Online education is one of the fastest growing strategic groups today. Universities are seeing an increased demand for online classes over the traditional classroom setting. ⁽¹⁾  While this shift in education delivery is taking place, most universities are not utilizing available technology to its fullest potential.  These issues are not limited to the education realm; businesses are finding it difficult to implement the “right” solution for remote training and communication.  Studies show that student enrollment in distance learning programs, nationwide, continues to grow at a rapid pace each year. Currently, more than 25% of higher education students are taking distance learning courses. ⁽¹⁾ However, the retention rate is troubling. Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported, in 2001, that dropout rates can be as high as 80% in some cases. ⁽²⁾  This should be considered an extreme case, but the evidence certainly suggests that online learning is plagued by much higher dropout rates than traditional classroom enrollment. Our goal is to recommend a real-time interactive easy-to-use distance learning environment that will enhance the system currently being used at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU).  This can be accomplished by adding real-time videoconferencing to online learning through the use of telepresence.  Telepresence is a collection or set of technologies that gives the user the ability to attend a remote location by providing them with tools that help them interact in real-time. Therefore, we recommend the Worldwide Interactive Collaborative University system (WiCU, pronounced “we see you”).  This system will have all of the benefits of face-to-face communication in whichever setting is convenient for you: home, work, or while traveling.  It will give students the ability to log in using their computers or other mobile devices, allowing them to fully participate in an instructional session with the professor and interact with fellow students, no matter where they are located, whether locally, nationally or internationally.    A 2007 study on the efficiency of learning during “e-Lectures” noted very important findings.  First, it was noted that “cohesiveness between the live lectures and students’ successful performance can be enhanced by increasing teacher-student dialogue during the lecture.” ⁽³⁾  Considering that student-teacher dialogue is one primary area where WiCU looks to have a significant impact, it is reasonable to expect an increase in student performance.  Another significant note from the same 2007 study was that “when viewing an e-lecture, there is always the risk that learners may miss some critical point or not process information effectively.” ⁽³⁾  Again, the WiCU approach would allow extra emphasis on critical points in the real-time interactive setting.  Finally, the study found that student satisfaction was greatly diminished because of communication delays between student and teacher. After researching currently available technology, we found that off-the-shelf instructor-apprentice interface software did not offer the full complement of tools we believe are essential in a fully interactive easy-to-use system.  Therefore, we have recommended the WiCU system, which will run with off-the-shelf hardware manufactured by TANDBERG.  The WiCU software (or interface) is what instructors will use to manage the online class and students will see it when connected to the class.  It will have to be developed to the recommended specifications.  The software can be operated from a classroom within SPSU (we will call the WiCU Center) as well as off campus.