A few days ago I drove past Las Vegas and noticed a building with aTouro University sign. Looking it up on the internet I find that it is their College of Osteopathic Medicine http://www.touro.edu/library/directories/FindYourLibrary.asp This is probably not a DL facility but I mention it here because Touro is discussed frequently in this forum.
Touro makes me nervous. They seem determined to grow their empire as fast as possible, arguably at the expense of academics and ethics. Touro College in NYC begat Touro University International. TUI introduced itself with big full-page advertisements in the Wall Street Journal boasting of its regional accreditation, before Middle States had even decided on its substantive change application. Now Touro College has begat another offspring: Touro College Los Angeles, which will accept its first students in Fall 2005. http://www.touro.edu/losangeles/about.asp TCLA's 'accreditation' page assures us that it's already regionally accredited by WASC. http://www.touro.edu/losangeles/accreditation.asp But WASC doesn't list it, even as a candidate. http://www.wascsenior.org/wasc/MI_Directory.htm It hasn't appeared on WASC's site-visit list either. (How could it, if it isn't even open yet?) It just doesn't smell right to me. Meanwhile, before brand new TUCOM in Vallejo was even fully up and running, it had in turn begat still another school of osteopathic medicine in Las Vegas. Presumably this one is trying to piggy-back on TUCOM's recent accreditations. Where is Touro getting all the money to create new universities left and right? Do they have some big-time funding source behind the scenes, or are they leveraged up to their eye-balls? I'd really like to see them growing at a slower pace and diverting more of their resources into academics. And I'd like to see them dealing with the accreditors as other universities do, not by unilaterally creating "facts" and then daring the accreditors to stop them. My fondness for Touro grows less and less with very passing day.
First of all, I suppose that the accreditation issues, that depends upon what their existing accreditors have to say about new campuses "piggy-backing" on the accreditations of the old campuses. Second: Where is Touro getting all this expansion money? The same three possible places any other business gets expansion money: (1) retained earnings; (2) new equity; and (3) debt financing. If (1) is the case, they ought to be congratulated for having a business so profitable as to be able to afford all this expansion. If (2) is the case, that's okay, too, if the existing owners are willing to take the dilution in ownership percentage inherent in new equity financing. If (3) is the case, that's okay, too, so long as they can pay the piper. Third: It's really strange to see a reference to a university "diverting" resources into academics. Academics is the principal thing universities put their money into, not some side thing they "divert" money into. And what's so non-academic about new campuses?
QUOTE]Originally posted by BillDayson Touro makes me nervous. They seem determined to grow their empire as fast as possible, arguably at the expense of academics and ethics. Bill, I’m again baffled at your extremely critical concerns surrounding Touro, your mention of growing an empire and the suggestion that Touro’s growth is occurring at the expense of academics and ethics. From what I see, Touro has continued to grow at a robust but reasonable pace since its inception 35 years ago. I’ve also observed over the past several years that the school, its branch campuses and divisions have continued raise the bar in terms of admission standards, academic programs and degree requirements. Additionally, the school continues to focus on a limited number of discipline areas; most of which they have long history of providing. Touro has set out to invest and establish facilities and programs in specific geographic areas and communities, such as its location in LA, where students wish pursue pre-professional studies and Judaic interests presented in a Torah-observant environment. They also continue to invest in development of highly reputable medical schools, physician assistant programs, ABA law school, and research degree programs -- all of which are fully recognized and accredited by both regional and professional accrediting organizations. How can this interpreted as growing an empire or compromising academics and ethics? Touro College in NYC begat Touro University International. TUI introduced itself with big full-page advertisements in the Wall Street Journal boasting of its regional accreditation, before Middle States had even decided on its substantive change application. I have no experience with this issue; however, assuming it is accurate, I would presume they had something firmly in place or that allowed them to do so. Now Touro College has begat another offspring: Touro College Los Angeles, which will accept its first students in Fall 2005. http://www.touro.edu/losangeles/about.asp TCLA's 'accreditation' page assures us that it's already regionally accredited by WASC. http://www.touro.edu/losangeles/accreditation.asp But WASC doesn't list it, even as a candidate. http://www.wascsenior.org/wasc/MI_Directory.htm It hasn't appeared on WASC's site-visit list either. (How could it, if it isn't even open yet?) It just doesn't smell right to me. As I had suggested in a response to one of your previous post regarding this issue, one can simply call WASC and or Touro to obtain clarification and detail versus conveying such harsh speculation or cause for continued concern. I’m confident, that by calling, you will receive much more accurate information regarding WASC’s actual awareness and their position surrounding your concerns. Meanwhile, before brand new TUCOM in Vallejo was even fully up and running, it had in turn begat still another school of osteopathic medicine in Las Vegas. Presumably this one is trying to piggyback on TUCOM's recent accreditations. Again, your statements and presumptions are incorrect and not supported by the actual course of events, record or dates. The establishment of TUCOM-NV occurred in full view and with the full knowledge of WASC and all other professional accreditation organizations. In fact, WASC continues to work with TUCOM surrounding accreditation of their planned Doctor of Pharmacy and the Healthcare and Human Services degree programs. See the following for the correct history, dates and information: http://www.tumi.edu/accredit.html Clearly, TUCOM has done nothing under the table or piggybacked on programs without the full knowledge and approval of the respective regional and professional accreditors, State and regulatory authorities. Where is Touro getting all the money to create new universities left and right? Do they have some big-time funding source behind the scenes, or are they leveraged up to their eye-balls? Touro University is a non-profit organization. Based my understanding and from what I see, Touro reinvests its excess proceeds in the school’s growth and development, infrastructure, facilities, and programs. I see this as a great benefit to Touro students and their educational opportunities; the school’s future and recognition, and the local and online communities that Touro serves. I'd really like to see them growing at a slower pace and diverting more of their resources into academics. And I'd like to see them dealing with the accreditors as other universities do, not by unilaterally creating "facts" and then daring the accreditors to stop them. Bill, do call WASC and the other accreditors to get a more direct and accurate understanding of how Touro truly deals and interacts them before drawing and conveying such incredibly critical conclusions. Lets be reasonable and work from the facts My fondness for Touro grows less and less with very passing day. [/QUOTE] I would hope that, if armed with more direct and accurate information, your impression might change. I just do not see how the growth, development and reinvestment in the school are bad things, or how it will do anything but strengthen the recognition and image of Touro, including their online programs. Tom
