Online programs are becoming increasingly popular instructional venue for extending and enriching teaching and learning in higher education. Colleges and universities (large and small) are expanding curriculum and instructional possibilities by using blended courses and even entire blended programs that employ a variety of different virtual learning environments (VLE's) and online tools.Blended courses combine elements of online learning within a more traditional style course. Their presentation will illustrate and examine various approaches to organizing and offering blended courses. Practical examples will be used to illustrate a variety of ways that blended courses support significant administrative, organizational and instructional benefits to substantially improve the quality, efficiency and equity of traditional classroom instruction. The social and educational benefits possible using blended learning include (1) increased student engagement and participation in instructional activities, (2) administrative efficiencies from extending institutional reach to embrace "economies of scale," and (3) enabling more diverse participation in higher education by traditionally disadvantaged minorities.The presentation's format will include a "point-counterpoint" presentation by both presenters illustrating the pros and cons of blended learning from faculty and administrative perspectives, followed by question & answer and a lively discussion with our audience.