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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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6/23/95                        Mitch Emmons

AU COMMITTEE LOOKING INTO FEASIBILITY OF NIGHT CLASSES
     AUBURN -- A campus committee at Auburn University is studying
the  practicality of offering for the first time in Auburn's
139-year history  complete degree programs at night.
     Auburn has never offered a curriculum schedule that would
allow  the completion of an entire degree program by attending
classes during  non-traditional hours, says Gary Beard, assistant
dean of the College of  Veterinary Medicine and chair of a
12-member feasibility committee
     "Our study shows that there are a number of groups who would
use  our services if they were available to them at times other
than the  traditional daytime hours," Beard said. "We could serve
the needs of a  number of  non-traditional students by offering
such a program."
     Some academic units offer courses and specific programs
through  distance-learning education, such as video-based or
satellite-link  courses in colleges of Engineering and Business.
     While distance-learning is attractive to some,  Beard says an 
after-hours curriculum would enable students to work toward a
complete  undergraduate or graduate degree as opposed to just being
able to obtain  certain classes.
     "We're looking into the feasibility of evening, weekend and 
off-campus programs in addition to video-based and satellite-link 
methods," he said. "It would ba a coordinated university-wide
program."
     Beard says there are indications that such a change is needed
for  Auburn to ensure its continued viability as a major
university.
     "Auburn's student population over the next 10 years will
either  stay static or drop if we don't do something other than
what we're doing  now," he said. "We've learned that there are a
lot of people who would  like to earn a degree, but because of jobs
and other obligations, they  simply can't attend classes during
traditional hours."
     Beard said a non-traditional degree program also is attractive
to  industry in the East Alabama area.
     "Many of your better companies want their employees to further 
their education," he said. "Many even will pay for their employees
to do  so, providing they maintain a high grade point average.
     "A program like the one we're examining is quite attractive to 
them because it would allow their employees to devote full
attention to  both their jobs and to their studies."
     If the alternative degree program is adopted, Beard says it
would  likely develop in phases.
     "We probably would begin initially by offering extended class 
hours," he said. "Developing a full-scale non-traditional degree
program  would take some time."
     The committee is preparing to submit its findings this summer
to  Provost Paul Parks. Its members represent the areas of
undergraduate and  graduate studies; Student Affairs; the Student
Government Association; AU  Outreach; the libraries and faculty. #
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june95:AU-nightschool
               CONTACT: Beard, 334/844-3698.