Hawaii Litigation Update: Pacific Southern Univ

The State of Hawaii has settled the pending litigation against Pacific Southern University, Inc. (a Hawaii corp) and its principal, Javad Jay Khazrai of California.

The settlement is documented by a Stipulated Judgment and Permanent Injunction which was filed with the First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii on Noveember 14, 2002.

Under the terms of the settlement, PSU and Khazrai are enjoined from conducting any and all business activities in the state of Hawaii, including the operation of an unaccredited degree granting institution.

The defendants also agreed to offer full restitution to all degtree holders and applicants who enrolled subsequent to July 1, 1999 and the defendants have paid a civil penalty of $6,000.

Anyone wishing to see an unfiled electronic version of the stipulated judgment may email requests to [email protected]

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

 

p.s.

Pacific Southern University is not to be confused with Southern Pacific University ( litigation remains pending), South Pacific University (litigation completed) or the University of the South Pacific.

 

Re: p.s.

A tiny bit of scutiny up front, when schools are applying for a license, could probably put you out of work.

Requiring in-state residency, a reasonable business plan and course outlines, and a bond would go a long way.

 

Re: Re: p.s.

Hi Dennis,

Your comments seem very reasonable. In my view they expose the whole unaccredited school problem that plagues us in the USA.

The problem is that many states do not require candidate schools to go through any government approval before they open up shop. That means that good civil servants that are trying to do their job must work within the laws that are actually on the books.

 

California used to require $50,000 in assets and an affadavit covering 13 areas of operation when schools applied for its Authorized status. This did not prevent some very bad schools from operating.

Imposing residency requirements isn't exactly a great thing, either. Banning nonresident programs would alter or eliminate--in theory--a great many accredited schools and programs around the country and the world.

 

Okay, add a requirement that a school be legally operating as a similar school in its home jurisdiction.

 

Good job Hawaii!

Jeffrey,

You guys are doing great work in Hawaii and hopefully other States will follow your efforts.