Change is inevitable, but sometimes unexplainable

In a case of "there's more here than meets the eye", it appears UT is determining a different direction for system support of distance education.  I'm neither connected enough, nor smart enough, to pretend to understand the full situation.  But I do have a solid understanding of the historic contribution made to higher education by the UT TeleCampus.  As I've commented in several other venues and forums, the TeleCampus has made groundbreaking in their impact on education.  Notice I did not say distance education - I say higher education in general has been transformed and moved as a result of the TeleCampus and their work.  For that, we all owe a great debt and should not let this organization slip quietly into the darkness without celebrating her success and achievements.

U. of Texas System Plans to Close Its Central Distance-Education Arm - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

"The decision has been made to cease the operation of the UT system administration TeleCampus, yes. And the reason for that primarily is because the sophistication of distance-education courses at the various UT institutions has really matured and grown over the last 12 years since the TeleCampus was created."

He added, "Their mission is completed and has been successful. ... There's no need for the current structure of the TeleCampus and what it currently offers with regard to services to the campuses."

Twenty-three employees will be laid off, said Mr. de Bruyn. They will be eligible to apply for work in a new, smaller office, he said. As the news release described it, that new office will support "campus efforts by serving as a central clearinghouse for innovations, implementing start-up programs, and assisting with distance-education marketing and recruitment efforts."