Principals’ Response (most frequent response cited)
Consider the hypothetical example of Paula, a single mother with young children who wants to become a nurse. Paula, who lives in Jacksonville, holds down a full-time job during the day. She enrolls in an evening distance learning extension course offered by the School of Nursing at UNC- Wilmington through Coastal Carolina Community College. As a part-time student taking a 3-credit hour course, Paula pays UNCW $155 in tuition and fees. She will probably budget at least $100 for books and supplies.
Since her class meets twice a week for 1 1/2 hours per session for one semester (15 weeks), Paula must calculate the cost of a baby-sitter for her children above and beyond the money she devotes to tuition and supplies. At $5 per hour, this figure will total $225.
By taking this course over the Information Highway, Paula will realize substantial savings. The cost of tuition ($155), supplies ($100), and associated expenses ($225) will remain the same. However, the distance from Paula’s home to Coastal Carolina Community College is only 10 miles, a round trip that she can make in less than an hour. During the semester, therefore, she can cut her travel to 600 miles and 30 hours on the road at an added cost of only $330, a figure that is far more attractive and cost-effective.Value to Paula: 3,000 fewer miles of driving, 60 hours less driving time, and $1,290 in direct savings. This figure represents savings only for one course. It places no value on indirect benefits such as increased safety, lower stress, or the additional quality time Paula can devote to her family.
While this example is fictitious, the educational opportunity it describes is not. In the spring of 1996, the UNCW School of Nursing offered Nursing 215 and 216 via the Information Highway to Coastal Carolina Community College (Jacksonville) and Southeastern Community College (Whiteville). Nursing 215 met once a week on Tuesday afternoons from 3:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Total enrollment was several dozen, including students who are quite close to the theoretical profile created here.Take class at university location:
| Tuition | $85 per credit hour | $ 155.00 |
| Books | 100.00 | |
| Travel | $0.30 per mile x 3,900 miles | 1,170.00 |
| Baby Sitter | 90 hours | 450.00 |
| Total | $1,875.00 |
Take class at NCIH site 4 miles from her home:
| Tuition | $85 per credit hour | $ 155.00 |
| Books | 100.00 | |
| Travel | $0.30 per mile x 600 miles | 180.00 |
| Baby Sitter | 5 hours per week at $5 per hour | 150.00 |
| Total | $ 585.00 |
This is a savings of $1,290 for Paula to take this course.
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