Warren National (formerly Kennedy-Western) appears to be in trouble

Of course, they could pack up and move to California...

Shawn

 

Besides fleeing to a different mailing address AGAIN, I believe that another possibility is applying for accreditation from the DETC. If they have to drop their doctorate programs to do that though then I doubt that they'll try that as a stalling tactic.

It is an interesting thing to watch though.

 

Not necessarily, as noted in the previous post. According to the Wyoming Dept. of Education:

So while Wyoming law does state that WNU must pursue USDoE-recognized accreditation, there is no requirement that it has to be regional accreditation. WNU may have failed in its bid for regional accreditation, but it apparently could (at least in theory) inform the state that it is now pursuing DETC accreditation instead, and thereby remain compliant with Wyoming law, at least for a while.

 

I thought there was a deadline, and I see this in the regs. So does rejection = "GET OUT NOW" ?

21-2-402 (b)

"The period of candidacy or otherwise in the application process status expires at the end of the five (5) year period or at the time the applicant is refused candidacy or application status or accreditation by the accrediting association"

 

And the clock has been ticking for about two years, IIRC. So there is three years left. They could apply for DETC.

I saw some posts by a fellow that claimed to use to work for WNU. He said that almost everyone had been laid off in Wyoming. This indicates to me that they are not likely planning to attempt DETC accreditation. I think a better guess is that they will flee the state of Wyoming for pastures more accepting of academicly substandard procedures.

 

In theory, I believe that WNU could apply for DETC because WNU was not rejected by the HLC; WNU withdrew their application.

I believe Bill is right, WNU has a California history, so I wouldn't be surprised to see KW prop up again...

Shawn

 

The text that Auditguy posted says:

21-2-402 (b)

"The period of candidacy or otherwise in the application process status expires at the end of the five (5) year period or at the time the applicant is refused candidacy or application status or accreditation by the accrediting association"

If KW/WNU was refused candidacy, then their time would seem to be up. If they've been laying off workers in Wyoming, they must have seen it coming.

The ironic part is that they've historically been based in California, and now that California no longer regulates private postsecondary education, they could just operate openly from here without no stinkin' accreditation, approval or nothin'.

Did they move everything to Wyoming unnecessarily?

Even if they do regroup back home in California, they would be smart to apply to DETC anyway. The golden state is going to resume regulating schools someday and they need to be ready.

If KW/WNU really has put in changes designed to make the school accreditable, then DETC might not be an impossible goal. That accreditor has been accrediting some pretty pungent things recently.

The sad part of this is all the people who answered those ads KW/WNU ran in the 'Chronicle of Higher Education' and ended up moving their families to Cheyenne. Now thy are left high-and-dry a year or two later, unless they've been offered jobs somewhere else.

 

My read on it is that the second they "withdrew" their application, they were no longer an "applicant", and in violation. Since it is so far past the 2006 implementation date, it reads as if WNU would need to apply and be granted an extension, even if they were considering DETC.

 

Draft of WNU news release

Here is my first draft of what the WNU news release will look like.

Comrades, today is a great day in the history of Warren National University / Kennedy Western University of Hawaii, Idaho, California, Wyoming, California. Over the last two years, we have focused our resources on meeting improving our already world-class edcational programs that provide the adult learner with a flexible and affordable education that evidence the emerging best practices of online learning in higher education.

During this time, we've realized that our unique and high quality program does not fit the outdated paradigm of traditional accreditation, and that the accrediting process is inadequate for evaluating such a progressive institution. Although the accreditors were greatly impressed with our institution, our committment to quality will not justify the expenditure of additional resources. Instead, we will continue to focus on quality student programs, until such time as the accreditation process advances significantly.

 

WNU last day: March 31, 2009

Important Announcement from Warren National University January 2009
An open letter to the students of Warren National University

Warren National University receives its licensure through the Wyoming State Department of Education, under W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Such oversight requires the University to meet the standards as indicated within Article 4: Private School Licensing. This is a time of economic challenge for organizations both large and small. Every industry faces change brought in by new and unprecedented economic factors. Organizations that provide services to consumers are experiencing the impact of this economic downturn more and more each day. Warren National University is proud of our long history as a Wyoming private postsecondary institution providing adult learners nationwide with affordable online degree programs.

