Open-door academic policy

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A university has an open-door academic policy, open-door enrollment, or just open-door policy when it accepts to enroll students without asking for evidence of previous education, experience, or references. Usually payment of the academic fees (or financial support) is all that is required to enroll. Universities may not employ the open-door policy for all their courses, and those universities that have a universal open-door policy where all courses have no entry requirements are named open universities. This policy is seen to be apart of the educational revolution. From the dictionary meaning of the open-door policy, which is the idea of granting access to those who want access to the country freely; a similar idea can be drawn in terms of education, therefore, the creation of the open-door academic policy.[1] Sated by the University of Washington's associate professor, Deepa Rao, "Community colleges have long recognized the need for postsecondary education and made access to it easy and affordable. Most community colleges have made a strong commitment to what is known as the open door policy: they will not turn away any student who has a high school diploma or has passed the tests of General Educational Development (GED). Many nontraditional adult learners enter community colleges, via this open door, after completing adult basic education (ABE) programs or having been out of school for a long time. As inviting as the open door may be, some hidden barriers in this policy may prevent nontraditional learners from attaining a degree"[2] gives a clear indication to the importance and necessity for the open-door policy.

History[edit]

From the beginning of universities and colleges in western countries, during the early parts of the 20th century, higher education was supplied in large amounts. During these times the acceptance of all varieties of students was very limited, yet this approach was coming under pressure due to an increase in the industrial and business industry's demand for highly trained and educated employees.[3] The Civil rights movement during the 1960s and the baby boom in the 1940s-1950s, also presented further reasoning for the implementation of the open-door academic policy.[4]

In response to these pressures, the colleges and universities lowered standards of admission and offered financial support to try and win back the students. This soon turned into the open-door policy, which became a successful and well used form of recruiting students.[5]

Pros and Cons[edit]

Positively, the open-door academic policy has enabled a step into higher education such as a bachelor's degree, to those who had been restricted access to these opportunities due to social or economic factors.[6] The policy has also created a sufficient amount of well trained students to fulfill the demand for educated employees for the industrial and business industries.[7]

However, despite its benefits the open-door academic policy has faced its criticism. Issues arising with the quality of the education and curriculum due to the acceptance and attraction of students with low income and lack of direction.[8] Additionally, the offering of financial support has created a heated issue for higher education due to the requirement for students fees which enable the universities and colleges to stay current with changing technology, employment needs and the fluctuating student population.[9]

Eligibility[edit]

The following list indicates the criteria for applicants looking to apply at an open-door university or college:

  • Non-traditional students, for example those who have delayed enrollment (those who did not go straight into university education after completing secondary education)[10]
  • On average, between the ages of 22-29.[11]
  • Usually accompanied by an adult diploma or GED, in place of a normal high school diploma.[12]

This list of criteria will differ depending on the university or college that is being applied for, this is just a general conclusion from one college.[13]

Examples[edit]

The open-door academic policy's requirements can differ between not only different countries, but also different states, however still following the same intentions. The following is a list of some Universities and Colleges around the world that have the open-door academic policy:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "open-door policy - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online". www.ldoceonline.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
  2. ^ "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
  3. ^ Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. "State Funding Limitations and Community College Open Door Policy: Conflicting Priorities?". Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (8): 627–640. doi:10.1080/10668920600746078. 
  4. ^ Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. "State Funding Limitations and Community College Open Door Policy: Conflicting Priorities?". Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (8): 627–640. doi:10.1080/10668920600746078. 
  5. ^ Cohen & Brawer, A & F (2003). The American Community College. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 
  6. ^ Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. "State Funding Limitations and Community College Open Door Policy: Conflicting Priorities?". Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (8): 627–640. doi:10.1080/10668920600746078. 
  7. ^ Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. "State Funding Limitations and Community College Open Door Policy: Conflicting Priorities?". Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (8): 627–640. doi:10.1080/10668920600746078. 
  8. ^ Oliver , C. ( 1995 ). The community college open-door philosophy: What negative outcomes have developed (Report No. JC950529 ). (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED388345.)
  9. ^ Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. "State Funding Limitations and Community College Open Door Policy: Conflicting Priorities?". Community College Journal of Research and Practice 30 (8): 627–640. doi:10.1080/10668920600746078. 
  10. ^ "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
  11. ^ "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
  12. ^ "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
  13. ^ "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03. 
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