Criterion 5c
Webster demonstrates its responsiveness to those constituents that depend on it for service
In keeping with its student-centered approach to learning, transfer and articulation policies are quite open. Webster University will consider for transfer coursework completed at accredited/recognized tertiary institutions for acceptance as transfer credit. In addition, students may have other previous learning experiences (such as corporate or military training) evaluated for credit.
A complete outline of transfer credit policies can be found in the catalog.
[EXHIBIT: HLC0.1 Undergraduate Catalog]
Advanced Placement Credit
Webster awards up to 32 hours credit for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, CLEP General Exams, and other designated programs normally completed prior to enrollment at the University.
Extra-institutional Credit
Webster University maintains articulation agreements and policies for awarding undergraduate credit hours for selected categories of extra-institutional learning, like military and corporate training programs that have been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE). Webster follows the recommendations of ACE for the awarding of extra-institutional credit.
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These agreements, including special conditions or restrictions that apply, are outlined in the Webster University Direct Transfer Guideline book. Articulation agreements for local institutions are maintained in the Academic Advising office.
Webster has a healthy collaboration with area institutions, allowing for easy transfer and access. St. Louis Community College, for example, is a major feeder institution for the university. Academic Advising and Undergraduate Admissions collaborate to transition students from the community college into degree programs at Webster.
Articulation agreements (housed in Academic Affairs—see Paula Aguilar) are developed with local community colleges in all U.S. locations; additional agreements are developing internationally. (See Office of International Recruitment) Webster University holds articulation agreements with accredited community and junior colleges for transfer credit. The university abides by all transfer policies of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). Copies of all articulation agreements are on file in Webster University’s Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Academic Advising.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.1 Articulation Agreements]
While Articulation Agreements develop in response to local needs, it is understood that Webster is a single entity in these cases, regardless of campus location. Agreements are developed in such a manner as to be portable to any Webster campus location that offers the programs articulated.
One of the ways in which Webster eases the transition for students from the community college is through the “Sample Webster” program, which allows St. Louis Community College (SLCC) students who have earned associate degrees to attend business classes at Webster University at a reduced rate and to be eligible for business scholarships. The agreement provides qualifying SLCC students enrolled in an associate degree program in business administration or other related disciplines the opportunity to be guaranteed admission to Webster’s bachelor degree programs in business administration, management or computer science.
In addition, the program will offer a select group of students enrolled at SLCC, whose GPA is above 3.0, the opportunity to take three credit hours of Webster coursework at the current SLCC tuition rate. Upon completion of their associate degrees at SLCC, Sample Webster students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be eligible for a renewable $2,000 SLCC Business Scholarship.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.2 Sample Webster]
International Cooperation and Student Mobility
As a truly international university serving needs on a global level, Webster stays current, following trends in global higher education. The world of higher education is changing, and Webster with its network of campuses is poised to be the leader in this area as well. The impact of the Bologna Accords and the emergence of the European Higher Education Area has far-reaching implications on the international higher education marketplace; the impact on Webster, with our four European campus locations, is significant.
As Europe moves to create an atmosphere of cooperation and mobility for students, Webster, unlike most U.S. institutions, has kept pace. In recognition of and respect for the differences in educational philosophy on a global level, as early as 2005, Webster developed and implemented a pilot policy that broadened access to higher education for qualified students across the globe.
Effective in 2005, Webster will consider for graduate admission any student who has completed the necessary academic preparation for admission to accredited/recognized Master’s-level university programs in their native system of education, provided that preparation is at least three years in length. Applicants must hold an earned, recognized baccalaureate degree from an accredited/recognized educational institution and meet all program admission standards. Comparability and recognition are determined by Webster University; such students are considered for admission using the normal Webster University admission criteria, including any program requirements or requisites, and a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.).
This new policy, while slightly controversial in the U.S. higher education community at the time, demonstrated Webster’s commitment to serving the educational needs of today’s global citizens by helping to alleviate the difficulties associated with degree recognition and compatibility in an increasingly globalized education and labor marketplace. With the new policy, Webster allows access to graduate studies for students from Canada, the European Higher Education Area, India, and Australia that were not universally considered for American graduate study.
The program is tracked internally on an annual basis, benchmarking students admitted under the program with the rest of the Webster graduate student community. Results thus far show that students admitted under the program have been at least as successful as the average student with a four-year degree. The pilot will be reviewed in 2008/2009 for revision or renewal.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.3 Access to International Students, HLC2a.8 International Recruitment]
The Board of Trustees, the governing board of the University, comprises 42 elected, ex-officio, life, emeritus, and honorary trustees. Over 50% of the members come to the Board of Trustees with no alumni or parent affiliation. Instead, they are successful, civic-minded business people who have come to know and appreciate Webster’s mission. Their very service on the Board and its committees is testament to their positive thoughts of the University’s programs of engagement.
