Connecticut State University System Sets Sights on Digital Campus for its Virtual Classroom.

Business Editors

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2002

The Connecticut State University System Wednesday announced that it has signed contracts with Campus Pipeline Inc., CollegisEduprise, SCT and WebCT to extend its distance-learning arm, OnlineCSU, and enhance its online services.

The CSU System includes Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and Western Connecticut State University.

Working together with these vendors, CSU universities will surround their popular OnlineCSU digital classrooms with a digital campus that unites existing systems and services, and facilitates student and faculty collaboration, networking and mentoring beyond the classroom.

The digital campus, a network of data, portals and other applications, built upon the Campus Pipeline(TM) Web Platform, is expected to be available to students and faculty in spring 2003.

"Working with these vendors builds upon our existing technology investments and gives us a head start as we expand our online offerings," said William J. Cibes, chancellor of the CSU System.

"In addition to providing the most cost-effective and practical solution for the CSU System, the digital campus will also provide faculty and CSU universities with a greater flexibility in providing excellent, convenient distance learning."

The new digital campus will help CSU universities enhance their online offerings for students, faculty and staff by providing:

-- Single sign-on access to SCT's student information system (SIS),
registration and payment systems, as well as WebCT's distance learning courses;


-- User-specific, targeted messaging functionality via email or the new campus
portal;

-- Automatically populated course and institutional calendars;

-- Course tools for posting syllabi and supplemental course materials.

"OnlineCSU constantly strives to improve the student-centered learning experience. We believe the selection of Campus Pipeline, CollegisEduprise, SCT and WebCT will enhance the user-friendly, community feeling we work to provide for our students," said Cibes.

CSU purchased a traditional license for the Campus Pipeline Web Platform. The Web Platform's open standards will enable OnlineCSU to integrate its existing WebCT course management system, SCT Banner administrative data system, and other future applications.

CollegisEduprise will provide e-services and will work in tandem with the Campus Pipeline Services(SM) group to provide remote administrative and integration services.

About OnlineCSU

OnlineCSU was launched in 1998 with 10 courses and 71 students. To date, more than 6,700 students have enrolled in more than 400 courses. Unique in its offerings, three degree programs are available via OnlineCSU.

These include the ALA accredited Master of Science in Library Science from Southern, a Master of Science in Data Mining from Central and a Master of Science in Educational Technology from Eastern. OnlineCSU's new features, as well as conversion progress reports, will be available at www.OnlineCSU.net.

About Campus Pipeline Inc.

Campus Pipeline Inc., www.campuspipeline.com, an Upside Hot 100 Internet Infrastructure award winner and Codie Award Best Educational Total Comprehensive Solution finalist, delivers enterprise software and services to unify the digital campus.

More than 150 colleges and universities worldwide rely on the Campus Pipeline Web Platform and the forthcoming Campus Pipeline Luminis(TM) product family for creating comprehensive online environments that integrate administrative systems, academic services, campus portals, distance learning, and other services within their higher education communities.

Campus Pipeline, the Campus Pipeline logo, and Luminis are trademarks or service marks of Campus Pipeline Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.