Board Members: Harold Allen, Sharon Brehm, Kate Carey, Jim Davis, Linda Dobb, Peggy Falkenstein, Peggy Peterson, Jim Scanlon, Fred Siff, Michael Snider, Jon Tafel, Don Tolliver, Duane Wood. 

OLN Staff: Judy Leach, Elisabeth Nixon, George Steele,

Guests: Richard Eastop, Karen Rhoda. 

Minutes of the final August 15 Policy Planning Group were approved. The December governing board meeting will coincide with the public unveiling of the OLN online catalog and the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding" and "Principles of Good Practice" by participating institutions' provosts. 

I. OLN Outreach Updates:

1. George Steele, OLN's new Director of Degree Completion Programs was introduced to the board. Among George's responsibilities is the supervision of the newly hired distance learning specialists (DLS), who work in five regions of the state: Robin Wright - Southwest Ohio; Christine Brock - Northeast Ohio; Mindy Kinnard - North Central Ohio; Nancy Ragias - Southeast Ohio. A candidate search for northwest Ohio is still in progress. The board approved the creation of a DLS position for Central Ohio to allow George more help in the Columbus area. 
2. DLS training will take place over the next several months and will include aspects of outreach, advising, and distance learning. Each specialist will work closely with an on-site supervisor located at the host campuses. In addition, each specialist will assist in the assembly of an advisory committee comprised of members from institutions in each region. 
3. Plans for a statewide advising conference were announced. The conference would focus on professional development needs for faculty and advisors, as well as serve as a forum to share innovations in advising techniques in distance learning. 

There was some discussion of articles that have recently appeared in higher education journals and papers, such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, regarding distance learning, virtual universities, research and development of technology to enhance learning, and faculty professional development. Several board members agreed that OLN should seek similar publicity when appropriate. 

III. Policy

Mission Statement: The board approved the following OLN mission statement as a working draft: 

The Ohio Learning Network will significantly expand access to learning opportunities for the citizens of the state by enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of colleges and universities to use technology in instruction and research. The Ohio Learning Network will facilitate partnerships among higher education institutions, as well as collaborations between higher education and PK-12, business, industry and local communities. 

Board members were asked to think about an official OLN tagline. OLN has been using "Educational Partnerships Through Technology." 

MOU and Principles of Good Practice: The board approved both the MOU and Principles as working drafts. The board will create a task force at the December meeting to investigate the issue of how OLN and participating institutions will address admission and registrant fees. 

Sharon Brehm will continue as chair, with the understanding she would serve a one-year term. The Chair-Elect position was tabled until the December governing board meeting. The board voted to accept OLN by-laws. 

V. Project Updates:

1. Technology Initiatives 

The Technology Initiatives Grants were completed in October. The board approved project funding for three projects: "Collaborative Virtual Reality: Sharing Design Practice and Knowledge Between Students, Practitioners, and Educators," submitted by Ohio University, School of Human and Consumer Science, and Miami University; "Internet2 Live Video Project: Theatre Artists Backstage," submitted by Kent State University and Great Lakes Theatre Company; "Home-Delivered Interactive Distance Learning Course," submitted by Ohio University - Zanesville. 

2. Degree Completion

The online catalog would open in December with over 300 courses--more courses than originally anticipated. Overviews of the new OLN web pages were presented. 

3. Professional Development RFP Draft

The board was given copies of the planned professional development RFP. Comments should be sent to Kate. The grants will be available in May 2000. 

4. Marketing 

The University of Cincinnati is conducting some marketing studies for OLN, including a statewide poll and focus groups of adult learners. This study will provide some background on adult distance learners in Ohio. With this information, OLN will develop some direct marketing projects. 

5. OVI Conference

The conference will be held November 3-4 at the Fawcett Center of Tomorrow. 

6. Budget 

Budget materials were reviewed.