Interested in distant learning, be aware of the hidden fees
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INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
For those considering Indiana State Uniiversity or Ivy Tech be aware there are fees being charged over and above what non distant students are paying. Be sure to do your due diligence.
Although ISU distant learning students do not take up real estate in a class room or use universitity facilities and utilities, the student will be charged the same as a regular student and will also pay an additional distant learning fee. The extra fee equates to about half of the out of state fees.
Further, the student will be charged a $300 lab fee for each of the 6 lab classes. However, what is not discussed, is the payment of an additional $300 lab fee for each lab. Only the distant learning students pay double lab fees. When questioning why, the rationale was it is an "adjunct fee."
The last lab class from Spring 2011 had a minimum of 18 students who took the final and a minimum of 25 students who registered. The "adjunct lab fee" for 25 students is $7500 for that class. This lab class consists of a volunteer unpaid BSN proctor, personally obtained by the student, and a online ISU distant learning professor/instructor. If the student pays tuition and a lab fee, then why an extra adjunct lab fee?
Possibly I am wrong, and those out there please chime in and correct me if I am wrong, but this extra lab fee/adjunct fee sounds as if the distant learning nursing students are paying the salary of the adjunct professor over and above the normal tuition which should include the professor's salary.
IVY TECH
Ivy Tech has instituted a policy of non refundable distant learning fees. If a student enrolls into a class and transfer to another class or drops the class, the fees for that class are non refundable. Rationale: According to Ivy Tech, the non refundable adjunct fee has increased matriculation 2%, and has enabled Ivy Tech to retain quality professors/instructors who lose time and money when they prepare for a class to only have it cancelled.
UPDATE ON ISU PROVIDING TCN DISTANT LEARNING NURSING STUDENTS' PERSONAL INFORMATION
In the situation in which ISU was providing to TCN all student names, grades, and other personal information for nursing students in the LVN to BSN distant learning program, an investigation apparently resolved the matter for ISU. Instead of notifying all the students whose information has been compromised (the issue involves years of info release), ISU has stated that it will now "make its association with TCN more transparent." No notification to the students, although by law it is required, and no apology.
BOTTOMLINE
If you are enrolling into a distant learning program, investigate the university and their practices. You are paying for the education and have the right to all the information as well as all the fees. More and more universities will start offering distant learning programs as they realize what a cash cow the programs are. As a student, be aware you are at a disadvantage and the universities/colleges are taking advantage of this situation.