Section 16 § Policy on Distance Learning

16.1 Procedures and Guidelines

1. All current policies that apply to on-campus education apply in the domain of Distance Learning.
2. Credit hours granted for courses delivered through Distance Learning will be the equivalent to credit hours for the same course delivered traditionally. FNU is responsible for the technological delivery of the courses. Courses must be delivered by reliable methods, and the institution must provide technical, academic, and instructional design support services to faculty and students as appropriate.
3. FNU trains faculty, staff, and students in the use of distance delivery media as appropriate.
4. Decisions to offer courses through Distance Learning will reflect both the student’s needs and FNU’s needs.
5. It is expected for students stay active in the course. Students who have not logged in for a week and who are not completing the assignments will likely be withdrawn from the course. Students enrolled in Distance Learning classes must participate in activities such as discussions, assignments, etc. Simply entering a course (logging in) does not constitute active participation.
6. The academic division or department providing Distance Learning is responsible for maintaining the same high standards for all courses regardless of modality, and for ensuring that Distance Learning instruction is comparable in quality, content, and total contact hours as the corresponding traditional on-campus instruction.
7. Distance Learning courses from the FNU catalog that will be offered online must be approved by the Division Head, Director of Distance Learning, and Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Distance Learning Department and the Registrar’s Office will announce which courses will be delivered online each semester.
8. Faculty who teach through Distance Learning technologies must have sufficient technical skills to present their subject matter and related material effectively. A faculty member must be approved by the Director of Distance Learning and the Vice President of Academic Affairs to teach an online course.
9. Faculty who teach Distance Learning courses must be available to interact individually with their students in person, as well as via e-mail or telephone at least once a week.
10. FNU owns copyright to online course materials and retains right of use.
11. Appropriate recognition of creative activities related to online courses is included in the faculty evaluation process.