Northcentral University abruptly cancels all academic contracts.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by educationwatch, May 10, 2009.

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  1. educationwatch

    educationwatch New Member

    Northcentral University abruptly cancels all academic contracts.

    In an indication of the continuing accreditation problems at Northcentral University (NCA’s recent vist provided for a “conditional” accreditation of 3 years rather than the standard normal accreditation for 10 years), the Provost/Dean Dr. Barnaby B. Barratt, announced on 5/7/2009 that all students under previous academic programs and catalogs would be “swept” into the 2009 academic catalog.

    Most universities approach the catalog as a "contract" with the student - with both sides bound to the terms of the “contract”. Northcentral University, reminiscent of a 3rd world Libya, Bolivia, Venezuela apparently feels that “rule of law” is an unnecessary encumbrance.

    What this means:

    a. Regardless of the factors that went into a students decision to enroll at Northcentral University, the University has unilaterally changed the conditions of the academic contract and no refunds will be provided.

    b. Future students can expect Northcentral University, having done this once, to do it again, so there is essentially no assurance that any program, once begun, will be completed as planned. Required classes, number of classes, time schedule, and costs of the program can be altered at any time for any reason by the University – something no other University in the US/1st world has done unless facing loss of accreditation or bankruptcy.

    Secondary issues concern:

    a. Academic competence of the Northcentral administration. "Oral defenses" of dissertations are now "Presentations, a celebration of learning". PT faculty continue to refer to them as "oral defense".
    b. Shared governance issues – there was no faculty (all part-timers with no full time academic experience) input ito this decision. Apparently all the PT faculty and staff are afraid of retribution from Dr. Barnaby B. Barratt. The previous Dean abruptly left her position just prior to the announcement.
    c. The legality of the policy change
    d. Accreditation compliance – previous academic programs cannot be abruptly changed while students are still enrolled in good faith.

    Articles that address the issue in more detail:

    David Davenport, The Catalog in the Courtroom: From Shield to Sword?, 12 J.C. & U.L. 201, 202 & n.4, 206 & n.54 (1985).

    Ralph D. Mawdsley, Commentary, Litigation Involving Higher Education Employee and Student Handbooks, 109 Educ. L. Rep. 1031, 1034 (1996).
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Raising tuition rates at a college or university is much more complicated then that. Many colleges and universities in the United States have raised their tuition for the last few decades. Are you aware of any schools that have not raised their tuition?
     
  3. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I agree. The University of California, one of the top USA university systems, just announced it plans to increase tuition by at least 7.4% this year
    http://www.studentsforcalifornia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112:midyear-tuition-increase-possible-at-uc&catid=37:news&Itemid=107
     
  4. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    I did not see any cancellation of academic contracts, other than adjustment necessary to comply with RA accreditation standards and make NCU's degrees par to other institutions of higher learning. Lets face it, change is inevitable and will come like or not.
     
  5. jumpdog82

    jumpdog82 New Member

    Clarity is good, change is inevitable

    While a university (distance learning or bricks & mortar) should be more measured in the way that change is handled, change will occur. NCU has certainly some maturing to do to make change more palatable to the students of the university.

    Every university and college I have ever attended (something like five or six of them) has had events occur that showed shortsightedness in the way it was handled. Managing change is a developed skill, and apparently NCU's administration needs to get better at it, they are not the worst offendor I have encountered.

    AS to the departure of the Dean of Education being abrupt, I don't think getting a chance to study as a Fullbright Scholar is something she could turn down. And she will come back to the university in a resident professor position, this was part of the announcement. So, educationwatch, don't play on words when you are trying to trash a university. Also, are you one of the PT faculty? If so, maybe it is just as well that you were not consulted. If not, how do you know the faculty was not consulted or informed? I think your post smells a little of "hate for all things NCU." Eh? Come clean.
     
  6. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    Just a clarification: she has been selected to be a Fullbright Specialist, not a Fullbright Scholar.
    http://www.ncu.edu/about/news/090401_news.aspx
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Has anyone confirmed that anything has changed?
     

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