Whereas advances in technology are spurring a renewed interest in distance learning nationwide, and
Whereas some members of the educational community are advocating the expansion of distance learning because it affords a means of increasing productivity, and
Whereas distance learning provides a possible means for increasing student access, and may enhance student learning, and
Whereas the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges should be at the forefront of innovation as it applies to education, and should take a leadership role in ensuring that distance learning incorporates means for achieving academic integrity and student success, and
Whereas the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges is concerned with increasing student retention and success rates, especially among traditionally underrepresented groups, and personal contact has been demonstrated to be a key component in student retention, and
Whereas the current budget crisis is a major factor in pushing this technology forward at a very rapid pace,
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges direct the Executive Committee to prepare a position paper for a future session which addresses quality in distance learning and includes consideration of Title 5, faculty-student interaction, integrity in grading, writing standards, cultural diversity across the curriculum, and student access, retention, and success.