Proposals seeking special institutional financial support for the development of online courses must be approved by the department chair (if applicable), the dean, and the distance education subcommittee. Funding approved by the distance education subcommittee is intended to support the development of both online faculty instructional skills and course content. Online course proposals must be consistent with the University's distance education strategic plan and institutional mission.

Faculty who have not received funding from the University to develop an online course are eligible to receive $600 per credit hour, or the equivalent reassigned time subject to the approval of the department chair and dean, to develop a new online course that has been approved for funding by the distance education subcommittee.

Faculty who have previously received funding to develop an online course for the University are eligible to receive a stipend of $300 per credit hour for a second new online course, and $150 per credit hour for a third and subsequent new online course, if approved for funding by the distance education subcommittee.

Online course proposals not approved for funding may be reconsidered by the distance education subcommittee if (a) the original proposal warranted financial support but insufficient funds were available when it was first considered, or (b) the proposal has undergone substantive changes in content, methods, or other significant areas.

All faculty who receive funding shall submit a brief report to the subcommittee upon completion of the first offering of the course. The report should indicate: problems encountered in developing the course; unusual and highly effective course components; initial student enrollment, completion, and satisfaction data; suggestions regarding future online course development; and a copy of the online course syllabus.

The University will retain the right to recruit or assign other faculty to teach the online course subsequent to its funding and development. No additional remuneration will be provided to revise or update the course unless it is taught by an instructor who has never received funding to develop an online course for the University, in which case they may receive $600 per credit hour pending the availability of funds. Faculty who develop approved courses will receive staff support from the ITS webtechs, Instructional Media Services, Mabee Library, and the Division of Continuing Education.

Policy as of April 2002