Creationism Involved the State Closure of Columbia Pacific University

Excellent information regarding Columbia Pacific University (One of the Fathers of Distance Learning)

I have a degree in biology from Columbia Pacific University (CPU), which some now argue “is a diploma mill.” This paper was written to respond to this charge.

http://www.rae.org/cpu.html

 

Weird.

The author isn't very exact about his non-CPU education; he tap-dances around it.

I don't recall a 1-5 rating system in Bear's Guide, but I could be mistaken. Still, I have every one of them since BG6 (1980), and I don't see it. Small point, but perhaps revealing?

The article seems to be an angry treatise over the closing of his alma mater.

 

sometimes less is more, but sometimes less is just less

Here's Bergman's claimed credentials from a "creationist" website:

http://www.christiananswers.net/creation/people/bergman-j.html

So Bergman's claim is that CPU permitting creationism resulted in its closure, not that creationists agitated for its closure. Like many things in the thread-starter's many posts, this wasn't clear.

I read Bergman's rant. I don't see the connection at all. I guess if you're a true believer it's there, sort of like the Blessed Virgin on pancakes, etc.

Janko the Amused Priest



(Parenthetical note: not everybody who accepts the Mosaic account of creation--such as yours truly--accepts "creationist" activism and its rationalistic apologetic, just as not everybody who esteems the Blessed Virgin--ditto--thinks her picture turns up on assorted pastries.)

 

The connection to creationism and its opponents is vague. But it's an interesting article even if you ignore those aspects.

 

If CPU was properly accredited it wouldn’t be closed.

I was under impression that simply they lost CA State approval.

I don't remember the history I do know a lady were I leave with CPU Ph.D.

Her Masters is from R.A.

I asked how was the education and her experience with CPU.

She replied that in her time CPU had good reputation and one of very few DL PhD programs.

She is working in the school district as speech therapist and counselor.

When I asked her about the school shut down by the court order she replied that in did in her opinion it was politics and not the quality of education.

Now that she is about to retire she did say that the education and the degree were instrumental in her career.

And in her days accreditation of school was not as important.

 

Uncle,

I did once see Rabbi Schneerson's profile in a piece of gefilte fish. Does that count?

 

I think this is an interesting site. I would be very surprised to learn that the CPU decision was from corruption because the whole process involved the courts at various levels as well as the agency. Surely they couldn't ALL be conspiring to close CPU!

 

Dr. L. J. writes
"Nor is it true that the school is closed down. They are still operating in Wyoming, and are licensed by the state there as a post-secondary education institution (private schools licensing act w.s.21-2-401)."

No.

They did move their address to Montana briefly, but then closed, absolutely and definitively, according to founder-owner Les Carr.

Carr then started Columbia Commonwealth University in Montana, then moved the offices to a building they bought in Wyoming, but he is adamant that CCU is unrelated to CPU, and that CPU definitely does not exist.

I, too, cannot remember using a 1-5 system in Bear's Guide, but there are a few other things I can't remember as well, that may well be true.

John Bear

 

Yes, it was there in the late '80's, at least. I remember five stars above each school's name. A star was darkened depending on how the school was rated. If I remember correctly, the third star from the left was darkened for Bethany (garnering a rating of three out of five stars).

 

I don't really understand what the connection between CPU's closing and creationism is supposed to be.

The only time the word 'creation' or 'religion' appear in the essay is in this paragraph:

I learned later, according to several individuals who looked into the situation, that the religion and related concerns evidently were important in revoking Columbia Pacific's license to operate in California, a fate not dissimilar to what happened to the Institute for Creation Research Graduate School (although ICR appealed their denial, and eventually prevailed in court).

'The religion and related concerns' he refers to consisted of the fact that he read Gary Zukav's 'The Dancing Wu Li Masters' in one of his classes. (Kind of light-weight reading for a doctoral course in biology, I'd say, but the book's certainly harmless.)

When completing CPU courses, I soon noticed a "spiritual" side was being advocated in several of the readings and assignments._ Of the 40 or so books I read for the degree, one in particular stands out—the Eastern Philosophy intelligent design work by Gary Zukav titled The Dancing Wu Li Masters._ Using quantum theory, particle physics, and relativity (the new physics), he argued for intelligent design in the universe._ This, of course, raised a red flag, and my perception in 1990 was that, sooner or later, this would get them into big trouble._ I soon was proved correct.

That's ridiculous.

If this guy thinks that assigning Gary Zukav is what sunk CPU, I really wonder how the RA California Institute of Integral Studies manages to stay in business.

 

I remember the $$$$ signs and liked that allot.

