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THE ARCHITECTURE ISSUE
The Chronicle Review's yearly look at architecture examines buildings on and off campuses. Above, Caltech's new Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, designed by Morphosis. (Chronicle photograph by Lawrence Biemiller)
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Buildings & Grounds is written by Scott Carlson (left) and Lawrence Biemiller (right). Scott Carlson writes about architecture, facilties, energy, and sustainability, among other topics. Lawrence Biemiller writes about architecture and facilities and contributes to Notes from Academe. What's happening on your campus? Let us know.
For Online Students, U. of Phoenix Opens Tutoring and Social Centers
The U. of Phoenix is creating social spaces for its online students. (U. of Phoenix images)
Loneliness may be fine for distance runners, but for distance-education students, it can be a barrier to success, particularly for students confused by their course work or the mechanics of navigating online classes.
That’s why the University of Phoenix has begun to develop new drop-in centers for its distance-education students. The specially-designed centers house tutoring services and double as social spaces. About 200,000 of the university’s 330,000 students take courses online.
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The first of the centers, conceived as “a cross between a library and a Starbucks,” opened about a year ago in Plano, Tex., says William J. Pepicello, the university’s president. University leaders determined that Plano would be a good site after analyzing ZIP codes of distance-education students and finding that the location was central to many of them.
The centers, which average about 7,000 square feet, are being established in shopping malls and other convenient locations. Each features computers, common space for students to meet with tutors or classmates who might also live nearby, and areas set aside for individuals to work on their own.
What the centers don’t have are classrooms, although the university expects some of its “on ground” students who live close by might drop by now and then as well.
And while there are no baristas stationed inside, Mr. Pepicello says each center is set up with self-serve machines that provide free gourmet coffee. —Goldie Blumenstyk
Goldie Blumenstyk | Tuesday June 24, 2008 | Permalink | Contact usComments
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7000 square feet in prime retail space, free gourmet coffee…
there appears to be big profits in the diploma printing business. I’ve often wondered what we could accomplish if we didn’t have to worry about actually connecting with students.
— Fred Jun 24, 09:23 AM #
HUrrah! Great idea and long overdue. Small reminder-please do not make it age sensitive-too many of us are of “the more mature persuasion” and are often ignored in brick and mortars or treated as ‘young uns” in all realms of education.
ta
— rebecca bray Jun 24, 02:41 PM #
I wonder when they will add the faculty members, at which point they will have …. a real school!
— janet Jun 24, 02:51 PM #
In keeping with the model, seems like these could be virtual world spaces.
— SF Jun 24, 02:52 PM #
WOW-Fantastic! I would have loved this experience while completing my Masters in 07 at University of Phoenix, Online. However, I did sort of create a home grown environment of such by coffee cafe crawling with free wireless connections of course.
University of Phoenix is cutting edge and leader with online distance education. In fact, the Virtual Alumni Network has just been released this week as well.
GO PHOENIX!!
— Rebecca Kornegay Jun 24, 02:59 PM #
I wonder how much of this came from blood and sweat of students.
— lily Jun 24, 03:07 PM #
Take the wonder out and become an online student. The response of most online students for challenge would be to sign up and compare. The majority of traditional classrooms are blended engagement for instruction. I often found myself in the traditional classroom setting of wanting to move forward with fast speed and not waste my time with listening to an insturctor either enjoying listening to themselves or reading straight from a canned template power point (or the professor who never updated his slides with consistent TA instruction). The industry trend seems to be for higher ed to begin a online degree programs or “Global Campus,” to compete with the leaders under the same accreditation,The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
— Rebecca Kornegay Jun 24, 03:24 PM #
Question: Janet & Fred:
Have either of you taken a class at UOP? If you both hold degrees from brick and mortar, why the ill will and negative comments? Are you afraid or threatened by UOP in some way—has a UOP grad taken a slice of your income, or your piece of the American Dream? If it is so substandard and beneath you, why do you bother posting about it? Perhaps you protest too much . . .
— grad Jun 24, 03:43 PM #
I wonder how much of a back fire this becomes. There’s a reason students take courses online—it’s called discimination for many features. These are the students that are in an attempt to achieve college graduate status and that is against being type cast to a certain demography. Peer pressure could cause erosion of this arena.
