Monday, July 6, 1998 - The Michigan Daily - 9 . ., _ Online degrees a possibility By Rick Freeman Daily Staff Reporter Universities are expected to be on the cutting edge of technology, but in the state of Washington, a proposal by Gov. Gary Locke might make some universi- ties actually become the cutting edge of technology. The proposal, created by the gov- ernor's 2020 Commission of the Future of Higher Education, suggests the possibility that in the future, col- lege degrees may be attained through online coursework. In response to the report, around 850 faculty members signed a petition in protest. University of Michigan Prof. Rees Midgely, a technology expert, said it is currently possible to do all the work necessary to receive a bache- lors' degree online. "Clearly it is pos- sible to get a college degree on the Internet," Midgely said. But whether the necessary work can be done ot the Internet is not the maim concern of the faculty at Washington. The petitioners are concerned that the governor's advisers may help pro- duce a "knowledge industry." They point to several aspects of the propos- al suggesting a debit-card system, courses on CD-ROM and other inno- vations. The petitioners caution that applying new technology in these ways is opening a pandora's box. "Economics is going to drive it, E-mail, Internet help students make most of their studies at the 'U' By Adam Zuwerink aily Staff Reporter From keeping in touch witlh friends around the world to a cheap, quick way of asking your parents for money to checking on the latest announcements from professors, e- mail has become a major form of communication for University stu- dents. "I check my e-mail at least once or twice a day," said Romica Singh, an LSA sophomore. Although most University students quickly become proficient in the use of e-mail and the Intemet, many come to the University having never used e-mail and must find a way to pick up the nec- essary skills. "It's really helpful to dive in and figure everything out," said Michael Miller, an Engineering senior. "I went to an informational session right away that was very helpful." In addition to informational ses- sions held at the 15 computing sites around campus, many students pick up basic skills from e-mail sessions held during orientation and from friends and roommates who have used the Internet before. After picking up the basics of e- mail and the World Wide Web, many students find the internet an invalu- able resource, especially for keeping in touch with professors. Singh said e-mail is an effective way for professors to relay informationto stu- dents because students check their e-mail at least once a day. Beyond e-mailing announcements, many professors are developing sophisticated web pages for their classes. "In my riue Crime class, we interact- ed with the professor and each other online by writing and reviewing papers over the Net," Miller said. E-mail is the most popular use of the Internet for University students, but as the world moves deeper into the information age, other types of Internet and computer skills have become a valuable asset that many employers seek. One of these assets for University students is learning to not only surf the World Wide Web, but to understand how it sorks by creating a personal web page using a programming language called IlyperText Markup Language (IfITML). 'II iMI is useful for the future and stuidenis should learn to make their own home page or go to a camp workshop,' Singh syid. Additionally, many students find it helpful to become familiar with com- puting sofware such as Microsoft Word and Excel or Lotus Notes. "I s ish I s ould have learned to use Excel or Lotus earlier," said I SA senior Tom Jolliffe. Jolliffe said software knowledge is a crucial skill in the workplace. "I know of at least one job I missed, and it's really easy to learn," Jolliffe said. A recent proposal by Washington Gov. Gary Locke caused many to protest the possibility of receiving a bachelors' degree online. unfortunately," Midgely said, One of the petition organizers told the Chronicle of Higher Education that a large portion of the signatures came from members of the Computer Science department at Washington. Still, ifa person wants a bachelor's degree, then the technology will exist to make that possible within "two to three years," Midgely said. Another question, then, would be whether universities would choose to make such options available. Midgely warned that doing so could hurt small- er schools without the technology resources of larger ones. LSA junior Pam Hirschman said if given the option of gaining a degree on the Web, she would turn it down, "I wouldn't want to gain an educa- tion from a computer," Hirschman said. JULY 4 Continued from Page 1 School, which includes games, rides and a midway. "I went to a carnival at Pioneer High School. While we were up in the ferris wheel we saw some fireworks," said Karen Langner, an LSA senior. "The last two years, I haven't been (in Ann Arbor) so it was kind of nice to be here. But I didn't think much about the holiday, I'm not that patriotic" LSA junior Ken Heskett said the holiday is especially meaningful for his family because many members have served in the military. "Every generation of our family has been in the military;' Heskett said. "It's more significant this year because I just got out of the military and my uncle retired this year. "It's a celebration of the founding of our country and it's important to our family because we've been part of that through our military service," Heskett added. Heskett said he enjoyed the holiday by spending time with his family and attending a parade. "We had a barbecue;" Heskett said. "We struggled vainly to get a historic vehicle to work. I couldn't get it out for the Fourth of July parade." While many businesses closed down for part or all of the weekend, SNRE junior Jenny Hefferan said she still had to work through some of the holiday. "I work at Seva. We closed a couple hours earlier," Hefferan said. "I was disappointed. I didn't see any fireworks although I wanted to. It's possibly the first Fourth of July that I haven't." Despite the holiday, many students continued to do Glasswork. "I went to a barbecue at a colleagues. I also did some research," said Mike Thompson, a School of Public Policy junior. "I haven't celebrated in something like four years. It's more just a day off. mtried to celebrate it more when I'm at home. I tend to think it's more of a family holiday" GETJIGGY WITH IT as an Account Executive Fall/Winter '98-'99 at The Michigan Daily * Gain marketing and sales experience * Work with great people Call 764-0662 or pick up an application at The Student Publications Building. Deadline July 17 incoming first-year student Jessica Mumma celebrates independence Day at the fireworks display in Northville.