Current Economist ads for Rushmore, Pacific Western, and Fairfax.

I know that ads for degree mills in the Economist are old-hat to everyone here who's been looking into these issues for a while, but I have the 10/06/01 Economist in hand, and the three ads that jump out at me are those for Rushmore, Pacific Western, and Fairfax.

I find the Fairfax ad especially interesting because Bear's says that because of Lousiana law Fairfax is currently only handing out degrees for religious programs. But this ad promises "programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degree levels in many subject areas."

The 1210 Auahi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, address for Pacific Western is apparently but a short stroll from American World University at 1142 Auahi Street. I see Pacific Western's Los Angeles address, 600 North Sepulveda Boulevard, is also home to a Sizzler and some dentists. You could eat a steak, get your teeth cleaned, and earn your degree all in one fell swoop! Make an afternoon of it!

 

I have just spent a year in Hawaii.Pacific Western is just a building in a residental area. If you spend any time on the island of Oahu you will see schools like this all over.I am glad to see that there time is almost up. It is getting hotter for all of them,and I dont mean Hawaii's weather!

 

Philip Forte has been operating Pacific Western University from California since the mid-1970's. Their original location was Encino. When California required all schools to meet its new, tougher Approved standard, Pacific Western saw its approval revoked. So off to Hawaii it went (without ever actually leaving.) Who knows where they will turn up next after Hawaii gets tough, but you can bet they'll still operate from California.

Fairfax University now operates its religious programs from Louisiana under an exemption from that state's requirement that unaccredited schools be on an accreditation track. The secular programs were moved under South Dakota jurisdiction (which, seemingly, must also come to an end now that SD is getting tough).

Rushmore, like Fairfax, makes great hay about its inability to get accredited, as if the more complicated answer (there is some grand conspiracy against them) is somehow more plausible that the simple answer (they are not worthy of accreditation, or even being taken under consideration).

Niiiiice.

Rich Douglas