Columbia Commonwealth Disappeared?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Earon Kavanagh, Sep 23, 2008.

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  1. Columbia Commonwealth seems to have disappeared. It's website is blank. And it is no longer listed as licensed by Wyoming:

    http://www.k12.wy.us/F/psl/degree.pdf

    Has anyone heard anything about CCWU?

    By the way, for those that know me from the old days here, and at alt.education.distance, I'm defending my PhD dissertation at Tilburg University in the Netherlands on November 25th.

    I did notice on the Wyomind website that Warren National is still listed as licensed.

    Earon Kavanagh
     
  2. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    Good Lord a ghost from the past, How are you? Long time no hear?
    I was wondering what happened to you? Anyway, good to hear from you again.
     
  3. Ghost from the past

    A ghost from the past indeed. A ghost of past distance ed. Far too busy during past six years, writing dissertation, going back and forth to the Netherlands, and working full time. Way too busy to be doing much online. I'm well and happy to be near the end of this journey. Thanks for asking.
    Earon
     
  4. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    Well, glad to have you back at least in a limited capacity, I do that my self when I get really busy, I get disconnect for a while then come back. Keep in touch and best of luck with your studies.
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Good luck with your defense, Earon.

    Sorry to hear about CCWU. It never seemed to take off. The halcyon days of California alternative higher education are long dead. Alas.
     
  6. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Telephone disconnected, as well.

    I've emailed Les Carr to ask, and if he replies with an answer or explanation, I'll pass it along here. Sad to think that all those professors in Malawi might be unemployed.
     
  7. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Les Carr's reply:

    "WY law requires that CCWU be making documented progress toward accreditation or we cannot advertise or be in business as an institution of higher education. At this point CCWU is in limbo. With the help of Board members, we have raised about $500,000 for CCWU with a good portion going toward accreditation preparation. The hard reality is that in order to get conditionally regionally accredited, CCWU must immediately raise minimum 1 million dollars. We are negotiating now with (he names an organization)...
    One our Board members who is in a leadership role (in this organization) is trying his best to bring the relationship to a positive conclusion. I will keep you informed."

    (I would remind people that Carr, as president of Lewis University, Illinois and then of New College, California, guided both through their initial regional accreditation process. I still would not be astonished if he eventually pulls it off with CCWU.)
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    His challenges seem to be (a) raising the money, (b) being sufficient academically, and (c) being active as a university. I'm not so sure the last one can be met anymore given the Wyoming location and the curtailing of academic activities ("limbo"). I hope he/they can cut through this Gordian knot.
     
  9. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    $1,500,000 for what? There is no NCA requirement that an applicant have a minimum amount of cash or assets. Just sufficient resources to accomplish the stated mission.

    Out-of-pocket costs for direct NCA expenses including the site visit costs should be less than $25,000.

    I understand that they must expect to operate at a loss for a period of time. But a million and a half dollars? I've seen it accomplished for less than $250,000.

    There must be more to the story. And why wouldn't they consider DETC? DETC is no easier than NCA but the time period is usually shorter.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 25, 2008
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Don't be a stranger, Earon. :)
     
  11. David makes a good point. Although Dr. Carr took Lewis University to a re-accreditation back in the mid-1970's, he did it with the institution's own resources. Carr has not produced the same accreditation goal since then. He and his partners had 18 years to do something significantly stabilizing with Columbia Pacific. He had seven years to do something significantly stabilizing with Columbia Commonwealth. He also had several years to achieve something with Senior University. Based on his results since 1978 the best Carr could do for the education community and would-be learners is STAY AWAY FROM THE FIELD OF EDUCATION. His operations can be considered, based on results, as pariahs.

    As for me, I have 28 days to go for my PhD defence at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. I think this is trip number 5 to the campus.

    Earon Kavanagh
     
  12. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

    Best of luck in your defense.

    Keep us posted.
     
  13. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Good luck!
     

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