American Military University to Diversify?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Charles, May 2, 2002.

Loading...
  1. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Below is a portion of an email I received today from the Dean of Students, AMU of the American Public University System:


    "Dear AMU Student:
    We have exciting news and we'd like your feedback!
    American Military University is becoming part of the new "American Public University System." We are transitioning from a stand-alone university focused on the military community to a university "system" to include AMU and two other member institutions: American Public University and American Community College.
    Over the next several months you will see some changes to the look of the web site, administrative materials, the course bulletin, and other areas. AMU will continue to do its normal business and your status at AMU will not be affected in any way. You may even see some interesting opportunities that would not otherwise have been available to you".


    I can't wait to find out more about the new "American Public University System" and the two new member institutions.
     
  2. eckert16

    eckert16 New Member

    It seems there is a trend in the post-secondary institutions that recieve their authority to award degrees from a federal charter to 'join the public university system.' The trend is seen in these institutions seeking accreditation for the programs that they have been offering to government/military employees for years. To this end, we are seeing that in order to meet the accreditation standards, the institutions have to open to the public to meet the 'required ratios' that the regional accreditors demand. IE: An engineering institution (chartered by the federal government to provide education and award engineering degrees to scientist and engineers in a military service has a small student body and a large faculty. However, this is not sustainable (revenue generation wise!) according to the RAs. Sooo, this federally chartered school (which is funded by the government, and charges no tuition) has to open their offering to the public sector. This, in theory, will increase enrollments and level the ratio of students-to-instructor. It is ironic though, the current military/government students do not pay tuition. But now....
     
  3. Charles

    Charles New Member

    eckert16,

    Interesting points. However, I'm not sure they all apply in this case. AMU has been a private institution since its inception. You do not have to be affiliated with the military to attend AMU.

    I believe the "American Public University System" in this case, is a new brand name for AMU (and its and new member institutions).

    The government does not fund AMU. Although, I believe most students do use military tuition assistance.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2002
  4. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Am I the only one that twists in agony while reading American Public University System? It makes American International University sound good. Maybe Excelsior is not such a bad name after all. :)
     
  5. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Dave Hayden writes: Am I the only one that twists in agony while reading American Public University System?

    John replies: I twist as well. Chubby Checker University would be a better name. Bad names fall into at least three categories:

    (1) those that have no relevant intrinsic meaning but just, well, seem silly to me (Excelsior, Argonaut, Cardean, Degenawidah Quetzlcoatl*),

    (2) those that are just unfortunate (like the recently-changed Dyke, and Beaver**), and

    (3) those that are genuinely misleading (of which APUS is, IMHO, a prime example, unless of course there is a real plan for being public in the way the word is used in academia).
    ___________
    * I may have the spelling wrong; they no longer spell it out, but are just "DQ".

    **Thankfully no one has yet started a school from Larry Bird's hometown of French Lick (IN) or from Intercourse (PA), Humptulips (WA) and other fine American towns.
     
  6. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Telling a prospective student or an employer that AMU is a part of the American Public University System is in my opinion simply a lie.

    I'm also surprised that a name like that can legally be used as a trademark. It's like creating a brand of high cholesterol foods with the trademark "Approved by the American Heart Association". Except for the fact that the American public university system is so diffuse that there is less chance of a lawsuit.

    If this happens, my previously high regard for AMU will fall several notches. This is the kind of thing a degree mill would try, not a respected university.

    Imagine the confusion that this is going to cause among foreign students.
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    AMU confirms this. The system will be called APU System. It appears they will roll out two "sister" schools under their Virginia license and their DETC accreditation. But the person I talked to--who read a statement that was verbatim to this thread's origninal post--couldn't really explain what is meant by a "public" vs. "private university, so she transferred my call. I've left a voice mail for a Dr. Mike Hilliard asking for clarification on the reason(s) behind the "Public" part of the name. If he gets back to me I'll report what I find.

    (A lesson here is that just because someone answers the phone--or holds a particular position with a university--that doesn't mean he/she knows everything about it. Take the time to find your answers from those who do.)
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Dr. Hilliard just called. He says they're expanding to three sister institutions under one roof. This is to broaden their appeal beyond the military/former military attracted by the AMU name.

    The term "Public" is meant to connote that broader appeal; that the school is for the entire public. He also said the school vetted this through their attorneys, and intends to make it quite clear in their literature that they are a private institution with a broad, public appeal. I cautioned that this might not be good enough. Even if this meets legal requirements, the term "Public" in their name connotes a school run by a government, not a privately owned and operated institution. He saw my concerns and said he'd elevate them to the president. Because this information had not yet been taken public, he said I was the first one from the outside to raise the issue, and to these lengths. Okay, but let's see what they do about it.

    My conversation with Dr. Hilliard left me the impression he--and AMU--were very open about what they were doing (in all areas) and why. I'm going to visit the campus next month; I'll let you more then. :)
     
  9. Charles

    Charles New Member

    AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

    The American Public University System website is now functional.

    www.apus.edu

    The program offerings seem to be exactly the same as what is currently offered at AMU. Additionally, it looks like the three schools will share faculty.

    I'm still trying to decide what I think of it.

    I will ask questions about the American Public University System following my AMU graduation ceremony from, this Saturday.
     
