2000-4 Winter - Northwestern State University Alumni

CAMPUS NEWS
ensu
Northwestern takes major step
in electronic course delivery
Beginning this spring, students will be able to take classes
and earn a degree at Northwestern without setting foot on
campus.
Northwestern will unveil a new web site, ensu, which will allow
students to apply for admissions, receive financial aid, pay fees,
purchase textbooks, get assistance from an advisor and receive
any other needed service online. The site will soon be available at
www.nsula.edu/ensu. Also this spring, six degree programs will be available
completely online. After receiving approval from the State Board of
Regents and the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.
Students will be able to get an Associate Degree in General Studies,
Masters of Education with a concentration in Educational Technology
and a Masters of Education with a concentration in Adult Education
from NSU.
Northwestern’s RN to B.S.N. (registered nurse to Bachelor of Science
in Nursing) and RT to B.S.R.T. (registered technologist to Bachelor of
Science in Radiologic Technology) will also be available electronically.
NSU previously received approval to offer the Associate Degree in Criminal
Justice online.
“The start of ensu is very important for Northwestern as we maintain
a leadership position in the electronic delivery of courses,” said
NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. “The development of ensu will
allow us to serve students wherever they are. If a student wants to gain
a college education, this will allow them to receive a first-rate education
from an accredited institution that is seeking to serve their needs.”
Northwestern offers more electronic courses than any other higher
education institution in Louisiana. NSU is offering 75 electronic classes
this semester. These classes are delivered by compressed video, desktop
video and the Internet.
University of Louisiana System President Bobby Jindal commended
Northwestern’s continued leadership in the development
and application of distance learning for Louisiana.
“This is a great move for Northwestern which has long been a leader
in the development and offering of courses through distance learning
technologies,” said Jindal.
“Through these interactive courses and degrees, Northwestern is responding
positively to several ULS priorities. The university is 1) using
the latest technologies to deliver courses to thousands of students where
they need them, 2) expanding the effectiveness of the university, and 3)
giving students the practical education they need to excel in their fields.”
Total enrollment in the electronic classes is 1,788, a significant increase
from last fall. The number of students in these courses should increase in
the spring when 96 courses are scheduled to be offered electronically.
This semester, 356 students are
taking only electronic courses. Students
from 16 different states are
taking electronic classes which includes
students in the military and
overseas.
“When you look at a non-typical
student who works full-time, and has
parental responsibilities, the ability
to take classes from home at any time
is a tremendous advantage,” said
Darlene Williams, electronic learning
systems coordinator at Northwestern.
“One of the trends in education
is that students are requesting
educational opportunities that do
not fall within the traditional boundaries
of time and place.”
Williams emphasized that all
services available to students who
attend classes in person can be
used by students taking classes
through ensu. Designated faculty
in each academic program will
work with students to schedule
classes and handle other academicrelated
needs. Students taking
electronic classes can also contact
counselors and other campus staff
for help whenever needed.
Early registration for the spring
2001 semester began Wednesday,
Nov. 8. Spring classes begin Jan.
8, 2001. For more information on
ensu, call (318) 357-6355 or e-
mail e-learning@nsula.edu. III
Alumni Columns Winter 2000 / 3