For-Profit College Group Sued as U.S. Lays Out Wide Fraud

From the New York Times today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/education/09forprofit.html?_r=1&hpw

 

The suit alleges, among other things, that EMC had an unusually flexible approach to online education:

 

"unable to write coherently ...."

"had no computer...."

I see evidence of #1 everywhere, and as for having a computer, UOP was telling students that they only had to have access to a computer when I was teaching with them. Makes for interesting assignment responses when the student is not using MS Word because they are working from a public library.....

 

We all know the ending already, EMC and the Feds will settle, EMC will admit no wrongdoing, write a big check, raise tuition, and use the Title IV funds to pay...

 

Let's not overlook #2:

"appeared to be under the influence of drugs"

The recruitment of drug addicts at homeless shelters by the University of Phoenix (and other for-profit schools) was documented in news stories last year. But it turns out these individuals are not necessarily the best candidates for college-level studies:

 

I was kind of thinking the same thing...if they settle they will use the ill-gotten gains to pay them off.

 

TESC and NCU allow RTF format documents which almost any computer can produce.
I have worked with people with masters degrees who cannot write coherently and the students I interact with on the discussion forums at TESC also have horrible writing skills. Some of their writing wouldn't even pass for a C level 7th grade student.

 

If you operate a school under federal rules that prohibit rewarding recruiters based on the number of students that they enroll, then probably you should be a bit more judicious with your choice of e-mail clip art:

EMC's now-famous "Bling Bling" clip art is dutifully reproduced on p. 47 of the original complaint, which further comments that "This oft-used email reflects the sales techniques used on a daily basis that equates an ADA's [Assistant Director of Admissions] enrollment success with increased compensation".