Show Selling the Idea of Universities Cyber-Universities By Andy Crow Contributing Writer On Oct 24 Utah State G Governor Michael Leavitt held a one hour discussion discussion discussion dis dis- dis- dis at the Redwood Campus of about the future of higher education Gov Leavitt elaborated on the new plan recently put into place by several western states called the Western Governors University The calls for more competency competency competency compe compe- tency based degrees received by students rather than a degree students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents receive by accumulating credit cred cred- it hours inside a classroom proposes that by the year 2020 students will be attending classes in their homes via the Internet The is a governing body which will regulate the program so its quality doesn't fall behind the enormously rapid growth of tech tech- consists of governors from 17 different western united states There is also an additional person chosen by the governor to assist in decisions made by the Gov Leavitt cited the problem of cost as a big reason for the university's university's university's uni uni- inception by and Gov Roy Romer of Colorado He also spoke about the brand name and competency competency competency compe compe- tency guarantee Brand names colleges almost guarantee jobs For example a graduate from Harvard Law School competing with a graduate from a less prestigious school will get the job because he graduated from Harvard It doesn't necessarily mean that person is more qualified for the job it just means that Harvard Law School sounds better The calls for a competency cy based degree rather than a degree received by attending classes and earning the required amount of credit hours over a four ye year r span will make students think more about if they want to succeed in life The governor asked how many students in the audience worked more than 30 hours per week Noticing the high number of hands raised he made the assumption that school was second to work Using the program students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents would be able to do their class work whenever they wanted on the computer at home He stated that the wasn't totally taking away the classroom experience of learning but it was simply an added element to the university university university uni uni- lifestyle Instead of attending attending attending attend attend- ing a five hour class five days a week students could study all they needed on the Internet and attend class two days a week to have the ability to discuss any questions with the professor The is designed to help students of the future It is still in inthe inthe inthe the beginning stages The governor admits there are many questions still remaining but he hopes the public will embrace the concept |