Oregon Update

My schedule does not permit me to post very often, but here is a brief update on diploma mill issues from Oregon.

Kennedy-Western legal case - in settlement negotiations.

Religious exempt degrees - Our law has been somewhat in limbo owing to a conflict of laws. We expect the legislature to look at the issue and we have been working with the religious schools to come up with a reasonable approach (similar to pre-2001 law).

Labels - It is likely that the commission will change our school-labeling rules so that there is no formal use of the terms "diploma mill" or "substandard institution" after this fall. That labeling system has not worked well and did not really add to useful knowledge.

Berne U. - we hear that former Berne U VP Chuck Knisley won his lawsuit against the entity a few days back and got some swag, too. We have no details but I suspect that someone who checks the New Hampshire court system could find them. We hear that he wants to talk about Berne to feds etc. now that case is over.

Degree use essay - my essay on the limited value and overuse of degrees will be in the Chronicle of Higher Education Review, probably in early November.

Other states - Michigan legislature will consider a diploma mill law in the coming year, as will Nevada, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia. Might be others, those are the ones we have heard of.

Preston U - we just heard from a media person that Preston U of Wyoming may be taking state officials on a junket to their various tropical sites this month. Don't know if that is true but if so I surmise that we'll see stories.

 

settlement negotiations with KW

With Kennedy Western.

Does it means that the State of Oregon is considering a settlement ?

It is a very interesting and important info.

Thank you for explaining it.

Regards and good luck to you.

 

KW asked for a settlement discussion and the Oregon Department of Justice is now doing that. Standard procedure and we don't know if anything will come of it.

 

The Berne/Knisely dispute was discussed here: http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?postid=115705

Perhaps we can get the deleted posts back now?

 

No! No! NO!

You musn't settle or you'll be payimg danegeld until they shut down the ODA!

 

Hmmm... Since K-W brought the suit and they are the ones asking to settle it, is it reasonable to assume the ODA has a pretty good position?

 

I wouldn't draw that conclusion. In fact, it may be just the opposite. K-W could "settle" the matter by simply dropping the case. IMHO, this is a case K-W can win if they're willing to spend the time and money.

 

David Boyd:

Do you really think so? I defer to your experience in the field but I personaly think Oregon would succeed.

 

I rather suspect that any settlement would be along the lines of: K-W would agree to make some changes in advertising/curriculum/whatever, and in return, Oregon would agree to not drag them away in chains.

 

As there ar refernce to the pre-2001 law somewhere, or can somone summarise the main points please?

 

Chains! I demand chains!

 

Nosborne

Oregon law enforcement is famous for the "Oregon boot". It is basically handcuffs for the legs. That'll slow those degree mills down!

 

So is ODA changing it's policy?

Why would the ODA consider not calling Kennedy Western University a diploma mill?

Do they not stand by their actions?

Interesting. When do we get the facts of the settlement?

Do you still maintain Kennedy Western are a scam?

 

Re: So is ODA changing it's policy?

I am not sure Kennedy Western can be called a scam, but university does not fit well in the description at all. The ODA probably should not have categorized any schools, and I suspect that KWU and others will just remain to be on the illegal list in Oregon. KWU could have paid the $250 or $400 or whatever it is to apply for approval in Oregon, but they did not, I wonder why? KWU resides in California but has an agreement with the attorney generals of CA and OR not to accept students from these states because they will not apply for approval. Why? In California where KWU is located there are approved colleges with degrees in Chinese herbal medicine, but KWU moved its license to grant degrees to WY instead of becoming approved in California, why? I think we all know the reason is because KWU is no where near meeting the minimum standards of a university.

 

Unconstitutional

Kennedy Western should not be forced to pay anything to the ODA.

The ODA is unconstitutional.

When a school or individual has the courage to challenge this legally in a courtroom, the ODA will fall to bits under scrutiny.

Is this the reason why the are coming to a settlement with Kennedy Western University? If K-W are really illegal as the ODA suggested, there would be no negociations would there?

 

Fred, Fred, Fred

(Shaking head)

You did read the Florida decision that States have the consitutional right to regulate and prohibit unaccredited schools didn't you? The reason the Florida law didn't stand is that it was too vague.

You do realize it was K-W, not the ODA, that asked to settle?

You do realize that in the U.S. the states have right to regulate and control education?

You do realize that K-W, in their suit, admits their students are trying to use these "degrees" in Oregon in violation of the laws and regulations of the State of Oregon?

P.S. If you are going to continue with British charade you should throw in a few British idioms such as lift, petro, etc. Heck, maybe try the phrase "Bobs your Uncle"?

 

"'The reason the Florida law didn't stand is that it was too vague."

And you think the Oregon standards are clear?

 

This is not an entirely accurate assessment of the situation. The Florida law (Florida statute 817.567) was struck down as unconstitutional, in large part, due to the historical antagonism and opposition between the state’s legislature and judiciary. One does not has to look farther than the 2000 election for an example of this. State legislators don’t feel compelled to rewrite the law (it’s still on the books as originally written) because they believe the wording is constitutional and the judiciary is trying to legislate from the bench. Moreover, despite my best efforts, the truth is that there aren’t large amounts of money or lobbyists pressing the issue.

 

Hi Randy

Yes, I think the Oregon law is well written and the ODA has done a good job of enforcing reasonable standards. I would like to see the Federal government spend a little time scrutinizing K-W. They certainly are deserving of it.

 

ODA is a joke

Dave,

Yes, the US states have a right to control education, of course they do. That is within the US Constitution.

The ODA violates it. I have seen no evidence that Kennedy Western UNIVERSITY (which is what it is) asked for the settlement, apart from what Contreras said.

I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.