The Goals Statement for Distance Education in the U. T. System was prepared by the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Distance Education following a request of the Special Committee on Telecommunications and Technology Transfer. Following a report at the February 10, 2000 U. T. Board of Regents' meeting, the statement was revised and reviewed by the Special Committee. The current statement includes comments by the U. T. System institutional presidents.

This statement provides a Mission Statement and Operating Principles for the U. T. TeleCampus, identifies Target Market Groups, provides General Distance Education Goals (with an emphasis on programs that focus on Service, Quality, Consistency, and Opportunity), and specific Distance Education Goals.

distance education

in the university of texas system

background

The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System remains unalterably committed to a fundamental principle: access to education for all Texans is the cornerstone for what Texas will be in the 21st Century. Decisions and actions based on this principle are driven by several well documented facts:

· In order for Texas to provide a better future for all Texans and in order for Texas to continue to be competitive nationally and internationally, Texas must produce more college graduates.

· Our knowledge-based economy will require more educated Texans.

· Current matriculation and graduation rates will be insufficient to produce the additional 20,000 undergraduate degrees that Texas must produce annually on a per capita basis simply to achieve the average national degree production rate.

· For the foreseeable future, funding from traditional sources will be insufficient to construct campus facilities at a rate that will accommodate the anticipated surge in the college student population.

U. T. TeleCampus

The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System established the U. T. TeleCampus as the central point for distance education services throughout the U. T. System. The creation of the TeleCampus was based on the following observations:

1. Increased access to educational opportunities and the sharing of educational resources and intellectual capital can have a dramatic impact on education.

2. Information technology and the appropriate use of distance education have the greatest potential for providing better access to educational opportunities to more Texans in the shortest amount of time.

Mission Statement

The mission of the U. T. TeleCampus is to empower the component institutions of The University of Texas System to be world-class leaders in distance education and to take full advantage of the economies of scale inherent in distance learning technologies.

Operating Principles for the U. T. TeleCampus

1. All matters of curriculum, course content, student performance and related academic matters remain the responsibility of the accredited component institutions and their faculties. Faculty members will also have a significant voice in determining the technology format or structure of his/her course.

Courses developed on platforms other than the VCampus platform (e. g., WebCT) can be accessed through the TeleCampus subject to only a few constraints: adherence to the Principles of Good Practice published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a statement from the faculty author(s) that accepted copyright and intellectual property principles have not been violated.

2. The U. T. TeleCampus will support the faculty members of the component institutions and the distance learning students in much the same way that the facilities and staff of a physical campus support faculty and students. Services will include provision of online library services, records and registration services, and high quality virtual classrooms. In addition, the TeleCampus will assist and train faculty and staff in the design and delivery of Web-based courses and with copyright and related intellectual property issues.

3. The U. T. TeleCampus will promote the U. T. name and build market recognition for all component institutions while also encouraging each component to build its own name recognition within its markets.

4. While supporting each component in the development of its own distance learning programs, the TeleCampus will also facilitate the development of cooperative programs using the most appropriate specialists from multiple components.

5. Tuition and fees for TeleCampus courses will be determined by the individual components or, in the case of cooperative programs, by all of the cooperating institutions. Revenues including formula funds will accrue to the institutions teaching the courses.

6. During the development period, the U. T. TeleCampus will provide financial incentives as a catalyst for institutions and their faculties to develop and offer TeleCampus courses and programs. Incentives will be used to develop instructional expertise and the capacity to offer distance learning instruction.

7. All U. T. System component institutions will be expected to be active participants in distance education activities administered by the U. T. TeleCampus.

Distance Education Goals -- General

1. During the next five years, the U. T. TeleCampus will provide a range of programs that are comprehensive, market driven, and based on the needs of Texans as defined most recently by the November 1998 Report of the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission.

2. These programs should focus on the following Target Market Groups:

(a) Business and Industry Learners

(b) U. T. Component Campus Students

(d) Students in Health Education and the Allied Health Professions

(e) High School Students

3. Programs administered by the U. T. TeleCampus should focus on Service, Quality, Consistency, and Opportunity.

· Service: Provide distance education students, associated faculty, and administrators with a superior, service-oriented organization from which to conduct administrative, support, and distance learning activities.

· Quality: Create a process that encourages collaboration between U. T. System component institutions and faculty members in the development of high quality distance education courses and programs.

· Consistency: Enhance the quantity and quality of educational resource options and services available to current and future U. T. System students by promulgating consistent standards for component institutions.

· Opportunity: Support the economic and workforce development needs of Texas, including those identified in the State’s Strategic Economic Development Plan.

Distance Education Goals -- Specific

1. By Fall 2000, enroll at least 500 students in courses administered by the U. T. TeleCampus.

2. By Fall 2001, at least one in-service program for public school teachers will be available through the TeleCampus.

3. By Fall 2001, the TeleCampus will be a recognized provider of learning resources and learning assistance to public school students.

4. By Fall 2001, all U. T. component institutions will have used the TeleCampus to deliver at least one credit or continuing education course.

5. By Fall 2001, the TeleCampus will be able to transfer student registration and grade records transparently between the student’s home institution and the institution providing the distance learning course.

6. By Fall 2001, some TeleCampus courses will be taught in multiple sections and may be licensed to institutions other than the originating component institution.

7. By Fall 2001, it will be possible to meet the core curriculum requirements of all components with courses delivered by the TeleCampus.

8. By Fall 2001, all U. T. components will have an active cadre of faculty and staff who utilize the TeleCampus for delivery of distance education.

9. By Fall 2001, the TeleCampus will be a major provider of in-service education for public school teachers.

Last reviewed September 2000

Distance Education Goals Statement