Colleges that do NOT participate in Clearinghouse?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Ceresco, Aug 27, 2015.

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  1. Ceresco

    Ceresco New Member

    What do you guys think of Universities who DO NOT participate in the National Student Clearinghouse? Should this serve as a turnoff when selecting a university?

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Call me a cynic (all together now: "Steve, you're a cynic!"), but when a first-time poster asks an esoteric question that has nothing to do with distance education, I have to wonder (1) if he's a shill for the organization about which he asks, and (2) WTF???

    Now, I'll be the first to admit that I had never heard of the Clearinghouse before the original post appeared (but then, I have no interest in the work of registrars), but I've also never had a problem (1) having my credentials verified, or (2) verifying the credentials of others, without the use of the Clearinghouse.

    Yep, when it comes to first-timers (especially those who are anonymous) asking questions that are irrelevant to the focus of this forum, I lean toward the belief that it's time to get out the hip-high boots.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2015
  3. Ceresco

    Ceresco New Member

    How is this irrelevant to the forum focus? Anyways, now I understand why more lurkers don't post. This was an honest concern while trying to decide between one school not associated with the Clearinghouse (Patten) and several that are. But since you decided to be a jerk, no worries. I will just lurk with everyone else who doesn't post or seek advice because of people like you.
     
  4. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I have heard of it. It is a nice tool. In terms of Universities that don't use it, that is not even on my list of concerns when choosing a University. I would go so far as to call it irrelevant.

    When selecting a University I would be looking at accreditation, cost, delivery method, research focus and other factors.
     
  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I agree...
     
  6. Ceresco

    Ceresco New Member

    Thank you Garp and Major56. This definitely helps!
     
  7. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Many people just ignore him. The National Student Clearinghouse says 3,600 colleges report to the clearinghouse. Not only is it the main service for credential verification and an official service for enrollment verification for financial aid purposes, but it also provides transcript services for many schools. It's kind of hard to not have known about it if you're the type to read a lot about higher education, especially cases of fraud. I don't know if HR would be wary if they couldn't find a school in the clearinghouse, but many HR departments aren't checking for applicants with degrees from diploma mills, so it may not be an issue. They can always verify the school's accreditation with the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA's website and ask for a transcript to be sent directly from the school for verification.
     
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    So, you don't know what the organization is, yet this is how you respond? By your own admission, you stopped paying attention to this industry nearly twenty years ago. Do you really have to get more arrogant the less you know about something?

    I wouldn't bother comment, but this needlessly abusive treatment of new people is how you single-handedly smothered DegreeDiscussion, and I really don't want that to happen to this community, which like any other needs new people to stick around in order to thrive.
     
  9. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I would simply consider Levicoff’s “cynic” approach regarding you as a 1) first-time poster and 2) anonymity as non-issues. Please don’t feed into his hype and make one of it…

    Welcome aboard…
     
  10. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Well stated and spot-on observation Steve...
     
  11. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Steve Levicoff is a grandfather of a segment of distance education assessment. He wrote a book in the early 90s and by his own admission is not up on the field. He drives and enjoys plays, etc. He is sometimes like the eccentric older uncle that wakes up, makes extreme statements, and nods off again. He does have lucid thoughts but you sometimes have to wade through a tirade to find them. He did bring to light a number of unsavory, unaccredited religious diploma mills in his day and knows history. Crusty in his younger days and not getting less crusty with age.

    Dr. Bear on the other hand is an elder statesman of dl and a font of measured wisdom and insight.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 27, 2015
  12. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I just thought of this. Because Patten doesn't participate in Title IV funding (federal financial aid), they probably don't see the need to report to the National Student Clearinghouse.
     
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef


    I would use it as an indicator to check other things, as opposed to a deal breaker. I'd check that they are accredited, if not regionally (why?) then nationally. If they don't participate in financial aid, I'd wonder why. Schools, like businesses, need paying customers (not just customers) and financial aid is how that happens for most students.
    The first college I attended did not participate in the Clearinghouse- I don't know if that's because it was just not common in the late 80's, if it was because they were NA instead of RA, or some other reason, but it's never been an issue for me.
     
  14. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Another example of a non-Title IV /RA university (Amberton) is not listed as a National Student Clearing House Participating Enrollment Reporting Institution.

    Participating Enrollment Reporting Institutions | National Student Clearinghouse
     
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Another is Hillsdale College, a non-profit regionally accredited school in Michigan. They have a politically conservative institutional culture that led them to not participate in Title IV to avoid the strings that come with it.
     
  16. Ceresco

    Ceresco New Member

    I appreciate all the great information! My main concern was how would I ever verify the degree if Patten University folded in the future. But it's nice to know that there are some other schools that don't participate in the Student Clearinghouse too.
     
  17. Rifleman

    Rifleman New Member

    I'll go with a different five letter word

    [​IMG]

    How long did it take to write your post? 10 second google query of "national student clearinghouse" would have been quicker.
     
  18. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    :hmmm: Not a great show of confidence in the school.
    Hopefully that's not too Levicoffian ;-)
     
  19. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    When a college closes, the records are usually turned over to another college regardless of participation in the Clearinghouse.
     
  20. Lavendar

    Lavendar New Member

    Not sure this will help. I see Excelsior college is on the list of participating colleges for National Student Clearing House. I took two courses at Excelsior in Spring 2014 without being matriculated and paid out of pocket; Excelsior never reported my enrollment.
     

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