"The aspirations and needs of learners have changed over the last decade," McDavis said, "and Ohio's higher education institutions must respond in new ways."

"Partnerships with community colleges, like this one, will help to expand access to educational opportunity for students where they live and work instead of requiring them to relocate to pursue their educational goals," he added. "This partnership supports the development of an educated and competitive workforce in Ohio."

The pact allows the university to further extend its reach across Ohio, creating educational opportunities for students who may not be able to attend classes on one of the six Ohio University campuses. It is the latest in a series of community college partnerships facilitated by University Outreach that embody the new response McDavis cites.

Unlike past agreements that focus solely on streamlining the transfer of credits from two-year colleges to an Ohio University campus, the most recent agreements -- including those with Washington State Community College and Hocking College -- also take education to the students. The agreement makes possible a number of different offerings, but the initial focus is on bachelor's degree completion.

"We are reaching out to a group of students who otherwise would not attend Ohio University because they are not able or willing to travel to or relocate to an established university campus," said Charles Bird, vice provost for university outreach. "Our partnerships with community colleges help them to provide broader opportunities, such as bachelor's degree completion programs, to their graduates."

"Ohio University has quality programs available and the ability to deliver them across the state," he said. "Together, we can make a significant impact on increasing the number of residents with college degrees at all levels."

Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut has been carrying the message statewide that the state's colleges and universities are the hope for Ohio's future under the University System of Ohio created by Gov. Ted Strickland. With the state's shift away from a manufacturing economy, greater access to higher education is imperative if Ohio is to compete successfully in the global economy, Fingergut has said.

In an address at Ohio University's Southern campus in November, the chancellor made it clear that despite demand for bachelor's degree programs, community colleges will not get into the bachelor's degree business. Instead, universities can meet that demand by offering bachelor's programs on community college campuses.

The result of creating opportunities for students to attend multiple institutions on a single campus will be powerful, he added. In a scenario he described, a student can attend Columbus State Community College to earn an associate's degree, then stay on at that campus while earning a bachelor's from Ohio University. "That would be one of the greatest deals in higher education," he said.

The agreement between Columbus State and Ohio University brings Fingerhut's scenario to realization.

The first program will be offered through the partnership this fall, providing an opportunity for individuals with an associate's degree in applied science or applied business to complete a bachelor's degree in technical and applied studies from Ohio University. The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies (BTAS) Program isn't new -- it already is offered on all five regional campuses for students who can attend classes on campus -- but delivering it online or on a community college campus allows working adults and others to attend school within their own time and distance constraints.

Ohio University-Lancaster, which has an established relationship with Columbus State, will provide classes on the CSCC campus if sufficient interest exists. The BTAS degree also will be offered through the university's other community college partnerships in fall.

At the signing ceremony at Columbus State this morning, the two presidents said they view the agreement as a model for collaboration and cooperation in state higher education. The institutions plan to explore various options in the strategic partnership, focusing on expanding learning opportunities for Ohioans. Already under discussion is a bachelor's degree completion program in criminal justice for students who hold associate's degrees in that field.

"We are very excited about this opportunity to serve our students and the community in new ways," Moeller said. "This is a new era in our long relationship with Ohio University, and we are committed that we will continue to expand this great partnership for our students."

Columbus State Community College, based in downtown Columbus, has an enrollment of some 23,000 students and offers two-year career programs in 55 business, health, public service, human service and engineering technology fields as well as programs designed to transfer. The school also operates nine off-campus centers in the Columbus area.

Under an Ohio University administrative restructuring last year, University Outreach serves students through distance- and lifelong-learning offerings as well as community college partnerships. The unit formerly was grouped with regional campuses and the office now known as Campus and Community Engagement.