Chair:
Patricia Kuchon, professor, Communication

Members:
Kirk Rawn, director of enrollment, University College
Phil DiSalvio, director, SetonWorldWide
Cathy Maher, director, Continuing Professional Development
Naomi Wish, director, Center for Public Service
John Shannon, associate professor, School of Business
Brian Greenstein, associate professor, School of Business
John Smith, assistant professor, Professional Psychology and Family Therapy
Charles Edinger, Seton World Wide
Patricia Camillo, College of Nursing
Di Millman, College of Nursing
Annie Hewitt, Arts and Sciences
Rick Dool, Alumnus

Since the 1994 evaluation, interest in distance learning and non-credit offerings has increased substantially. In its response to the 1999 Periodic Review Report, the Middle States Association requested a special emphasis on SetonWorldWide, Seton Hall University's distance learning effort. Since SetonWorldWide is now organizationally housed within the more broad University College, which includes non-credit offerings and contractual relationships, its evaluation is incorporated in this study.

Charge:

• Describe the mission and goals for University College and define its place in the Seton Hall community.
• Review the procedures and offerings of University College in order to evaluate whether they meet the same standards of academic excellence and integrity as other University programs.
• Examine non-credit offerings, SetonWorldWide (all of its programs are offered for credit leading toward degrees) and arrangements with other providers.

A. University College (non-credit offerings) - Non-credit offerings should meet standards of quality and mission that are congruent with other Seton Hall University programs. To examine whether this is true, the study group will identify non-credit offerings and work with their directors to respond to the following hypotheses:

1. Seton Hall's procedures for designing and approving non-credit offerings are effective.
2. Non-credit offerings are effectively administered and periodically evaluated.

B. SetonWorldWide (distance or distributed learning) - SetonWorldWide is Seton Hall University's organization for providing distance learning courses and programs. One of the basic rationales for distance learning is that academic excellence and rigor can be provided to students without their having to attend traditional campus-bound classes. Beginning with the original business plans for SetonWorldWide, the study group will examine SetonWorldWide's offerings and operations, with the broad strokes of academic excellence, and respond the following hypotheses:

1. Distance learning offerings are consistent with Seton Hall's mission and goals and the University's rationale for distance learning delivery.
2. Distance learning courses and programs meet similar standards of rigor, student learning expectations and educational effectiveness as on-campus offerings.
3. The planning process for distance learning offerings meets legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Safeguards are present to ensure that all offerings are continued to enable admitted students to complete degree or certificate programs in the publicized time frame.
5. The size and qualifications of the administration and faculty teaching distance learning courses are monitored and are appropriate to the needs of those courses.
6. Arrangements with consortial partners or collaborators are routinely evaluated and these do not compromise academic quality.
7. All traditional student services in support of learning are effectively made available, accessible and adequate in distance-learning programs.
8. Training programs for faculty participating in distance learning are effective.
9. Business and support services, including physical plant, administration, budget and technical facilities are effectively maintained in support of electronic offerings.
10. The University as a whole has responded favorably to the advent of distance learning programs and enrollment growth has been as expected.