Predators in the Ivory Tower

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TCord1964, Aug 25, 2012.

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  1. TCord1964

    TCord1964 New Member

    I don't know if this article has been mentioned here before. It's pretty harsh. At the very least, the recruiting tactics of the schools mentioned in the article are shameful, if true.

    Predators in the Ivory Tower
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Wow. Falsely recruiting a kid that was barely in high school and leaving him stuck with all that debt. That's deplorable.
     
  3. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    Wow. I mean, wow if this is remotely true.
     
  4. fritzy202

    fritzy202 New Member

    When I was looking at grad school's I got lots of calls from for-profits but I made my choice based on professional accrediting bodies within my field and the schools that they accredited or approved. This is why I'm shocked that a school would be on the APA list if it wasn't a good school. It has really become scary out there and when you think about those most vulnerable, they are also the least educated in these practices and the least able to navigate this sea of information. As a college instructor I work very hard as a student advisor to make sure my advisees are making the right choice for their skills, aptitudes and future goals. I sure wish the outcry by those who have been defrauded would be louder so more people hear it, then maybe those on capital hill will be forced to take some action. As a state instructor who hadn't had a raise in 5 years it makes me sick to see the salaries and benefit packages of these "educational" executives. It is appaling to say the least.
     
  5. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    Something doesn't make sense. I am still trying to figure out how they can legally bind him to the debt, since he was only 14 years old at the time. I thought that minors could not enter into financial contracts on their own. If this is true, what would stop them from doing it to a 12 year old? 10? 8?
     
  6. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    After the story was published, Ashford issued a statement indicating that they have absorbed all tuition and fee charges related to this incident.

    According to Ashford's statement, they believed that the student's application included parental certification. This point may be in dispute, but it doesn't really matter now that the debt is gone.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 25, 2012
  7. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Realistically, I don't think the for-profit schools can successfully extract money from minors. They have to wait until they turn 18. As the story indicates:

     
  8. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    For me, the most disturbing recruiting tactic described in the story was the aggressive enrollment of veterans with cognitive impairment from head injuries:

    This doesn't seem to be an exaggeration. Holly Petraeus (the wife of General David Petraeus) addresses financial issues of service members for the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. She was quoted in a 2011 interview as follows:

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 25, 2012
  9. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    My thoughts exactly, I believe that most states have laws stating that you cannot enter into a contract with a minor.
     
  10. NMTTD

    NMTTD Active Member

    Good ol' Crapford. Why am I not surprised that they are the ones featured in a story like this. :/
     
  11. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    I believe that typically minors can enter into contracts, but they are voidable during the individual's status as a minor. Upon turning 18 (or sometimes shortly afterward) the contract becomes binding if it has not been disaffirmed.
     

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