To Mr Alan Contreras

Dear Mr Alan C,

First of all I take my hat off to you and what your office is trying to achieve, however I would very much like to you to explain what criteria/methodology you have used in determining the Fairfax University? You have listed the Fairfax University as a “Diploma Mill” without any explanations on the ODA website where as other well known for Diploma Mills, example; Trinity College & University, SRU, etc, etc you have given some form of explanation.

I am wondering where the fairness is in your listing of Fairfax University as a Diploma Mill and if I understand the meaning of diploma mill as defined by you on the ODA website "Diploma mill" or "degree mill" means an unaccredited school that meets any one of the following conditions. (a) Issues degrees without requiring any student academic work. (b) Issues degrees based solely on the student's life experience or portfolio without requiring any college-level work submitted to and evaluated by faculty with appropriate academic degrees from standard institutions. (c) Issues degrees using more than 50 percent of required credits based on the student's life experience or portfolio”

Yes I agree that Fairfax University is unaccredited, now can you prove that the conditions of above a, b and c hold true in the case of Fairfax University? I certainly can’t and I don’t think you or your office can.

I am proud to say that completing my B.A in Management Studies with Fairfax University and I think I have one of the top class Supervisors’ (Stephen Manah PhD University of Lancaster and Faculty members American Intercontinental University (London Campus) with major expertise and interests in business studies and economics) Please see the Fairfax Faculty information.

If Fairfax University was Diploma Mills, I would not have to spend 15-18 months on my B.A degree, as I would had it within 72 hours of paying a free. Yes I got 81 credits towards my B.A. that it’s because I have an Undergrad degree in Management and Finance from Massey University of New Zealand (www.massey.ac.nz)

Also in if you, when you have time, go through the Fairfax University’s list of faculty members and you would notices there is only one faculty member with a Fairfax PhD, and now compare this list with say Century University, or CCWU or with any other unaccredited university and in most certainly you will find that more then the half of the faculty on those institutions will be holding degrees from those institutions.

I am surprised and dismayed that a person of your calibre would list Fairfax University as a Straight “Diploma Mill” without any explanations. I would also like to ask you, how so called by you a Diploma Mill institution was able to purse-way Lord Perry Walton to be the Chancellor of the Fairfax University until his death?. Now you, I and the rest of the world knows the credentials, reputation and an academic status of the late Lord Perry Walton.

Finally, I would very much doubt if Dr, John Bear is still part of the Fairfax, that you Mr. AlanC, would ever call Fairfax University a “Diploma Mill”!!!!

So with all do respect Sir, I think you would need to do more research in order to provide a meaningful and unbiased report into each institution, before listing them into different classes.

Thanking you

Migara Kaluwila

Ps. Other fellow members please provide your input as well

 

If Fairfax would like to have its degrees considered valid in Oregon, all that they have to do is apply, pay a small fee, and go through a relatively painless process.

Perhaps you should ask Fairfax why they have not done so. Clearly other unaccredited schools have gone through the process and survived.



Tom Nixon

 

Perhaps that answers part of your question. Note that John Bear is not involved with Fairfax and hasn't been for a very long time. I wonder what he knows that, perhaps, you don't.



Tom Nixon

 

My brief Fairfax involvement ended in 1986 before the first student enrolled.

When the proprietor of Fairfax, then and now, Alan Jones, sued my wife and me a couple of years later, it was both annoying and quite expensive.*

Be that as it may, I have never seen any evidence of academic chicanery with regard to Fairfax, and I, too, was impressed by the fact of Lord Perry lending his name to the operation.

If I were involved, I would instantly invest the $250 and go through the Oregon process.

John Bear
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* And what was that all about, I hear you asking? Alan Jones and his then-partner Malcolm Large had been the UK representatives for Columbia Pacific. Jones and Large sued Columbia Pacific regarding alleged underpaid commissions, and Columbia Pacific thereupon sued Jones and Large for alleged overpaid commissions. And then Jones & Large filed a 3rd party lawsuit against Marina and me, in effect making us a party to their suit, against our wishes.

When it finally got to court in New Orleans a couple of years later, the judge took about 15 seconds to dismiss the 3rd party suit, and eventually delivered quite a lecture about how "these two diploma mills" are wasting the time of the court by suing each other, and he declared it was a draw, no one to pay anything.

 

Hi Migara,

Why would you pursue an unaccredited BA in Management when you already have an undergraduate management degree from Massey? I find this rather odd.

Cheers,

George

 

Hello George,

My Massey Degree is Finance Manjor and Management Minor.

Was curious as to how Fairfax program was structured and I had a friend who completed his Education degree at Fairfax and was full of praises, hence I applied. But they wanted to see my Massey University Transcript (but at the time I had not completed my BBS) and I forwarded and within two weeks I got accepted to the B.A in Management and I did not had to pay full fees either, which was a bonus.

Migara

 

I too would be interested to hear what Alan Contreras might have to offer but would not fault him in the least if he decided not to respond due to the KWU lawsuit.

