The Office of Higher Education (OHE) in Minnesota has reconsidered a controversial banning access to the online education program Coursera to residents within the state.
A policy analyst from the OHE stated that Minnesota originally enacted the ban because of the enforcement of a longstanding law “requiring colleges to get the government’s permission to offer instruction within its borders.” Concerns have been expressed, however, that the ban was unenforceable, and that the law itself is outdated.
Coursera was founded by Stanford computer science professors Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng. The company’s website states that Coursera offers “(world class) courses available online, for free.” It is currently partnered with 33 world renowned universities.
A statement by OHE Director Larry Pogemiller on Friday indicated a possible reconsideration of the ban. He commented that he saw “no reason for our office to require registration of free, not-for-credit offerings.”
With files from Slate and Coursera.com
