Abstract
This session will review factors that have impacted higher education and were considered by the governors of 17 states as they agreed to join the consortium to create Western Governors University. The institution was incorporated in Utah in January of 1997 and has since made significant progress toward implementation of the motivating vision of providing competency-based learning, using technology as a medium of delivery. Since its inception, WGU has been described as a metaphor for the future of higher education. Implementation has included moving forward on such issues as developing competencies for both an Associate of Arts degree and an Associate of Applied Science degree as initial academic offerings, securing financial aid for students enrolled in a competency-based curriculum, seeking accreditation of an institution without an instructional faculty of its own, overcoming state licensure and registration barriers, and developing an appropriate fee structure for students and institutions providing academic content. Other issues include the imposing challenge of dealing with various constituencies in 16 states and 1 territory, creating a National Advisory Board of representatives from interested industries, and considering various non-profit/ profit structures for creating the necessary financing options for this private, educational institution.
Recommended Citation
Livingston, Jeff
(1998)
"Western Governors University: Implementation of the vision,"
Natural Resources and Environmental Issues: Vol. 7, Article 21.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/nrei/vol7/iss1/21
