The Global Campus online education program has moved closer to its planned January 2008 launch. The UI Board of Trustees approved a financing plan and set tuition and fees for the first four programs during the board’s July 30 meeting in Chicago.
Courses are scheduled to begin Jan. 2 for two degree programs (a bachelor’s in nursing and master’s in education) and two graduate certificate programs in online learning.
The nursing program will be offered in partnership with the UIC College of Nursing, the others with the College of Education at Urbana.
“The three campuses have responded very well to the opportunities Global Campus presents,” said UI President B. Joseph White, adding that 11 more degree or certificate programs are being developed in partnership with nine colleges or service units, well on the way to the university’s five-year goal of 30 programs.
Tuition will be lower for Illinois residents than for nonresidents.
“It is important that Illinois residents pay lower rates in recognition of taxpayer support to the University of Illinois throughout its history,” White said at the meeting.
Tuition will vary according to the program. Tuition per credit hour for the nursing program will be $616.50 for residents, $685 for nonresidents; tuition per credit hour for the education programs will be set at $382.50 for residents, $425 for nonresidents.
Undergraduate tuition rates for Global Campus programs will remain the same over four years as required by state law.
Global Campus will charge an application fee of $40 for Illinois residents, $50 for nonresidents and $75 for international applicants.
The trustees also approved a $6.45 million line of credit for initial expenses, including technology, academic services, personnel and marketing.
This funding – for the amount that Global Campus costs are expected to exceed revenue in FY08 – will be repaid from future revenues over a 10-year period beginning in 2011.
The Global Campus initiative was first proposed to trustees in September 2006 as a separate, for-profit venture. After faculty members on all three campuses raised concerns about academic quality and financing under the proposed business model of a for-profit corporation, the Global Campus proposal was revised, becoming an academic unit overseen by an academic council, with courses designed by faculty and administrators and offered in partnership with various colleges or campus units.
Other business
The trustees also approved the appointments of Charles J. Tabb as interim dean in the College of Law and Jolette D. Law as head varsity coach of women’s basketball in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at Urbana.
Tabb is the Alice Curtis Campbell Professor in the College of Law and will continue to hold the rank of professor and the Campbell professorship. Tabb succeeds Heidi M. Hurd, who is stepping down as dean and returning to the faculty full time. Tabb’s aggregate salary will be $228,616; his appointment will be effective Aug. 16.
Law is the former associate head coach of the women’s basketball program at Rutgers. Law, whose appointment began Aug. 1, will receive an annual base salary of $150,000 for coaching duties plus $150,000 for media appearances, public relations and other activities required by the UI.
The trustees also approved a resolution honoring Stephen K. Rugg for service during his 36-year career with the UI. Rugg served under four UI presidents and began as a graduate assistant to President-Emeritus David Dodds Henry. Rugg, who will retire Aug. 15, held the position of vice president for administration for the past five years and is credited with helping bring hundreds of millions of dollars in new facilities and projects to the UI as well as developing data-tracking systems and funding plans for facilities’ maintenance and renovation.
The board approved a financial plan and the hiring of an architect-engineer for the expansion of the National Center for Rural Health Professions in Rockford. The board’s actions enable the university to move forward with the $31 million, 58,000 square-foot addition that will include a 100-seat auditorium, administrative and student affairs offices, space for health systems research, a library, computer lab and an area for teaching clinical skills.
The addition will make facilities available to increase medical student enrollment and establish a new 200-student regional College of Pharmacy campus.