Warren National initiated an application for accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA in June 2005. In December, 2007 the University was granted eligibility status from the HLC which lead to the scheduling of an onsite visit. The HLC site visit was held in October, 2008. On December 15, 2008 WNU was informed that it did not receive the team's recommendation for candidacy.

Warren National's plans to achieve accreditation were adversely impacted by the limitations of a tightening credit market and made more difficult by the increased costs of daily operation. Wyoming law requires that all private post-secondary degree granting institutions either obtain accreditation or remain "a candidate for accreditation" or "otherwise in the process for accreditation" to retain its degree granting authority. Effective January 22, 2009, Warren National University is no longer an applicant for accreditation. Warren National University is therefore required by Wyoming law to cease operation.

The University formally solicited the Wyoming Department of Education for the opportunity to support our students through an extended teach-out period. On January 15, 2009, WNU received a letter from the Wyoming Department of Education informing the University that "Wyoming law does not provide the Department with the necessary authority to grant the request for a 'teach-out' period". On January 27, 2009 the University received notice from the Wyoming Department of Education notifying that our registration was being revoked. Warren National University is initiating an appeal of this decision. The degree granting authority for WNU is preserved while the appeal is being heard by the Wyoming Department of Education. Without the degree granting authority of the State of Wyoming, WNU cannot provide educational services to our students.

We are saddened to announce that the last day of instruction for Warren National University will be March 31, 2009.

No academic work will be accepted after the last day of instruction on 3/31/2009. However those students who complete their academic program requirements by the last day of instruction will be supported through the graduation process and be eligible to receive a diploma.

An opportunity for the students of Warren National University

Active Warren National University students who do not feel that they will be able to complete their program requirements by March 31, 2009 have the opportunity to continue their education with Preston University (www.preston.edu <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WarrenNationalUniver/701e67a837/TEST/f9656c7b0a> ). Students may transfer to Preston today or at anytime during or after the teach-out period.

Preston University has agreed to act as the registrar of record for Warren National University after 3/31/2009. This will aid you in your future enrollment with Preston University as your WNU records will be on file with Preston University.

Preston University is a legally licensed degree granting institution with many of the same programs as Warren National University. Preston University will accept WNU coursework for transfer into their degree programs. WNU is working with officials of Preston University to streamline the application process for WNU students who wish to enroll with Preston University to complete their degree program. To encourage enrollment, Preston is offering scholarship opportunities for select WNU students.

WNU students who wish to continue their studies with Preston University must apply for admissions with Preston. This process has been streamlined into three simple steps.

Step 1: If you have earned credit with Warren National University (formerly Kennedy-Western University), your permission is required for WNU to forward your transcripts and academic records to Preston. Please complete the approval form. It can be found online at www.wnuedu.com/preston.asp <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WarrenNationalUniver/701e67a837/TEST/f8089a78a3> or in the WNU student file download center.

Step 2: Complete the Preston University application (http://www.preston.edu/application.pdf <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WarrenNationalUniver/701e67a837/TEST/7a9e2755ae> ). Preston University will waive the application fee for active students of Warren National University.

For more information regarding enrollment and registration procedures with Preston University visit http://www.preston.edu/admissions.html <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WarrenNationalUniver/701e67a837/TEST/84fa9f7bff> .

Step 3: Contact the Preston University admissions department to discuss your program requirements.

Next Steps

This notice has been sent to you via USPS mail. Included with the notice is a statement of academic progress printed on January 22nd that can be used to initiate your enrollment process with Preston.

If you believe that you can graduate from Warren National in the teach-out period of 3/31/2009 you are encouraged to continue with your program. During this teach-out period program extension tuition will be assessed but not collected. If a student graduates from Warren National they will be required to pay the balance of their assessed tuition and a $275 graduation review fee in order to receive their diploma.

If you intend to transfer to Preston University, you may wish to complete the courses that you are currently enrolled in before transferring. Active students can continue with WNU through 3/31/2009 while pursuing admissions with Preston University.

