Students take classes on computer campus

Thanks to the Internet, Southeast Missouri State University has joined the ranks of universities offering classes by computer. This semester, five students are taking a full load without being on the Cape Girardeau campus.

Several classes are offered online. Faculty members say the communication back and forth is good.

But not every student or faculty member finds the electronic classroom to be as good a learning experience as being in a real classroom. Some students complain about computer crashes and time-consuming hassles dealing with online instructions and tests.

Perhaps students may someday get a degree without ever being on campus. They may be good candidates for jobs that allow telecommuting.

This is not your father's -- or your mother's -- university anymore.