1. Creating Opportunities in a Challenging Economy: Strategic Approaches of Three e-Learning Institutions Panel: Alexandra M. Pickett, Associate Director, SUNY Learning Network, State University of New York Shari Smith, Associate Director, Center for Online Learning, Research and Service, University of Illinois at Springfield Pete Rubba, Director of Academic Affairs for Graduate Programs, Penn State World Campus 1

2. Moderator Scott Woods RegionalDirector of Academic Affairs University of Phoenix 2

3. Overview The continuing financial recession, the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression, has impacted all segments of the U.S. economy, including higher education and University-based e-Learning enterprises. We will discuss economic challenges three long-standing and highly successful university-based e-learning enterprises have faced and share strategic approaches that have been implemented to mediate those challenges: SUNY Learning Network University of Illinois at Springfield Penn State World Campus These profiles will be about 15 minutes each followed by an opportunity for a few quick clarifying questions. Following the profiles, there will be time for questions of the panel and sharing by audience members. 3

4. SUNY Learning Network Alexandra M. Pickett Associate Director SUNY Learning Network State University of New York 4

6. The primary function of SLN is to train effective online faculty and to inform and influence the quality of online courses and instruction.

7. SLN strives to cultivate communities of practice among its membership (faculty, instructional designers, DL directors)

9. Strategic Approaches To reduce the campus cost share we have drawn down our reserve funding. We have also drawn down our reserves to fund strategic new initiatives, (e.g., Elluminate). We have current staff serving multiple functions and picking up. Increase membership. Alternative funding sources.

10. Lessons Learned Not yet : )

11. Moving Forward Evolving SLN: Align with Campus needs: Leveraging our advisory committee Campus visits: outreach Needs analyses/data collection Align with Chancellor’s strategic plan Participating in University strategic planning committees: Power of SUNY To insure we continue to be relevant and funded.

12. Quick Questions for Alexandra M. Pickett http://sln.suny.edu http://slnfacultyonline.ning.com – JOIN! http://slneducation.edublogs.org 10

13. University of Illinois at Springfield Online Shari McCurdy Smith AssociateDirector, Center for Online Learning Research and Service, Director, New Century Learning Consortium, University of Illinois at Springfield 11

14. Background University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is the smallest campus of the U of I System. 17 Fully Online Degree Programs Over 50% of our students take at least one online class. Mainstreamed within the academic structure More than 200 UIS faculty members teach online each year 12

15. Pre-Recession State of Illinois decreases financial support year after year. In 2008, funding had dropped by 17.9% In 2004 University of Illinois System established guaranteed tuition. Illinois’ Structural Deficit Between Expenditure and Revenue 20 yr underfunding of retirement systems 13

16. U of I System Administrative Review and Restructuring Regularity Relief Communications Human Resources IT Procurement Shared Services Board Cuts Committees 14

17. U of I 2009 Admission Global Campus Administration 15

18. Initiatives Continuing Education Inverted Classroom NCLC Community Colleges Blended Reduced Seat Time Faculty Fellows Research Center 16

19. University of Illinois at Springfield Online Quick Questions For Shari Smith 17

20. World Campus Pete Rubba Director of Academic Affairs for Graduate Programs, Penn State World Campus http://worldcampus.psu.edu 18

21. Penn State Background Penn State is a multi-campus public research university Main campus, administrative, & research hub at University Park 23 other campuses including the World Campus (online/distance) Penn State is one of four “state-related” universities (along with the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University), institutions that are not state-owned and -operated but that have the character of public universities and receive state appropriations. Penn State receives approximately 8% of its overall $4B operating budget from the state; therefore it is increasingly become dependent upon tuition 19

22. Penn State Outreach is administrative unit within Penn State system that provides centralized focuses on non-traditional learners (adult, youth, military, etc.) World Campus is a unit within Penn State Outreach that works with Penn State academic units to deliver undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs online and at a distance. World Campus evolved out of a long distance education history (110 years), opening online in Spring 1998 20 World Campus Background

23. Economic Constraints University predicts flat or reduced State Support for extended period in face economic downturn and lagging revenue collections Penn State facing other significant cost increases, including: Energy costs -- impending deregulation State pension funding obligations Increasing health care costs Limits to tuition increases 21

24. Penn State Response Freeze faculty and staff salaries for one year (2009-10) Continue annual permanent funds recycling program that has recycled and re-allocated $173M since its inception in 1992-93 University examines ALL academic and support services; Core Council chaired by Provost with 3 major subcommittees University Park Coordinating Committee Campus Coordinating Committee Administrative Services Coordinating Committee Penn State Strategic Plan emphasizes strategic importance of World Campus as source of new revenue 22

25. World Campus Response Enrollment goals doubled World Campus Academic Revenue Sharing Policy is examined for possible enhancements by University Committee Impact of Summer enrollment shift to World Campus examined by University World Campus joins Continuing Education forming Academic Outreach to facilitate collaboration on credit blended adult learner oriented programs 23

27. Coordination with University central services

29. Quick Questions For Pete Rubba http://worldcampus.psu.edu 25

30. Questions for panel? Sharing by audience. 26

31. Please complete and submit the session evaluation form Thank You and Enjoy the rest of WCET Alex Pickett Shari McCurdy Pete Rubba 27