In defense of For-profits

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Glor1295, Sep 17, 2010.

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  1. Glor1295

    Glor1295 New Member

  2. peejcj8

    peejcj8 New Member

    If a degree of value was earned as a result, then there would be (and should be) no arguement.

    I paid 1200 dollars for my GI bill in 1990, in a year when I made 4500 dollars as an E1.
    Money well spent! I would have tossed it anyway!
     
  3. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    I just enrolled in American Military University and the tuition is reasonable. However, their tuition has continually crept upwards since they achieved regional accreditation. The same thing happened with Northcentral University; now NCU's tuition is pretty high. AMU's tuition is still extremely reasonable (right now). With all the flak in the media and impending new rules from the federal government, it's highly unlikely that AMU's tuition will skyrocket because it would potentially price themselves out of the eligibility market for receiving federal monies under the new rules that are being proposed. U0P and other similar institutions might be in this boat already. It remains to be seen.

    I have two not for-profit degrees, one for-profit degree and am currently enrolled in a for-profit degree. The service provided by the for-profit institutions is superior than the not for-profit institutions because their livelihood depends on it. The academic quality these for-profit and not for-profit institutions is good and is equal i.e. one isn't superior to the other, at least not in my anecdotal observation with these four institutions.
     
  4. PaulC

    PaulC Member

    I have worked for several so called "not for profit" schools. I can assure you, much of the discussion within is about making sure there is a profit. Call it what you want, it is the same bones: a relentless effort to increase enrollments or endowments to assure more money in than out. There may be good reasons for preference, but thinking one wants to make money and the other doesn't, is looking in the wrong fox hole.
     
  5. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Very good insight than many of us will never be privy to. I'm not surprised that there are more similarities in the profit motive between traditional and for-profit schools than most of us realize.
     
  6. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

  7. If the subtext of the article title is:

    "Obama plan to treat heroes like scofflaws is insulting"

    You know you're about to hear an evenhanded presentation of the facts.

    A little bit off topic but there was just a segment on NPR where a decorated Marine and other military and public service callers were agreeing that it is really inappropriate to automatically call soldiers, police officers, firemen, etc. "heroes". Their argument was that, just like regular folks, they don't become heroes until they go above and beyond the call of duty.
     
  8. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I love NPR. I wish I heard that piece. I once wrote an essay with a similar point when I was in high school.

    I knew a guy who wanted to become a firefighter because he liked the idea of hanging out with the guys at the station house. Another guy, because he liked the excitement and yet another because he liked the benefits. I know at least two paramedics who couldn't think of what else to do for work, one police officer who wanted to retire young and one disturbing young man who wants to join the army because he likes playing combat video games (his goal is to become a sniper).

    Of course, there are those who wish to serve others and give meaning to their lives through sacrifice, but in general I really think that most people who fight fires, dress wounds, put on bullet proof vests, etc. don't do so because they are heroic. They do it because their boss tells them to.
     
  9. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I had the same impression of this as you did. A little bit of misdirection and emotional appeal and WHAM, all statements herein shall be considered more powerful and poignant than they deserve to be.
     
  10. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I agree with you on the hero part. My service has had zero acts of courage or bravery. I'm just a guy that likes being in the military and enjoys the people and actually believe that I am serving my country.

    There are people, however, who believe that by the very act of volunteering...be it for police, firefighter, or military that you are a hero.

    Not sure where you were going with that one or the Obama comment.
     

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