Durbin Urges Accreditor to Make Details of University of Phoenix Review Public So Students Can Make Informed Decisions
WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) late yesterday urged the Higher Learning Commission, which reviews and accredits colleges and universities, to make public the details of their upcoming review of the University of Phoenix. According to Durbin, with the University of Phoenix being the subject of at least five state lawsuits and an investigation by the General Accountability Office, students and families should have complete access to the Higher Learning Commissions findings in order to make informed decisions about their college choice.
Durbin wrote: “As soon as practicable following your comprehensive accreditation review, the findings should be made available to the public. Such information about the practices and programs at the University of Phoenix can inform prospective students and their families seeking to make informed decisions about their postsecondary education choice.”
In the past, Durbin has called into question the role that accrediting agencies play in holding colleges and universities accountable for high academic standards. Calling them “gateways to federal funding”, Durbin asked 60 accrediting agencies in March of last year for an explanation of the standards they use to ensure quality.
In his letter today, Durbin asked for the Higher Learning Commission to partner with Congress in ensuring that limited federal resources are used only toward colleges and universities that offer their students quality education, clear information about their financial obligations, and appropriate educational support: “Many of us in Congress are working to help raise the standards of postsecondary education. The propriety sector has grown faster than any other sector and warrants careful scrutiny,” Durbin wrote. “The Higher Learning Commission can be an effective partner in this effort with a careful and transparent review of the University of Phoenix.”
[Text of the letter is below]
February 21, 2012
Ms. Sylvia Manning
President
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413
Dear Ms. Manning:
As the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) begins to review the accreditation status of the University of Phoenix next month, I urge your agency to take great care in considering the integrity and quality of the programs.
The last comprehensive evaluation review of the University of Phoenix was ten years ago. Since the institution’s last accreditation review, it has been the subject at least five state lawsuits and an investigation by the U.S. General Accountability Office. The school has been fined by the U.S. Department of Education for violating federal regulations. The subject of these investigations and lawsuits has varied widely and merit careful review of all of the University’s practices.
As soon as practicable following your comprehensive accreditation review, the findings should be made available to the public. Such information about the practices and programs at the University of Phoenix can inform prospective students and their families seeking to make informed decisions about their postsecondary education choice.
Many of us in Congress are working to help raise the standards of postsecondary education. The propriety sector has grown faster than any other sector and warrants careful scrutiny. We have limited federal resources for student financial aid, making it imperative that participating institutions offer their students quality education, clear information about their financial obligations, and appropriate educational support. The Higher Learning Commission can be an effective partner in this effort with a careful and transparent review of the University of Phoenix.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
