Contreras admits error, to correct Oregon “illegal” list

As of the date of this post West Coast University is still included on the list of schools whose degrees are “illegal” for use in the state of Oregon.

The original West Coast University was WASC accredited, but ceased business around 1997. It had some 30,000 grads and its original website is still online, presumably for the benefit of alums. Among those alumni is current OPIC president Dr. Peter S. Watson, a Bush appointee who earned his MBA in International Relations from the original WCU.

The new West Coast University is ACICS accredited. According to the CHEA database, they have been so accredited at least since September 30, 2003.

Wondering if perhaps there was some other school with the same name, I checked with Mr. Contreras. On May 5, 2004, he replied, “I checked the ACICS online list and found West Coast. I asked ACICS for the date on which West Coast was accredited. Assuming that they confirm the accreditation we will remove the school.”

To his credit, Mr. Contreras is accessible and amenable to correcting an obvious error. But this incident does demonstrate how spurious the entire Oregon “illegal” list is. The inclusion of West Coast University on this list protects no one and harms more than just a few innocents. It’s a classic example of government run amok, to no good end. One also has to wonder if there weren’t some political reasons for including WCU in the first place.

 

Redlyne Racer: "...this incident does demonstrate how spurious the entire Oregon “illegal” list is. . . a classic example of government run amok, to no good end.

John: One small and promptly corrected error proves the Oregon list is "spurious"? I guess my word for it would be "invaluable." I'm very pleased that Alan Contreras is getting the national attention he deserves, speaking at last January's "diploma mill summit" in Washington, and again next week at Senator Collins' public hearings.

John Bear

"I'm going to err on the side of civility." --Bruce-the-Moderator

 

Bah. I hate con men.

The difficulty here is that there are several instutions with the "West Coast University" moniker. There's the school that closed in 1997, and the new one in LA that picked up the name. And then there's this one, discussed by Redlyne Racer recently: http://www.westcoastuniversity-edu.com/

I have emailed Mr. Contreras suggesting that he keep West Coast University on his list, but with a note that the illegal one is the one supposedly in Panama.

 

I suppose "small" and "promptly" are relative terms. In my view falsely labeling some 30,000 legit diplomas as illegal is not small. Likewise, neglecting to notice national accreditation at least 8 months after the fact is not prompt. It can be checked on the CHEA website in less than a minute. Maybe if Mr. Contreras wasn't so busy taking bows he would have had the time.

 

His response to you was prompt.

Why do you assume that 30,000 people with legit diplomas have been harmed when the truth of the matter is that perhaps the only real impact has been that some people might have been saved from harm by the unaccredited institution with the same name?

 

There WAS a West Coast University in Los Angeles many years ago that was closed by the state of California, and one or two of the principals went to prison. I'm sure West Coast University has been a popular name for a while.

 

Hi

I am one Oregonian proud of the job Alan is doing in Salem. It is nice to see tax dollars well spent.

 

Could you please provide more info on this claim? I work with several degree holders from WCU and also a couple of former WCU adjunct faculty and my understanding from them is that cost of running school became prohibitive.
My former company was even going to build them a campus building with the deal being that the company be alowed to use the building for meetings during daytime hours.

 

This was the one at Venice and Western in L.A. The shopping center that is there was the site of the building that burned down on TV in the Rodney King riots. My uncle, Ralph Hemphill was the one who went to the slammer (for fraud, I believe.) I was 9 or 10 at the time. The current incarnation of THAT West Coast University, under new ownership, is Hemphill Schools, which is operated as a state licensed trade school. I believe they are on Wilshire and specialize in Spanish Language trade training. Here is a link: http://www.hemphillschools.com/

 

The infamous Contraras list has been discussed here at some length and there in little doubt that the majority at DegreeInfo (and at other channels) agree that the list is full of errors, is seriously flawed in its philosopy, does not stand up to any serious scrutiny and has little meaningful value. Without spending any great amount of time on the list I found three glaring errors - I pointed these out to Mr Contraras, but he chose to ignore them.
The fact that I recently gained membership of one of the UK's most prestigious Royal Chartered institutions on the strength of my Knightsbridge University degree is another example of a serious flaw in the ODA list. It would be naive of anyone to believe that this particular institution were not aware of Knightsbridge and the status of its degrees. But then I find the ODA list is naive - and very poorly researched.
Dr Anatidae (Knightsbridge)

 

Dear Mr. Hayes

Maybe if you spelled his name correctly, he'd pay attention to your rants.

Yours sincerely,

John Bear

 

Why don't you list these "errors"? My guess is Alan has it right and you have it wrong. From what I have seen his list is getting greater and greater use because of what a great job he does. As for your prestigous membership, is this the one you are afraid to list because you probably know you will be dropped when they get additional info about your "degree"? Again hat off to Alan from one Oregon tax payer. Keep up the great work!

 

Perhaps it would be best for you to might elaborate on the three glaring errors here, since you've previously mentioned that DegreeInfo somehow controls what Mr. Contreras puts in his list?

 

I'd suggest that the three of you who responded to my post come down from whatever ivory tower you are up and look a little more closely, and honestly, at the ODA list. You might also care to look at what experts on other DL forums have to say about it. You
might learn something!?
Dr Anatidae (Knightsbridge)

 

Were this true, it would truly be interesting. But you saying it doesn't make it so. You can claim it all you want, but it isn't evidence of anything if no one else can follow up to see for themselves.

You've stated elsewhere that you don't want to reveal the actual society because someone--or people--from this board will contact them. Yet you say here that you're confident the society is "aware of Knightsbridge and the status of its degrees." Why hide it, then? Perhaps it isn't true? We don't know, and you're telling the usual half-truths in the matter.

It is simpler to dismiss your claim than it is to verify it. Logic demands it be dismissed. Even someone with two fake Ph.D.'s should understand that what you offer doesn't rise to the level of support for your contention. It isn't an "example" of anything until you actually make it clear what you're claiming. Otherwise, making this claim, and then saying it somehow proves something--is just stupid.

 

You're the one who says there are three serious flaws. You name them. Otherwise, they don't exist, just like your two fake Ph.D.'s and your secret club.

Why didn't you take your work to a recognized university instead of TC&U and Knightsbridge? And why haven't you ever answered that?

 

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Neil, the issue was that you claimed that there were "three glaring errors" in the ODA list. I simply suggested that instead of your usual half statements and innuendos, you simply explain what these three glaring errors were. I didn't say that there weren't any errors. I simply asked you to complete your accusation so that it could be understood what you meant.

For example, perhaps you were meaning to attack the ODA because you felt that no unaccredited programs should accepted in Oregon as legal and you didn't like three of the institutions on the ODA list of acceptable unaccredited schools.


P.S. Welcome back from your Europe trip.

 

eerrr...excuse me... isn't there something in the Terms of service about staying on topic?

Alan Contreras' list probably has errors and omissions that nobody has found yet. The obvious solution is to point them out, and see how long it takes to rectify any problems. If he doesn't fix them, he would then be fair game for criticism.
I'm waiting to see how this list survives any legal challenges. Didn't Florida go through this a couple of years back? Seems like the ACLU Lawyers had a field day, I hope Mr. Contreras has covered his bases better.