MBA News Worldwide
UI’s Global Campus starting small
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URBANA – Global Campus isn’t exactly spanning the globe – yet. Right now, 10 students are taking classes through the University of Illinois’ new virtual campus – three in a bachelor’s-completion program in nursing and seven in electronic-learning programs – and the majority are from Illinois. Given the $3 million spent on Global Campus this year, that’s not an ideal student-cost ratio, as one trustee dryly noted last week. The startup costs will average out over time, of course, and administrators expect more than 100 students to be signed up by September, when several new programs roll out. Within three years, they hope to enroll the equivalent of 750 full-time students – the “break even” point for Global Campus. Administrators acknowledge some early hurdles in recruiting, and trustees who heard a Global Campus update last week advised them to be flexible to be sure they hit the right market. “Startup companies often end up doing business very differently” from what they originally planned, said board Chairman Lawrence Eppley. “You can’t be rigid.” As special assistant to University of Illinois President B. Joseph White, Chet Gardner has the responsibility of overseeing the Global Campus initiative. While the program is off to a slow start, Gardner said at three months, it’s still in its infancy. By Robin Scholz In particular, trustees suggested the program target current UI students who have trouble getting into high-demand courses on the university’s three campuses. That could help students finish their degrees on time and save money, Eppley said. “I think we’re missing a huge market, an internal market,” he said. That’s “been on our radar screen from the start,” said Chet Gardner, who oversees Global Campus as special assistant to UI President B. Joseph White. Gardner noted Global Campus has been up and running for just three months, too soon to judge its success. “I’ve said all along that first real test of marketing and recruiting will be in September,” he said. While the nursing program has had difficulties, the E-learning programs have been unexpectedly popular, attracting teachers, college administrators and corporate employees hoping to manage or teach online learning, he said. Twenty new students signed up for the eight-week term that starts in May and another 25 are expected in September, well ahead of original goals, he said. The nursing program is a bit of a puzzle. Market research showed “very high demand” for the program nationally, and initial recruiting drew 3,000 inquiries, he said. But only three people ended up enrolling. Many of those interested were hoping to finish their bachelor’s degrees quickly and inexpensively, Gardner said, and they were intimidated by the prerequisites required. “We have high standards,” Gardner said, noting the College of Nursing is ranked in the top five nationwide. “It is a demanding program.” To qualify, students must be registered nurses who have completed a number of tough prerequisite courses. Most applicants needed to take four to six courses before they could enroll, Gardner said. To create a “pipeline,” the UI made arrangements for students to take the prerequisites online through Parkland College, and 15 to 20 should be ready to enroll in Global Campus by September, he said. Global Campus also plans to shift to more targeted marketing for that program, advertising in nursing journals and pursuing contracts with hospitals or other health-care organizations that have tuition-reimbursement programs for their employees. Toward that end, trustees last month approved discounts of up to 15 percent for group enrollees. Global Campus initially advertised on the Web and contracted with “lead-generation” firms that run Web sites where students can request information about online programs. Their names are forwarded to the UI for a fee. More : news-gazette.com |