Press Releases

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Signs CollegeKeys Compact™

12/14/07

NEW YORK—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the first institution to take up the challenge issued to the College Board's 5,400 members to support middle and high school students from low-income families as they work toward preparing for, getting into and succeeding in college.

"As a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I am particularly proud of the leadership UNC has shown," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board. "UNC is our nation's first state university and was established to provide an excellent education 'at low prices.' In fact, UNC has long demonstrated its commitment to policies and programs that further access and affordability for students of all incomes."

The CollegeKeys Compact™ was launched in October following a two-year review of independent research, policy and practices in academic preparation and planning, admissions, financial aid, and retention. The report, issued by a College Board Trustees task force, found that nearly one-half of all college-qualified low- and moderate-income high school graduates do not enroll in a four-year college program because of a combination of poor preparation, low expectations and financial barriers. The report makes clear the need for a focused effort to ensure more opportunities for low-income students to attend and then succeed in college.

"This bold action by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will lead the way for high schools, colleges and universities across the country," said Ron Williams, the College Board vice president who is heading up the implementation stage of the CollegeKeys™ initiative.

In signing the Compact, UNC commits to the Compact inventory and action plan. It also affirms its belief that

• All students are capable of being prepared for college and that educators, families, communities and policymakers have the responsibility to ensure that all students, including those from low-income backgrounds, graduate from high school ready for college success.
• All qualified students from low-income backgrounds should receive particular consideration in recruitment, admissions and financial aid, and that colleges and universities should make every effort to meet the financial needs of this population in ways that make enrollment and full participation in the college experience possible.
• Colleges and universities have a responsibility to provide essential academic support, financial aid, and targeted social and emotional support to ensure that all enrolled students will have every chance to succeed in their chosen academic programs.

"Private gifts of more than $9.5 million to the Carolina Covenant have demonstrated that public support is strong for efforts to make higher education possible for all qualified students, regardless of income," said UNC Chancellor James Moeser. "We are proud and honored to join in this important initiative launched by the College Board." In addition to strengthening its current partnerships with public schools and existing outreach efforts to students in the poorest counties, UNC will collaborate to expand postsecondary education opportunities for the state's growing number of foster children.

The Compact is driven by College Board members' commitment to the belief that all underserved students have a right to an affordable, accessible and successful college experience. The Compact invites all schools, colleges and universities to accept the call to action. The initiative proposes a number of possible activities, including the creation of partnerships to provide more mentors for young people, ensuring the availability of rigorous high school curricula; the waiving of fees for college applications for these target students; educating administrators, counselors and teachers to understand the reality of financial aid needs; providing additional tutoring and supplemental instruction, as well as culturally relevant programming; and improving course alignment and acceptance agreements between two- and four-year campuses.

The College Board: Connecting Students to College Success

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

CONTACT: Sheila Jamison, The College Board, (212) 713-8052, sjamison@collegeboard.org