August 9, 2000

Ramapo College To Expand Campus Boundaries Through The National Student Exchange

(Mahwah) -- Beginning with the fall 2000 semester Ramapo College of New Jersey students may elect to spend a semester or a full year studying at one of 161 colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories. In return, students from those 161 institutions have the option of coming to Ramapo. This program, the National Student Exchange, makes it possible to expand the boundaries of each institution to include the courses and programs of each, and allows students to experience a diversity of people, culture and geography. In the first semester the program will be offered by Ramapo, eight students will attend seven universities, all in the west and south.

One student, Richard (R.J.) Turchick of Kinnelon, will continue his cooperative education assignment while participating in the National Student Exchange. Turchick, who worked for Production Group International (PGI) in New York City last fall and again for PGI in the spring 2000 semester in London through Ramapo's international co-op program, will work in the firm's Miami office while attending Florida International University. Two Ramapo students, Raul Bernal of Clifton and Joe Froyan of Garfield, each chose to attend the University of South Carolina and will room together. The other students taking advantage of the exchange opportunity include Tiffany Jessen of Tenafly, who will attend the University of Arizona; Margaret Memoli of Oradell, who is going to California State in San Luis Obisbo; Maria Singer of Fairlawn, who will attend South Oregon University; Andrew Schoeffling of Atlantic Highlands, who will attend Morehead (KY) University; and Anthony Verdi of Nutley, who is going to the University of Hawaii. Two students, one from Wichita State University and another from New Mexico State University, have chosen to attend Ramapo for the 2000-2001 school year

According to Rhoda Leshowitz, assistant director of admissions and Ramapo's National Student Exchange coordinator, students are eligible who have at least a 2.5 grade point average and have completed at least 30 but not more than 85 credit hours. They then choose from among the Consortium schools based on majors, desired locations and campus sizes, and rank order preferences. School coordinators attend a conference each March to finalize the placements. The process is cost effective for participants because they qualify for in-state tuition at the schools in the Exchange.

A grant from the Ramapo College Foundation will be used to kick off the program at Ramapo and expand National Student Exchange opportunities for students. The grant will fund the research of colleges and universities in which Ramapo students have shown an interest and outreach to encourage students from other schools to consider Ramapo.