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In January 1998 during its second semester of operation,
Florida Gulf Coast University embarked on the development
of a comprehensive distance learning strategic plan to support
its unique mission increasing access to higher education
not only in Southwest Florida but beyond.
To do so, President McTarnaghan appointed a distinguished
four-member distance learning advisory council to guide
and direct the effort, and created an internal steering
committee made up of faculty and staff across the four colleges
and administrative units to lead the planning process.
With distance learning being a university-wide function
at FGCU, faculty and staff were encouraged to interact with
the members of the steering committee to share ideas and
provide feedback. On February 12, 1998, the steering committee
completed an extensive distance learning status report capturing
all courses, programs, policies and services that were being
designed, developed and delivered to date. The status report
provided a baseline of information for the next steps toward
developing the comprehensive strategic plan.
In the ensuing months, following several group workshops
under the advisement of the advisory council and the feedback
from the Deans Council, Faculty Senate, and the Executive
Staff, the distance learning strategic plan, containing
ten stated goals and objectives, was created.
| Goal
1 |
Use distance learning
courses and programs to be responsive to curricular
needs of students. |
| Goal 2 |
Identify market
opportunities for distance learning courses and programs
congruent with academic strengths. |
| Goal 3 |
Consistent with
the University's mission, ensure a continuous and stable
funding base for distance learning. |
| Goal 4 |
Recruit, support,
and recognize a faculty enabled to effectively design,
develop and deliver distance learning courses and programs
in collaboration with instructional development teams. |
| Goal 5 |
Develop ongoing
management processes for reviewing, evaluating, and
prioritizing market opportunities to implement distance
learning courses and programs. |
| Goal 6 |
Leverage resources
by forming strategic alliances to extend FGCU distance
learning courses and programs that have been identified
as consistent with targeted market opportunities. |
| Goal 7 |
Provide recruitment,
admissions, financial aid, registration and advising
services appropriate to meet the needs of distance learners. |
| Goal 8 |
Provide library
resources, reference services, and information literacy
instruction appropriate to meet the needs of distance
learners. |
| Goal 9 |
Maintain the human
and technical resources and network infrastructure necessary
to reliably support and deliver distance learning. |
| Goal 10 |
Conduct
continuous evaluation of distance learning programs. |
In an integrated approach the plan carefully adheres to
the University's Mission Statement, Guiding Principles,
and Strategic Plan in Technology (January 5, 1996).
On June 5, 1998, President McTarnaghan and the Executive
Staff formally endorsed the plan for adoption.
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