Under a new policy adopted by the Harrisburg Area Community College Board of Trustees today, HACC will guarantee that its graduates have the academic background and skills they need to succeed whether they transfer to a four-year university or go directly into the job market.

The college's Educational Guarantee Policy assures four-year institutions and employers that if HACC graduates are under-prepared in their field of study, they can return to HACC for an additional 15 credit hours of coursework at no tuition charge.

"This policy sends a message to employers and higher education institutions that we stand behind the quality of our programs and the preparedness of our graduates," said HACC President Dr. Edna V. Baehre. "Today the trustees have formally adopted a program that reflects the philosophy we've practiced since HACC was founded: accountability to our students, our partners in higher education, the business community, our school districts and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

HACC received praise from Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Eugene W. Hickok for instituting a policy that ensures accountability.

"With its bold, new Educational Guarantee Policy, HACC is focusing squarely on quality, accountability and results - a winning combination for employers, taxpayers, and, most importantly, students," said Sec. Hickok. "I commend the board of trustees and the leadership of the college for their vision and leadership, and for standing behind the education they provide to Central Pennsylvanians."

The Educational Guarantee Policy will apply to students with a transfer or career degree awarded by HACC on or after July 1, 1999. The transfer degree guarantee applies to courses taken by students within three years prior to the date of awarding of a HACC degree. Four-year institutions must initiate the transfer degree guarantee within one year of the student's initial date of transfer. The career degree guarantee applies to students employed full-time in a field related to their HACC studies within one year of receiving their HACC degrees. The employer must initiate the educational guarantee process within 90 days of the HACC graduate¹s initial date of employment.

The Educational Guarantee Policy applies to all locations of Harrisburg Area Community College. HACC has campuses in Harrisburg, Lebanon and Lancaster, and a Center in Gettysburg.