New technologies that make it possible for universities to reach larger numbers of people may soon call into question the need for the 3,600 traditional university campuses in the U.S., said TC President Arthur Levine at a conference sponsored by online learning company Blackboard.

The use of virtual reality, said Levine, will mean that the "talking heads" of traditional pedagogy won't stand a chance against a virtual walk around fifth century Athens or the Washington, D.C., in which Abraham Lincoln lived.

"On most of our campuses this is a very scary moment," Levine said. "For us as a group, it's a time at which the answers are uncertain, but no generation will have the opportunity we have to put our mark on the look of education in the future."

The article, entitled "Web May Undermine Universities, Says College Pres" appeared in the March 21st edition of The Standard.

Published Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2001