Open-door academic policy

A university has an open-door academic policy, 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 called open universities. This policy is seen to be a part of the educational revolution.^[1] 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,^[2] a similar idea can be drawn in terms of education.^[3] According to Deepa Rao, the open-door academic policy is one of the main ways in which adult learners become a part of university/college life.^[4] Due to the recognized demand for post-secondary education many institutions have committed strongly to investing into this policy; however, there are many concealed limitations in the policy which can prevent some from securing a degree.^[5]

History

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.^[6] 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

Pros and Cons

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.^[6]

However, despite its benefits the open-door academic policy has faced its criticism. The graduation rates of colleges are closely tied to their admissions policies. Six years after beginning a four-year program, an average of 60% of students nationwide will have graduated. However, that rate varies from 89% at colleges that accept less than one-quarter of applicants to 36% at those with an open admissions policy.^[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.^[6]

Eligibility

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)^[5]
• On average, between the ages of 22-29.^[5]
• Usually accompanied by an adult diploma or GED, in place of a normal high school diploma.^[5]

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.^[5]

Limiting Factors

Limiting factors restrict the student acceptance rate due to the following situations:

• Funding cuts, which can be supported by further funding. For example, funding through the school e.g. school fairs, raffles etc. Budget rearrangement is also a consideration in terms of allocating a smaller portion of funding for the open-door academic policy courses.
• Lack of teaching staff, teachers resources, classroom space.
• Over-subscription.
• Legal terms restricting access for some students.
• Waiting lists.
• Prioritizing of students whom have submitted.
• Increase in education levels of students who submit.^[6]

Examples

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 an open-door academic policy:

• Saint Louis University^[9]
• University of Mary Washington^[10]
• Delta College^[11]
• Glasgow Caledonian University^[12]
• The Open University^[13]
• Bond University, Australia^[14]
• Open Universities Australia^[15]

See also

• College admissions in the United States
• Cooling out
• Open admissions
• Transfer admissions in the United States
• University and college admissions

References

1. http://www.jstor.org/stable/189007?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
2. http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/open-door-policy
3. "open-door policy - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online". www.ldoceonline.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
4. http://globalhealth.washington.edu/faculty/deepa-rao
5. "NCSALL: The Open Door Policy". www.ncsall.net. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
6. Hendrick, Ruth Zimmer; Hightower, William H.; Gregory, Dennis E. (2006). "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. Cohen & Brawer, A & F (2003). The American Community College. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
8. "What are the graduation rates for students obtaining a bachelor's degree?". Fast Facts. National Center for Education Statistics. May 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
9. http://www.slu.edu/human-resources-home/open-door-policy
10. http://www.umw.edu/greatminds/2015/03/18/open-door-policy/
11. http://www.delta.edu/admissions-office/ouropen-doorpolicy.aspx
12. http://www.gcu.ac.uk/theuniversity/
13. http://www.openuniversity.edu/courses/programmes
14. https://bond.edu.au
15. https://www.open.edu.au/legal/student-declaration/