Saint Regis University

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The subject of this article should not be confused with Regis University of Denver, Colorado.

Saint Regis University is a now-defunct diploma mill operation with several other connected institutions. The Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization has stated that Saint Regis University was a diploma mill linked to 18 other front "schools".[1] The school issued degrees based on "life experience" instead of requiring the taking of actual academic classes or a formal course of study. It sold both college degrees and high school diplomas.

The Associated Press reported "at least 135 federal employees" hold bogus degrees from the Saint Regis operation.[2] This includes a White House staffer, a State Department employee in Kuwait, and a Department of Justice employee in Spokane.

Contents

[edit] History

In November 2005, The Higher Education Supplement noted that prosecutors discovered the university formed part of an elaborate online scam masterminded by a former estate agent called "Dixie."[3] Furthermore, "Dixie Ellen Randock, her husband, Steven Karl Randock Sr, and six alleged accomplices were indicted last month after a US Secret Service sting. Experts say the group was one of the biggest fish in the booming $1 billion (£584 million) a year phoney degree and diploma-granting racket."[3]

Dixie E. and Stephen K. Randock Sr. were indicted in October 2005 on charges of conspiring to commit fraud and laundering nearly $2 million dollars in diploma mill receipts from 2002 to 2005.[2]

On February 9, 2007, New York 1 News announced that several members of the New York City Fire Department were going to be arrested and charged with submitting false degrees from St. Regis University in order to qualify and get promotions.

[edit] Litigation

[edit] Teachers in Georgia

Saint Regis University made national news when eleven teachers in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States were found using degrees from this institution to increase their salaries. In July 2004, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission revoked the licenses of all 11 teachers.[4] When it was discovered Regis was a diploma mill six teachers resigned.[5]

[edit] The Liberian controversy

The operators "falsely asserted" Liberian and Indian government approval and actually operated "mainly from State of Washington but may have operations elsewhere". The Oregon office also notes the linkages between James Monroe International University (aka James Monroe University), St. Regis University, Robertstown University, and over fifteen other named institutions.[1]

On October 4, 2004 the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C. posted the message "URGENT DISCLAIMER ON THE ILLEGAL ESTABLISHMENT AND RECOGNITION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA" declaring "null and void whatever documents St. Regis University may claim to possess emanating from the [National] Commission [of Higher Education]."[6]

The regionally accredited Regis University of Denver, Colorado filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against St. Regis on December 6, 2004. This action, case no. CV-04-462-RHW, was publicly filed in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Washington State. Most St. Regis academic material was transferred to the James Monroe University site after the lawsuit was filed. A few months later the domain administrator for .lr (Liberia) internet domains cancelled saintregis.edu.lr, in effect eliminating the worldwide web presence of St. Regis.[7]

[edit] Arrests

In October, 2005 the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced the indictments of eight alleged operators of St. Regis. Charged with violations of Title 18 of the United States Code were Dixie Randock, Steven Randock, Sr., Blake Carlson, Richard Novak, Heidi Lorhan, Amy Hensley, Roberta Markishtum, and Kenneth Pearson. In January, 2006 Pearson was also indicted on "federal charges of possession and receipt of child pornography." According to prosecutors, four computers seized from Pearson's home in association with the diploma mill investigation were found to contain more than 10,000 sexually explicit images of children.[8]

Carlson pled guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud" on March 7, 2006. Novak pled guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud and to Violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" and a second Class D felony count of "Violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" on March 20, 2006. Pearson pled guilty to a pair of felony counts on October 10, 2006.

