Contact: Monty Jones, (512) 499-4363

Date: February 16, 1999

UT System News Release

TeleCampus Growth Leads to Phase II Study

AUSTIN -- Less than one year since its inauguration, The University of Texas System's virtual university -- The UT TeleCampus -- has completed its Phase I goals and pilot projects and is now entering Phase II of its development.

"The growth and response to the TeleCampus has been totally overwhelming and unexpected," said Chancellor William H. Cunningham.

Due to this growth, the U. T. System has retained Andersen Consulting to conduct a Phase II study. Andersen's report will refine the vision of the TeleCampus, define a high-level implementation plan, and provide a business case to support the proposed plan.

The plan will provide a roadmap for TeleCampus growth during the next five years. Key pilot projects for TeleCampus development were identified by Andersen Consulting in 1996 when they conducted a Phase I study.

Phase I has included the development of two collaborative graduate degree programs that will begin in fall 1999 -- an MBA in general management, and an M.Ed. in educational technology. The programs will be offered entirely online. In addition, a First Year Online program is being developed with an initial offering of eight core freshman-level classes for distance learners. Universities from throughout the U. T. System will be contributing courses.

"Universities nationwide are addressing the need to provide education coupled with the new technologies, " said TeleCampus Director Darcy Hardy. "Few have the advantage of pooling the resources and talent that a 15-institution System can offer. We are introducing some very innovative programs that will change the face of education for the better."

The UT TeleCampus is a service-oriented support center that facilitates high-quality distance education among the U. T. System and its students, faculty, and staff. The TeleCampus includes eight "virtual" buildings, allowing students and faculty to navigate the site in much the same way they would a traditional campus. In addition to course delivery, the TeleCampus offers access to extensive student services including digital libraries, admissions and financial aid information, instructional resources and Web tutorials, training, course chat rooms, and bookstores.