I would like to say though that in general many people have come here and argued that they have done the full measure of work for a standard degree even though they were claiming a degree from a degree mill. I have a tendency to believe them. What defines a degree mill though is not how much work a few individuals have done to get their degree from the institution. What really defines a degree mill is how little work is requred for many of the graduates. I'm not saying that Fairfax University falls into that category but since it is unaccredited I think that there's a reasonable possibility that it might fall into that category.

Now perhaps Migara, you have greater insight than could be gained by just one graduate. So that you actually know what the minimal graduate requirements from Fairfax actually are. If so, I'd be interested in hearing what information that you have to offer.

 

Hello Bill,

I would be more than happy: for my B.A I have to complete 19 research papers into Management.

These 19 papers need to fall into:

•Introduction to Management.
•Contemporary Management.
•Project Management.
•Change Management.
•Service Management.
•Operations Management.
•Business Performance Analysis.
•Introduction to Strategic Management.
•Risk Management
•Aspects of Public Management
•International Business

and one special topic of my choice.

Migara

 

Are the papers listed above the entire requirement for a Bachelor of Arts degree?

Tony Pina
Northeastern Illinois University

 

Those are papers I selected for my Management Degree, in additional there is a mini major research report of 15000 words or a choice of selecting 4 other papers...


Migara

 

I read through a large percentage of the web site. It sounds like an interesting program but I have the following concerns.

From their own web site it appears that Fairfax has bounced around to more jurisdictions than even Kennedy-Western University. This is a generally a strong sign of a degree mill trying to evade prosecution.

They operate out of LA but claim degree granting authority from else where. This is a sign of potentially a degree mill trying to evade prosecution. As a matter of fact there is wording on the web site that indicates that is exactly what is going on. (which indicates a degree of honesty which I appreciated)

I have concerns with the single fee and the relationship with a single instructor/mentor. This would seem to indicate the following for the instructor: would have to be a specialist in all areas, paid a lump sum based on student payment, would be encouraged to let inferior work slide by to reduce own work, the experience would possibly differ tremendously based on instructor.

The instructors/mentors are not listed on the web site so I have no way of evaluating their credentials.

I can't seem to locate graduation requirements for their programs. They list the degrees offered just like a degree mill, i.e., only generic degree titles listed not by major.

With the current information, I have no way to evaluate what 19 papers actually means as far as work goes. This could mean a few days worth of work to many years worth of work. If I was an employer I have no way of evaluating the value of the degree (since FU is not accredited). Actually this goes to heart of your question to Alan only reverse it. How can FU show the work required in order to earn a degree from FU?

From your description, it seems that a student might chose 19 papers on introduction? Are there further previously unmentioned restrictions?

P.S. from my last post, "Now perhaps Migara, you have greater insight than could be gained by just one graduate. So that you actually know what the minimal graduate requirements from Fairfax actually are. If so, I'd be interested in hearing what information that you have to offer." on that specific question, if anything. In other words do you know that you are the exception or the rule at FU?

 

It is interesting how Mr. Alan C still havent responded to this message, but had time to start a new thread Regarding Oregon approval of foreign degrees.

I wonder why He does'nt respond!!!!


Ps. Bill I will reply to you later for your last post

 

I think it is obvious that he hasn't responded simply because the lawyers representing Oregon in the lawsuit filed by KWU told him not to discuss anything related to KWU. The ODA listed KWU as a degree mill so he can't discuss how institutions are evaluated as being a degree mill. (Of course this is all my own guessing but it does seem obvious to me.)

 

Bill,
I wasn't asking Mr. Alan C, about KWU, I was asking about the Fairfax Uni and his reason for listing it as a Diploma Mill with out any comments, etc, etc.

But I can understand his reservations.

Migara

 

Hello These are my reponses to your issues.

Bill:
I read through a large percentage of the web site. It sounds like an interesting program but I have the following concerns.

Migara:
Yes, in fact it’s very interesting and very much appealing, hence why I decided to pursue an undergrad with Fairfax Uni. Don’t we all have different concerns no matter what University we are attending or intending to attend.

Bill:
From their own web site it appears that Fairfax has bounced around to more jurisdictions than even Kennedy-Western University. This is a generally a strong sign of a degree mill trying to evade prosecution.

Migara:
I am not sure, how best to answer to that, but what I can say is: isn’t the original Fairfax Uni in 1986 was established in Louisiana? I think it’s good to look into different different jurisdictions, and try to obtain formal recognition/approval or accreditation. Do you know if anyone has filled a prosecution order against Fairfax for non compliance or what ever other requirements needed to run as a degree granting institution? Isn’t current Fairfax still operates in the same state from its interception?


Bill:
They operate out of LA but claim degree granting authority from else where. This is a sign of potentially a degree mill trying to evade prosecution. As a matter of fact there is wording on the web site that indicates that is exactly what is going on. (which indicates a degree of honesty which I appreciated)

Migara:
Bill do you mean L.A as in Los Angeles? Or Louisiana? I am not sure where you got that idea, of they are trying to evade prosecution.


Bill:
I have concerns with the single fee and the relationship with a single instructor/mentor. This would seem to indicate the following for the instructor: would have to be a specialist in all areas, paid a lump sum based on student payment, would be encouraged to let inferior work slide by to reduce own work, the experience would possibly differ tremendously based on instructor.

