Wyoming Schools have just applied for accreditation

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by louisnguyen27, Jul 7, 2006.

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  1. louisnguyen27

    louisnguyen27 New Member

  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Interesting to see that Kennedy-Western applied under a different name; Warren National University.

    Is this a failsafe.....will they move K-W to yet another state, in case accreditation fails? If they gain accreditation, do they revert back to the K-W name?

    Was it Shakespeare that said, "It's good to live in interesting times"? :cool:
     
  3. Dr Rene

    Dr Rene Member

    That's interesting about the new name--Warren National University. The school may be named after the first governor of Wyoming--Frances E. Warren. He was also one of the first state Senators and also served on the city council of Cheyenne. Additionally, F.E. Warren Air Force Base is located in Cheyenne Wyoming. (I was stationed at Warren AFB in a previous life---that's how I know about the name).
     
  4. jugador

    jugador New Member

    Obviously, some might see the name change as a blatant attempt to curry favor with the Wyoming politicians. Seems to me it's far to late, if the strategy ever was a viable one.
     
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    They employ people in a low population, rural state. I doubt politicians dislike them.

    -=Steve=-
     
  6. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Didn't AICS changed their name once they achieved DETC accreditation as to leave the past behind.

    compare a search on Internet under new name or the old name.
    Who needs the old laundry, its not like they have reach academic history, I don't know them that well to pass judgements, but from all the negative I read, it will be a a good business decision and it will serve the students better if they start clean with new name.
     
  7. louisnguyen27

    louisnguyen27 New Member

    I agree with Lerner, some other schools as my ex: Paramount University of Technology, they have a close connection to the Kolejparamount in Malaysia with some programs were accredited by the government. So keeping the name is keeping their business in developing countries.
     
  8. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Belated points to Dr. Rene for guessing it would be after Frances E. Warren
     
  9. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    They would have to change their name even if they had RA accreditation because Kennedy-Western appears on too many 'do not hire from' lists.
     
  10. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

  11. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Degree Whitewashing on its way

    Maybe I'm skeptical because of my profession, but WOW!!!! this looks like an open invite to KWU "alumni" to whitewash their degree into something else and systematically defraud the system. From their FAQ

    "I am currently a student, which name will be reflected on my diploma?"

    If you graduate after January 1, 2007, you will receive a diploma reflecting the Warren National University name. This includes all REPLACEMENT and DUPLICATE diploma orders that are processed after this date.

    "I need a DUPLICATE or REPLACEMENT diploma, which name will be reflected on the diploma? "

    ALL diploma orders after January 1, 2007, REGARDLESS OF GRADUATION DATE, WILL REFLECT THE Warren National University name.

    Another FAQ

    "Which name will be reflected on my transcripts?

    Similar to the diplomas, all official and unofficial transcripts issued after January 1, 2007 will reflect the Warren National University name. IN THE LEGEND ON THE BACK of every official transcript will be additional information listing the institutional names and applicable service dates associated with each name. Unofficial transcripts will also have a reference to the Kennedy-Western University name and service dates."


    Seems pretty straightforward:

    1) January 1st, 2007, 6AM - Request a "Replacement diploma" with Warren National on it. You now have a degree from a university in the process of becoming accredited. Burn KWU "degree" and sell class ring.

    2) Circa 2008 - Warren National becomes DETC accredited, which I really think they will do.

    3) 2008 and Beyond - Since it is now Warren National, they will confirm to HR departments and anyone else that calls that the "student" has a Warren National degree, regardless of whether they graduated in 1985 with a KWU degree.

    It looks like 20+ years of unaccredited, substandard degrees being legitimized (to the unknowing public) in one fell swoop.

    Am I wrong here?
     
  12. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    AuditGuy, your concern is shared by me. The WNU website seems to indicate significant improvements to academic rigor in their policies. Which, of course, is great news except for the concern that you mention.
     
  13. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Thanks Bill;
    Glad to know I'm reading it the same. I'm not familiar with the rules, but at a bare minimum, this seems to be unethical for a university that is seeking accreditation.

    Any idea on the rush to change the name as of 1/1/2007? Any significance to this date?
     
  14. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Oh, 1 typo in my rant, I mentioned DETC accreditation, In fact they are not on the DETC applicant list.

    Lost the link, but I had this in a file somewhere.

    "The Chicago-based North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement said it had received applications from Kennedy-Western University in Cheyenne "
     
  15. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Oh, 1 typo in my rant, I mentioned DETC accreditation, In fact they are not on the DETC applicant list.

    Lost the link, but I had this in a file somewhere.

    "The Chicago-based North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement said it had received applications from Kennedy-Western University in Cheyenne "
     
  16. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    I think the theory that they might get DETC is reasonable. For example, if they aren't willing to cut the past loose then they might have a better chance at DETC.

    I've heard two theories why they are going for RA first. First that RA allows more credit coming in from transfers, testing, and portfolio. This has been an integral part of the KWU business model in the past. Of course previously the KWU candidate apparently didn't need to really prove anything so that part of it would be a big change. Second, that if they are just trying to buy as much time as possible, it would make more sense to apply for RA first then fall back on DETC rather than trying to convince the Wyoming authorities that they failed DETC first so now will try for RA second.

    I can only guess that they changed the name for the reasons stated, which I would say is an attempt to maximize the immediate hype and minimize the reputation damage caused by the Senate hearings.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 29, 2006
  17. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    Good insights Bill. I guess I'll buy some popcorn and watch the show. For our organization, I can set up a flag to catch them, it's just one more thing to watch for, but I feel for the companies that don't realize KWU is substandard, then to throw a smokescreen on top of that.
     
  18. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    This is one of my HUGE problems with DETC.

    Their own policies require that they reject any university found to be deceptively marketing their programs, misleading their prospective students, or acting with other than integrity in their operations.

    Yet DETC chose to completely ignore their own rules when they granted accreditation to AICS/ACCIS. Up until the very day that DETC accreditation was granted, AICS/ACCIS was proudly waving the flag of the World Association, a blatantly fraudulent accreditor. When asked about it the then-president of AICS said it was a "marketing decision" to defraud their potential students (not exactly the way she phrased it, but that was the idea.)

    K-W has done far worse than AICS. At least AICS programs were reasonably rigorous for some time before they applied to DETC; the same cannot be said for K-W.

    I would hope/suggest that anyone with an opinion on this would take the time to write a thoughtful, detailed letter to DETC on the K-W matter, perhaps reminding them of how much of a black eye the AICS/ACCIS matter *still* is for DETC, in the hopes that DETC will learn from its previous mistake and not accredit another substandard, highly unwonderful program.
     
  19. Robbie

    Robbie New Member

    Out of curiosity, do you guys feel the same way about graduates of CCU whom graduated prior to accreditation and when the school was operating under different names? And for all of those other schools who changed names and/or once was deemed substandard and eventually improved enough to gain accreditation?

    Just curious and not looking for an argument. And no, I have no ties to K-W or CCU.
     
  20. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    I think each case is different. KWU is an obvious sham with only a state license (attained with the difficulty of a license to cut hair) to keep it from the $$ for credentials fakes.

    On top of that, they appear to be trying to make 20 years of dubious degrees legitimate thru the accreditation process. I call foul on them, and will make sure my company never hires any of these people.

    CCU is different. I think they had decent, unaccredited program (if that is not an oxymoron) prior to receiving DETC accreditation.

    The CCU degree would still be an unaccredited degree, but doesn't attempt to willfully deceive people.

    And actually, we had a CCU case at our company. The individual(s) were told that the degree was unaccredited and should not be used for further promotions.

    The KWU "graduates" were not so lucky.
     

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