Trustees-Faculty Liaison Committee considers recommended changes to Global Campus


The Trustees-Faculty Liaison Committee met today with faculty and Central Michigan University Online Academics Program Study Committee to discuss the recommendations made for Global Campus.

A survey of 450 students conducted by committee member Mary Senter found that more than half of those who had taken online classes recommended students work hard, remember deadlines and have good time management skills before taking online courses. Senter raised concerns that some students, especially freshmen and sophomores, should not be allowed to take online classes since they may lack such skills.

“Otherwise we’re taking students’ money and they’re getting nothing out of it,” Senter said in an interview before the meeting.

The survey involved on-campus students, half of whom had never taken an online course and half who had taken at least one. President George Ross said he would like to see more feedback from Global Campus students.

The survey found that 22 percent of students said they learned less in online courses than in class. Senter said the university should evaluate if students are receiving an equal education when taking courses online. Trustee William Weideman said he was also concerned.

“I’m a proponent, but I’m a little worried about interaction,” he said.

Dean of the College of Education and Human Services and Committee Chair Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, said they had discussed and debated these concerns.

Senter said some departments may not make the transition from the classroom to the internet as easily as others. Professor Andrew Spencer used teaching music as an example, saying he needed to be in the room with a student to adjust their hands.

Senter also said she was concerned that scheduling for on-campus classes and online courses were handled separately by department chairs and Global Campus, respectively. Ross said the concerns had been addressed in the committee’s report, but Senter said it was important to keep in mind and there needs to be more communication.

Despite the concerns, committee members said they felt the feedback had been positive from professors during the Academic Senate meeting on Feb. 9. Melinda Kreth, chair of the Academic Senate and a member of the committee, said she thought faculty would be more critical.

Peter Ross, vice president of Global Campus, said The U.S. Justice Department has shown more concern nationally towards making sure online education provides equal opportunities to students with disabilities under the American’s with Disabilities Act. President Ross said the university is working to ensure all students are accommodated, using braille computers as an example to help blind students.

Pehrsson said the committee was still receiving feedback and would continue to examine potential changes for Global Campus.

"We have much work to do going forward," she said.

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