For students that can’t get in to LSU — don’t panic — all hope is not lost.
The University recently partnered with Baton Rouge Community College to set up an accelerated admissions path for students who narrowly missed getting accepted into the University right out of high school.
The Tiger Bridge Program aims to smooth out the transfer process between BRCC and the University by allowing qualifying students to eat LSU food, sleep in LSU dorms and play with LSU toys, at their own expense, of course.
Students accepted into the program must take their first 30 hours at the community college, earn at least a 2.5 GPA, and remain in good standing throughout their one-year tutorial to be admitted into LSU.
I initially thought this was an awful idea — a guaranteed failure that would only embarrass the University in the long run.
After all, BRCC had a 5 percent graduation rate last year (ignoring transfer rates). And somewhat pathetically, that was a nearly 100 percent increase from two years earlier, according to the BRCC’s 2012 LA Grad Act report submitted to the state Board of Regents.
Plus, the BRCC parking lot fence near Highland Road has had a gaping hole in it for quite some time now, which looks like the aftermath of what might happen if a MACK truck plowed through the fence.
And if the people down at BRCC can’t even get a fence patched up, why would I trust it with young minds?
Answer: Money.
The University stands to gain big-time if this partnership works out, something that administrators will be watching closely once the program begins next fall.
Firstly, Tiger Bridge Program students will pay the University a lot of money to use services that the University already provides, such as access to the UREC, the LSU Student Health Center and Middleton Library.
And because the students won’t take any courses at LSU in the first year, the already-packed classrooms won’t feel an increased burden to squeeze in the students — at least at first.
It’s like free money — something the University desperately needs in The Budget Cut Era.
A more indirect revenue generator involves the nature of the venture itself.
By setting up the program with a community college, LSU earns bonus points with the LA Grad Act. The state legislature will then approve tuition increases based on the University’s ambition to improve state education and compliance with Grad Act requirements.
The University’s bridge program will borrow many ideas from the University of Clemson’s program with Tri-County Technical College, which began in 2006.
“I think we have seen a lot of gains,” said Clemson’s Director of University Admissions Robert Barkley.
Barkley pointed out the emotional advantages of the program for incoming college students, saying they often cope with admissions rejection letters better knowing that they can quickly earn their way into their top-choice school through the bridge program.
It’s a way of showing students that getting out of LSU is more important than getting in, he said.
If the program does fail though, BRCC has the most to lose.
Because if students do well during their 30 hours at BRCC and then come to LSU and fail miserably, it can only mean one thing — BRCC provides sub-par education.
If, however, the program succeeds, everyone wins.
The University rakes in extra dough, hard-working students have a velvety-smooth admissions process into the state’s flagship university, and most importantly, BRCC will finally have something to brag about.
“We know from our data that these students are likely to succeed here,” said Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment David Kurpius, “particularly if they have some help on the academic side with the transition into college.”
The “help” Kurpius speaks of will come in the form of academic tutors and counselors at McVoy Hall, where all Tiger Bridge students will reside (and pay at least $6,000 annually to do so, according to Residential Life communications manager Jay High).
Guess who will fund the help?
Tiger Bridge students will pay an additional program fee of $1,254 for the year to cover the costs in addition to their BRCC tuition, according to current budget plans. And just like LSU freshmen, Tiger Bridge students will be required to purchase a $3,600 meal plan.
All that adds up to beaucoup revenue for El-ess-shoe and a bunch of happy students.
