New Network Program
Started at SHSU

NETnet (Northeast Texas Consortium) provides numerous services for students, faculty and staff at Sam Houston State University. According to Craig Schlicher, a program analyst at SHSU, those interested in live communication with individuals at the 14 other participating universities can now do so.

The broadband system built by SBC DataCom, a division of SBC Communications, has the potential to allow students to take online courses with streaming Web capabilities and video-teleconferences from satellite locations.

James Van Roekel, director of Academic Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, said SHSU is still in the process of testing the system.

In mid-November, a test run took place when a Society of Success and Leadership presentation sponsored by the Department of Student Activities was broadcast back to the network hub at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler. It was then submitted back to Sam Houston using the network. The process was a success.

Kevin Roper, director of Netnet, said the state-owned system was created with $14 million in legislative appropriations, along with grants that enabled public schools and health care partners to participate.

"There's a huge population over a wide geographic area," he said. "Before NETnet, there really was no linkage to bridge the geographic gap, leaving them rurally isolated and educationally underserved in some areas.

"Is there any reason why citizens of Huntsville should have to leave the area and leave their current jobs to go somewhere else to get training in a particular field? I think not," Roper added.

The network was recommended in a 1994 survey by the National Center for Higher Education Management. The survey was commissioned by state senator Bill Ratliff (now acting Lt. Gov.) and a committee that included university leaders.

For more information or to set up a time to use NETnet, call Schlicher at 936.294.4942. NETnet includes a region bound by Paris, Athens, Marshall and Huntsville.

The following are the East Texas participating universities: The participating East Texas universities are: Angelina College; Kilgore College; Northeast Texas Community College; Panola College; Sam Houston State University; Texarkana College; Texas A&M- Commerce; Texas A&M- Texarkana; Texas State Technical College; Stephen F. Austin State University; Trinity Valley Community College; Tyler Junior College; The University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler.

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SHSU Media Contact: Brandon Autrey
Nov. 25, 2002
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