Legal Recourse against Kennedy Western University

Hello,

Having read so much about Kennedy Western, the accusations and allegations is there ANY legal recourse for students who know realize the trouble they have gotten themselves in?

Outside of filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission is legal recourse a viable option?

Thank you to all who reply, your input is greatly appreciated.

Desiree

 

best to buy some expert advice

Perhaps consider this: assemble documentation about the number of K-W students who might be interested in joining together in some sort of legal challenge, then spend a few hundred dollars to buy consultation time with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about these sorts of things.

If you have used a lawyer for routine matters (wills, real estate, etc.) he/she might be able to point you towards another lawyer who specializes in the things necessary to take on K-W.

good luck-
G

 

You might consider carefully whether you relied on any representations K-W made to you to get you to enroll that later turned out to be false. In particular, whether they said anything about the acceptability of their degrees in the marketplace. That's a possible basis for a claim of fraud.

I've looked at their materials myself, BTW. They seem carefully crafted to defeat such claims. But it's worth a thought.

 

This seems to be the case with them. They operate within the law, but the law doesn't care much about how many courses is reasonable for an unaccredited school to require for a bachelor's degree.



Tom Nixon

 

Thanks to all who have offered your advice. I am seriously considering retaining a lawyer on my behalf. I think that others going through this may not want to come forward, the stigma attached.


I really had no idea what unaccredited meant and that so much was going on against Kennedy Western.

I am sure that some individuals are fully aware of what they are doing when it comes to Kennedy Western. I take full responsibility for my out right ignorance about accrediation, my god why did I not look deeper.

Im 28 years old, working my behind off to make it in this job market and keep an competitive edge, NEVER did I want a degree handed to me or branded as a lazy dishonest individual.

I completed two years of night classes to gain my AA degree (wish I learned about accrediation there) so I know what it takes and am willing and able to put in the real work.


I live and work in the nations capitol, had I known about these Senate Hearings, about government employees being fired for holding these types of degrees I would have run screaming for the hills!!!


I was asked by Kennedy Western to submit a request for a refund to their "Dean of Student Affairs". Having read so much about KW it is an absolut JOKE.

I know that they will deny me my money back, even though I am only asking for a small sum in return (to be fair, go figure).

I have decided to file complaints with the Better Business Bureau, (Kennedy Western is a registred member) and the FTC.

This is a VERY costly lesson that I have learned, my god I did not think such things existed in the U.S. I thought educational institutions were regulated. I had never even heard the term "diploma mill" until now.

I wont give up though, if anything I hope to save some one else the frustration of what I am going through now.

Thanks to all, and for anyone considering going the "unaccrediated route" PLEASE think twice, it is not worth it.

 

Hi Desiree,
I agree with you that KWU may not be the right way to go for your situation (seeking a bachelor's degree and working in Washington, DC). But, each person has different needs, goals and backgrounds.
For people with prior accredited degrees (BSc, MSc) and many years of technical training, certifications, professional licenses and project management experience, a KWU program is a good way to consolidate that experience under a new credential and attain new knowledge in the process.
The KWU administrative staff are decent people. They aren't out to screw anybody. I'm sure you can work something out with them for a partial refund. The amount of the refund depends on how long you have been a student.
Best wishes,
Jim

 

Quick answer: no, you don't.
If they were accredited or state approved you could go to the agency with your complaint. Since they aren't, you can't.

Your only hope is what kind of agreement you signed with them. Read it and see what the refund policy is. They are usually prorated by your attendance or signup date. Since the school is unaccredited though, they may not even have one.

Unfortunately, most lawyers won't touch this stuff. Unless you've got things in writing, it's a tough case. Heresay. "They told me....."
Galanga's idea on a class action suit is worth a shot but don't hold your breath. The problems are the same.

Sorry to be a downer but I deal with this stuff everyday and rarely see a consumer win.

 

While I would guess that it probably is true that a KWU graduate degree would likely have more utility in the situation that you describe than an undergraduate degree, both degrees are grossly substandard and bogus IMHO.