From $$ - inexpensive to $$$$$$ the schools I could skip fast .

Learner

 

I have no recollection of the five star thing -- which doesn't mean it didn't happen, just that I don't remember it.

Unfortunately I don't have all my previous editions. I left them at Ten Speed Press when I was working there on the 14th edition, and they won't give them back to me, which is rather annoying.

I have 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. No stars there. No smiling or frowning faces either, and those I remember vividly for all the grief they gave me.

8 would have been 1981 and 10 probably 1986 or 1987.

 

No, Nosborne, it doesn't count. The Vilna Gaon--now that counts.

 

I think that 5 star section was in Ronald Pellars fake guide were he gave his CSU the 5 stars.

The guide by Gerald Crenshaw

I need to dig it out from the dusty shelves.

I see 9 1/2 edition of Bear Guide was there 9 1/2 there?


Learner

 

I have Bear's and Bears' Guides 6 through 15. I think John would acknowledge that I'm pretty familiar with the older guides. In those guides there are no 1-5 ranking systems, stars or otherwise. There are a couple with rankings with smiley faces, as John has stated. That was back when he didn't split out the unaccredited schools from the accredited ones.

NB: A point on that. In the early 1980's we weren't sure where alternative education was going. Nontraditional schools, legitimate ones, were struggling to get any traction with the regionals. DETC had not yet popped up as a significant player (for degree-granting schools). California had a serious and effective approval process for degree programs, and all kinds of innovation was happening. Serious students often had to turn to serious, unaccredited schools for their degree programs. That is no longer the case, of course. With a few narrow and/or tiny exceptions, legitimate schools have a clear path to accreditation. But back then, who knew which school would take the path of Columbia Pacific (Approved, then gone), or of, say, Sarasota and Walden (eventually accredited). By the time The Graduate School of America (now Capella) came along in the mid-'90's, accreditation was not only possible, it was the only viable option. Soooo.......

It made sense to consider and weigh some unaccredited schools back then. John got some right and he got some wrong. So did we all. But bringing forward to present day examples of 15 or 20 years ago is, well, dumb.

CPU, in its day, deserved serious consideration. A similar school today (like, say, SCUPS) simply does not. The times, they are a'changing....

Oh, and the leader of Jamesville can't support his defense of degree mills--including the one he graduated from--so he resorts to name-calling behind his little fence.

 

Based on Lerner's and Rich Douglas' posts, I will have to stand corrected, I guess.

I had Peller's book around the time I had Dr. Bear's and I may have seen the five stars in his book, not Bear's.

I honestly don't remember now which book I saw it in but am willing to admit it could have been in Peller's. My apologies to Dr. Bear.

 

CPU was closed for one simple reason - they didn't comply with California law in a number of areas including refund requirements.

No site visit was necessary to see many violations. Many violations could be identified by reading their published catalog during their last few years.

California law changed over the years. CPU didn't. That's why they didn't appeal the decision to revoke approval.

 

CPU

CPU is trying to reopen in Delaware. They are going to use a small office, with phone access etc... and a small conference room for residency requirements. I believe they got a 501c. Unfortunately Carr is still involved. The former students attempting this, have decided that Carr is important in producing necessary materials.....course catalogues, booklets. They aren't familiar with Creative Commons and are recipients of degrees after the school was ordered closed. Their forum is open to anyone who does not ask questions and follows party lines. It was a good school in the 80's and went downhill in the 90's. Perhaps someone is familiar with the legalities of issuing degrees after a school has been ordered closed by the state. Especially out of state degrees. Seem like some sort of mail fraud? Any response would be helpful.

 

What, he wants two schools? I thought CCWU was the successor?

 

Cpu

No, not that I'm aware of yet. Former students are attempting to establish a new CPU. My only concern is that they are relying on Carr for advise and materials to start the venture. When questioned, as to why they would want Carr involved, I was booted from the forum. My opinion of Carr is less than honorable. We were told for years that the school was working toward accreditation. Then in the 90's it imploded, due to numerous problems, and was ordered closed by the state. All of the problems were not political, as implied, and the school continued to issue degrees after being ordered closed. My concern is that the students receiving degrees, after the ordered closure, were victims of fraud. They think that by opening a new school it will validate there degrees. I cannot logically figure how an illegal degree can become legal through teleportation to a different state. Even if they become afilliated with an RA school. And I think Carr may be giving bad advice in hopes of riding their bumper.
Creative Commons allowes for use of copyrited material for non-profit purposes. Carr is supposedly withholding former student documents to bolster his involvement. The whole thing sounds fishy. Just asking for comments.
Thanks