online education policy for the course catalog and the Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) website

WHEREAS, the Senate Coordinating Committee on Education is charged with providing a large context for the examination and preparation of educational proposals and with helping to formulate and assess educational policies and practices; and

WHEREAS, the Faculty Senate recently has passed a new Faculty Handbook policy on “Use of Innovative Technology and Online Course Formats,” in which use of such technology is determined by the faculty member and their academic unit (department or college curriculum committee); and

WHEREAS, guidelines for student enrollment in online courses also are best determined by individual departments, programs, or majors; and

WHEREAS, online courses require special considerations for the administration of proctored examinations, especially when given at a distance (e.g., in another state); be it therefore

RESOLVED, that enrollment in undergraduate or graduate online course sections may be restricted by departments, programs, or majors as specified in their undergraduate or graduate program policy documents (e.g., a minimum GPA requirement, number of online courses, no online courses in a major, etc.). Proctored exams, if required, must be taken at a UD-approved testing site or through a UD-approved online authentication and proctoring service in cases where a student does not have reasonable access to an approved testing facility (e.g., in another state); and be it further

RESOLVED, that this policy shall supersede any and all existing policies that restrict student enrollment in online course sections that are not specified in undergraduate or graduate program policy documents of a department, program, or major; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this policy shall be stated in the UD Academic Catalog where appropriate, and on the websites of the Registrar and the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies wherever online course restrictions are noted.