The VCU Project: NLII Annual Meeting New Orleans, Louisiana -- January 28, 2003 Virtual Colleges and Universities in Transition.

The VCU Project:

NLII Annual MeetingNew Orleans, Louisiana -- January 28, 2003

Virtual Colleges and Universities in Transition

Copyright SHEEO, Rhonda M. Epper, Myk Garn, 2003. This work is theintellectual property of the authors. Permission is granted for this material to beshared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyrightstatement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that thecopying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or torepublish requires written permission from the authors.

“At a certain point in history, they may have been the lubricant needed for a massive shifting of the gears in higher education. For state virtual universities, the moment may be passing.”

The notion that VCUs are not needed is “likely to be a ‘cover argument’ by individual campuses to avoid collaboration. . . Following this path would lead to destructive competition, poorly served students, and very unhappy stakeholders and funders.”

“Expanding Access to Learning: The Role of Virtual Universities,”

July 18-19, 2002, Aspen, Colorado

Pew Symposium

Venture Units

“The system should provide for new pilot or demonstration sites to be established within the system that are separate, preferably isolated from, other units so as to increase the chances for innovation and improvement.”

Terrence J. MacTaggart (1996)Restructuring Higher Education

The Growth of VCUs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Established

Established

The Growth of VCUs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Operational

Operational Established

VCU Project Goals

Identify and describe the types of VCU models in use by states

Determine and understand statewide goals for VCUs

Discover and describe major successes, barriers, and unexpected outcomes

Principle Investigators

Rhonda M. EpperDirector of Online Program Development, Community College of Denver

Myk GarnChief Academic Officer, Kentucky Virtual University

Research assistance provided by:

Susan Winter, SHEEO Webmaster/Policy Analyst

Advisory Team

Fred HurstDean of Distance Learning, Northern Arizona

University

Sally JohnstoneExecutive Director, WCET

Val LewisCommissioner, Connecticut Dept. of Higher Education

Paul LingenfelterExecutive Director, SHEEO

Tad PerryExecutive Director, South Dakota Board of Regents

VCU Project Phases

VCU Literature Review

2002 SHEEO/WCET VCU Survey

Follow-up interviews

SHEEO Report

WCET – Hewlett Edutools Policy Page

Research Questions

Are virtual universities meeting statewide goals for which they were created?

What are the different VCU organizational models?

How have VCUs transitioned themselves since founding to meet current demands?

What are the major successes, barriers, and unexpected outcomes of virtual universities?

Literature Review

100+ studies, articles, state reports

15-20 core resourcesGoals, mission, organizational structure, financial models, collaboration models, policies that enable VCU to operate effectively in a state

Ways to describe VCUs: Taxonomies

VCU Definitions

Wolf/Johnstone Taxonomy

Change Magazine, July/August 1999

Three types of non-consortia VCUs

Four types of consortia VCUs

VCU-1: Degree-granting

VCU-2: Mutual services & formal articulation

VCU-3: Linked services & informal articulation

VCU-4: Independent services & little articulation

VCU Models Investigated

The VCU Project is focused on entities and endeavors that operate primarily within single states and that were founded by, or comprise membership of, the state's public higher education institutions.

These models appear to occur in two VCU forms - systemwide and statewide.

How VCUs Define Themselves

VCU Type Number of Responses*

Percent of Responses*

VCU-1 0 0.0%

VCU-2 26 54.2%

VCU-3 7 14.6%

VCU-4 15 31.3%

Total 48

* Preliminary data

Preliminary Findings

VCU GoalsFunding ModelsServicesEnabling Policies

VCU Goals in Transition

Expanding accessServing underserved populations

Increasing Goals

Declining Goals

Reducing costs / Centralizing resources

Increase communication/collaboration

Better educated workforce

Funding Models of VCUs

Direct state appropriation

Fees from services to provider institutions

Tuition/fees charged by VCU

Partial tuition (e.g., split with provider)

FTE funding from state

Membership fees

Donations/partnerships with private sector

Funding Models of VCUs

0 20 40 60 80

State Approp

Svc Fees

Tuition

Membership

In-Kind

Other

Founding Current

Percentage of VCUs noting funding source as “major” or “primary”

Initial Capitalization of VCU

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

Average: $976,359 Median: $600,000

Operating Budget of VCU

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

Average: $1,169,513 Median: $500,000

VCU Funding PlansIs your VCU currently self-supporting?

If not, is the VCU planning to become self-supporting in the future?

50%No plans

to beSelf-supporting

23%Currently

Self-supporting

23%Plan to be

Self-supporting

Services Provided

Library services

Online catalog

Online application

Online registration

E-commerce

Bookstore

Technical help desk

Academic help desk (e.g., tutoring)

Online financial aid

Coordination of test sites and proctoring

Marketing

Faculty/staff training and development

Course hosting

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Enabling Policies

“Home College” modelCommon course numberingPolicy development including: quality assurance, tuition, development, transfer/articulation, property rights, fees, revenue sharingStandardization & scalabilityStatewide or systemwide articulation

Future Analysis

Audience

Sector/Credential influences

Primary/Emerging Disciplines

External Competition

Barriers

Unexpected Outcomes

Examples of Best Practice

For More Information

Contact:

Rhonda Epper

[email protected]

Myk [email protected]