History of NJVU

The Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Fund established in 1997 allowed New Jersey's public and independent colleges and universities to accelerate their long-range technology plans and increase their capacity to make higher education more accessible and convenient through distance learning. In the summer of 1998, Governor Christine Whitman called for the creation of a New Jersey Virtual University that builds on this increased capacity.

The first phase of NJVU was launched in January 1999, providing a user-friendly index of over 1000 credit and noncredit courses offered via distance learning by 42 participating public and independent colleges and universities in New Jersey. Also included in the index are over 40 complete certificate and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Each of the courses and programs in the virtual university index is offered under the jurisdiction of an individual college or university, which is responsible for all aspects of its distance learning offerings, including the granting of credits, certificates, and degrees.

The index allows users to search for desired courses or programs by institution, subject area, mode of instruction, or other criteria. It enables users to combine criteria to locate the precise offerings that best meet their needs. The index also enables users to link directly to an institution's distance learning web page or online catalogue for specific information regarding courses, admission, registration, cost, and other facts about the institution.

The wide range of distance learning opportunities, including both online and other technology-mediated courses and programs, provides flexibility and increased opportunity to meet individual and workforce needs. The courses and programs offered by New Jersey higher education institutions respond to the needs of a diverse population of learners requiring flexible timeframes and convenient ways to access education.

As an outgrowth of NJVU, a number of community colleges already participating in the virtual university initiative have joined together to form the New Jersey Virtual Community College Consortium (NJVCCC). Students at any participating community college can register for the shared online courses offered through the consortium.

In addition, Thomas Edison State College eliminates barriers of time and place by helping adult students to earn credit through its Distance and Independent Adult Learning (DIAL) Program, as well as through alternative methods including testing, portfolio assessment, credit for courses taken at work or in the military, and credit for certain licenses and certificates.

The next phase of NJVU, launched in September 1999, focuses on the quality of distance education in New Jersey. It includes an online Faculty Center that serves as a clearinghouse for materials promoting teaching and learning using instructional technology. The new NJVU website also includes general information about quality in distance learning and information about different types of distance education to help users determine what delivery methods might best meet their educational needs. It includes an interactive questionnaire to help potential students assess whether online courses are right for them.

In addition, the quality of distance education is the focus of a three-pronged, $500,000 faculty development initiative proposed by Governor Whitman and supported by the Legislature. The program will provide hundreds of faculty
members with the skills and knowledge to effectively use online technology to enhance teaching and learning.

The New Jersey Virtual University demonstrates how the state's colleges and universities are fully integrating technology to meet workforce training and education needs, as well as the needs of a steadily growing number of high school graduates and adults seeking lifelong learning opportunities. The institutions are building on the state's wealth of academic and high-tech corporate resources to move New Jersey to the forefront of technology-mediated education.