The Native Virtual University (NVU) "ad-hoc" workgroup has been reactivated with some additions. Evans Craig, of WICHE – Western Cooperative, conducted a teleconference for Educational Telecommunications, on Dec. 23, 1997.

A telephone conference to discuss/define the approach to setting up a "Native Virtual University" will have the following participants:

Indicates "NO SHOW"

Introductions were made.

Evans C. gave a short history of the Native Virtual University concept with AIHEC and NAPT and how it could relate to the Western Governors University (WGU). Throughout the next hour, all the participants discussed ways of revitalizing the NVU. The conversations focused around two areas:

1. Patrick W. asked about "Lessons learned" at the WGU.
2. Change the name. Everyone immediately has a mental image of what NVU is just by what they know or think a virtual university is. To start fresh, change the name so that the NVU will have to defined. The new name:

   Native American Distance Education Community.

   Determine if you want a concept or an entity. The Native American Distance Education Community may be referred to as an entity, which means millions of dollars and hundreds of person-hours to start planning on creating our own resources. The Native American Distance Education Community may be referred as a concept, which means determining how we can utilize the existing resources, both Native and Non-native, to achieve our objectives.

   Define the terms. Everyone needs to be talking the same language. An example -
   The term, admissions, may mean something different to different entities. The term may be used as; admitted to school, admitted to a program, admitted to a course, or admitted to a class. Is it really admitted to a school, accepted to a program, referred to a course, and enrolled in a class.

3. Jack B. asked about using the "NDTCC plans for Distance Education, as a model," by having a showcase at the upcoming AIHEC Annual Conference. This showcase will be a ‘virtual university concept’ project showcasing three areas;

ACTION Items

1. I was asked to submit a proposal to conduct a one day session aimed at the tribal presidents on the Native American Distance Education vision, options, and implementations for the April AIHEC meeting.

1. Keynote speech on "VISIONING the Native American Distance Education Model,"
2. Conduct a WWW showcase on the net hosted by NDTCC during lunch,
3. Implementation issues in the afternoon.:

To get a MOU signed by the AIHEC Executive Committee that will okay the ad-hoc workgroup to start work on the
"Native Virtual University, as a concept & a participation model for WGU."

NDTCC will be the pilot-site to generate the model.

Meanwhile

1. I am posting my visioning concept on the listserv for comments.
2. I am conducting a quick update of the OTA Assessment to generate a current "State of Affairs in Native American Distance Education." see my Educational Resources at http://www.wiche.edu/evans/index.html and click on 'Native American.'

These are the ‘proposed members’ of the "Native American Distance Education Community listserv":

Please add, correct, and/or refused participation at this time to: