Printer Friendly Version...A prime concern of Auburn University’s distance education efforts is the assurance that our distance education courses and programs meet the same quality standards as our campus based offerings. To that end the University has a set of guiding principles to aid you in your considerations of the many elements and activities that constitute a distance education effort.
Auburn University’s Comprehensive Policies and Procedures for Distance Education
Review and Approval Processes: The University has developed a rigorous review and approval process for the authorization to offer distance education courses or programs. It begins with your department and includes review by your college or school curriculum committee, the University Curriculum Committee, and--in the case of graduate courses and programs–by the Graduate Council. (See proposal routing sections in the Comprehensive Policies and Procedures document)
Financial Policy For Distance Education: In 1997 the Board of Trustees and the University administration approved a special financial model for distance education programs. The policy affords a department proposing to offer a distance education program the opportunity to propose a program-specific tuition rate based on the cost to offer the program to the expected population. The department is asked to determine the per credit cost rate (Program Portion) and add a University Fee portion to establish a proposed per semester hour tuition rate. Once approved and once the program is implemented the Program Portion is distributed to the offering department and the University Fee Portion is distributed to the Dean, the General Fund, and University Outreach. This diagram depicts the distribution and uses of the funds. (See the section on the financial aspects of distance education in the Comprehensive Policies and Procedures document)
Accessibility: It is of critical importance that the University stand ready to serve those who have special needs. When developing a distance education program or course, consult with the staff in the Program for Students with Disabilities Office in order to establish procedures and to review policies for serving this special population if the need arises.
Library Services: It is important that all our distance education students have appropriate access to library resources in order to support their efforts in our distance education offerings. The University Library has created a special set of resources for AU’s distance education students and has available a distance education librarian to consult with you about arrangements for your offerings.
Examinations: Distance education students are expected to complete examinations under the same circumstances as campus-based students. Each student must locate an approved proctor who agrees to personally oversee the examination. Suggestions for approved proctors are: School Superintendent; Principal of a Senior high school; Dean or Department Head of a College; Administrator of an Independent Learning program at another college; Education Officer of a military installation (for military personnel). Generally, someone experienced in and respectful of the academic process and who has no vested interest in the student's performance is an allowable proctor. Librarians and Counselors are fine in many cases. If you have difficulty finding one of these approved proctors contact the Auburn University Distance Learning Office for assistance in securing an appropriate examination proctor. the Distance Learning Office has sample mid-term and final examination proctor forms that, as an Auburn faculty member, you can edit for your own use.
Consultation: The Distance Learning and Outreach technology Office is always ready to provide consultation and design assistance as you consider a distance education activity for your department. Specially trained individuals are available for course design consultation and for program development consultations.