OREM, UTAH (ABC 4 News) -Utah Valley University is changing admissions policy. UVU’s head count has more than doubled in the last decade and is now at more than 30-thousand students. The administration says that is forcing changes in the way future students are enrolled.
Utah Valley State University will remain open admission, but students who fail to meet admission standards will be forced to take remedial courses starting fall of 2012.
The University has held a reputation of a second chance school for those returning to education late in life, and for high school students who under-performed. President Matthew Holland says that has not changed.” You will be welcome at UVU. This is not going to keep you out. It is designed to keep you in. But, it is a message that you are going to have to be serious about your studies.”
Under the new Structured Enrollment plan, incoming students who are 23 or younger will need an ACT score of 19 or higher, and a high school GPA of 2.5 or above. Holland says those who don’t, will be put on a different course than traditional students. “You will still be admitted, but you will be on a path of certain requirements that you need to do.”
Those requirements include meeting with an academic counselor, attending an orientation meeting, moving through required remediation courses immediately, and in sequence, with a 2.0 or above.
The remedial courses are designed to help students struggling in core subjects up to speed, and give them a better chance at success, but President Holland acknowledges the remedial courses could fill up fast leading to what amounts to a “soft cap” on admissions. He says a soft cap already exists. “I know we have students, we are tracking them, who are applying but then not registering because they see how hard it is to get the classes they want.”
Holland says a lack of funding, and classroom space is creating a situation where all students who want an education are not able to access it. While enrollment has continued to skyrocket at UVU, state funding has decreased.
Because supply is not keeping up with demand, students who enter UVU must also prove they are serious once in college courses. The Structured Enrollment plan requires students to have 24 credits, of 1000-level courses, with at least a 2.0 grade point average by their junior year.
UVU is the 4th largest open admission institution of higher learning in the nation. It is the only one that offers an equal amount of associate and four year degrees. The University is also exploring ways to maximize their offerings through Distance Education, offering more summer, evening, and weekend classes.
