Union College (KY) Probation

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Rich Douglas, Jul 23, 2002.

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  1. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Union College of Kentucky has been placed on probation by its regional accreditor because "the association challenged the credentials of one of its faculty members in the college's adult degree program."

    The college's answer: The college would stop using that faculty member. "We don't see this as a big issue. We'll make the change, and life goes on."

    Life goes on? The school gets put on probation by its RA because of a faculty member's credentials, and that's what they have to say? Geez, no wonder degree mills proliferate if that's the level of due diligence conducted by some colleges and universities.

    Does anyone know the particulars? I tried their website, but couldn't find faculty credentials listed.
     
  2. I don't know any specifics. According the the SACS website, Union College violated this clause:
    • 4.8.2.2 Baccalaureate

      Each full-time and part-time faculty member teaching credit courses leading toward the baccalaureate degree, other than physical education activities courses, must have completed at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline and hold at least a master's degree, or hold the minimum of a master's degree with a major in the teaching discipline. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation. Such cases must be justified by the institution on an individual basis. The Commission encourages interdisciplinary courses and recognizes that appropriate credentials for teaching may vary. The institution must document and justify the academic and professional preparation of faculty members teaching in such courses or programs. It is the responsibility of the institution to keep on file for all full-time and part-time faculty members documentation of academic preparation, such as official transcripts and, if appropriate for demonstrating competence, official documentation of professional and work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, certifications and other qualifications. At least 25 percent of the discipline course hours in each undergraduate major must be taught by faculty members holding the terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate, in that discipline. In some disciplines, the master's degree in the discipline may be considered the terminal degree, such as the M.F.A., the M.S.W., and the M.L.S.; in others, a master's degree in the discipline, coupled with a doctoral degree in a related discipline, is considered appropriate. However, it is the responsibility of the institution to justify the master's degree, or master's in the teaching discipline coupled with a related doctorate, as the terminal degree for faculty members teaching in these disciplines. The above requirement also applies to each major offered through distance learning, including those offered at branches or other sites. Faculty members who teach in remedial programs must hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline related to their teaching assignment and have either teaching experience in a discipline related to their assignment or graduate training in remedial education.
     
  3. RJT

    RJT New Member

    Perhaps Union should follow K-W's lead and use largely instructors w/RA PhD's.

    Only Kidding ... Just stirring the pot.

    However, what I noticed w/RA schools makes me appreciate my State Approved School.

    :)
     
  4. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Hope that the faculty at KW is still alive and not dead like at Rushmore.
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I just read this article and it says that some faculty at KW earns $2000 dlls a year. Is faculty starving? How can you work for such a little amount? Yes they have RA faculty but I can imagine the service they give to the students. Is KW a charity institution? may be the faculty get some kind of tax breaks by working there.

    http://chronicle.com/free/v48/i31/31a03501.htm
     
  6. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    No. K-WU is a for-profit concern. But even if it was not, one does not get a tax break for earning a salary from a not-for-profit organization; one pays the same taxes as everyone else.

    BTW, a common misconception is that military people don't pay taxes. Wrong. They pay the same as everyone else. However, some of their allowances are not taxable, just as a businessperson's reimbursed expenses and per diem are not taxable.
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Okay, but you have it backwards. This example shouldn't make you appreciate your "state approved" school. Union College got into trouble with the RA for one faculty member's credentials. Unaccredited schools typically have some--or most or even all--faculty members with unaccredited degrees.
     
  8. If you read the article a little more closely, you will perceive that all the faculty mentioned are full-time faculty at other institutions who are moonlighting at KW. Thus the $2000 per year is in addition to the salary and benefits they already receive.

    It's likely that KW faculty are paid as independent contractors, which would mean that they could deduct related business expenses on their income tax.
     
  9. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Yes, I undestood that, however, I wonder why someone will ruin his reputation for such a small amount.

    Regards,
     

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