Serving the distant student: Implications for external degree programming

Abstract

The results of a questionnaire survey of 132 students enrolled in the University Without Walls (UWW) program at the University of Minnesota regarding how they assessed their UWW experience in general and the services provided by faculty in particular is presented. Readers will find a special focus on how local students who reside within commuting distance to campus compare with students who live a distance from campus. Comparisons are made in terms of students' frequency and mode of communication with faculty, general satisfaction with UWW, and satisfaction with faculty services. The majority of students responded favorably to the faculty with whom they worked. Implications of the study are considered for enhancing educational services for distant students.