Please refer to your certification page or enrollment contract to determine if you are eligible for a tuition refund. If you do not have a copy of your signed certification page or enrollment agreement, a sample is available in the Blackboard system organized by original enrollment date. Warren National University will refund tuition that is eligible for refund as specified by the student’s terms of enrollment with the University. Warren National University will not refund tuition in exception to the terms and policies of the University.

As more information becomes available, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions for WNU Students in the Blackboard system. Information regarding the University appeal to the Wyoming Department of Education will be posted in this area and on the University home page; www.wnuedu.com <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WarrenNationalUniver/701e67a837/TEST/4cc9dc81dc> .

Thank you,

Warren National University

 

So, in a sense, they're moving to Alabama (Preston)

Looks like they will be able to merge with Preston in Alabama.

 

I would suspect that, more likely, they sold the student (sucker) list to Preston -- who apparently shares its mailing address with a Classic Cadillac-Pontiac parts place, according to this.

I am soooo happy to see Kennedy-Western/Warren National finally bite the dust. This has been one of the worst of the unwonderfuls in my opinion, simply because they advertised so consistently and pervasively that a lot of people actually thought they were legitimate, not unlike Clayton College of Natural Health, who also follows the "legitimacy through saturation advertising" approach.

 

What exactly did Warren National get caught doing that derailed their accreditation effort? I had thought they were trying to go legit. But maybe not.

 

They may not necessarily have been "caught" doing something; they just as likely miscalculated their willingness, or capacity, to respond to the rigor of the compliance requirements.

 

Trouble? They're CLOSING!!!!

Warren National University receives its licensure through the Wyoming State Department of Education, under W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407. Such oversight requires the University to meet the standards as indicated within Article 4: Private School Licensing. This is a time of economic challenge for organizations both large and small. Every industry faces change brought in by new and unprecedented economic factors. Organizations that provide services to consumers are experiencing the impact of this economic downturn more and more each day. Warren National University is proud of our long history as a Wyoming private postsecondary institution providing adult learners nationwide with affordable online degree programs.

Warren National initiated an application for accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA in June 2005. In December, 2007 the University was granted eligibility status from the HLC which lead to the scheduling of an onsite visit. The HLC site visit was held in October, 2008. On December 15, 2008 WNU was informed that it did not receive the team's recommendation for candidacy.

Warren National's plans to achieve accreditation were adversely impacted by the limitations of a tightening credit market and made more difficult by the increased costs of daily operation. Wyoming law requires that all private post-secondary degree granting institutions either obtain accreditation or remain "a candidate for accreditation" or "otherwise in the process for accreditation" to retain its degree granting authority. Effective January 22, 2009, Warren National University is no longer an applicant for accreditation. Warren National University is therefore required by Wyoming law to cease operation.

The University formally solicited the Wyoming Department of Education for the opportunity to support our students through an extended teach-out period. On January 15, 2009, WNU received a letter from the Wyoming Department of Education informing the University that "Wyoming law does not provide the Department with the necessary authority to grant the request for a 'teach-out' period". On January 27, 2009 the University received notice from the Wyoming Department of Education notifying that our registration was being revoked. Warren National University is initiating an appeal of this decision. The degree granting authority for WNU is preserved while the appeal is being heard by the Wyoming Department of Education. Without the degree granting authority of the State of Wyoming, WNU cannot provide educational services to our students.

We are saddened to announce that the last day of instruction for Warren National University will be March 31, 2009.

 

I have seen posts from a couple of people in the past two years that indicated that WNU was still doing the degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or doctorate) for 5-to-7-classes-plus-a-final-paper scam. Last time I looked I didn't see any general education classes being offered by WNU which is about half of a standard Bachelor's degree. It is unclear to me whether the information posted by unknown people on the internet was bogus, or WNU really thought that they could make accreditation which means that the ownership/adminstration was very deluded, or they were just buying time, or the WNU owner found some suckers to invest in WNU as kind of a final fraudulent going out of business hoorah.

 

they should move to Mississippi with the rest of the not so wonderful schools there.

 

The open letter to students detailing their license revocation is now posted on the homepage.

http://www.wnuedu.com/

 

No, they are closing and referring students to Preston University as stated on the webpage, see http://www.wnuedu.com/ .

 

"Selling" is probably more accurate. And Preston doesn't even appear to be licensed. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.