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Freedomways Second Quarter 1973

they are judged to be making progress.
However, in general, supportive services, including counseling, remedial aid and financial help are necessary for the average open admissions student. This reflects the new philosophy of higher education. In the past, the entering CUNY student had to have a certain amount of academic skills and knowledges. Now, CUNY is taking the added responsibility of helping a student acquire the skills he needs to do academic work, a responsibility previously assumed by the high school. Remedial and other aid programs are basic if open enrollment is to work. What is the use of admission to college if a student flunks out after a year because of inadequate skill development. At present, remedial work varies widely in depth and success from institution to institution in the City University and so does the dropout rate. Serious experimentation must be carried on to discover the most effective and imaginative remedial services for the academically deprived so that college will be a successful experience for them. 

standards
In addition to the problem of establishing good remedial services, many opponents of the open admissions policy immediately raised the cry that there would be a concomitant lowering of standards that would make a CUNY degree worthless. Ideally, the standards for a degree will remain high. It is only the admission standards that have been lowered or more broadly interpreted in order to permit the previously deprived but capable student of getting a chance at higher education. Again, it must be emphasized that good skill development and counseling programs should prevent any long-time compromise  with standards. The experimental SEEK program, a source of pride to the City University, is already proof of this. 
Even the most vocal proponents of open admissions do not expect all students to graduate with a B.A. degree. Rather, their aim is to provide the right of all to a realistic opportunity for a college degree. Given encouragement and remedial help early, a student should be able to function up to the level of his desire and ability. For some, higher education may mean to B.A.; for others it may be the A.A. (Associate in Arts) granted by the community colleges. Even for those who do not earn a degree, the time spent in training may mean a better job and more mobility.
A serious factor to be dealt with in connection with standards is the negative attitudes of 

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