5/9/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phil Patton, UNI registrar, (319) 273-2244
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa has received the 2000 Best Practices Award from the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council in Washington, D.C., for establishing one of the country's first electronic transcript transmittal programs.
UNI began accepting transcripts electronically in 1995. Four years later, the university created the nation's first "bridge" program, making it easier to use those transcripts to provide a degree audit showing all accepted transfer work. The audit is shown via a personal student Web site.
To date, only about 300 colleges and universities are capable of accepting transcripts electronically. "Our goal was to address the situation where all the steps done manually in the past may have taken weeks to accomplish. Now we can do it in about a day," explained Phil Patton, UNI registrar.
The university is piloting another program, Electronic Access System for Iowa Education Records (EASIER) with Des Moines public high schools. Patton said this program provides an immediate guarantee that a transcript has been received, faster notification of admission, and immediate authentication of transcripts, cutting down on fraud.
"This is the first step in creating an electronic data community system among public school districts, community colleges, and the Regent universities. Merging data from all three levels is a formidable task."
The PESC promotes the use of standards for sharing data within the higher education community. Members include representatives of higher educational associations and institutions, service providers, state and federal agencies that share a goal of improving service and controlling costs by promoting data-sharing standards.
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5/9/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phil Patton, UNI Registrar, (319) 273-2283
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Purple and Old Gold Awards, which recognize meritorious scholarship or conspicuous achievement in particular areas, were presented to 53 seniors during the University of Northern Iowa's two commencement exercises Saturday, May 5, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in the UNI-Dome.
Named after the university colors, the traditional awards were first presented at commencement exercises on May 29, 1939. The awards for meritorious scholarship are presented to students who have the highest grade point average in each of the designated academic areas. Those for conspicuous achievement are granted to students with outstanding accomplishments in particular areas. Each student receives a certificate and a bronze medallion with the university seal, name and "summa cum laude" inscribed, hanging on a purple and gold ribbon. It is to be worn during commencement exercises.
Among those receiving Purple and Old Gold Awards is/are ____(Name)____ of ____(Hometown)____. He/She is being honored for ____(meritorious scholarship/conspicuous achievement)____ in ____(area)____ from the ____(college)____.
In announcing the first awards to the 1939 graduating class, President O.R. Latham said, in part, "Every good and effective institution of higher education should be deeply concerned with the promotion of scholarship...With this commencement, this college is taking another step forward in stimulating scholastic attainment.
"Henceforth, annual awards will be made to those graduates who achieve the highest scholarship average in each of the 12 major lines of study sponsored by this college. These are to be known as 'Purple and Old Gold Awards.'"
Since 1939, more than 1,550 students have been Purple and Old Gold recipients. Currently awards may be in 45 academic areas, as well as for conspicuous achievement in particular areas.
Note: To obtain a listing of the students who won awards, please contact the Office of University Marketing & Public Relations at (319)273-2761.
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