The University of Wisconsin System will establish and manage a fund to implement the four basic policies. The University of Wisconsin System will regularly assess student satisfaction and other measures of academic quality related to the use of instructional and distance education technologies. The University of Wisconsin System will assess formal working agreements and pilot projects to explore collaborative strategies. The University of Wisconsin System will regularly assess and report on student, faculty, and staff access to hardware and software necessary to use instructional and distance education technologies. The University of Wisconsin System will regularly provide to the Board of Regents information on how instructional and distance education technology utilization has been incorporated into performance reviews, promotion, merit, and tenure reviews and decisions.
Faculty are key to successful utilization of instructional and distance education technologies.
Increased attention must be given to using instructional and distance education technologies to meet the lifelong learning needs of Wisconsin citizens. Interinstitutional collaboration is a means to effectively utilize instructional and distance education technologies to enhance learning and increase access. The need for standards, compatibility and collaboration is balanced with recognition of the diverse missions, priorities and local traditions of the University of Wisconsin System institutions. All campuses must have appropriate infrastructure hardware and software to participate in comprehensive and coordinated use of instructional and distance education technologies. As distance education activities and collaborative efforts grow, there will be a need to increase the size of the Distance Education Incentive Fund.