I very much disagree with your idea that KWU is not out to screw anybody. All unbiased reports indicate that they are a scam. Their stated policies indicate that they are grossly substandard. To make matters worse, there have been many reports that they don't even follow their own guidelines and policies. Apparently the KWU stated guidlines and policies are nothing more than KWU attempting to put up a smoke screen to hide how bogus they actually are. It is just part of the facade that most degree mills try to put up to scam unsuspecting victims. Yes, KWU has put up a facade that is more convincing than most degree mills but, scratch the surface and they appear to be rotten to the core.

 

Bill,
My first hand experience differs from the your opinion regarding the administrators at KWU. My KWU experience has been great, and comparable to the two state universities I previously attended.
Also, the KWU professors are respected professors at accredited colleges and universities. I am currently working on my fourth course, and have not had a complaint regarding any of my professors. I reviewed their backgrounds via Google and am impressed by their credentials. I can not believe those professors would associate themselves with a scam that is "rotten to the core". Do you think they are they being scammed also, or do you think they are co-conspirators?
Jim

 

Hi Desiree:

I can give you no legal advice, but you are clearly a person of integrity and industry, who is also by no means the first to have wasted--if wasted is really the word--money on an unworthy DL option.

You are to be commended for facing facts and showing character.

See, this is the one thing that promoters of this kind of outfit simply cannot gainsay: why is it that persons of integrity get disgusted with this sort of outfit?

I hesitate to say "wasted," because, as bitter as it is to get swoggled out of cash, you are now the one thing that mills and shills and scams just cannot stand:
an informed person with a conscience.

All best wishes to you,

Janko Preotul

 

The old argument about "star faculty" as quality assurance of good education. Most of the faculty(if not all) at any degree mill is "rented". Meaning that none of the faculty members tha work at any degree mill work there full time and only moonlight for few extra bucks for grading few assignments and giving few hours of their time.

Most of the faculty in their catalogs are not even in their payroll. Any faculty member that applies to degree mills (with good credentials) for faculty positions automatically gets enrolled as life time members.


The scam starts by putting an ad in the chronicle asking for faculty for with strong credentials in a particular field. Naive prospects send their resume and get contacted by "faculty administrators" and are signed up with contracts that allow them to use their names in their catalogs.

Most of the faculty members won't get to teach as most of the degree mills require very little course work that normally consists on few assignments and some readings. However, their names will be in their catalogs forever as the "naive" faculty members signed the contract giving them the right to use their names.


How do I know all this? I was one of those "naive" faculty members that got con by a degree mill. I realized this after I signed a contract allowing them to use my name on their catalog but never got contacted for not even one course.


KWU and similars use the same strategy, don't get fooled by the faculty names in their catalogs.

 

Without regards the virtues of any adjunct faculty that choose to associate with KW, it is a moot point when characterizing KW, in and of itself.

Is KW rotten to the core? I suggest that any entity, presenting itself as an academic institution, that says it has a process for assessing life experience and translating it into academic credit, that in fact does not have such a process but rather a sham that thy call a process, might reasonably fall into the "rotten to the core" basket.

In my own research, KW accepted a one and a half page resume and an online application as all that was needed to award me the equivalent of any six Master's level courses of my choosing. No even cursory attempt to verify the very limited information was attempted, let alone concern being raised over the lack of substance.

The practices could fairly be characterized as rotten, when placed into the context of what is supposed to be an "academic" institution. There is simply no rationalization that can dance around this reality, no matter how fresh and clean the faculty may smell.

The practices of KW speak loudly about what it is and, more importantly, what it is not.

 

I wouldn't be too embarassed about signing up for KWU. The slick marketing by some of the non-accrediteds rivals the best RA schools. Especially vulnerable were people in the pre-Internet era, when checking out distance education programs was much harder than today. I'm super careful about viruses, etc., and like somebody who just fell off the turnip truck, I just fell for a possible phishing scheme -- it can happen to ANYBODY. Ask the THOUSANDS of HARVARD students who attended their big ballgame last weekend!

http://www.juiceenewsdaily.com/1104/news/yale_harvard_prank.html

 

I have contacted a lawyer in the state of Wyoming. Kennedy Western explicitly states that if a student pursues legal action it most be in the state in which they hold office.

