State of Hawaii Sues Pacific Southern Univ

The State of Hawaii, by its Office of Consumer Protection, filed suit today against Pacific Southern University (a Hawaii corporation) and its principal Javad Khazrai (a CA resident). The suit alleges that the defendants violated various provisions in Hawaii's Unaccredited Degree Granting Institutions Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 446E)and seeks injunctive relief, restitution, civil penalties and other equitable relief.

Anyone seeking to view an electronic version of the Complaint may email requests to [email protected]

Jeffrey E. Brunton
Staff Attorney
Office of Consumer Protection
State of Hawaii

 

Dear Jeffrey E. Brunton:

I can not find any mention in their website that they are issuing their degrees through their Hawaii registration. Instead they state:
"The University is incorporated in Grand Turks, TCI and the State of Delaware, USA. "
(http://www.spuni.edu/index2.htm)

Has this been a recent change?

adelheid

 

Pacific Southern University and Southern Pacific University are distinct entities to our knowledge. The wesbite for PSU is located at http://www.pacificsouthernuniversity.edu.

 

Dear Jeffrey E. Brunton:

thank you for your prompt reply. This was a mistake on my side. Why do they always choose names so similar to other universities (I guess we all know why though)? Anyway: thank you.

adelheid

 

At least the PSU people got their local ocean right. The folks at SPU need a geography lesson.

 

An old article that mentions PSU: State dominates the $200 million quick-degree industry.

 

Continuing my Google search, I found the following:

• Pacific Southern listed in the list of CV timebombs published in The Australian.
• University of Central Oklahoma faculty member with doctorate from PSU: UCO Journalism Faculty Profiles (Dr. Tom Isbill).

Frankly not much out there compared to our usual favorites. My guess is that they are focussing on the Asian market more than the U.S.

 

And lo and behold....the web site posted is no longer accessible. I just tried it...

Interesting how fast they have pulled the web page.

John

 

The web site is at: http://www.pacificsouthernuniversity.edu/ (the one above has an extra period).

 

Their accreditation statement is a classic, one of the most evasive I've ever seen:

Q: Are you accredited?
A: Pacific Southern University is a globally respected institution with successful graduates at all levels of professional management. Pacific Southern University is in the process of preparation to be considered a recognized institution in the accredited arena

Accredited arena???


Bruce

 

That is indeed a classic. They should be teaching "how to handle political press-conferences."

 

Gert,

Thanks. It works. Darn, it would have been nice if they would have taken the sight down.

John

 

Presumably this refers to an arena accredited by the North Central Association of Gladiatorial Combat.


Cheers,