Wilson Says State Will Create Its Own Online University

Gov. Pete Wilson informed the governors of 10 other Western states Wednesday that California will not be joining their effort to create a regional online college but will instead go it alone, creating its own virtual university.

In a letter to Colorado Gov. Edward T. Schafer, Wilson wished the consortium well, but suggested that California plans to be a fierce competitor in the online education marketplace.

“California is uniquely positioned to become a world leader in the development and distribution of college-level software, courses and programs,” Wilson said in the letter. “The citizens of the West will be well-served by a friendly competition among a variety of institutions seeking to deliver courses and degrees through nontraditional means.”

Wilson has been enthusiastic about developing a “distance learning” service that could bring educational opportunity to students in remote areas, while turning a profit for educational institutions. His aides have described the virtual university project as “a significant revenue opportunity.”

Joe Rodota, Wilson’s deputy chief of staff, has assembled a design team to determine how best to structure the new entity. Rodota said even the most basic issues--from funding to timing--are still being hammered out.

Rodota and others are consulting with campuses around California--from private schools such as Stanford and USC to those in the state systems--to see what programs they now offer online and to explore how those projects might dovetail with the larger entity. Private sector leaders in finance, telecommunications and information technology are also being consulted in creation of the online college, which could offer everything from individual courses to a full degree.

“We’re trying to emphasize variety, choice, competition, thinking that those sorts of things will drive up quality,” Rodota said. “The governor is very, very enthusiastic about this. . . . We think this is a major moment in the state.”

University of California President Richard C. Atkinson applauded the governor’s decision as “an important step in the right direction.”

“The quality of California intellectual resources is unparalleled, and new communications technologies will enable us to extend our reach to individuals across the country and, indeed, around the globe,” Atkinson said.

Barry Munitz, chancellor of the California State University system, agreed.

“Across the world, the name California is equated with economic competitiveness and creative energy,” Munitz said. “We should take advantage of this state’s unique status.”