Distance Learning Policies
This document was approved by Provost's Cabinet on April 23, 1997 and President's Cabinet on June 17, 1997. It reflects discussions that have taken place among faculty and administration at SUNY Cortland and at other colleges participating in cooperative distance learning programs through the Westnet and I-81 Consortia. These policies are consistent with recommendations of the SUNY Distance Learning Advisory Panel. There continues to be ongoing discussion of distance education by various constituencies of SUNY Cortland. This document will change to reflect further discussion and decisions about distance education at SUNY Cortland.
Approved Policies:
Course ApprovalAll new courses must go through the curriculum review process
Approval to offer as a distance learning course
Approval process for existing courses in the catalog:
Faculty submits proposal to the following for approval
Chair - proposal then sent to
Dean - proposal then sent to
Provost - proposal then sent to
Associate VP for Information Resourceswho coordinates logistics and
sends course scheduling to Registrar for inclusion in the Master Schedule. Class Size
Minimum enrollment
Class will be cancelled if registration at all sites does not total established minimum.
Maximum enrollment at receiving sites
Maximum enrollment is determined at the time of course approval process -
dean/chair make decision.
FTE Issues
Cortland course taught to Cortland students at various sites: FTE goes to home
department of instructor teaching the course.
Cortland course taught to students enrolled at other SUNY schools: FTE goes to sites
where course is being taught.
Cortland receives course from another SUNY school: FTE goes to the department at
Cortland where the student is registered for the course.
Transfer Credit Issues
If formal consortium arrangements have not been approved among specific schools,
the course will be considered as transfer credit and must have approval from the
Dean=s office.
Waiver of prerequisites
The sending institution will determine prerequisites.
Student Support
Library resources
Librarians at sending and receiving sites will work together to provide necessary
library resources.
Computing resources
Computing services staff at sending and receiving sites will work together to provide
necessary computing resources.
Advisement
Advisement is the responsibility of the student=s home institution.
Logistics
Scheduling of D.L. Classroom
Responsibility of the Associate Vice President for Information Resources.
Responsibility for listing courses being sent from and received at SUNY Cortland in
Master Schedule at Cortland and at receiving sites
Registrar at sending institution is responsible for inclusion in Master Schedule at
home site.
Registrars at receiving institutions are responsible for inclusion in Master Schedule
at receiving sites.
Associate Vice President for Information Resources coordinates with distance
learning contacts at receiving sites.
Bookstore arrangements at receiving sites
Associate Vice President for Information Resources coordinates with teaching faculty
and distance learning contacts at receiving sites.
Arranging for facilitators at receiving sites
Associate Vice President for Information Resources coordinates with distance
learning contacts at receiving sites.
Faculty Training
Instruction in the use of classroom and distance learning technologies is coordinated
by the Associate Vice President for Information Resources.
Technical Support
Technical support person is available whenever a distance learning course is taught.
Classroom Media Services is responsible for technical training of Cortland faculty.
Ownership of Intellectual Property
Unless specified otherwise, ownership of course material belongs to faculty. Course is
videotaped only upon faculty request.
Faculty Reimbursement
Ordinarily, distance learning courses are considered as any other course being
taught.
Course Development Incentives
Incentives are being considered for initial development of distance learning courses.
Marketing of distance learning courses
Responsibility for marketing of distance learning courses must be determined.
PNW
rev. 10/97