Administrative Systems in the Virtual University: Best Practices

Abstract

The virtual campus--where students, faculty, and staff learn, instruct, and administer in a virtual space rather than in brick and mortar buildings--requires support capabilities that the existing administrative systems and organizations at most universities cannot provide. What systems and virtual organizations are required to admit, enroll, register, and bill students when the classes are network-based, student-centered, with start and end dates determined by the student, and a class size of one? What systems and organizations do we need to handle financial aid, grade reporting, and counseling when the student may never set foot on campus? How do we build a sense of community on the virtual campus? How do we support virtual faculty and staff? This paper looks at how three universities have successfully developed administrative systems, procedures, and organizations to support a virtual campus.