[EXHIBIT: HLC0.24 Board of Trustees Bylaws]
In addition, community leaders, including alumni and parents, were critical to the success of the University’s first comprehensive campaign. The “New Tradition” Campaign began officially on January 1, 1996 and concluded on December 31, 2002.
The University enlisted the support of 12,161 donors to exceed its original goal of $30 million by more than $14 million, raising a total of $44 million in support of seven campaign initiatives: a new library, parking garage and expanded Loretto-Hilton Center; endowment growth, academic program expansion, technology enhancements and a presidential vision fund. The Development Office is currently engaged with the Administration, the Board of Trustees, and select volunteers in the “silent” phase of the next campaign.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.4 Alumni/Development Strategic Plan, HLC5c.5 New Tradition Campaign Summary]
The Recognition of Webster University Vienna as the first Austrian-accredited private university by the Austrian Ministry of Education and the Austrian Accreditation Council, as well as the pending recognition of Webster University Leiden as a Dutch Higher Education institution, attest to the quality and international appeal of Webster’s programs.
[EXHIBIT: HLC2a.7 International Accreditations]
Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden’s interest in international trade and in fostering economic bonds between the Midwest United States and the international business community is reflected in his leadership of the Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University. As a visiting professor, Governor Holden lectures on public policy and leadership throughout the worldwide Webster campus network. The location of the forum at the Webster St. Louis campus is evidence to the fact that Webster is an institution like no other, positioned to continue its leadership in global higher education.
[EXHIBIT: HLC2d.2 Holden Public Policy Forum]
Webster campuses worldwide each serve a unique community. While they may face a greater challenge in bringing diversity to their specific campuses, their mere existence lends a diversity to the global Webster community. The efforts and character of each of these campuses bring the specific strengths of their community, enhancing the University’s overall efforts at diversity. The sum of the whole is greater and, in this case, more diverse than its individual parts. With that said, there are specific ways that campuses and programs are building effective bridges among diverse communities.
Interdisciplinary centers, incubators of academic research and issue-focused institutes blend our diverse assets in a way that encourages new thinking and discovery. These entities bridge Webster’s schools and colleges to each other and the University itself to the world beyond. The result is a more relevant institution and a better-informed community both internally and externally.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.6 Institutes and Centers]
Some examples of special programming designed to promote engagement across constituencies are below:
International Business Internship Exchange
Over 700 American and international
students have participated in programs sponsored by The International Business Internship Exchange (IBIE). IBIE places American students from Webster University in overseas “total immersion” internships that entail extensive foreign language and intercultural experience in China, England, Germany, Ghana, Japan, or Mexico.
Additionally, IBIE partners with businesses in Missouri to provide international interns from selected universities in Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico and the U.K.
[EXHIBIT: HLC3c.12 IBIE Report]
Webster World Traveler Program
One of the most interesting programs of engagement that the University offers is the “Webster World Traveler Program.” Students who successfully complete one semester (two terms) at Webster may participate. Available to all degree-seeking students, the program awards one roundtrip coach-class ticket to qualified Webster University students from the student’s home campus to another eligible Webster overseas site. The goal of the World Traveler Program is to remove some of the financial barriers to international travel and encourage Webster students to become international citizens.
[EXHIBIT: HLC1d World Traveler]
Alumni Programs
“Alumni” are, by their very being, former “students,” and encouraged to maintain a lifelong relationship with Webster. The Alumni Office works to maintain a connection, or “bridge,” between alumni and Webster under the auspices of the Webster University Alumni Association. All students automatically become members upon graduation. Currently, the Alumni Association has over 127,000 members worldwide. Commitment to alumni engagement manifests itself in the numerous and variety of activities and programs organized and attended by alumni themselves. At the end of the 2006 fiscal year, the Alumni Association Board of Directors recognized 24 Alumni Chapters worldwide, including Chapters in Geneva, Leiden, London, Vienna, and Vietnam.
The Association currently recognizes four Chapters at the gold-level: African-American Alumni; Albuquerque; Kansas City; and Space Coast, Fla. Alumni activities run the gamut from social and cultural networking activities (concert gathering, museum tours, after-work happy hours) and a traditional Homecoming/Reunion Weekend in St. Louis to professional seminars (Career Builder seminars organized by Career Services), fund-raisers (benefiting Webster students) and community service activities (Habitat for Humanity building projects in post-Katrina Mississippi and Louisiana).
Other programs include an alumni awards program that annually recognizes up to 10 alumni for achievements in their profession or field of voluntary service, and an online “Alumni Community” that encourages alumni to remain connected through a private database, broadcast e-mails, and alumni notes. All Chapters and alumni activities connect and engage a very diverse group of alumni in their local communities and online.
[EXHIBIT: HLC5c.7 Alumni Programs]
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