In an effort to increase its online enrollments Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of regents has approved a contract with an online vendor.

The Board during its meeting on Friday authorized the University to enter into a contract with Academic Partnerships to develop and deliver a suite of online programs to students. Through the partnership, Northwest will receive assistance with instructional design, marketing, recruiting and retaining students, and offering a portfolio of credentialed faculty to help teach courses as the volume of students increase.

Northwest Provost Dr. Timothy Mottet told the Board the partnership will help Northwest compete at a national level to recruit and retain students for its online graduate programs.

The Board also approved revisions to two policies related to anti-discrimination and free expression and a charter to establish a new staff council.