Washington DC summit on dubious degrees

Uncle Sam

Jeff wrote: "And what part of the Constitution would give the federal government the right to do something like this?"

Chris replied: "the Internet has made education so available nationwide that it has become inter-state commerce.... Purchasing a fraudulent degree online from another state is clearly under the pervue of the FBI. Really can't believe you didn't see that. Conspiracy theorist?"

Since there's a state approval process that is more basic than accreditation, buying a degree online from a state approved yet unaccredited mill may be sleazy, but I disagree that it would provide interstate commerce clause justification for the federal action Chris describes. At some point one has to say "caveat emptor".

Besides, as anachronistic as it may be in 2004 to suggest that the Constitution should limit the activities of the federal government, those here who suggest that it's important for people to play by the rules shouldn't exempt Uncle Sam.

In fact, I kind of like the fact that accreditation in the U.S. is both private and regionally based. By being private it's more free to do what's best for keeping mills out, yet by being regional it keeps the door to competition open, at least a little. And if you don't like RA you can go your own way, although it will be up to you to prove your value. Why isn't that fair enough?

-=Steve=-

 

Exception

I should add that if the Office of Personnel Management workeed with the Department of Education to draw up a list of universities the degrees from which were the only ones recognized for hiring or advancement for government jobs, that would be different.

And if they then published that list and others chose to use it when considering which universities to attend or whom to hire and/or promote, that would be their choice.

I may have a free market bias, but I see no reasonable objection for the government to draft its own HR policies.

(As an aside, I read the Denver Post article and though their use of "self-styled" to describe John Bear's expertise weirdly uncharitable.)

-=Steve=-