Co-curricular transcripts could make a return at Minnesota State, though not everyone knew they were gone.
Co-curricular transcripts contain information about activities and community service that students have done on campus.
"We used to have them but the person in charge of them left and they stopped," said Minnesota State Student Association Vice President Murtaza Rajabali.
Nobody seems to know exactly when or why the co-curricular transcript disappeared in the first place.
"It's something that I think disappeared because of a lack of awareness," said senate speaker Brett Carpenter.
Brochures about the co-curricular transcript can still be found outside the MSSA office. The brochures were put out by Student Leadership Development and Service Learning, which has since changed to Student Activities.
The brochure states the purpose of a co-curricular transcript is to inform future employers and graduate schools about a student's campus and community involvement. The brochure advertises the array of activities that can be included: athletics, intramurals, service learning, music, student organizations, resident halls, Greek organizations, Impact, special awards and presentations. The co-curricular transcript is important to MSU students because it is an official document that gives them the edge against their competition when applying for jobs and graduate school.
"It gives credibility to the resume," Carpenter said.
According to the brochure, updating co-curricular transcripts was the responsibility of the student. A form was needed with a signature from an advisor or responsible person from the event. It could be updated either at the end of each semester or the end of the year, whenever a student wanted. Sending out the transcript to graduate schools or employers cost a student $2 per copy.
Brenda Garbers, the recruitment coordinator at the Career Development Center, recalled hearing about co-curricular transcripts. They were supposed to submit information if a student was given a scholarship or achieved something noteworthy.
Garbers said the return of co-curricular transcripts would benefit students.
"My only concern is that there is so much going on now," Garbers said. "How would they collect all the information?"
The return of the co-curricular transcript is in progress. Some things still need to be worked out, such as who will be in charge of it as well as if any funding would be needed and where it would come from.
It is possible the foundation is still in place from when co-curricular transcripts once existed and could be used again.
"I found out just yesterday that the Web site link was still up," Rajabali said.
Both of the MSSA presidential candidates are working to get the co-curricular transcript back and working.
Rajabali said he does not anticipate increased expenses or a need for funding because the system is still there. He hopes to see it working fall semester next year, and his plan for implementation involves getting support and meeting with the current president.
"Whether we get elected or not, after Tuesday we will be looking into it," Rajabali said.
Carpenter is taking steps toward implementing the co-curricular transcript as well. Carpenter said he would start by talking to Student Activities and finding out what it needs in terms of funding and manpower. He hopes to see co-curricular transcripts return within two years.
Jen Pollock is a Reporter staff writer
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