Hi Has somebody information about the American University of London: http://www.americanuniversity.org.uk/ is this a diploma mill?
This is a new one for me. Quite amazingly, they have resurrected the names of two long-defunct phony accreditation agencies, and claim that they are pursuing accreditation from them: The International Commission for the Accreditation of Colleges and Universities of Gaithersburg, MD (whch closed, with the arrest of its founder, Frank Pany, 20+ years ago), and the National Association of Open Campus Colleges (which closed with the arrest of its founder, Tony Geruntino, about 15 years ago).
PS: www.whois.net reports that the web site is registered to Melissa Dailey of Somerville, MA. Hey, Bruce, is there a chance of visiting the campus at 19 Alpine St., #2?
Hi John I have an other registrated name: The American University of London INC http://www.virtualnames.co.uk/vwhois.php3 Thanks
The welcome letter at The American University of London is signed by Michael Nimier, President. Searching on his name takes one to http://www.east88.com/enschool/meiguohai/AmericanInLondon.htm which leads to The American University in London, for which Michael Nimier has listed himself as Registrar. ------------------ Bill Gossett
Purely out of curiosity - they appear different ... are they? Clearly aimed at the same market... Peter French
It's 8 in the morning, and already my brain is addled. We have at least three separate entities here: American University of London, this new one, with its phony accreditation claims. American University in London, a non-wonderful entererprise, whose campus is upstairs over a bookie parlour. Formerly known as "American University of London, until the regionally accredited school formerly known as "American University of London" complained. The regionally accredited school formerly known as "American University of London" later became known as "Richmond College," with the subtitle, "the American University of London," but now is calling itself "Richmond: the American International University in London." This Richmond, incorporated in Delaware and accredited by Middle States, somehow metamorphosed from the Richmond College that was a part of the University of London (since the 1840s) but now the new Richmond has its name and took over the Richmond campus space at the University of London. This Richmond also states that it is accredited by the Open University of the UK. I had not been aware that Open University was in the accrediting business. Can anyone explain?
Open University is indeed in the accrediting business- see http://www.open.ac.uk/validate/accredited.html for a list of institutions they accredit. Their Open University Validation Service (OUVS) is quite active - note that a few institutions on the list are outside the UK. The key here is the different definition of the word accreditation as used in the UK. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education publication Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Education gives the following definitions (I have included the definitions of Franchising and Validation by way of comparison): "*Accreditation refers to the process by which an institution without degree granting powers is given wide authority by a university or other degree granting institution to offer programs which the degree granting institution may grant a degree for. The degree granting institution exercises limited quality control, but is still ultimately responsible for the quality standard of the degree or credential awarded. *Franchising refers to the process by which an institution with degree granting powers agrees to authorize the teaching of whole or part of one of its own approved programs by another institution. The institution with degree granting powers retains overall responsibility for the program's content, delivery, assessment and quality control. *Validation is the process by which an institution with degree granting powers judges a program developed and delivered by another institution. Accreditation is a form of validation. The validated program is usually in a field which the institution with degree granting powers itself offers." Of course, there are some exceptions to these definitions, but, according to the QAA, they are generally followed.
By coincidence, I'm going to be at my in-laws this weekend, who live in the next town over, Arlington. I'll report back Monday. Bruce
John Bear writes: ...and the National Association of Open Campus Colleges which closed with the arrest of its founder, Tony Geruntino, about 15 years ago) A U.S. Postal Service decision against the National College of Arts and Sciences and American Western University which mentions their accreditation by NAOCC can be read at: http://www.usps.com/judicial/1981deci/11-64.htm And John also writes: American University of London, this new one, with its phony accreditation claims. Has, as one of its most recent "graduates", Richard Hoyer, who obtains his third (at last count) doctorate, an Ed.D. ------------------ Bill Gossett
Pulling out my old street maps of the Somerville area I see that Alpine St. is a medium length street in the middle of a densely populated residential neighborhood. It's just outside Porter Square and it's clear that anyone living on the street could easily hit the Boston and Maine Railroad tracks from their porch. If someone is hiding a school in that neighborhood then they're a better illusionist than David Copperfield. Jack
The WHOIS information mentioned is for americanuniversity.org, not americanuniversity.org.uk Searching http://www.nic.uk/ for americanuniversity.org.uk returns only the information that this was registered by U-NET on 11-Nov-1999. (Anyone know of a WHOIS for .uk and other country code domain names that provides more info?) But back to americanuniversity.org -- There's no website available; whois.userland.com says the domain name is on hold, registered to HOTTHINK.COM. Network Solutions says it was created 25-Feb-1999 and expires 25-Feb-2001 -- also says it is not available but you can make an offer. Interestingly, the administrative contact (Dailey, Melissa) lists her e-mail as [email protected] -- hbs.edu is the Harvard Business School. Searching that website, her name shows up as a co-author of a course materials item on two faculty publications pages. Searching Harvard Business School Publishing at http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/ her name shows up as co-author on 10 items -- looks like publication dates range from 1996 to 2000. You can see one of these case studies at http://www.exed.hbs.edu/cases/Air%20Products/air_prod.html -- "Research Associate Melissa Dailey prepared this case under the supervision of Professor F. Warren McFarlan ..." Searching google.com tells us that "Melissa Dailey" is a more common name than you might think (and that I am too easily distracted). ------------------ Kristin Evenson Hirst DistanceLearn.About.com
