“Forty percent of Westfield State transfer students come from HCC, around 250 students,” Messner said, who credited ‘damn fine management’ on behalf of WSU and HCC officials with being able to reach the agreement.
“We’re reliant largely and exclusively on students from this area and are one of the lowest cost community colleges in the state,” said Messner.
HCC’s President added that he hopes the agreement will expand to other four year institutions in the region.
Expansion is also the buzzword for Preston and the rest of the WSU delegation.
“We’re looking for ways to expand access to a four year degree,” said Preston. “There will be a number of programs available and most majors can be articulated.”
Westfield State’s Vice President of Student Affairs Carlton Pickron said that the Business, Criminal Justice, Communications and Education programs will all receive HCC students.
“We’ve chosen programs with courses that can be completed in four years,” said Pickron. “(The program) will be for commuter students but not residents, who can reside on campus for more than the $30,000 agreement.”
As far as how many students will enter the program in the fall, Pickron said he doesn’t have a prediction, but Preston is hoping for as many as possible.
“We’re very well aware that western Massachusetts isn’t producing enough college graduates,” said Preston, who compared the program to the purchasing of a car.
“The value of a car depreciates, unlike a college degree. It’s a fabulous investment,” she said.
After the ink on the two President’s signatures had dried, Messner was asked whether there was a particular student this agreement would benefit.
“I don’t know if there’s a particular cut of a student. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 21 or in your 40s,” he said.
Preston stated that, in the event that the schools were to raise tuitions and fees, students in this program would not be affected.
