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
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