A variety of external degree programs and the unique characteristics of administration are discussed. (JMF)

The merger of an innovative private college (New College of Sarasota) into a state institution is described. The instruction contract, innovative approach, and academic quality has been maintained, but the number of students in off-campus programs has declined. Reasons for the decline are discussed. (Author/LBH)

This guide to institutions that offer academic degrees through nontraditional means has four parts. Part 1 addresses issues in nontraditional education, such as degree requirements and transcripts, whether a degree is worth the effort, how to evaluate a school, accreditation, and financial aid. Part 2 specifically addresses alternative methods of…

In the early twentieth century, Alexander Meiklejohn believed the undergraduate college must teach students how to think. He aspired to make students into thinking, caring, active citizens with the intellectual skills to participate in a democratic society. In 1927, with the founding of the Experimental College at the University of Wisconsin, he…

Ideas and suggestions for teaching adults in an informal setting, such as that in a free university, are presented in this booklet. It is suggested that volunteer teaching in an informal, nondegree setting with adults is a rewarding and satisfying experience. To help the volunteer teacher the following areas are discussed: how adults learn; why…

The 1966 Master Plan of the State University of New York decreed the establishment of the State University College of Old Westbury. This new college was to be known as the "experimental" college of S.U.N.Y. The goals expressed by this new college are exciting, inspiring, and due to the system which promulgated them, inherently…

This document has four parts. Part 1 defines free universities, describes the origins of the free universities of the 70's, breaks down current free universities into three kinds, and ends with a chapter on teacher-learning processes. Part 2 contains quantitative information - numbers, age, location, enrollments, and funding. Part 3 lists what…

Several problems that an evaluator of an experimental college has to face and resolve are considered. These include: (1) the purpose of the evaluation and the role of the evaluator, (2) the utility of a research design model, (3) the specificity of program goals before the evaluation is planned, and (4) the appropriateness of standardized or local…

"The Experimental College" tells the story of a 4-year academic experiment at the University of Wisconsin established by Alexander Meiklejohn. Aimed at finding a method of teaching that would help students develop "intelligence in the conduct of their own lives," the Experimental College discarded major requirements,…

Recounts the history and development of Hampshire College (Massachusetts) which was founded in 1960 on a premise that a student should do more of the driving than sitting back as a passenger on the road to educational development. Describes the innovative organization, degree requirements, and financial arrangements of that liberal arts…

The experimental college must not only define new standards of quality education, but also the means to achieve it, and to defend itself against the educational establishment which it seeks to subvert. (Editor)

The president of the University of Mid-America describes the past growth and future direction of this seven-state consortium which produces and distributes multimedia courses and provides alternative learning opportunities to underserved adult learners. (SK)

This article provides background on several types of nontraditional higher education programs, particularly the external degree programs. The program effectiveness and related costs strategy developed by Empire State College and adapted to several other institutions are reviewed. (JMF)

Trends in research funding at Belgium's Free University of Brussels in the last five years are analyzed, focusing on three aspects: the roles of the government grant, contract funding, and the university's own initiatives. (MSE)

This paper discusses the influence of John Dewey and his educational philosophy and methods on the development of experimental liberal arts colleges during the 1930s. It reviews the student-centered, holistic, experiential curriculum advocated by Dewey and others, and the role of John Andrew Rice in founding Black Mountain College near Black…