What type of Market Research was done as well?
Loved the comment from #5 about gourmet latte’s at the expense of our tuition dollars and sweat of students.
— Good ol' Bubba Jun 24, 03:45 PM #
Wow, Fred and Janet! You two must be very stupid! I went to a traditional, accredited college for my Bachelor’s degree and UOP for my Master’s. I feel that I learned more here in my six week courses than in the semester-long courses at my previous school, which is one of the best in the midwest for liberal arts degrees! UOP is NOT a degree mill; I worked hard for my high grade point average. I guess when you are typically uneducated and don’t complete your own research you will never learn the real truth. Be a leader, NOT a follower!
— Jamie Jun 24, 04:48 PM #
The ignorant remarks of Janet and Fred typify the insular, defensive attitudes of the ever-dwindling number of people that cannot think past the “sage on the stage” model of educational delivery. Like the blacksmith of a century ago taking time from shoeing a horse to grumble about this thing called the automobile, they will continue to confidently wait for the “fad” to pass. You need to get out of your offices more – ha!
— Smiley Jun 24, 05:00 PM #
Smiley made me smile.
I work for a non-profit on-line university that serves a similar demographic as UPX. This idea is a home run.
— AMT Jun 24, 05:23 PM #
Online learning is here to stay. It impresses me that they are trying to do so many things to improve themselves. I wonder if Fred and Janet have taken any classes there.
— Tom Jun 24, 06:56 PM #
In my opinion, traidtional universities have not even come close to offering such services. They need to take a lesson from UOP.
— Tom Jun 24, 07:00 PM #
Forget all the sniping about the relative merits of UOP vs. mortar & bricks. I am not surprised that UOP, just like mortar & bricks institutions, is looking at how to create human connections with its students. Seems to me that the real story here is that human connection counts. The context in which it occurs may be different but learning requires some form of real-time, real life contact. So, bravo to UOP for acting on that.
— Rick Jun 24, 08:03 PM #
What a great idea! The detractors obviously are ill-informed. I’ve taught for 20 years (and counting) at traditional on-ground colleges and universities and for 12 years at UOP’s online campus. Based on this experience I can say that UOP’s online model works.
— Steve Jun 24, 09:15 PM #
No one would make these comments if this was an article of SMU or TCU. Which FAR exceed the cost to attend UOP. This is the waive of the future and more universities are following suit. Thinking outside the box is what evolution is and UOP hit the nail on the head with their virtual students. These comments above have no value and are ignorant. How is this any different from the Student Union buildings, bookstores, cafe shops, and other things that “traditional” universities offer? This probably cost a fraction of what the alumni money and tuition profits from those school paid for in those big buildings. Get off your high horse and get with the times! This is the future of higher education.
— Bryan Jun 25, 11:22 AM #
Many traditional schools in the area are moving to an adult learning model that is modeled after UOPs, including online courses. Do some research and you will see these traditional schools you think so highly of, are following the UOP model. You will be suprised. Educate yourself before speaking nonsense.
— dan Jun 25, 11:50 AM #
The last year of completing my Masters at UoP resulted in three cases of streep throat. Ummm…does streep throat constitute as blood sweat and tears? I believe a true symptom of streep is relative to stress. In fact, most UoP students are working full time-families-with an AGRESSIVE academic work load-TEAM project obligations. Thankfully, by the second streep case my family new to bring me-Therapy Flu, ginger, lemon, honey, throat drops, and Hot and Sour soap. Thank goodness for supportive parents. I would not have been able to complete my program with out my family’s support. AND the academic work continues regardless, could not let my team down. The med and care package kept me going no matter what the circumstance~all from the comfort of my bedroom (wireless-laptop-lap/bed desk~perfect). UoP students have stong skill set of Dedication-Perservance-Work ethics.
The one thing i noticed during my program was engagement with other fellow UoP students face to face to share the experiences of challenges in classroom/ I often wanted to vent about the missing team player who did not communicate or responsible to complete tasks assigments. However, I attend graduation ceremony at AZ, Phoenix and the experience was so rewarding. I was in a room filled with other UoP students who new my experience-culture and dialogued with others as if knowing them throughout my whole academic program.
