Let's start our own University!

I've long been interested in doing something like this. I think accrediation would be critical, but also, it would be a good idea to eventually staff a physical campus someplace, that would be in a community.

The knock on a lot of DL programs is that they're not "anywhere." Of course, one could argue that this would make the school like any other, but I think that it would be an interesting idea to start an online university that eventually caters to non-trad learners, rather than schools that are either created to do one or the other.

If that makes sense.

As far as funding and all that, you'd be surprised as to what's out there. Some communities, in particular one that I currently know of, is desperate for a 4-year school and wants to convert their 2 year school into a 4-yr one, but the state (Wyoming) will never pay for it.

In a state where there is only 1 four-yr institution, it would be a potential benefit not just to a community, but to tons of people nationally if there was another school that could be added to the Big 3.

Hmm...

 

I'd love to teach at a school like this... So do remember me as well

 

I think this is one first class idea. Especially so if it provides quality accredited education for the smart but poor. Of course there are a thousand phantom objections that could be raised as to why it wouldn't work. However, with the application of passion imagination and hard work I am sure it would work. I would be very keen on entering such an enterprise.

Roy Maybery B.A.(Hons.), B.A.,B.Ed.,M.A.

 

I suppose there are worse states than Wyoming to put such a school, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.



Tom Nixon

 

States that have you jump through a million hoops to get anything started.

Any sort of venture like this would have to be in a place where you'd actually get community support and interest.

If you didn't want that, then you'd at least want low barriers to entry and since accrediation is the goal, Wyoming is one of the best places.

In a state where people are geographically separated and the state's distance learning program through its university is far from stellar, while it might seem like a bad place, the market for it there and throughout the region would be huge.

Plus, the big 3 are based on the east, it'd be good to have one out west.

 

Sounds great!

Has anyone found any resources on how we can make this happen?

 

Starting point...

I believe we need to start with the requirement specifications...

1) Programs Offered - BA to begin with
2) Prior learning/testing credit
3) Mode of education - online for instance
4) Suitable location - truely online is fine
5) Contemplate ways of raising money

We need two distinct divisions within the organization: Logistics, and faculty.

I think starting a school in Wyoming raises too many red flags, but there may be no option at the moment. So the school may need to be moved later on (or not). I think we would need the help of this forum among other things, at least some moral support for the initiative. Also, this forum can serve as a pseudo-standards committee with continuous feedback. I am sure we would get tons of hate mail if we steer out of line

As for curriculum design, we have plenty of MEd graduates here to help us out or work for a fee (whatever their preference - a person ought to be paid for his/her services) regardless of whether this is a for-profit or non-profit endeavor.

I think this is a good starting point. BTW where's Mark?? I believe he started this thread in the first place...

Regards

 

I come back to parents' very successful school. Although it has done well for 15 years, they are wanting out soon (hey they are almost 60!) They have offered it to me to take over I am not totally sure I am interested. I do think that they should be looking at DETC accreditation at minimum and expand to offer Bachelor's degrees. My dad says he has "no interest in going through the hassles and costs." Still, I see potential with an "alumni" base of 20,000 and a solid reputation in their market....

 

Yes but does it have a website? What's the mode of education? Online or B&M... How much would they be asking for it? Acquisition is costlier in the short run, and it's not like anyone would have enough capital to invest as a starting point. Then comes the expenses of running the school, which if B&M, can be as much as 100 times more than an online school.

Also, I'd suggest there be a separate thread for the implementation of these ideas we've already discussed. It should be in the "Off-topic discussion" forum. Any comments on that?

Moderators, I hope this is not violating any codes of conduct on this forum. Please advise!

As for the people who have shown interest in pursuing this endeavor, post your comments about a separate thread on the iplementation of the school on the off topic discussion forum.

regards

 

Re: Re: Let's start our own University!

Having done this before, I think your estimate is low. You might be able to start with 1-2M but if you haven't secured a way to get the rest of the money you will need down the road you will spend a lot more time later trying to raise the money.

