Cabrini lacks participation in online consortium

MARIA D’ALESSANDRO MANAGING EDITOR MAD724@CABRINI EDU

Imagine never trudging over toFounders Hall. Pretend classes were held in a bedroom. Now, it is not to say that professors are ontheir way over to New Residence Hall to teach in the hallways, but classes can be held right in the comfort of a small residence hall room.

This idea springs from Cabrini’s involvement in an online consortium. Potentially, Cabrini could offer courses as well as what it does now.

According to www.insidehighered.com, Cabrini, along with 38 other private college members, is able to trade and share courses right off the Web. This “distance education” is facilitating the growth of professional studies. “The goal of the program isn’t massive growth, but letting the different institutions find their own right niche in distance education,” according to the site.

“I personally consider distance education as any form of delivery other than the traditional ‘classroom’experience which most undergraduates at Cabrini e xperience,” Lisa LoMonaco, director of continuing and professional studies at Cabrini, said. However, disorganization has led Cabrini to remain stagnant in its growth towards distance edu- semester break. Therefore, with no acting dean, the involvement of the school in the consortium is restricted.

According to inside highered.com, Thomas Kennedy, the executive director of new ventures at Regis, said that most consortium members do not offer many options currently, a lthough many see the group as a way to “jump start their distance education efforts without investing in a distance education infrastructure.”

-www.insidehighered.com cation. “Apparently, we’re not part of this consortium even though we do have a relationship with Regis [University, a school for professional studies],” Dr. Charlie McCormick, dean of academic affairs, said.

Cabrini’s participation is currently limited in the graduate professional studies program. The dean of graduate and professional studies, Dr. Steven Gambescia, resigned over the

The benefits of the consortium for the involved schools include a low-risk and cheaper option for entry into online learning, an increase in enrollment potential, a competitive advantage and outreach to new student populations.

The student benefits include flexibility for online and “landbased” courses, library access and variety of degrees and certificates.

While still in the growing stages, Cabrini’s involvement is still pending. More information will be available once more options are in place.