Does anyone know anything about the University of Santa Barbara, a former Ph.D.-granting DL institution that went out of business a couple years ago? A former English professor from my B&M school days had a Ph.D. in adult education from USB and was constantly under fire from her colleagues about it. I was so intrigued with her struggles and stories associated with her DL there that I have been working on a paper about the rise and fall of the institution; however, I cannot find much information about it. I would appreciate any information or direction you can provide.
Bears' Guide, 15th edition, lists a University of Santa Barbara on page 222 (under Other - as in, Unaccredited- Schools) which was founded in 1973 and offered master's and doctoral degrees in business and education. John Bear gave it a pretty good write-up. Formerly known as Laurence University.
Yes, that is right--formerly known as Laurence University. I have that in my notes but had forgotten it. You have demonstrated that I clearly need a copy of Bears's Guide. Thanks.
This is very interesting. You say that University of Santa Barbara is no longer in business. However, a quick yahoo! search for "University of Santa Barbara" turned up (for its only relevant entry) a Citysearch.com entry for one certain University of Santa Barbara, 5266 Hollister Ave., Ste. 117, Santa Barbara, CA 93111-3033, ph. (805)967-0020.
I, too, found that information but have not tried the telephone number listed. I have meant to try it, but I just recently got time to revisit this project. Much of my research and writing may come from original documents my former professor is sending to me. I should note, though, that WASC is who told me the school is closed. UPDATE: I just tried the telephone number listed for USB, and I got a recording saying, "This number has been disconnected or is no longer in use."
I've heard rumors that the 16th edition is supposed to be out as of December 28th. Not sure where I heard that, but check the bookstores!
Can anyone else in this group confirm when the sixteenth edition will be out? I just went to bn.com and added the fifteenth to my shopping cart but will hold off on buying it if the new edition will be out soon.
I am not involved with the 16th ed., but I'm told it is at the printers as we speak, and will be finding its way into distribution channels over the next few weeks. I suspect Amazon, Borders, Powells, and Barnes & Noble get theirs first. As usual, the Amazon price is dramatically lower than the list price. I believe that the unaccredited school listings will be reduced yet again . . . the last detailed writeups were in the 14th edition. My recollection is that Laurence University in Florida split into three parts: one became University of Sarasota, one the University of Central Arizona, and one Laurence University of California, which was enjoined from the University of California (seems the word 'Laurence' was often shown quite small) from using that name, and became the U of Santa Barbara.
A colleague of mine (a full-time faculty at a community college) completed a Laurence U. Ph.D. (including a decent dissertation) some years ago. The college refused to recognize the unaccredited degree, did not raise his salary to the doctoral level, would not let him mention the degree on any college literature and would not refer to him as "doctor". To me, that sent a strong message as to the utility of unaccredited degrees in academia.
This is from the Student Handbook of Argosy University/Sarasota: ….Argosy University/Sarasota is a private institution, dedicated to providing students a solid practical and theoretical foundation for development and achievement in their chosen professions. The University was established in 1969 to serve the graduate educational needs of adult working professionals. Originally known as Laurence University, the name was changed to University of Sarasota in 1974…..
When it was established in 1969, it was an unaccredited school in Santa Barbara. The part of the operation that moved to Florida and became U. of Sarasota was accredited some years later (and later became part of Arogsy). The other two entities (Santa Barbara & Central Arizona) have remained unaccredited.
I would be fairly confiedent, Anthony, but cannot be certain (currently 650 miles from my computer and files) that it all started in Florida, and then branches of it moved to Arizona (where it was slapped down by the state) and California (where the University of California enjoined them from calling themselves Lawrence University of California.
John, My memory did fail me there. I will, most willingly, defer to your greater knowledge and experience. Thank you for the correction. Tony
