Connecticut State University System Revamps Digital Campus

April 17, 2002

The Connecticut State University System announced today that it has signed a contract with Campus Pipeline, CollegisEduprise, SCT and WebCT to extend its distance learning arm, OnlineCSU, and enhance its online services.

The CSU System includes Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and Western Connecticut State University.

Working together with these vendors, CSU universities will surround their popular OnlineCSU classrooms with a digital campus that unites existing systems and services, and facilitates student and faculty collaboration, networking and mentoring beyond the classroom. The digital campus, a network of data, portals and other applications, built upon the Campus Pipeline Web Platform, is expected to be available to students and faculty in Spring 2003.

“Working with these vendors builds upon our existing technology investments and gives us a head start as we expand our online offerings,” William J. Cibes, chancellor of the CSU System. “In addition to providing the most cost-effective and practical solution for the CSU System, the digital campus will also provide faculty and CSU universities with a greater flexibility in providing excellent, convenient distance learning.”

The new digital campus will help CSU universities enhance their online offerings for students, faculty and staff by providing:

  1. Single sign-on access to SCT’s student information system, registration and payment systems, as well as WebCT’s distance learning courses;
  2. User-specific, targeted messaging functionality via email or the new campus portal;
  3. Automatically populated course and institutional calendars;
  4. Course tools for posting syllabi and supplemental course materials;

“OnlineCSU constantly strives to improve the student-centered learning experience. We believe the selection of Campus Pipeline, CollegisEduprise, SCT and WebCT will enhance the user friendly, community feeling we work to provide for our students,” said Cibes.

CSU purchased a traditional license for the Campus Pipeline Web Platform. The Web Platform’s open standards will enable OnlineCSU to integrate its existing WebCT learning management system, SCT Banner administrative data system, and other future applications. CollegisEduprise will provide e-services and will work in tandem with the Campus Pipeline Services group to provide remote administrative and integration services.

About OnlineCSU

OnlineCSU was launched in 1998 with 10 courses and 71 students. To date, more than 6,700 students have enrolled in more than 400 courses. Three unique degree programs are available via OnlineCSU. These include the ALA accredited Master of Science in Library Science from Southern, a Master of Science in Data Mining from Central and a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Eastern.

OnlineCSU’s new features, as well as implementation progress reports, will be

available at http://www.OnlineCSU.net.

Contact: Rebecca Kaput

OnlineCSU Marketing

kaputr@so.ct.edu

860 493-0039.