Mary A

 

There are 2 B&M "campuses." One in S. Fla and one in the Tampa/St Pete area. Their offices are in the Tampa campus. I put quotes around campus because they are really classroom space that they own. They also offer the classes online (since about '97). I wrote the original online courses and it is low-tech by design because of the audience (ie. not computer savvy).
But the materials, lectures and information is solid having 15 years of development behind it.

I do not know what they are asking as it's technically not for sale. I just know that if they could sell it they would. My dad just had a gastric bypass and they are pretty tired of working 6 days a week at their age.

www.floridarisk.com

 

can I teach aeronautical engineering?

I have been told by many of my professors I am good at taking up time and space

 

Re: Re: Re: Let's start our own University!

While everyone made mention that a B&M campus would be a difficult way to go out, there are plenty of examples of liberal arts colleges in the Midwest that have lived off a shoestring and a minimal endowment.

The Wyoming idea brings up another point. That there are plenty of foundations that would be interested in a venture that would "potentially" add to their qualified education base, would provide for the community and the idea that it would be a "reputable" institution, rather than a degree mill (and we're talking about Northeast Wyoming, so that talk really doesn't happen as much up here..since the capitol is a ways away)

Foundations that could provide seed funding or matching funding for an endowment towards an institution that would be based online, but have B&M roots, which I truly believe is the best way to do this.

 

time needed

to be accreditted?

How long does that process take?

Do the forum members on here know enough to actually set-up a new college?

Would the college actually teach, or simple grade CLEP papers etc and award degrees based on that?

What is wrong with the current big 3 and how much would the difference in price be for a BA student between Degreeinfo U and Excelsior for instance?

I think whether or not we actually do it (I'd love to give my assistance!), this would be an excellent hypothetical project, so everyone please treat it as such and post your opinion, whatever it may be regarding (accreditaion vs non-accreditation, b&m vs online, etc)!

 

Mary A mentioned in an earlier thread that she wouldn't start with less than $10 million in the bank: How do DL institutions begin?

I was involved in a startup a few years ago. It took several years to set up (even with just one major initially). And ultimately the venture failed to gather enough momentum to survive.

Nowadays there are so many well-established options available to students that I would hesitate to try again.

 

os, so...

are we going to do this or not?

Are there any more questions that need answering?

Any more research that needs to be done?

Well then, lets pull our fingers out and start doing something!

Come on lads and lasses...

 

I already started a thread on the implementation of the Universoty in teh "Off-Topic Discussion". Haven't had any replies yet

the link is here

Let's get started!

 

<<When people reach the point that they are ready for a Ph.D., they should have at least a Masters (or two in my case), under their belt. All that should remain are core Ph.D. advanced research courses in the pursued subject area and the dissertation. Total credit hours should not exceed 30 credit hours total>>

State laws might present a hurdle with this. When I was scanning thru California educational statutes sometime in the recent past I believe I saw a stated minimum number of units for a doctoral degree and a maximum number (I believe it was 50 quarter units ) of units that could be credited for prior graduate work.

Regards,
GE

 

I have been researching PhD programs for the past three years and I have often wondered about starting a new university.

I like the fact that it would be non-profit.

Would this be a B&M university, an online university, or a hybrid? There are enough good schools out there that we could pick and choose the best ideas and methods and come up with ways to make them better.

Anyway…I am by no means a business type but I would love to help.

 

So...

It would be logical to begin steps for those that want to make this happen. The first task would be to find someone to start the task of finding the $1-3 million in seed money for the intial start up. This is likely to take some time so it is reasonable for that person to be paid for their time if they are successful. If they aren't successful, there wouldn't be any funds to pay them with, so it would be a bit of a gamble on their part. Secondly, a small steering committee would need to be formed to define the scope of venture and find an unmet need. Without that unmet need there is little chance of pulling the venture off. Take care all.