5-20 Distance Learning/Hybrid Guidelines
(Effective Fall Semester, 2006)
Based upon a review of the history of the development of distance education, the en-rollment history in web-based courses, the impact upon faculty loads and management of the educational program of the college, the following guidelines were approved by the Chancellor's Cabinet and Executive Council. 

  1. Distance learning/hybrid classes are a mode of delivery for instruction, and are  under the supervision of the respective campus instructional department, division, dean and vice president in conjunction with the Dean of the Virtual Campus.
    1. For the purposes of reporting contact hours to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Distance Learning is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between stu-dents and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when stu-dents and instructors are not in the same place. Instruction may be syn-chronous or asynchronous. A distance course can employ audio, video, and/or computer technologies.
    2. For the purposes of reporting contact hours to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, hybrid classes are defined as a minimum of 51% of instruction delivered face-to-face no more than 49% of instruction deliv-ered via the Internet.
    3. Each campus shall monitor enrollment and adjust enrollment limits as needed.
    4. Each campus shall ensure distance learning/hybrid courses [are] the equivalent of face-to-face courses.
  2. The Dean of the Virtual Campus is responsible for appropriate training of faculty to develop or teach distance learning/hybrid courses. 
  3. In cases where distance learning/hybrid sections do not have the required enrollment, departments will communicate with other campuses and combine sections.  Generally, the campus with the largest enrollment will teach  the class, but the vice presidents of instruction may approve a different arrangement.
  4. To teach distance learning/hybrid courses, faculty must have successfully com-pleted the Distance Learning Faculty Certification training program conducted by the office of Dean of the Virtual Campus.  

    Faculty who successfully taught distance learning/hybrid courses prior to Fall 2006 are exempt from the certification training program.

    All faculty teaching distance learning/hybrid courses must attend at least one session of professional development each year that is offered by the office of Dean of the Virtual Campus. 
  5. Adjunct faculty members who meet the same requirements as full-time faculty members may be assigned to develop and/or teach distance learning/hybrid courses as appropriate.
  6. A fulltime faculty member qualified to teach distance learning/hybrid classes may replace an adjunct faculty member scheduled to teach a distance learn-ing/hybrid class in order to make a contract load at the discretion of the VPI. 
  7. Distance learning/hybrid courses shall be scheduled for appropriate lengths of time as prescribed by the VPI.
  8. Distance learning students should not be obligated to come to campus.  Nothing in this statement precludes monitored testing and explicitly recognizes the need for students in some courses to come to campus until such time as off campus monitored testing is more widely available.
  9. All distance learning course syllabi and first day handouts shall be posted in the Blackboard course site no later than the first day of class.
  10. Distance learning faculty members shall be encouraged and assisted to develop online learning and assessment options.
  11. Course orientation is the responsibility of the faculty.  Using their best professional judgment faculty can conduct orientation in face-to-face class meetings, online, by mail, or by phone.  Instructional materials can be provided online or by mail;

    Assignments can be completed from home and submitted by Internet (Bb),  Email, fax, or by mail.
  12. Grading should be completed in a timely fashion, normally within one week,  and feedback should be provided by mail, email, or an online grade book.
  13. Faculty members should establish contact with students at the beginning of the  term and maintain contact periodically throughout the term.
  14. Faculty members should normally respond to students’ voice mail and email  messages within 24 hours.
  15. Faculty members should be available to talk with students – by phone or online,  if not in person – no less than two hours per week for each course.
  16. Faculty members should set deadlines at intervals throughout the course (e.g.  thirds or fourths), so students do not procrastinate and become overloaded.
  17. Faculty members should monitor students’ progress and follow the same withdrawal guidelines that are used for the course when offered in an on-campus delivery format.
  18. The current policy on rate of pay and maximum head count for distance learning/hybrid sections will remain in force.
    a. DL rate of pay and maximum head count will remain the same.
    b. Hybrid rate of pay and maximum head counts will be consistent with face-to-face.
  19. Faculty is expected to develop and post a schedule of office hours that meets  the needs of their students and is consistent with the Faculty Handbook.
  20. Proposals for the development or revision of distance learning/hybrid courses  and programs will be approved through the established curricular development  process of the college. All new course development should include options for  distance learning/hybrid designs.
  21. Technical support for distance learning/hybrid courses and related support ser-vices will continue to be provided through the college structures.
  22. These guidelines will supersede all previous distance learning/hybrid rules, guidelines, practices and methods of operations related to distance learn-ing/hybrid course offerings and awards, as well as all rotation agreements.