York University’s Division of Students has launched a refreshed Transfer Credit website. The site’s simple structure, dynamic, responsive design and easy navigation provide a collection of resources created to simplify transferring to York U.
The University’s strategic enrolment management initiative has identified the importance of providing further support and focus to the 10,000-strong transfer student community at York U. The initiative to redesign the website is a result of divisional goals to recruit more transfer students, as well as to continue to implement and strengthen the provincial ONTransfer initiative, which connects current and prospective students to transfer opportunities at participating colleges and universities across Ontario.
“We’re working to make it easier and faster to give transfer applicants clear and concise information about how much transfer credit they will receive – their number 1 question – and to deliver on strategic enrolment goals for the key college and university transfer market,” says Donna Cope, director, Strategic Communications for the Division of Students.
Andrew Wilson, assistant registrar, Graduate Assessment & Transfer Credit, plays a vital role in the implementation of the ONTransfer initiative, with goals to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students wishing to transfer to York. “The goal has been to make our assessments transparent and consistent for students who choose York,” says Wilson. “My involvement has focused on collaborating and communicating York’s academic pathways and course-to-course assessments to prospective and current students and staff at York, and my colleagues across the postsecondary sector.”
Wilson, Cope and their teams have worked with Julie Parna, director, Strategic Academic Initiatives, to ensure that transfer goals align with the Division of Student’s strategic goals, serving to focus on access and mobility for students.
Visitors can navigate to potential transfer pathways directly from the Transfer Credit homepage or from the drop-down menu on the central navigation bar. The enhanced design enables them to smoothly navigate through pertinent information including requirements, eligibility, the transfer process and final steps of admission.
The transfer process section clearly outlines key components including credit and course assessment. Within the subsections, a mock-up of an acceptable course outline is provided, as are expectations for the transfer credit statement, one of the final steps in the application process.
The York Advantage section highlights the benefits of transferring to York, directing students to video and website resources that speak to student funding, careers, flexible studies, support services, mature and part-time student success, and student involvement at York. Visitors can flip between resource sections using navigation buttons, giving the page the feel and ease of a slideshow presentation.
Lastly, a neat feature of the website can be seen in the rotating statistics section placed below the navigation that cycles through reasons to join the York University community.
Current and prospective transfer students are encouraged to give the new website a test drive and voice their thoughts on Facebook and Twitter using the #YorkUTransfer hashtag.
Submitted by Mary Dytyniak, social/print media assistant (Transfer Credit), Division of Students