[edit] United States government employees

In October 2006, the Associated Press reported that numerous employees of the federal government in the United States had received diplomas from St. Regis and its affiliates. Though they have not been identified by name, the employees reportedly included a White House staff member, National Security Agency employees, a senior State Department official, and a Department of Justice employee.[9]

[edit] James Monroe International University

James Monroe International University formerly known as James Monroe University, claimed to be based in Seborga and have accreditation from the Minister of Education in Seborga and from the Distance Education Council (DEC) of India. Previously it claimed to be located in Liberia and accredited by the Liberian Government. It was revealed to be ran by the same operators as Saint Regis University.[10]

[edit] CNN coverage

On December 15, 2005, CNN aired a report on diploma mills and terrorism. The reported explained that "H-1B visas can be issued to anyone who is highly skilled and can get a job in the U.S. McDevitt is concerned a phony advanced degree could be the first step for someone in a terrorist sleeper cell."[11]

The report explained how the United States Secret Service "bought their own degree for a perfect terrorist candidate, although theirs was fictional." The person was "Mohammed Syed", who had no formal education, but chemical training and chemical engineering with the Syrian army. "The Secret Service even added to Syed's application that he needed a degree quickly, so he could find employment and obtain an H-1B visa, allowing him to stay in the US." Furthermore, "In less than a month, the imaginary Syrian army expert was notified James Monroe University was awarding him three advanced degrees in engineering and chemistry, all for $1,277.".[11] Many of the "degrees" 'Saint Regis University,' 'Robertstown University' and 'James Monroe University' sold went to Saudi Arabia. [12]

[edit] Robertstown University

Robertstown University used to claim that it was in Liberia and was accredited by the Liberian Government. It was closed until the issues involving its accreditation by the Liberian Government are resolved."[3] Subsequently, it was revealed to be run by the same operators as Saint Regis University.

[edit] Connected institutions

The following are defunct "schools" ran by the Regis operators[1]
  • Al Qasim University (Pakistan)
  • All Saints American University (Liberia)
  • Bangalore Inst of Science, Tech. and Mgt (India)
  • Blackstone University
  • Capital American University (Liberia)
  • Center College of Executive & Professional Development (India)
  • Colony University (Liberia)
  • InTech University (Liberia)
  • James Monroe University (Liberia, operated from Washington, Idaho and Arizona)
  • Miranda International University (Tennessee, Washington, and Seborga, Italy)
  • Nation State University
  • North United University
  • Panama Canal University
  • Port Rhode University
  • Robertstown University (Liberia, operated from Washington state, Idaho and Arizona.)
  • St. Lourdes University
  • St. Renoir University
  • Trinity Christian School
  • Synergystics (ODA notes it "may" be connected)
  • University College for Advanced Studies (India)
  • Van Ives University
  • West Coast University (Panama, Western Australia, UK)

[edit] Accreditor

The following is the "accreditation mill" run by the Saint Regis University operators:
  • Distance Education Council

[edit] Former websites

The following are defunct websites once run by the Saint Regis operators
  • www.sru.multiservers.com/ Saint Regis University
  • www.jamesmonroeuniversity.ac/ James Monroe University
  • www.ru-edu.ac Robertstown University

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "List of unaccredited schools and diploma mills" Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, 2006
  2. ^ a b "Lawyer: Gov't workers got fake diplomas", Associated Press, October 12, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-12.
  3. ^ a b c Stephen Phillips A stress-free PhD? A snip at $250 The Higher Education Supplement 25 November 2005
  4. ^ "11 educators will lose state licenses." Atlanta Journal Constitution. July 9, 2004.
  5. ^ "States probe teachers' uses of bogus advanced degrees", USA Today, May 4, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-08-18.
  6. ^ Urgent Disclaimer on the illegal estblishment and recogniton of higher education institutions in the Republic of Liberia The Embassy of Liberia, 2004.
  7. ^ U.S. Attorney Press Release - US v. Randock, et al.
  8. ^ "Spokane diploma mill's webmaster hit with child porn indictment" The Olympian, 25 January 2006
  9. ^ White House, NSA staff said to be buyers from online diploma mill, The Associated Press, October 12, 2006
  10. ^ Bail granted for operators of alleged diploma mill Associated Press 28 October 2005
  11. ^ a b Diploma Mills Represent Security Threat to United States December 15, 2005 CNN, Paula Zahn Now
  12. ^ Diploma mill webmaster indicted on child-porn charges January 25, 2006 The Seattle Times.

[edit] External links

[edit] Government sources

[edit] News articles

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