— RK Jun 25, 12:54 PM #
Did you guys know that UOP has a myspace page?
— Tom Jun 25, 01:55 PM #
This is a good article that talks about the strengths of UOP:
http://www.ncspe.org/publications_files/breneman.pdf
— Tom Jun 25, 02:02 PM #
Excellent research in this article. thanks for the resource. Did not realize UoP has a myspace page.
— RK Jun 25, 02:24 PM #
Great article! UOP ROCKS!
— Mike Hazelwood Jun 25, 03:34 PM #
Univeristy of Phoenix is an awesome university. Many people seem to have negative opinions because they were not fortunate enough to go to a school that they could actually enjoy learning at. I personally transferred from Texas State University in San Marcos with 60 credits already under my belt. Best choice I ever made. I feel like I am learning more now than I ever have and I actually get to talk to professors who know what they are talking about since one of the requirements other than having a master’s or doctorate is that they must still be active in the profession they are teaching. What a great concept! I just got out of an Astronomy class with a hard earned B+ from a professor that currently works at NASA. THAT is how you learn. Not in an auditorium full of 400+ students where the professor makes you buy his book and you never even meet him. Then you get all of your papers graded by his TA’s. University of Phoenix is a great school and these new Learning Centers are a great way to provide the extra degree for UPX students as well as outreach to communities. Way to go UPX!!!
— Dan Jun 25, 04:39 PM #
For me, it was many hours at the library studying after I left work. I have to agree with what Dan said, #24, you do not learn in a classroom lecture halls of many students. By the way, these facilitators do have M.Ed’s or Ph.D’s which is no different than the professor at a traditional university.
— Tom Jun 25, 06:55 PM #
Here is another article disputing the diploma mill myth: http://www.collegebound.net/career-school-guide/?gclid=CM_249bpl5QCFQMoGgodRy22uA&referer=http://search.myway.com/search/AJmain.jhtml?PG=SEASUSH&SEC=ABMANY&psa=haG1AJdAkGC46J6PymG7nQ&ptnrS=DE&st=kwd&searchfor=new+jersey+school+jobs&campaign_id=11675989&
— Tom Jun 28, 02:00 PM #
What’s funny to me are all these pessimistic idiots on here making negative remarks about UOP deciding to GIVE BACK TO ITS STUDENTS instead of simply pocketing ALL revenues from tuition. Unreal. Get over yourselves.
— She-Ra Jun 30, 05:27 PM #
I thiink people are dumping on UOP because there are so many people that are having trouble finding jobs with these degrees.
— tom Jul 7, 11:37 AM #
I am a working mom with a baby and 5 yr old, wife, work full-time, own a business, and have much more on my plate. My husband also attended college at the same time as me. I am almost done and I know that without online, I would have not been able to finish my degree. I also work at UOP and have seen many professionals attend here. I wish people who talk bad about UOP would take a class and challenge themselves. It has not been a walk in the park, I have put more time into my degree here than I did at the “real” college. Take a class before you open your opinions on the negative side.
— Lynn Jul 11, 01:15 PM #
In response to UoP students finding jobs with their degrees…..
I graduated in March 2007 MBA-E-Business and a job opportunity opened up prior to my graudation date with current employer. I even interviewed two weeks before completing my capstone project. My current employer was implementing a new office to be created to centralize service of training, risk management, compliance, customer service support for Credit Card Services in a Higher Ed enviornment. In fact, at the graduation cermony date of July 2007 I had a started a new job in field as E-Commerce Coordinator. The leverage in the interview was my MBA E-Business degree with qualified skills and current experience in higher ed procurement industry. I’m certain you will find many UoP students with similar experiences and very well noted at our new Alumni virtual site of shared experiences(including a monthly U o P students in the news).
— RK Jul 14, 12:45 PM #
When i first started UOP i doubted i would enjoy it or get good grades i have not only proved myself but every one of my friends who said id never get anywhere with my degree wrong. i got accepted into a growing healthcare job that acoinsides with my degree i am loving and enjoying every moment, the people i have met and the experience so far has been so great. i hope everyone can say this also after they attend UOP for themselves.
— DS Jul 18, 10:53 AM #