In her report to the Board, Dr. Jane Nichols, vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University and Community College System of Nevada, stated that much progress has been made in improving the System's transfer policies, "but we still have work to do to ensure that all students who attend our community colleges can easily transfer to either university to complete a baccalaureate."

Today's action by the Board establishes a "seamless" educational system that guarantees students equal access to the baccalaureate degree whether they start in a community college or at a university.

The Board approved policy that requires all academic majors at the universities to have updated major-to-major agreements with UCCSN community colleges by this fall. These agreements will provide clearer information for community college students by their field of study.

Additionally, the Board took steps to ensure that no student who follows advisement provided and follows the approved curriculum will have to take unnecessary courses. Neither will a student have to repeat a course they have already successfully completed.

"Today, I've heard great news for Nevada's students," said Regent Dorothy Gallagher, chair of the Academic, Research & Student Affairs Committee. "Students who start their college education at a community college now will have the ability to complete their baccalaureate degrees in the same number of credits as those who start at a university in every field and every major."

A written progress report will come to the Board of Regents in November 1998 from each campus as well as the Interinstitutional Articulation Committee.

Comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institution, the University and Community College System of Nevada serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 78,000 students.