The Late International College

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by David Yamada, Jun 8, 2001.

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  1. David Yamada

    David Yamada New Member

    Folks, I'm looking for information on the late International College, which was located in Los Angeles and closed (I believe) sometime in the mid-80s. IC's concept was to bring together students with individually-matched tutors, some of whom were quite prominent in their fields. Buckminster Fuller, Anais Nin, and Marshall McLuhan were among their tutors. They offered both bachelor's degrees and doctorates. Though I *believe* IC became a candidate for RA, I don't think it ever received it.

    Does anyone know of people to contact, archival records that might exist, etc.? Yahoo and Google searches have proven unhelpful, as "International College" as a search request yields an enormous number of irrelevant responses.

    Any leads would be most appreciated.
     
  2. Bob Harris

    Bob Harris New Member

    David,

    Is that Buckminster Fuller of "Buckyball" fame?

    Bob
     
  3. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    In the only edition of Bears' Guide in which I listed my ten favorite schools, they were #1. I loved the model, and the way they were carrying it out (although most of their really famous mentors didn't take on many students, some did. One man wrote me that he actually lived in Gerald Durrell's house for a while while during his work on animal behavior).

    But it fell apart through internal dissent among its founders, and some accusations of inappropriate behavior. (As it happens, the man who bought my degree consulting business in 1980, Paul Proehl, then a vice-chancellor of UCLA and founder of their African Studies Center, had also been president of International College for 4 or 5 years, but had left during their troubles. He felt it deserved to die.) Paul died a couple of years ago; he may have been the last living link to I.C.
     
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Operating from Galey Avenue in Los Angeles, International College was a wonderful idea that never really reach fruition.

    Based on the idea of students learning one-on-one with experienced mentors, many famous names were attached to the project (including, yes, one Bucky Fuller, who also had a hand in the International Gradaute School in Missouri, although the two schools themselves had no connection). But as Bear chronicled in his books, many of the famous mentors had few--or no--students.

    IC was never a candidate for accreditation. Operating during California's three-tier system, they actually had programs at all three levels for awhile. The bachelor's program was affiliated with the then-candidate for accreditation University Without Walls program. The master's was State-Approved and the doctorate was State-Authorized. I'm not sure if the doctoral programs got approved before IC went out of business.

    When IC closed its students were transferred to William Lyon University. Wm. Lyon (later named American Commonwealth U.) has also closed. When I did a survey of graduates from six nontraditional programs, Wm. Lyon was one of the six. The graduates that had started at IC were really ticked about ending up at Wm. Lyon.

    I've got one lead for you, and I don't know how cold the trail is. During the early 1980's, IC ran a doctoral program affiliated with California Pacific University. Cal Pacific is a State-approved school in San Diego and can be found at www.cpu.edu or by phone at (858) 695-3292 or (800) 458-9667. Good luck!

    Rich Douglas
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    One other thing: I just did a search on Google using "International College" and "Los Angeles" (both in quotes). After some irrelevant hits I turned up several graduates of IC. Perhaps some of them can help. Please let us know what you find. Thanks.

    Rich Douglas
     
  6. Ohnalee

    Ohnalee New Member

    International College was probably under the regulatory authority of the California Dept. of Education. You might check with the Secretary of State in CA for archived public records.
    http://www.ss.ca.gov
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Actually, it would be the BPPVE (Bureau of Private, Postsecondary and Vocational Education, which is now under the Department of Consumer Affairs. url: http://www.dca.ca.gov/bppve/

    The reason why I didn't suggest contacting them is they've been little help with other closed schools I've looked into. But they may be worth a call.

    Rich Douglas
     
  8. Ohnalee

    Ohnalee New Member

    If International College closed in the mid 80's, they were not regulated by either BPPVE or CPPVE (which opened in 1991). They were regulated by CA Dept of Ed. Most likely, documents have been archived by now.
     
  9. David Yamada

    David Yamada New Member

    Thank you for these responses; they are helpful. John, I actually remember your top ten listing and the kudos you offered to International College. The DL world was very different back then!

    The only paper info I have on IC is a 1981 bulletin and a clipping of a 1981(?) article on IC in the NY Times educational supplement.

    I wonder if that model could be replicated today; if there would be a market for it; if it would stand a chance of gaining RA.
     
  10. tmddm

    tmddm New Member

    My father graduated from IC in 1985. He did his studies almost exclusively as independent study, mentored by a professor in Canada and another in San Francisco. At the time it was a widely recognized degree, my father never had problems finding work, even if a degree was required. My understanding was that all records were lost or destroyed, and transcripts are unavailable, but it was certified by the Ca. State Board of Education, my father even had a letter from the state of Ca. verifying that IC was a legitimate college.

    My father got his BA in Educational Administration, and I remember him talking about IC, and it's progressive philosophies and teaching/learning methodology. To me it was 25 years ahead of it's time, the orinal online or distance education model.

    D.D. Foti
    Atlanta, Ga.
     
  11. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Holy Batman, Robin, Superman and Spiderman thread necromancy, an 11-year-old thread!!! :hypnotized::hypnotized:
     
  12. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Darn! You beat me to it! :evil::evil::evil::evil:
     
  13. scottae316

    scottae316 New Member

    Holy Avengers, Ted Hicks was going to say "thread necromancy, an 11 year old thread". I am shocked :speechless:
     
  14. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    That's Ted Heiks, not Ted Hicks.
     

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