UA News

At the Arizona Board of Regents meeting Thursday, representatives from all three state universities presented models for increasing the number of undergraduate degree recipients throughout the state.

The Arizona Board of Regents on Thursday discussed models from The University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University to dramatically increase the number of undergraduate degrees produced throughout the state.

The presidents of the three universities presented plans to make earning an undergraduate degree faster, less expensive and easier to access for students.

UA President Robert N. Shelton has set a goal of serving 10,000 more students by 2020.

Shelton presented a model that would use existing University infrastructure throughout the state, grow current partnerships with community colleges and emphasize a small number of degree programs that are of interest in select communities.

Under the UA's model, specific communities in Arizona have been identified as potential venues for customized UA degree programs, including Chandler, Thatcher, Yuma, Casa Grande and Nogales.

Shelton cited a model implemented in partnership with Pima Community College's East Campus, where UA advisers are embedded and students can complete UA South courses.

While only select majors would be available, Shelton said tuition at the partnership campuses would likely be lower than at the Tucson campus and students could complete degrees without taking courses at the main campus.

Students would complete their degrees through a combination of community college courses, classes taught by UA faculty and online courses.

The ASU and NAU presidents delivered different models aimed at achieving the same goal – increasing access to affordable undergraduate degrees.

The regents and the universities will continue discussing the models to determine which should be pursued.

"We've got a lot of homework to do," said Regent Robert Bulla.

Shelton said he is targeting the fall of 2010 for implementation of new degree programs in partnership with community colleges.