NYC Officials Seeks Data From DeVry, Career Education Corp.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that New York City Comptroller John C. Liu is calling upon DeVry, Inc. and Career Education Corporation to disclose students' loan-repayment rates and debt-to-income ratios.  These statistics are tied to one of the most widespread problems in the for-profit school industry: gainful employment among graduates.  The Comptroller's request to two of the nation's largest for-profit schools was made via shareholder resolutions.

American Career Institute Suddenly Closes

Hundreds of adults enrolled in job-training programs at American Career Institute are reeling following the sudden closing of the school.
The school's campuses in Massachusetts and Maryland closed without warning, leaving students without immediate recourse for completion of programs for which they had paid substantial tuition and devoted considerable time.
Media reports have suggested that administrators at the ACI had notice for a period of weeks regarding financial problems at the Springfield-based company, but students appear to have been kept in the dark.
Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a law firm that has represented thousands of students affected by improper actions by for-profit schools around the country, is investigating.  If you have a concern or question about ACI's closing, feel free to call 1-877-540-8333 or contact@googasian.com.

South University whistleblower criticizes school's recruiting tactics

A former admissions official at South University asserts that recruiters at the school are encouraged to say whatever it takes to convince students to enroll.
Jason Sobek, former associate director of admissions for South University, told an investigative news team that he also was trained to target low-income students, single mothers, and even women staying at women's shelters.
According to an "I Team" report by a Florida television news station, Mr. Sobek is claiming that the South Univesrity's parent company, Education Management Corporation, "is involved in lying to students and defrauding taxpayers."  In addition to South University, EDMC operates Argosy University, Brown Mackie College, and the Art Institutes. EDMC denies Mr. Sobek's allegations.
Florida's attorney general is reportedly investigating EDMC-operated Argosy University for alleged unfair and deceptive practices.

Butler, Sawyer Schools Suddenly Close in Connecticut

Three Connecticut business schools have suddenly closed, leaving more than 1,000 students with significant student loan debt stunned and looking for answers.
Published reports in recent days have described the sudden closing of Butler Business School in Bridgeport and the Sawyer Schools in Hamden and Hartford that have affected 1,200 students. A state law requires at least 60 days notice prior to the closing of a school, and news reports indicate that this law may have been violated by Butler and Sawyer.

Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan law firm that pursues claims against post-secondary schools on behalf of current and former students, are investigating the closure on behalf of students.  The Googasian Firm served as class counsel for students in a class action filed against Clayton College of Natural Health, Inc.. after that natural wellness school suddenly closed in July 2010.  The firm also represents a class of students affected by accreditation issues and the closing at the Palm Beach Institute of Technology.
If you have concerns about these closings that you wish to share with an attorney at The Googasian Firm, please call 1-877-540-8333.

Closure of Global College of Natural Medicine Investigated

Global College of Natural Medicine abruptly closed on November 30, 2012, leaving thousands of students without any clear recourse for completion of their studies or return of tuition entrusted to the school.  The California-based distance education school cited an inability to renew its license as a basis for the closing.

Attorneys at The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan law firm that pursues claims against post-secondary schools on behalf of current and former students, are investigating the closure on behalf of students.  The Googasian Firm served as class counsel for students in a class action filed against Clayton College of Natural Health, Inc. after that natural wellness school suddenly closed in July 2010.

If you have concerns about GCNM's closing that you wish to share with an attorney at The Googasian Firm, please call 1-877-540-8333, or fill out a concern form here.

DACC Nursing Program Loses Accredtiation

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that Dona Ana Community College in New Mexico was denied accreditation for its nursing program, leaving many students "worried and scrambling to find out what the loss means for their academic and professional careers."

According to the Sun-News, the Georgia-based National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission announced last week on its website that it had denied accreditation for DACC's associate-degree granting program.  Graduation from an accredited nursing program typically is a pre-requisite for many certifications and hiring.   DACC has told students that, despite the failure to obtain accreditation, they remain eligible to take a national licensure exam.

Loss of accreditation is a recurring issue in post-secondary education.  The Googasian Firm, P.C., a Michigan-based law firm that has represented thousands of college students across the country in multiple class actions arising from acts by schools that have harmed students, recently filed a class action on behalf of out-of-state students affected by the Higher Learning Commission's recent actions to revoke accreditation for Mountain State University in West Virginia.  The firm also is investigating the developments with regard to accreditation at DACC's nursing program.  If you have questions or concerns about DACC's failure to obtain accreditation, you may share those concerns with attorneys at The Googasian Firm by sending an e-mail to contact@googasian.com or calling 1-877-540-8333.

West Virginia Board Seeks Oversight Of Private Colleges

The Associated Press is reporting that the State of West Virginia is seeking expanded authority over private and for-profit colleges,

The need for expanded regulation by state governments is increasingly seen as a needed response to rampant  problems in for-profit and private school education.

West Virginia's Higher Education Policy Commission reportedly has approved a rule that would require information from every state private college on student retention rates, transfers, licensure pass rates and loan  default results.  The new rule must be approved by the state Legislature.

The new rule would expand the authority of the commission, which currently only monitors 12 public and private colleges and universities.

This effort to expand oversight in West Virginia comes in the wake of the Higher Learning Commission acting to revoke Beckley-based Mountain State University's accreditation in June 2012.

Paul Hill, the chancellor of the state Commission seeking the new authority, told the Associated Press, "Some think we're over-regulating.  But with the unfortunate situation we've seen with Mountain State University, we see what can happen without oversight."

Two federal class actions against Mountain State University have been commenced following the accrediting agency's action to revoke the school's accreditation.  For additional information on the these lawsuits, go to www.mountainstatelawsuits.com  or send an e-mail to mountainstate@googasian.com.