  10. Charles

    Charles New Member

    AMU Chancellor and Founder, James Etter, talked about the American Public University System (APUS) today during his address. I discussed APUS with a few AMU staff members during the reception.

    It is my understanding that the establishment of APUS is largely marketing. AMU's focus is no longer strictly military, if I understand correctly, the APUS name is to attract a more diverse population of students.

    Thoughts on the APUS name- I think it has grown on me. Calling the institution the American Public University System is not a lot different that calling it American Military University, as I see it anyway. The APUS website clearly states that this is a private institution.

    I really do not think AMU/APUS is trying to deceive.
     
  11. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Another great institution with a new dreadful name. I think we should pass legislation to have degree mill operators name all institutions changing their name. They at least understand the importance of a prestigous and legitimate sounding name.
     
  12. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    Now Now

    We know we cannot keep using the word Military in
    American Military University. ( My School )

    Military is a bad, bad word.

    Public. Yes that sounds better. Like the Peoples rePublic University.

    Had to be an idea of a Mao Loving Leftist Professor.

    :eek:

    " All Gave Some, Some Gave All"

    University News latest report.
    Over one third of brick and mortar College Students would
    run from the draft.
    Yes Virginia, some things will never change.
    :mad:
     
  13. Veteran101

    Veteran101 New Member

    A PUS University

    A
    BS Degree in Zitology I presume?:D
     
  14. The "American Public University System" is a *horrible* name. Could it sound any more generic? Good grief, I've so often told people that the U.S. has state-by-state public universities and university systems, but it doesn't have one national public university system.

    This new setup -- American Public University (APU), American Military University (AMU) and American Community College (ACC) making up the "American Public University System" -- where can I start to list the problems?

    All the names sound generic. They sound as if they're referring to a concept rather than a reality.

    Go try a Google search -- 291 results for the phrase "American public university" and if AMU's APU is among them, it isn't on the first three pages. 1,420 results for "American community college."

    And -- isn't it presumptuous to take one existing school, add two brand new schools, and call yourself *the* national system?
     
  15. Charles

    Charles New Member

    IT'S ONLY MARKETING

    American Military University is still American Military University. AMU is here to stay! American Public University and American Community College as part of the American Public University System have joined it. I believe AMU/APUS is primarily trying to appeal to a broader population of potential students.

    In my mind all of the master's programs sound like they should come from American Military University:

    Air Warfare
    American Revolution Studies
    Business Administration
    Civil War Studies
    Criminal Justice
    Defense Management
    Environmental Policy and Management
    Emergency and Disaster Management
    Fire Science Management
    Homeland Security
    International Peace and Conflict Resolution
    Joint Warfare
    Land Warfare
    Management
    National Security Studies
    Naval Warfare
    Political Science
    Public Administration
    Public Health
    Security Management
    Space Studies
    Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict
    Sports Management
    Strategic Intelligence
    Transportation Management
    Unconventional Warfare

    However, some of the newer bachelor's programs do seem to make more sense coming from American Public University rather than American Military University:

    African and African-American Studies
    American Studies
    Business Administration
    Child Development
    Corrections Management
    Criminal Justice
    Emergency and Disaster Management
    English
    Environmental Studies
    Family Development
    Fire Science Management
    History
    Homeland Security
    Hospitality Management
    Information Technology Management
    Intelligence Studies
    Interdisciplinary Studies
    International Peace and Conflict Resolution
    International Relations
    Management
    Marketing
    Military History
    Military Management
    Philosophy
    Political Science
    Psychology
    Public Health
    Religion
    Security Management
    Sociology
    Sports and Health Sciences
    Transportation and Logistics Management
    Women's Studies

    Some of us would have picked something different than "American Public University", but the "American Military University" name is probably just not that appealing to some one wanting to pursue a degree in Child Development, Family Development, Philosophy, and Religion (probably some of the others too).

    Was anyone bothered when AMU was so bold to call itself American Military University?
     
  16. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: IT'S ONLY MARKETING

    No. This name does not connote the confusion its new name creates. If it had been named American Military Academy, then you would have heard the hue and cry.

    I agree that the old name is extremely limiting, and no longer describe the now-diverse nature of the school's programs. But its new name connotes something that is the exact opposite of what the school really is. A private university called "public" is just about as misleading as a private university using the word "state" in its title (a la Columbia State University). It is all so millish.

    What is also millish is the artificial creation of its "system" of schools. It is really one school; faculty, staff, facilities, and resources are used towards all three named ventures simulteneously. The school's the same; the name(s) been changed, that's all.

    AMU has been a critical, financial, and academic success. I suspect the people who've made this decision just don't realize how bizarre and inappropriate it is. (Actually, both decisions. The "system" of three schools is as inaccurate as the use of the word "public" in its title.) It all smacks of groupthink...someone in charge probably came up with this hair-brained idea and it just went unchecked from there. My conversation with their Dr. Hilliard seemed to confirm as much. I'll be visiting their campus soon and I'll bring it up.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 23, 2002
  17. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Re: Re: IT'S ONLY MARKETING

    I'm impressed with your interest, and your frankness in discussing your opinions. Please let us know about your visit to AMU/APUS.

    Will you suggest another name change?
     
  18. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Re: Re: Re: IT'S ONLY MARKETING

    How about Manassas University, or University of Manassas? Anything would be better than APUS.


    Bruce
     

Share This Page