Skyline College has recently created a partnership with Mills College to benefit Skyline students at no cost.

Known as the “Cross Registration Program,” this new program provides students with the opportunity to experience a four year college atmosphere, utilize Mills College academic services, and network with other college professors and students outside of Skyline College.

The agreement took almost a year of careful planning and development by Skyline’s Transfer Center Director Linda Rosa Corozon, and Honors Transfer Program Counselor Joyce Lee. Although the Cross Registration agreement was considered for quite some time, the paperwork and approval from both campuses were completed this semester, allowing the Cross Registration Program to come into effect in spring of 2006.

According to Lee, in order to participate in the program, students enrolled in Skyline’s Spring 2006 semester must have a minimum of 12 units with a 2.0 GPA. In addition, all students are permitted to take one course per semester at Mills with a maximum of four classes within four semesters.

The “no cost” aspect of the program includes no tuition fee as well as access to Mills College facilities. The F. W. Olin Library accommodates 225,000 volumes and other media with literature, history, women’s studies, art, and music at interest. The library also holds 12,000 volumes and 10,000 manuscripts dating as far back as the 15th century. This compilation, entitled “Special Collections,” includes a variety of renowned writers and scholars, from Shakespeare to Mozart. And although the program does not waive fees for books, lab fees, and supplies, Counselor Joyce Lee emphasizes that, “the program allows students to experience a different campus and unique classes.”

Founded as a single-sex institute for women in the mid 1800s, the presenty co-ed Mills College in Oakland provides opportunities for all students in the undergraduate level. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the college is currently ranked in the top 75 liberal arts colleges in the nation, as well as one of the nation’s top 20 most diverse universities. As of press time, Skyline has planned a Transfer Day Workshop on campus, where a Mills College representative will be available for any questions and additional information.

In addition to the introduction of this program, Lee is aware of other schools having agreement with other prestigious colleges such as Berkeley University, and has prospects for Skyline to create partnerships with other renowned institutions in the future as well.