Idaho Leaders Push ‘Virtual University,’ But Quality A Concern

State leaders want to create a “virtual university” - a university without walls - which they say would deliver college classes to people in remote areas and allow students in Idaho to take courses in other states.

Critics are concerned about quality control.

As part of a partnership of governors of Western states, Idaho Gov. Phil Batt has endorsed a plan to allow for easier transfer of credits and to create partnerships between institutions in offering classes.

But the governor included a note of caution Tuesday when he introduced a panel discussion on creating such a university.

“Virtual learning” has not been defined and planners have to make sure that the learning is valid, he said.It’s a concern shared by Sen. Laird Noh, R-Kimberly, who sits on the Senate Education Committee.Planners are not looking closely enough at assuring quality in education under a virtual-learning environment, he said.

Planners, under a two-year deadline issued by the governor, do not know how they would assure quality education nor do they have a price tag for the two-year project, said Rayburn Barton, executive director of higher education for the state Board of Education.

But proponents say the plan easily can be carried out in two years, will not cost much money and has been tested by colleges and universities across the state.

“Everybody has been doing program technology for quite some time,” said Barry Willis, director of engineering outreach for the University of Idaho. “What’s needed is the spirit of cooperation to bring all these together.”

The University of Idaho has offered distance learning courses for 18 years.