Schools Clarify Distance Learning Alliance

In three identical statements issued yesterday, representatives from Yale, Princeton and Stanford universities released select details from their high-level talks about a possible distance learning alliance targeted at alumni.

And although Harvard reiterated that it does not plan to participate in the discussions, at least one official at Princeton said it may be easier for Harvard to think about joining once details are clearer.

"I've talked with all of the various participants and I think Harvard just needs time to consider," said Princeton University Provost Jeremiah P. Ostriker '59. "We may make it easier for Harvard to decide when we know what the 'it' is."

Ostriker said the cooperative agreement between the universities would be in the area of arts and sciences and would not include professional schools.

"It's likely to be focused on A.B. and general education levels," he said.

The Crimson reported yesterday that the alliance would likely not grant academic credit. The alliance would allow Princeton, Yale and Stanford graduates access to resources at each university.

The universities' statements report that the participating schools are in the process of consulting their respective faculties and administrations about additional details.

Ostriker said the Princeton trustees have urged that university to move forward in the area of distance education focused on students and alumni.

Although potential costs of such a project are as yet undetermined, the discussion thus far has centered on a not-for-profit consortium, according to Ostriker. He said he expects a decision on the plan by the end of the year.

And while discussions about the possible alliance have been going on informally for several months, Ostriker said the participants decided "the level had reached the point where it seemed appropriate to make a statement."

Harvard spokesperson Joe Wrinn said yesterday that the University would not comment about the proposal until the participants have made the details public.

"We are not prepared institutionally at this time," he added. "As a University we are still trying to organize ourselves to consider these things in a way that can properly address these issues."

Wrinn said Harvard has received many offers to participate in distance learning initiatives, but said to date, only particular schools within the University have been responsible for those decisions.

Ostriker said Harvard's structure--which is decentralized, unlike the other schools'--makes its situation "complicated."

He noted that Harvard's extension program is more established than those at the participating schools.

Ostriker said the alliance would still welcome Harvard's participation.

"We'd be delighted if ultimately Harvard thought it was desirable, but I may just be saying this because I'm an old grad," Ostriker said.

In an e-mail message Monday night, Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles wrote that "while the Faculty of Arts and Sciences has decided not to join the alliance formally at this time, informal discussion about possible future participation will, I'm sure, continue."

Alumni React

A day after the University suggested that it was less than enthusiastic about pursuing this plan, T'ing C. Pei '65, president of the Harvard Alumni Association, said he thinks Harvard should create some form of distance learning program for its pool of alums.

"But I can't define what it is right now and it is under very serious study," he said.

Pei said President Neil L. Rudenstine addressed the subject of distance learning at an alumni event about a month ago and told his audience that the University was actively pursuing the topic.

"I think this is really being dealt with at a level that reaches right up to the President and Fellows," Pei said. "Once a policy is established and a program put together, [the alumni association's] role will ultimately be as a vehicle and not as an originator."

"I think we need to do whatever we can to make sure that our alumni have every opportunity to advance their level of knowledge in a rapidly changing world," he said.

Harvard does not characteristically take the lead on issues like distance learning, Pei said, instead choosing "a measured approach."

"But once the University decides to get going with something, it doesn't let any other institution overshadow it," he said.

He said some continuing education programs that are currently offered to alumni are very popular, but said the University must consider the effects of issues such as copyrights and intellectual property before it ventures into distance learning.

"Harvard doesn't just jump into the latest fad. It looks to the long-term consequences," he said.

Complications

Even if the three institutions do get the proposal up and running, their collective prestige may mean little to the plan's ultimate success.

"The real question is what they can deliver," said Janet K. Poley, president of the American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC), a group whose affiliates include Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University and Rutgers University.

Poley said the proposed alliance is "basically a positive idea," and reflects the increasingly popular view that learning doesn't stop at graduation.

Additionally, she said, consortiums allow schools to offer a broader array of educational options than they could alone.

"I don't know of a school that could offer everything that everyone needs to know," she said. "I think Harvard would be very smart to get into a consortium with institutions that are not just like Harvard."

Eventually, she said, a majority of schools are likely to provide some form of distance learning to anyone who wants it and can pay for it.

The Bird's Eye View

In an interview with The Crimson last month, Carnegie Corporation President Vartan Gregorian--a former president of Brown University--said he does not think distance learning is going to be a great success.

"Our institutions are social

institutions, not just educational institutions," he said. "There's no substitute for that."

"It always comes to the point of defining what education is. Is it passing exams? Getting a degree? If that's what it is, distance education will help, but then you will have barriers...You are going to have the Ivy institutions as good for the elite and other institutions good for others."

However, Gregorian said distance education is going to benefit professional development. But he also said integrity and copyright issues should be a concern, as should the question of whether universities--and their individual faculty members--could become "profit centers."

"How will that affect alumni loyalty to universities, when alumni can

get information from 10 different institutions?" he asked.

According to Gregorian, Harvard can rise above its competition regardless of what happens in distance learning.

"Harvard has always faced challenges," he said, adding that so long as Harvard maintains the integrity of its offerings, their value will not be compromised.

"Harvard need not worry," he said.

Neither Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67 nor Assistant Provost Daniel Moriarty--who is responsible for much of the University's technology-- responded yesterday to calls for comment.