By SCBIZ Staff

GREENVILLE -- The University of South Carolina and Greenville Technical College signed a historic agreement Tuesday that will expand some of the university's successful student-oriented programs to Greenville Tech students who plan to transfer to the university's Columbia campus.

The agreement, which was announced on the Greenville Tech campus by USC President Andrew Sorensen and Greenville Tech President Thomas E. Barton Jr., creates the Bridge Program, which will take effect this fall. The agreement establishes the first university-wide initiative in South Carolina. Several higher-education institutions, including the university, have departmental and college programs, including nursing and engineering, with technical colleges.

Sorensen said the program is intended to expand access and facilitate enrollment on the Columbia campus for Upstate students.

"Education clearly is the path to a better life, and our technical colleges perform a vital role in preparing students for the workforce and for further education," Sorensen said. "By entering into this partnership announced today, we want to make the transition from technical colleges to the University of South Carolina seamless and ensure that students from Greenville Tech are fully prepared to succeed academically and take advantage of every opportunity that the university offers."

Barton said the agreement shows a stronger commitment to students in the Upstate.

"It is very gratifying for me and for Greenville Tech to forge closer ties with the University of South Carolina," Barton said. "Our agreement reflects a new level of commitment by both institutions to Upstate students. By combining the educational pathways we provide, we give these students a new avenue for reaching their goals."

Kip Howard, university assistant vice provost for enrollment management, said about 130 students in the area may be eligible for the Bridge Program, which would allow students to enroll in the university after successfully completing 30 hours of general studies and successfully meeting the university's academic criteria. Students who transfer after 30 hours would be awarded a Bridge Certificate. Students also can enroll after completing an associate degree containing 60 hours.

Howard said the program packages some of the university's most successful student-oriented programs and services and expands them to the Greenville Tech campus for students who plan to enroll at the university's Columbia campus.

Among these are academic advisement; a college skills class similar to the university's pioneering University 101 course for new students; a mentoring program for students; and special learning communities created around specific majors. Information on financial aid, scholarships, career opportunities and transfer credits also will be available.

Both institutions will develop marketing and promotional materials for prospective students.

Howard said the university would begin contacting eligible students immediately, including those who were rejected by the university for fall 2007 admission or students who have been deferred to spring 2008.

"Our goal is simply to give students who want to attend the University of South Carolina better preparation with programs that will help them make the transition successfully and graduate with a four-year degree prepared for a career or graduate school," he said.

Founded in 1962, Greenville Tech is a four-campus system serving more than 14,000 students. The University of South Carolina has 39,000 students on eight campuses and more than 350 degree programs.