January 28, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- Western Kentucky University has the highest number of enrollments for Kentucky Virtual University's spring semester.

As of Jan. 14, the Virtual University had 1,822 registrations in 147 courses. Western has about 500 registrations in Internet courses with about 400 in 34 KVU courses offered by Western, according to Beth Laves, coordinator of Distributed Learning.

KVU, a program that provides access to postsecondary education via the Internet, began last fall with 258 students enrolled in 26 courses statewide.

Response from WKU faculty and students has been positive, Laves said, adding that growth in Internet instruction should continue.

"Students are also enthusiastic about having flexibility with their weekly schedules, being able to work or take care of families and being able work on their degrees," she said. "In the coming semesters, we hope to reach more students who would not normally be able to take college courses."

KVU's 1,822 registrations this spring represent more than 1,500 students from 116 Kentucky counties, 17 states and four countries.