Global Campus Gets Another Vote of Confidence from UI Trustees, President

Even amid skepticism from some faculty members, the president of the University of Illinois says its Global Campus will pay for itself in two years and be an important part of the educational system. The online degree program was launched two years ago but attracted only about a dozen students at first. But president Joe White says enrollment has reached 400 students and is expected to pass 700 next year.

"We're on a plan for Global Campus to be at a financial break-even by 2011 with about 1500 students, and we're going to get there," White said.

White says the U of I is still committed to maintaining the health of its three existing brick and mortar campuses. But he says the university also has to extend its reach to people who may not have the time or money for a traditional degree. Today trustees were to approve an academic policy council to let faculty help oversee Global Campus.