The last five years have seen many innovations in our academic offerings, many inspired or driven by new technology capabilities. Indeed, a major development has been the increasing information technology support for the teaching/learning process. Two of the potentially most significant innovations in recent years have been the introduction of electronic distance education through the Virtual University (see Chapter 7) and the creation of a Center for Academic Excellence (see Chapter 4) to provide professional development in improving the teaching/learning process.

State System policy requires that all new academic programs respond to regional need, and the new academic programs listed at the beginning of this chapter were all developed after research documented such need. Additional programs that we are considering developing, in response to regional need, include master's degrees in Business Administration, Chemistry, Health Care Management, and Social Work; a bachelor's degree in Environmental Hazards; and teaching certification in General Science.

We have also adapted our existing curricula to respond to the changing needs of students and employers. Modified programs include major programs in Computer Science, Music, Industrial Technology, Occupational Safety and Hygiene Management, and Special Education; the Actuarial Science option of the Mathematics major; the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology options of the Biology major; and the Athletic Coaching minor.

Millersville has been innovative in attempting to meet the needs of adult learners through its Adult & Continuing Education (ACE) program (see Chapter 9).

Each year every academic department may offer one experimental "topics" course designed to address contemporary issues. The Faculty Senate has agreed that departments may offer one additional experimental topics course via distance education, thus facilitating the piloting of such courses.