REDLANDS >> A new generation of University of Redlands Bulldogs could come from the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.
Representatives from both entities met to sign a memorandum of understanding Sept. 13 that guarantees admission for all CJUHSD students who meet minimum graduation requirements beginning with the Class of 2017.
“We are a large high school district,” said Mathew Holton, Chaffey Superintendent of Schools, by phone Friday, “and this creates many advantages for them.”
The MOU is the first district-wide pathway program of its kind for U of R. CJUHSD has several similar agreements in place with other universities in the Inland Empire and other cities, including Cal State Bakersfield.
In addition to guaranteed admission, students who qualify will also receive an award scholarship of at least $10,000, waived application fees, overnight campus visits for admitted students and a four-year graduation pledge.
Kevin Dyerly, vice president for enrollment for U of R, said he met with Holton and other Chaffey representatives to discuss the agreement weeks ago. During the conversation, he discovered CJUHSD’s objectives aligned with two of U or R’s core missions and goals — provide students with a quality education and increase access to the institution.
The signing of the MOU comes at a time when the university is rolling out is five-year strategic plan to “create meaningful pathways” of getting students to U of R, Dyerly said.
“(Holton) saw University of Redlands as a quality institution nearby that has served and could serve even more students in their post-secondary education and provide access to students from various backgrounds. Those are two main key objectives for us,” he said.
U of R is in the discussion stages of implementing other MOUs with other high school districts. Dyerly said each MOU are designed to be unique to fit each participating district’s education and pathway goals for their students.
“Naturally we are starting locally because community connections is another one of our themes and values. I would imagine Redlands, Yucaipa and other districts will be soon to follow,” he said. “We want to do more of these so that more students locally who think a private education is not accessible and affordable can see that it actually very much can be.”
