A. Subject of Agreement 

Monroe County Community College (hereafter Monroe) and Saint Leo University (hereafter Saint Leo) enter into the following articulation agreement governing the matriculation of graduates of Monroe Associate of Arts, Associate of Science and Associate of Commerce programs into Saint Leo baccalaureate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, and Computer Information Systems. The major requirements for these degrees and transfer guides are included in this agreement as Appendix I.

The intent of the agreement is to facilitate a seamless transition from the Monroe associate degree programs to the Saint Leo baccalaureate Internet-based external degree programs offered in conjunction with The University Alliance (hereafter SLU/UA).

The agreement is designed to serve primarily Monroe graduates who have received associate’s degrees and who seek an opportunity to complete baccalaureate studies through the SLU/UA Internet-based external degree program. However, the agreement will also facilitate the transfer of students interested other areas and students who have not completed an associate degree. Further, any student admitted to Saint Leo is eligible to matriculate on the main campus of Saint Leo University at St. Leo, Florida, on any of its branches and extension centers, or via the SLU/UA on-line programs.

The agreement will be in effect from the date on which both parties have affixed their signatures.
Review, revisions, and termination provisions are discussed  in Section III.

1. AA, AS, and AC graduates of Monroe admitted into Saint Leo will receive up to 66 credits in transfer for studies completed at a regionally accredited community or junior college. Community and junior college credits in excess of 66 may generate waivers for equivalent courses and may satisfy general education and some major requirements at Saint Leo but will not yield additional credit toward graduation requirements.

2. AA, AS, and AC graduates will receive junior standing, and be treated equal to native students of the same status for financial aid, registration, and advising.

3. AA, AS, and AC graduates of Monroe admitted into Saint Leo who have completed the MACRAO general education requirements will be considered to have met all Saint Leo general education requirements. For some majors, and for some courses, additional prerequisites may exist.

4. Monroe AS and AC graduates admitted into Saint Leo who have not completed the MACRAO general education requirements must complete all of Saint Leo’s general education requirements. The general education requirements for these students requirements are included in this agreement as Appendix II.

5. Monroe transfer students to Saint Leo will receive on-line access to Saint Leo library resources, the 800 number library telephone, Internet services, and electronic course materials.

6. Monroe transfer students will receive appropriate registration and academic advising via SLU/UA staff and faculty;

7. Monroe transfer students will be required to complete at least 39 hours at or equivalent to the 300/400 level;

8. Monroe students who transfer a 100/200 level course as an equivalent to a Saint Leo major course at the 300/400 level will be required to take an additional course in the major at the 300/400 level. Credit for such additional courses will apply to Saint Leo graduation requirements, including the 120 credits required for graduation and the 39 credits required at the 300/400 level. In order to minimize the total number of credits in the combined associate/bachelor program, it may be well to advise students to avoid, when Monroe requirements allow, selecting 100/200 level courses which give rise to transfer credit at the 300/400 level.

9. Some Monroe general education transfer courses may also satisfy some SLU major requirements, and some Monroe major courses may also satisfy some Saint Leo general education requirements.

10. Regarding GPA and grades, all transfer students admitted to Saint Leo must have obtained at least a 2.0 GPA in all previous college level studies. Admission into the Teacher Education program requires a 2.5 GPA. Saint Leo will accept D grades in transfer, with the exception of major requirements in Teacher Education.

1. Provide Monroe transfer students to SLU/UA access to Monroe libraries;

2. Publicize the agreement among its students and faculty and provide cooperative assistance in class schedule distribution to students and faculty;

3. Provide opportunity for SLU/UA representatives to visit Monroe campuses to explain the articulation agreement and the opportunity it represents for students to complete their baccalaureate via an Internet-based external degree program;

4. Cooperate with Saint Leo in student support services to provide access to information to Monroe students about: (1) Saint Leo general education requirements for students not holding an AA degree, (2) prerequisites for courses in the major, (3) admissions requirements and processes, (4) turnaround times on applications, transfer credit, and financial aid, (5) SLU/UA tuition and fees, and (6) a list of SLU/UA contact persons for articulation questions, academic programs, and support services;

5. Cooperate with Saint Leo in advertisement of the SLU/UA external degree program and classes on the Monroe web page, with prior agreement regarding payment of any extra expense for such advertisement.

6. Monroe will identify a coordinator from its staff to serve as principal liaison with Saint Leo in the conduct of the program. The coordinator’s role is to (1) ensure that accurate and timely information regarding SLU/UA programs and services is made available via the Internet to Monroe students, and (2) to facilitate such communication between Monroe and SLU/UA that creates reciprocal benefits and serves the students.

1. Compliance. Implementation and interpretation of this agreement will be consistent with applicable and mandatory policies and procedures established by the accrediting and governing bodies of the institutions and other agencies having jurisdiction over the operation of either institution.

2. Nondiscrimination. Participation of qualified students in the degree programs will be permitted in compliance with the applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws and regulations. Saint Leo and Monroe will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military discharge, or veteran status in any area of employment or in services to their students.

3. Dissemination of information. Each institution shall advertise the provisions of this agreement so that it is disseminated to prospective and existing students by reasonable means, which may include but is not limited to the Internet, student catalogs, view books, program brochures, and other advertising. Advertising copy shall be consistent with the terms and provisions of this agreement and any subordinate agreement(s).

4. Accreditation. Each institution shall maintain their accreditation with regional accrediting associations or any other accreditation currently in existence pertaining to the degree programs.

5. Cooperation. Each institution will attempt to encourage and maintain a high degree of cooperation between their support staffs in the operation of this agreement.

6. Independence of staff. The employees, officers and agents of a party shall not be employees, officers, or agents of the other party and may not hold themselves as such nor may they make any representations or commitments on behalf of the other. Both parties, through their employees, officers, and agents, may represent such matters and understandings as are contained in this agreement.

7. Waivers. Any waiver by either party of any term or provision of this agreement at any time shall not constitute a waiver of any other or all terms and provisions. Any waiver of any part of a provision of this agreement at any one time shall not constitute a waiver for all times.

8.Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.   Both parties recognize that they are bound to comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment) in the handling of educational records of students enrolled in their programs.

9. Resolution of "in lieu of" and other course transfer issues. Both parties agree to share course objectives and outcomes information regarding their respective courses. In contested transfer or equivalency issues, the first level of appeal is the Saint Leo articulation officer; the second level is the appropriate Saint Leo dean; the final level of appeal is the Saint Leo VPAA.

10. Student Achievement. As permitted under FERPA, there will be mutual sharing of data on student achievement.

All parties are committed to the concept of a long-standing agreement. This agreement , including appendices, will be amended when programs are added, deleted, or significantly modified. Amendments may take the form of letters signed by the signatories of the agreement or their designated representatives. The agreement will be reviewed annually or at any time at the request of either party. Either party may terminate the agreement with ninety days written notice. However, termination will not be executed without a negotiated teach-out agreement for students currently enrolled.