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The recent announcement that Deion Sanders has been appointed head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder is a testament to what it means for one of Colorado’s preeminent universities and the talent he brings to the students and athletes. It brought an incredible amount of enthusiasm.
In addition to the immense expertise and many opportunities Coach Prime adds to the CU football program, he already has a significant impact on another aspect of how the college operates: the transfer process. The university recently rescheduled the transfer process to better support not only the many athletes eager to join the community under his leadership, but all students who meet the requirements to transfer to CU. We shared that we plan to evaluate.
Beyond simple fixes that apply only to athletes, we applaud CU for committing to pilot these changes to all students. This is an opportunity for CU to help foster culture statewide. Students receive meaningful credit for quality coursework wherever they complete. With this move, CU will remove barriers to earning a degree and attract talented students from around the world.
Currently in our country, students who transfer from one institution to another usually lose almost half of their completed credits. This has a devastating effect on the success students have been working for and increases the cost of earning a degree. The NCAA expects athletes who use the Transfer Portal to be on track to complete their degree. Athletes cannot transfer through the portal if they lose half of their credits.
Unfortunately, many schools have created a workaround to meet this requirement by enrolling athletes in physical education or general education pathways, regardless of their passion or what they were studying prior to transferring. Neither path offers significant opportunities for post-graduation careers and financial security.
At the heart of our college and university system is the promise of high-value qualifications that lead to greater financial mobility.
One of us, Ryan, knows this experience better than anyone. He retired from the NFL and moved on to the next phase of his life thanks to his two degrees in economics and policy studies from the University of Notre Dame, and another in political science. After that, I was able to continue on my path to success.
Unfortunately, too many students do not experience financial mobility. Some of my teammates had to relocate due to family illness and had to start over in their academic careers. . Many players feel that these schools benefit from their contributions to the movement while maximizing their income.
Athletes aren’t the only group moving more freely between organizations. Most students have completed courses at multiple schools, and many have industry-relevant training that must be applied to their academic program. Regardless of a student’s health, financial, or mental health needs, transfers can set them back—often taking years.
CU, unlike many other schools, has always strived to ensure that the athletes it accepts maintain high-quality careers. However, even though all Division I universities go through similarly rigorous accreditation processes to ensure the quality of their studies, it is difficult for athletes and students to earn credit for coursework completed at other institutions. No mention has been made of how difficult it is.
As CU rethinks the transfer process, to ensure that all students win, they need to secure the credits they are accepting toward their degree, not just electives. Consideration should be given to extending this policy to relevant business and engineering units (currently limited to arts and science units). And I want this to be a permanent change. CU helps lead the way in making the coursework it respects more inclusive and reducing lost credits for all students.
As for another of us — Scott — my time studying business administration at CU was my deepest appreciation for the power of a good education to support every learner entering the workforce ready for the next chapter. I solidified my belief. We both believe it is imperative that the next generation of students receive the same support and advocacy they have received in both educational experiences.
Our postsecondary system must put our state’s students on the path to career success while fostering creativity and a pipeline of workers for high-demand jobs statewide. Coach I look forward to seeing the impact his prime leadership will have on his student team, the students who enter his CU from around the world, and our community.
Westminster’s Ryan Harris was a Director of Economic Literacy in Colorado and a 10-year NFL veteran who played for the Denver Broncos.
Morrison’s Scott Laband is president of Colorado Succeeds, a non-profit, bipartisan organization that brings together leaders in business, education, and government to advance education and workforce development.
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