ED 101 - Statement of Guiding Principles

For the past century, the general public has recognized the need for increased and continuing educational opportunities at all levels in our society. One of the significant concepts devoted to the fulfillment of this high objective is Eastern Iowa Community College District (Merged Area IX).

Eastern Iowa Community College District offers a comprehensive program that includes the career technical function and a solid core of academic subjects that will lead to the development of a broadly educated person.

Since all education today is, and must be, both liberal and vocational, the task of the Eastern Iowa Community College District is to reappraise and redefine all courses so that they contribute to both aspects of learning.

AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WE BELIEVE:

THAT the problems of our society and of the world can only be met by a well-educated citizenry who will be capable and willing to rise to the challenge of a high level of personal and civic performance. Eastern Iowa Community College District is, therefore, obligated to provide the region in which it is located a comprehensive, diversified and quality program which will enable each individual in attendance to become all they are capable of being.
THAT within the limits of its resources, Eastern Iowa Community College District should maintain a liberal admission policy, which coupled with guidance and insistence upon quality performance on the part of the students, will provide maximum opportunities without dilution of educational standards. Eastern Iowa Community College District has as its broadest objective the teaching of all varieties of skills, all kinds of knowledge to all kinds of youth and adults who are bent upon living socially profitable lives.
THAT Eastern Iowa Community College District aims to meet the varied personal, civic, and vocational needs of non-college bound individuals, students who have left high school before graduation, and those students in high school whose needs can best be met by part-time attendance at any of the colleges in the district.
THAT Eastern Iowa Community College District should fulfill a role in adult education activities of the region by offering training for individuals who want to improve their technical skills or broaden their knowledge of the liberal arts. Special curricular offerings devoted to providing adults with a continuous, sequential and integrated program for life-long learning is a worthy objective of Eastern Iowa Community College District.
THAT Eastern Iowa Community College District should serve as a resource to the community not only in formal classes, but by providing many services through cultural, occupational and professional activities that will be of value to students of all ages and occupations.
THAT Eastern Iowa Community College District should make provisions for students who want to complete the first two years of the lower division requirements of a senior college and then transfer to a senior institution for upper division work with no greater loss of credit than would be experienced by transfers from four-year institutions.
THAT Eastern Iowa Community College District should provide two-year curricula and short-term sequential programs. To meet this goal, a wide variety of career, technical, and semi-professional courses are developed to combine theory with practical training and experience. Upon successful completion of the required two-year sequence, students should be awarded an associate degree and those successfully completing less than a two-year sequence should be awarded course diplomas and certificates.

REVISED: 3/9/15; 2/20/23
REAFFIRMED: 2/17/97; 4/17/00; 4/21/03; 11/20/06; 3/12/12; 10/15/18
LEGAL REFERENCE: (Code of Iowa) 260C.1
RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES: None