A new online system implemented by Parchment Inc. approved by the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees on Nov.12 is making it easier and faster for students to obtain their college transcripts.
According to trustee Larry Kennedy, the new system will make the process of obtaining transcripts less labor-intensive by streamlining the process electronically.
“This provides a much better service to students,” said trustee Larry Kennedy. “The students will be able to work directly with this vendor in order to streamline their transcripts to wherever they need them to go.”
Parchment Inc. is the leading provider in electronic transcript exchange, according to district officials. Founded in 2003, they strive to help students collect, promote, and share their education credentials in simple and secure ways.They also have the ability to send student transcripts electronically to any employer or college.
This system will cost the district an estimated $35,000 annually with the money coming from the Unrestricted General Funds categorical funds in the district budget. In addition, due to the fact that students will now pay Parchment directly rather than paying the school, there will be an annual revenue loss of $130,000.
The implementation of a new system doesn’t only affect the process for Moorpark College students, but also for faculty.
“Even if there is a loss in revenue, there is a gain in staff time that will be very useful and appreciated,” said trustee Bernardo Perez. “This is one of the compelling facts that makes me support [this motion].”
The district annually processes between 45,000 and 50,000 requests for official student transcripts. The current process to send out transcripts is very labor-intensive, including finding older records, printing the transcripts, stuffing them in envelopes, and mailing them to the student’s prospective schools. Since this process takes place electronically, those who work in Administration and Records will have more time to assist students in plenty of other ways.
While the impact that this parent company has had in providing students with an easier method of obtaining transcripts is not in question, trustee Arturo Hernandez questioned the kind of backup that would be present if any glitches were to occur within the system and if some students do not have the means to obtain transcripts electronically.
“We still need the ability to give out transcripts by hand,” said Hernandez. “I’d hate to see any student be unable to receive their transcript because they don’t have the means to do it.”
The board acknowledged that electronic transcripts don’t work for every student, so this fallback plan will ensure that any student can receive their transcripts.
“This [new system] sounds like a great idea to me,” said Kennedy. “It’s innovative and it will definitely free up wait times for students, as well as staff times.”
For more information regarding this new system and how students can obtain their transcripts now, visit Admissions and Records located in the Administration building.
