New Monograph - According to Gerald C. Van Deusen, in a new monograph, "The Virtual Campus: Technology and Reform in Higher Education," the shift to technology-based learning methods can only take place in institutions committed to comprehensive reform. Included in the reform must be the retraining of library support and other traditional support services. The monograph can be found in ERIC's Higher Education Series, (c) 1998, Volume 25, Number 5. Contact ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Reports, The George Washington University, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 630 Washington, DC, 20036-1183. (University Continuing Education Association [UCEA], Feb 1998)

Virtual Education and Real Money - The Paul G. Allen Virtual Education Foundation will soon be honoring the best and brightest in online course development. A panel of distance learning educators, will be reviewing online courses for their creative use of technology, sound instructional design, integration of active learning and more. Entries must be received by April 24, 1998. The winner will receive $25,000 towards the further development of online educational materials and services. For further information visit the Web site:
http://www.paulallen.com/foundations/virtualu/

Aid is being sought for distance learning students - Acknowledging that distance learners are currently being treated as stepstudents, the Department of Education assistant secretary David Longanecker says a proposal in President Clinton's recommendations for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act would change that. The proposal would give financial aid eligibility to students who attend degree-granting institutions that educate students primarily through distance learning, broaden the financial aid package given to students who take distance learning courses at a traditional institution of higher education and establish a $30-million pilot program to help institutions develop and use innovative technology. (USA Today 24 Feb 98)