Migara:
I think personally it’s good to have one instructor/mentor for each student relationship. Once I have completed my program with my supervisor, then it will be sent to an external examiner to evaluate and once the external examiner is satisfied, then all my work be review by the F.U’s Academic Review Committee before signing off to allow me to graduate.
I am also in favour of having one set fee for tuition. I think by charging by the Cr. Hr, is one of the worst ways to rip a student off financially. Even in New Zealand some universities and Technical institutions use this Set Fee approach. I think most commonwealth nations use it.


Bill:
The instructors/mentors are not listed on the web site so I have no way of evaluating their credentials.

Migara:
Under the Faculty you will see all their credentials and interested areas. May be you missed that page in the website.


Bill:
I can't seem to locate graduation requirements for their programs. They list the degrees offered just like a degree mill, i.e., only generic degree titles listed not by major.

Migara:
Bill I think I have answer to this in the above.

Bill:
With the current information, I have no way to evaluate what 19 papers actually means as far as work goes. This could mean a few days worth of work to many years worth of work. If I was an employer I have no way of evaluating the value of the degree (since FU is not accredited). Actually this goes to heart of your question to Alan only reverse it. How can FU show the work required in order to earn a degree from FU?

Migara:
Very interesting point Bill, I will come back to you on this one I have gone through material sent by F.U, covering all the requirements. Hold that thought!!!!

Bill:
From your description, it seems that a student might chose 19 papers on introduction? Are there further previously unmentioned restrictions?

Migara:
Before F.U. appoints a supervisor, I had to draft: object, aims, goals of my B.A program, in which I had to address my study plan, nature of the study, and kind of research, quantitative or qualitative and so forth. (it was more like proposal).
What is interesting was the approach to encourage students more into research based studies rather than course based (i.e. paper by paper).
In Australia, most universities are using this dual approach, giving the students the option to undertake a degree by course based or completely research based.
Once I had all my drafts, were evaluated by the Academic Review Committee, they appoints a suitable supervisor to work with me.

I hope above makes sense to you Bill.

Migara

 

Reply

ABSOLUTELY! They should have a committee to review whether Fairfax is a good school or not. Heck, $250 is not much if they are above board.

Alan, my hats off to you for the fine job you do!

 

I was speaking generally. Bouncing from jurisdiction to jurisdiction to avoid prosecution is a very typical modus operandi for degree mills. It is very rare amongst bona fide schools. This is also the reason for operating from one jurisdiction and having a mail address or claiming degree granting authority from a different address. This is probably an even more incriminating degree mill M.O.. FU switched jurisdictions to avoid prosecution and being closed down. This is the obvious explanation and something that they even admitted to on their site. Of course they put it a little differently though.

In LA I understand the current law to say that the school must be pursuing accreditation if they are unaccredited. So they cannot operate legally from LA.

Louisiana

Sorry, I don't know how I missed it last night. It is actually the page on the whole website that was most impressive to me.

What I wanted to see was a description on the website. What many degree mills do is to tailor the required work based on what the "student" expects. I'm not saying that Fairfax does this but I would like to see what the graduation requirements are for everyone not just what they were for you. Or if you have some further insight that clearly indicates that you have a more global view than just yourself then please describe it.

I'm looking forward to it.

P.S. I started abbreviating Fairfax University as FU. It just dawned on me that perhaps I should stop doing that to avoid misunderstanding.

 

To Migara, Still Waiting

A friendly little bump to the thread before it drops off the list.

How can the ODA, potential employers, or I know that Fairfax has real graduation requirements that are at least 50% of the standard requirements? (That is the legal cut off by Oregon law that defines a degree mill, IIRC.) I believe that this question goes to the heart of your reason for starting this thread.

 

Bill,

If I read correctly the info on graduation requirements of Fairfax University:
1) Have completed all the requirements on the Study Plan.
2) Satisfactorily passing of all the papers.
3) Full and Final sign off by the Supervior.
4) Full and Final sign off by the external Examiner
5) Full and Final Sign off by the Academic review Committee.

In anycase, if a student deemed to have below par of any of the above, the he/she can redo the required to bring to the level accepted by the external examiner.

Also need to complete
Final Assessments:
At the end of the program you may be asked to respond in writing to several short questions on topics raised by you in your Study and of interest to the examiners. The questions will seek to get your own further views on the topics selected. If Final Assessments are required, students complete them as soon as possible at the end of the program. The majority of people usually complete and submit this assignment within thirty days.

I assume Bill these answer your question.

Migara

 

Thank you for the post, Migara.

I think the point is that there may not be a knowable answer to my question or your question which started this thread. Doing 19 papers could be a few hours worth of work or a few years worth of work or even a few lifetimes worth of work.

You know how much work you put into your program. I assume that for you it was in the years worth of work. Do you have anyway to tell whether or not many of the degrees passed out by Fairfax involved only a few weeks worth of work? How do you know that Fairfax University is not a degree mill? Unfortunately having a couple examples of people that did a large amount of work and thereby learned a large amount does not mean that Fairfax is not a degree mill. It just might mean that those couple examples did more work than they had to.