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STEUBENVILLE -- Eastern Gateway Community College has formally entered into teachout partnerships with several institutions.
Teachout agreements ensure students can continue to pursue their degrees, despite EGCC's looming closure.
EGCC has already worked out agreements with 10 two- and four-year colleges and universities, and is awaiting the Higher Learning Commission's approval for another.
Ohio schools approved as teachout partners are Belmont College, Cuyahoga Community College, Franklin University, Hocking College, Kent State University, Owens Community College, Stark State College and Washington State College, all in Ohio. Also approved were Westmoreland County Community College in Pennsylvania and Austin Community College in Texas.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission also have given Eastern Gateway permission to offer a limited number of courses in the summer for some students who need just one more class to graduate.
"We have always put our students first at Eastern Gateway, and these teachout partnerships will allow our students to move from our college to other schools so they can pursue their degree in higher education uninterrupted and with minimal disruption," Interim President John Crooks said. "The10 approved schools and one pending will offer our students choices and the chance for a smooth transition."
Teachout agreements are formal arrangements made between academic institutions when one institution decides to discontinue a course or close altogether with the primary goal to ensure students can continue their education with minimal disruption.
"We are also pleased to have been given approval to offer a limited number of courses at Eastern Gateway this summer so some students, who may be one course shy of graduating, finish their degree," Crooks said. "We will be announcing the courses that will be available at the Steubenville and Youngstown campuses sometime next week."
An agreement with Lorain Community College in northern Ohio is pending state approval, and officials said.
EGCC continues to have conversations with institutions including Columbus State Community College and Youngstown State University and West Virginia Northern Community College in hopes of securing teachout agreements.
For information about Eastern Gateway's teachout partnerships, visit egcc.edu/admission.