thedrifter
09-26-07, 06:28 AM
Campbell U. celebrates 20 years on base
JENNIFER HLAD
September 23, 2007 - 9:02PM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Campbell University's history aboard Camp Lejeune and the New River Air Station started small - with about eight students in one class in 1987 at the Air Station. But in 20 years, the university has seen more than 3,000 students graduate and has grown to serve about 900 students a year in its seven programs that offer a four-year degree.
This is the private university's 20th year on base, and the school is still growing. In October, the administrative offices will move to the John A. Lejeune Education Center, where classes are held.
Friday, the extended campus became the first to hold a meeting to initiate a local alumni chapter for the 1,500 to 2,000 alumni in the area.
The classes are changing, as well. This fall marked the beginning of blended courses - which combine in-class and online instruction to allow students to get face-to-face time with professors but still have flexibility.
Many students have problems finding child care, said director Jeffrey Netznik, so having one of the two classes a week online can help alleviate that problem.
The university also offers online courses to supplement the degree programs, but students cannot take every class online, plus many adult nontraditional students are anxious about taking online-only courses, he said.
Though the university started with just a handful of blended courses this term, officials plan to move toward 50 percent blended courses by the spring terms.
Weeknight classes are from 5:30 to 7:40 p.m. and 7:50 to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturday morning classes run for four hours and 20 minutes, but start times vary, Netznik said. Classes are on an accelerated nine-week schedule, as opposed to a traditional 18-week semester.
Campbell's enrollment had been growing steadily, reaching a high of about 2,300 students four or five years ago, Netznik said, but enrollment has stalled because of the increasing deployments. Now, the campus serves between 800 and 1,000 students a year.
The campus enrollment had been about 60 percent active-duty service members and 40 percent other students - including spouses, dependents, retirees and civilians, Netznik said. But the ratio has switched, with active-duty service members now at just 40 percent of the student population, he said.
Because of online options, students can take courses from Iraq, Afghanistan or other areas as long as they have Internet connectivity, Netznik said. Still, many Marines and sailors are hesitant to sign up for classes if they aren't sure they will be able to complete them between work-ups and deployments.
The university's four-year degree programs include: Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in business administration, accounting or computer information systems; Bachelor of Science with major in psychology or social sciences and a concentration in history or government; and Bachelor of Applied Sciences.
The university is open to active-duty service members, retirees, government employees, spouses, dependents and civilians.
The campus is a "full-service extended campus," said office manager Juli Rowland, so students never have to go to the main campus in Buies Creek for any services. Still, students at the Camp Lejeune or New River campus can apply for admission to the main campus, she said.
Campbell University has extended campuses at Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base and Research Triangle Park in addition to the local campus, Netznik said.
The university employs 30 to 40 adjunct faculty members in each nine-week term, and many have taught for more than 10 years, he said.
After 20 years on base, Netznik said the university is looking forward to continuing "to provide Camp Lejeune with the best quality education" for years to come.
For information about the Campbell University programs on base, call 451-3097. For general information about education, call the Base Education Services Office at 451-8671.
Contact Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8449. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie
JENNIFER HLAD
September 23, 2007 - 9:02PM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Campbell University's history aboard Camp Lejeune and the New River Air Station started small - with about eight students in one class in 1987 at the Air Station. But in 20 years, the university has seen more than 3,000 students graduate and has grown to serve about 900 students a year in its seven programs that offer a four-year degree.
This is the private university's 20th year on base, and the school is still growing. In October, the administrative offices will move to the John A. Lejeune Education Center, where classes are held.
Friday, the extended campus became the first to hold a meeting to initiate a local alumni chapter for the 1,500 to 2,000 alumni in the area.
The classes are changing, as well. This fall marked the beginning of blended courses - which combine in-class and online instruction to allow students to get face-to-face time with professors but still have flexibility.
Many students have problems finding child care, said director Jeffrey Netznik, so having one of the two classes a week online can help alleviate that problem.
The university also offers online courses to supplement the degree programs, but students cannot take every class online, plus many adult nontraditional students are anxious about taking online-only courses, he said.
Though the university started with just a handful of blended courses this term, officials plan to move toward 50 percent blended courses by the spring terms.
Weeknight classes are from 5:30 to 7:40 p.m. and 7:50 to 10 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturday morning classes run for four hours and 20 minutes, but start times vary, Netznik said. Classes are on an accelerated nine-week schedule, as opposed to a traditional 18-week semester.
Campbell's enrollment had been growing steadily, reaching a high of about 2,300 students four or five years ago, Netznik said, but enrollment has stalled because of the increasing deployments. Now, the campus serves between 800 and 1,000 students a year.
The campus enrollment had been about 60 percent active-duty service members and 40 percent other students - including spouses, dependents, retirees and civilians, Netznik said. But the ratio has switched, with active-duty service members now at just 40 percent of the student population, he said.
Because of online options, students can take courses from Iraq, Afghanistan or other areas as long as they have Internet connectivity, Netznik said. Still, many Marines and sailors are hesitant to sign up for classes if they aren't sure they will be able to complete them between work-ups and deployments.
The university's four-year degree programs include: Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in business administration, accounting or computer information systems; Bachelor of Science with major in psychology or social sciences and a concentration in history or government; and Bachelor of Applied Sciences.
The university is open to active-duty service members, retirees, government employees, spouses, dependents and civilians.
The campus is a "full-service extended campus," said office manager Juli Rowland, so students never have to go to the main campus in Buies Creek for any services. Still, students at the Camp Lejeune or New River campus can apply for admission to the main campus, she said.
Campbell University has extended campuses at Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base and Research Triangle Park in addition to the local campus, Netznik said.
The university employs 30 to 40 adjunct faculty members in each nine-week term, and many have taught for more than 10 years, he said.
After 20 years on base, Netznik said the university is looking forward to continuing "to provide Camp Lejeune with the best quality education" for years to come.
For information about the Campbell University programs on base, call 451-3097. For general information about education, call the Base Education Services Office at 451-8671.
Contact Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8449. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie