Online Undergraduate Program – Libraries Continue to be Partners in Advancing Student Success

~ by Lisa Carter, Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian

As some of you know, the Libraries are active in the University’s Online Undergraduate Program pilot development. I serve on the Executive Planning Board, Sheila Stoeckel participates in the Learner Experience Leadership Team, and Alex Stark contributes to the Faculty and Course Development Team. 

Our participation places make us critical partners in one of the Chancellor’s five goals, specifically making UW–Madison education more accessible to underserved and nontraditional students beginning fall 2020. This pilot is consistent with the University’s efforts to improve access, support the state’s economy, and further the Wisconsin Idea.

The first major will be Personal Finance. This program is in the School of Human Ecology (SoHE). The planning groups are using experiences at 15 benchmarking institutions as part of the development of the program, including the University of Arizona, ASU Online, Georgia Tech, Penn State World Campus, Purdue University, University of Florida, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Michigan and the University of Washington.

The University is committed to keeping the admissions processes and program quality the same for online students as our on-campus students. Online and on-campus students will participate in the same coursework, led by the same faculty. The key difference is one program will be fully online. This pilot allows the University to analyze the future needs to expand the offerings at the right time. 

This is an exciting project that will broaden the reach of a UW-Madison education. Our inclusion in this effort demonstrates the value of Libraries staff and positions us as important partners in advancing student success.

Image: Students study in a third-floor common area near a roof terrace in the newly renovated Nancy Nicholas Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Sept. 10, 2012. The building houses the School of Human Ecology. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)