Theme 4: Optimizing Online

Phase 2 update

NOTE — This content was presented as a slide presentation at a chairs and directors workshop on October 11, 2024. It does not represent any approved actions or conclusions.

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Provost’s Fellow: Laura Wilson

Opportunities:

  • Increasing our online presence is vital — to create additional online degrees and to support campus-based learners taking online courses
  • Lightcast and admissions data show areas of potential investment. More data on potential ROI for programs are needed. Investment in faculty is needed to develop or increase capacity
  • Offering general education courses online would support both campus-based and distance learners

Concerns:

  • Developing “UMaine Global” may dilute our brand identity and distance students from R1 faculty.  UMaine Global would be more nimble, but UMS barriers to creating degrees remain

Other ideas for improvement reviewed by working group:

  • Departments create a co-advisory team with UMaine Online
  • UMaine Online advisors placed within each department (align with advising SRE theme)
  • Increase incentives for faculty to teach online/increase numbers of faculty
  • Reinvest online tuition to support expansion of UMaine Online (align with GERS SRE theme)
  • Reduce UMS barriers to new degree program development