Online Courses and Outside Vendors

The California State Auditor looked at UC's policy of engaging outside vendors in connection with online course offerings. As a result, UC has various policies under review. The policies would apply to any educational offering, whether undergraduate, graduate, or extension.

Perhaps the most salient aspect of the policies is the requirement for transparency to students. If a course is offered, is the instructor an actual UC employee or someone hired by the vendor? The latter isn't prohibited but it must be disclosed so that the student knows in advance who is giving the course.

When an outside vendor is involved, there has to be a course evaluation process meeting specified criteria.

Finally, there can't be a compensation plan for the vendor keyed to the number of students enrolled.

Comments on the proposed standards are due by Nov. 12. Details at:

https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/underreview/systemwide-senate-review-presidential-policy-for-uc-use-of-opms.pdf.

Note: Yours truly was unable to find the Auditor's report that led to this policy on the Auditor's website. There is no citation of any specific Auditor's report at the link above. It is not clear why there is no citation.