Troubles Grow for a University Built on Profits (Univ of Phoenix: 16% graduation rate)

[kurth]

February 11, 2007
Troubles Grow for a University Built on Profits
By SAM DILLON

PHOENIX — The University of Phoenix became the nation’s largest private university by delivering high profits to investors and a solid, albeit low-overhead, education to midcareer workers seeking college degrees. But its reputation is fraying as prominent educators, students and some of its own former administrators say the relentless pressure for higher profits, at a university that gets more federal student financial aid than any other, has eroded academic quality.

According to federal statistics and government audits, the university relies more on part-time instructors than all but a few other postsecondary institutions, and its accelerated academic schedule races students through course work in about half the time of traditional universities. The university says that its graduation rate, using the federal standard, is 16 percent, which is among the nation’s lowest, according to Department of Education data. But the university has dozens of campuses, and at many, the rate is even lower.

In an interview, William J. Pepicello, the university’s new president, defended its academic quality and said it met the needs of working students who had been largely ignored by traditional colleges. But many students say they have had infuriating experiences at the university before dropping out, contributing to the poor graduation rate. In recent interviews, current and former students in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington who studied at University of Phoenix campuses in those states or online complained of instructional shortcuts, unqualified professors and recruiting abuses. Many of their comments echoed experiences reported by thousands of other students on consumer Web sites.

The complaints have built through months of turmoil. The president resigned, as did the chief executive and other top officers at the Apollo Group, the university’s parent corporation. A federal court reinstated a lawsuit accusing the university of fraudulently obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in financial aid. The university denies wrongdoing. Apollo stock fell so far that in November, CNBC featured it on a “Biggest Losers” segment. The stock has since gained back some ground. In November, the Intel Corporation excluded the university from its tuition reimbursement program, saying it lacked top-notch accreditation...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/education/11phoenix.html

[Aviation Pro]

1. Dig deeper and you'll find....

...you guessed it, a Republican donor to Bush.

[kurth]

4. Univ of Phoenix received $1.8 billion in federal student aid in 2004-5

Mind boggling, ain't it?

[boobooday]

2. How could they possibly be 'meeting the needs of students'

With a 16% graduation rate?

Sounds like they are only concerned with what they need: profits.

[mediaman007]

5. I wonder what businesses recognize Phoenix graduates and

send recruiters to their campuses. The job placement program must consist of Monster.com.

[boobooday]

8. I can't believe that any employer is impressed

with a degree from a University that advertises a 1-800 number.

Just think of all that federal student aid that is being wasted on a FOR PROFIT institution that graduates almost no one.

[Buzz Clik]

3. 16% graduation? Outrageous.

If U of Phoenix had an athletic program, the NCAA would suspend all athletic activities until the graduation rate improved drastically.

I support the notion of Phoenix, but this is unacceptable.

[Crabby Appleton]

9. but they do have a stadium - sorta.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Phoenix_Stadium

[XemaSab]

11. If you dig deeper, the 16% is students who do not previously have

a bachelor's degree, and who graduate within 6 years.

Both of these would be strikes against Phoenix, because it's mostly older people going back to school while working. They already have degrees, and the time pressures mean that many students may take longer than 6 years.

[Nikki Stone1]

6. Education is not a bottom-line business

I have no problem with U of Phoenix's private status nor its desire to make a profit. But they need to understand that education is not a bottom line business. If you pay too little and don't offer full time professorial positions (and these cost $$$), all you will get are people who couldn't get a job teaching their subject matter elsewhere. Some of these will be good, just unlucky in the job market, but many others will simply be unqualified. No way to get around that. And to keep students, you need to have a high quality product.

I do have a problem with U of Phoenix relying on Federal education monies that could be better spent on the more efficient, already subsidized state college system. But, I think the state systems need to do some revamping to serve "untraditional" students. Professional degrees (usually in business, computers, teaching and the like) take a long time to get on a part time basis (4-5 years in night classes). For some students, especially those with families, this is simply too much of a time committment, especially considering the drive to and from the university and the kinds of projects and testing are traditionally done. The university needs to start offering programs which can fit into the kinds of schedules real people have. More internet classes, more Saturday seminars, more independent study, and streamline some of the required courses to make the teaching of them more efficient. And no grading, just Credit/No Credit.

[enid602]

7. fraud

Schools like this employ a high-pressure sales pitch to attract students (despite their qualifications, interests or abilities), and teach them how to get federal funds, often telling the students that they won't really have to pay them back. It's nothing more than fraudulent use of taxpayer funds.

[sutz12]

10. More proof that the business model is not suited to all tasks...

When money is the only motivator, money is the only product.

'For profit' is the last thing we should be looking for as motivation for jobs such as medical, educational, and government workers in general. When money is the ultimate goal, everything else takes second place, especially quality of service and pride in one's work.