Members of the two Associations hold a substantial portion of the station affiliations in both Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio. In television, they constitute about one-third of the total station membership

of PBS.

Members of the two Associations are also active in other distribution

technologies. Closed circuit television systems are common.

NASULGC

AASCU

66.9%

58.1%

A surprisingly large number of colleges and universities surveyed operate Instructional Television Fixed Service systems (ITFS, and sometimes called 2500 mghz systems).

In addition to questions on specific technologies, the colleges and universities of the two Associations were asked to identify other telecommunication facilities which they operate. Review of the responses from both Associations indicated that the institutions operate, for the most part, the standard telecommunication equipment in specific or unique ways dependent on the needs

of the individual institution.

INSTRUCTIONAL USES OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

Almost all of the institutions of the two Associations indicated that they provided telecommunication facilities for instructional media services for faculty and staff.

Most of the institutions use their telecommunications facilities to provide some instruction for the adult public.

The range of the instructional offerings included credit courses, noncredit courses, and courses that could be used for acquisition of continuing education units (CEU's). The CEU is a measure of participation in continuing education, especially in the professions and occupations.

In addition, many of the institutions also indicated that the instruction is used as a part of an open learning and/or external degree program offered by the institution.

Instructional materials, including televised courses that are produced

by outside agencies or institutions, were reported to be widely used by the members of both institutions.

In addition to use of their own telecommunications facilities, the member institutions use outside distribution technologies. A majority of the institutions produce educational programs for other broadcasting stations.

Radio and television stations appear to be the most widely used media

Cable television (CATV) is also widely used for distribution of educa

Despite the already heavy commitment to telecommunications, the member institutions of NASULGC and AASCU stated plans for both expansion and initiation of facilities. Institutions which now operate telecommunications facilities were asked if they plan to expand these facilities.

The percentage of positive responses by classification of telecommunication facilities were:

Examples of other telecommunications expansion were requested. Responses, however, indicated that the above facilities were planned to be applied in specific situations.

Many of those institutions which had stated that they are not now involved

in telecommunications systems indicated plans to move into the field.

The number of positive responses by classification of facilities were:

Anticipating the further development and expansion of new telecommunications facilities and systems such as satellite distribution and video disc and microprocessor technologies, the survey also included a question for the future: Does your institution plan to become active in the use of newly developed telecommunication systems or resources? The vast majority of the respondents said yes.