Warren National University Closing?

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by wills, Jan 27, 2009.

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  1. wills

    wills New Member

    As of Tuesday, January 27, 2009:


    Warren National University has withdrawn its application for candidacy with the Higher Learning Commission.

    Information Management Coordinator
    The Higher Learning Commission of NCA
    30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
    Chicago, IL 60602
     
  2. wills

    wills New Member

    Confirmation:

    From:

    Associate Director for Accreditation
    The Higher Learning Commission of NCA
    30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602

    "Warren National University has voluntarily withdrawn from the Higher Learning Commission's Eligibility Process. I believe that the institution plans on an announcement to students and its constituents very soon, which will likely include an indication of the institution's future plans."
     
  3. wills

    wills New Member

    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
     
  4. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Is Preston University, in fact, "legally licensed" ?

    Preston, like WNU, was formerly located in Wyoming. Preston moved to Alabama when Wyoming toughened its rules; they currently claim to be Alabama-licensed, with an address in Montgomery. But Alabama recently toughened their rules as well. A number of unaccredited schools have been forced to close or move out of Alabama in recent months (Breyer State is a prominent example).

    The Alabama Dept. of Post-Secondary Education, which is responsible for licensing proprietary post-secondary institutions, currently indicates that Preston's license expired on 12/01/08. Preston's name is listed in blue, which "denotes that the school's license has expired".

    Any current students who are considering WNU's final offer might want to check Preston's legal status carefully, or they could be in for a final ripoff.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2009
  5. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    WNU has now publicly acknowledged its closure at its home page, under the heading "NOTICE: Last Date of Instruction March 31, 2009". The announcement largely duplicates the "Open Letter to the Students" provided above by Wills, but there are some differences.

    The public announcement mentions that Preston will become the registrar of record, and that WNU students will have the opportunity to transfer. However, the public announcement, unlike the letter to students, does not refer to Preston as a licensed institution.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 31, 2009

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