I spoke to the lawyer for a good hour, he specializes in school law BUT here is the really interesting part. He asked me for the address of KW in Wyoming. I gave him the address and he stated " I work one block from that address and have never heard of KW nor have I seen their offices"!!!!

To Jim S, thank you for taking the time to reply to my post, and thank you for being open and honest but I must tell you this, until a few weeks ago I felt the exact same as you.

My first hand experience with two senior administrators was great as well, great because they sold me. They knew what to say to me, I played right into their hands. Then they put the pressure on, telling me I needed to enroll quickly as the tuition was being raised at the end of the week. Im kicking myself right now, the red flag was all but poking me in the eye.

Then I wondered, (once I started the two courses) where is the homework? I actually called my advisor and asked. She explained the "self paced" approach, which I again bought.

I really thought that reading those books thoroughly, taking notes joining study groups would give me the education I was paying for and wanted.

Jim, honestly.....does reading a book and taking a 70 question multiple choice OPEN BOOK online test really provide you with an education? Especially for those in engineering or those pursuing Ph.d's!!!!

When I took their "final" exam it really hit me, thats when my light FINALLY went off and I started in on the research.

Let me tell you this, when I phoned my "advisor" and began to ask her questions her demeanor changed and KW true colors came shining through.

I was shut out of their online system in a matter of minutes. The advisor continually repeated "do you work for the government" she would not SAY anything else. Finally I shut her down by informing her that I live 20 minutes from Washington D.C and I would like to work for the government. She then gave me to her "supervisor" who pretty much read from a script.


If a person can live with themselves knowing exactly what they did to earn this so called degree fine. But in light of what the government is doing, which includes educating NON government companies about all unaccrediated institutions, those same people holding these types of degrees need to worry.

You risk termination for misrepresenting your education level, you could be asked to reimburse your employer if in fact you were given a promotion and raise based upon your "degree".

For those out there trying to get a job in this ruthless market you can now wait and wonder if that particular HR department will find out. My god how can one deal with the agony of wondering if their employer will figure it out and decide to make an example of you.

NO THANKS.

It is very clear that the days of institutions like KW and others like them are numbered. Either they comply with government regulation and become fully accredited or they will be ousted along with all the students.

I learned a very costly lesson and hope that those like myself see the light sooner than later and move on to an accrediated institution.

You know in your heart that ONLY then will you have accomplished your goal and dream. Thats what it comes down to, those who have prior degrees from accrediated institiutions KNOW the hard work involved, can you truly say that you will feel a real sense of accomplishment getting this piece of paper from KW. Knowing what you know now do you still feel confident presenting this piece of paper to your employer, your family and friends?

I am still waiting to hear back from KW regarding a partial refund to my loan provider. But I know what they will say. Im preparing myself for the fight.

Thanks to all.

 

Here's something interesting re: KWU. Click on Oregon to see how many companies are listed as accepting of KWU degrees there. Evidentally, every single state save Oregon has a list. Looks like the much hated/beloved OODA is pretty effective there!

http://www.kw.edu/corporate_acceptance.asp?active=reimbursement&state=CT

http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.html

 

This is a joke right? You must either work for KWU or be completely nuts.

 

Hi Jim,

When a person is the victim of a scam, they will likely believe that the con-man playing them is thoughtful, kind, and honest. It is all part of the con.

I believe that for the most part the KWU professors are victims as well as the students. The few that actually do ever collect any paycheck, I suspect are just trying to make ends meet and doing the best that they can. The few that get repeat paychecks, I would tend to include in the category of co-conspirators.

Take care,
Bill

 

Everyone,

I just did a forum search on JimS, and on every foum he has ever posted on, he has done so only to defend KWU and for no other reason. I am suspicious, and I believe that he is a plant--a person with a vested interest in KWU and is posting, only to garner them business. I would take his comments with a grain of salt.

 

AND California. From a business point of view I can really appreciate the money machine the owner of K-W has created. From a moral and ethical view, it is very sad. It really is the equivilent of selling defective ammunition to the Army. At some point, I think he will have a price to pay for his actions.

 

That's a great quote! May I use it?