100,000 visitors projected this year to Southern Regional Electronic Campus.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1998--Atlanta - The nation's most visited campus - expected to attract 100,000 visitors this year - does not have a single parking space.

The Southern Regional Electronic Campus - an electronic marketplace of courses - had more than 100,000 hits on its Web site last week. The rapid increase in computer traffic, going from hundreds of visitors a day to 1,000 per day, came a week after the announcement that the Electronic Campus would expand to 1,000 courses this fall.

The tenfold expansion of the course offerings was approved at the 50th anniversary annual meeting of the Southern Regional Education Board, which coordinates the Electronic Campus. More than 25 degree programs at the associate's, bachelor's and master's levels also were approved. In January, independent colleges and universities in the 16 SREB states will be able to participate in the Electronic Campus. Students can reach the Electronic Campus at the Web site, http://www.srec.sreb.org.

Students can get basic information about the available courses, including subjects, levels, requirements and costs, and then move by a "hot link" to the college or university offering the program or course. There they will get further information about the courses and enrollment procedures.

"We are delighted that the Electronic Campus is America's most visited in its first year of operation. We never expected that we could have as many as 100,000 visitors to The Campus in its first year of operation. The Electronic Campus is a winner for states, for colleges and universities, and, more importantly, for students," said Mark Musick, SREB president.

Musick said the responses received from students - and educators - point to the ease of using the Electronic Campus.

"Students' options are increased dramatically. Programs and courses not previously available are now available at a time that is convenient to the traditional and nontraditional student," he said. He said the Electronic Campus is based on the "Principles of Good Practice" adopted by the Southern Regional Education Board. This means that students who come to the Electronic Campus are using an electronic marketplace that applies the quality standards to each course and degree program.

Musick said the growing range of courses and degree programs would meet the needs of thousands of students, particularly working adults. He said much of the enthusiasm for the Electronic Campus relates to its potential for economic development.

Colleges and universities in SREB state offering courses via the Electronic Campus are as follows: -0-

              Colleges and Universities Expected to Offer
          Courses in the Southern Regional Electronic Campus
                            Fall Term 1998

Alabama

    Auburn University
    Bevill State Community College
    Gadsden State Community College
    George Corley Wallace State Community College - Selma
    Harry M. Ayers State Technical College
    Jacksonville State University
    Jefferson State Community College
    John C. Calhoun State Community College
    Lawson State Community College
    Troy State University, Montgomery
    University of Alabama
    University of North Alabama

Arkansas

    Southern Arkansas University Tech
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock
    University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Florida

    Brevard Community College
    Central Florida Community College
    Florida Atlantic University
    Florida Gulf Coast University
    North Florida Jr. College
    St. Petersburg Junior College
    University of Central Florida
    University of Florida
    University of North Florida
    Univeristy of South Florida
    University of West Florida

Georgia

    Clayton College & State University
    Darton College
    East Georgia College
    Gainesville College
    Georgia College and State University
    Georgia Institute of Technology
    Georgia Southwestern State University
    Southern Polytechnic State University
    State University of West Georgia
    Univesity of Georgia

Kentucky

    Eastern Kentucky University
    Morehead State University
    Murray State University
    Paducah Community College
    University of Kentucky
    Western Kentucky University

Louisiana

    Bossier Parish Community College
    Grambling State University
    Louisiana Tech University
    Northeast Louisiana University
    Northwestern State University
    Southeastern Louisiana University

Maryland

    Catonsville Community College
    Charles County Community College
    Essex Community College
    Frostburg State University
    University of Maryland University College
    Wor-Wic Community College

Mississippi

    Delta State University
    Mississippi University for Women
    University of Mississippi
    Univesity of Southern Mississippi

North Carolina

    East Carolina University
    Elizabeth City State University
    Fayetteville Technical Community College
    Forsyth Technical Community College
    Guildford Technical Community College
    North Carolina State University
    Pitt Community College
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro
    University of North Carolina at Wilimington
    Wake Technical Community College
    Western Carolina University
    Western Piedmont Community College

Oklahoma

    Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University
    Oklahoma City Community College
    Oklahoma State University
    Rogers University
    Rose State College
    Tulsa Community College
    University of Central Oklahoma
    University of Oklahoma

South Carolina

    Florence-Darlington Technical College
    Greenville Technical College
    Midlands Technical College
    Piedmont Technical College
    University of South Carolina, Spartanburg

Tennessee

    Chattanooga State Technical Community College
    Middle Tennessee State University
    Pellissippi State Technical Community College
    Roane State Community College
    Tennessee Technological University
    University of Memphis
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    University of Tennessee at Martin
    Volunteer State Community College

Texas

    Dallas County Community College
    University of Houston

Virginia

    Blue Ridge Community College
    Central Virginia Community College
    Christopher Newport University
    J. Sargeant Reynold Community College
    Northern Virginia Community College
    Old Dominion University
    Southwest Virginia Community College
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

West Virgnia

    Bluefield State College
    Marshall University
    West Virginia State College
    West Virginia University
    West Virginia Northern Community College



   CONTACT:  Southern Regional Education Board, Chapel Hill
              Bracey Campbell, 404/875-9211, Ext. 244