The Information and Computer Science Department is committed to expanding access to the University through distance learning. However, the value of HITS is limited by cost and the need to meet in a particular place at a particular time.
Asynchronous classes have no class meetings.
Residents of west Oahu and the outer islands must currently travel to Manoa to obtain most higher degrees. Asynchronous courses free students from the necessity to travel to a specific place, allowing learning to take place anywhere. With rapid changes in the labor market, many people are finding that they must return to school in mid-life to retrain for a new career. Typically, such students have jobs that prevent them from attending daytime classes. Asynchronous courses free students from the necessity to meet at a specific time and allow each student to fit learning into their own schedule.