In reality, if we offer students the opportunity to earn a degree via the virtual university, we must figure out a way to supply all the services to these students that students physically located on our campuses have available to them. Our information systems and our processes and procedures will have to be re-engineered to serve distance learners. We will have to review academic and administrative policies that might make some sense as they apply to the resident student but not to a distance learning student. The questions can begin right here. Since much of distance learning is asynchronous and modular based, does it matter when a term begins or ends or when grades are due.
Responses here are probably similar to responses to applying for admission.
This may not be as big a challenge as other issues since registrars have been at the forefront of adopting technology to the registration process. Many schools have telephone registration systems and more and more have web-based registration systems. The question of distance learners paying student activities fees is asked by some. I have noted that some schools are doing separate video conferencing type graduation ceremonies for distance learners. Although there are many methods of providing distance learning instruction, most current discussions center around Internet or web-based instruction.