Preston University

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Preston University is an unaccredited university based in the US state of Alabama.[1] (Preston University has no known connections with the city of Preston in England, or any of the many smaller places called Preston in the English-speaking world. The university in Preston, England, is called the University of Central Lancashire.) In 2001, an official of Preston University stated that the institution had 30 "affiliated" campuses in 19 countries and about 8,000 students, mostly in Pakistan. About 18 students were reported to be taking classes at what was then Preston's official main campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[2] As identified on its website, Preston University now has joint enrollment agreements with more than 40 affiliated campuses in 26 countries around the world and still serves about 8,000 students with quality educational opportunities. [3]

In 2001, Preston University was found to be falsely claiming that it employed faculty, two of whom had never heard of the school.[4] Since then, all Preston faculty are listed prominently on the school's web site and in its online catalog: www.preston.edu.

In 2007, the state of Wyoming enacted a requirement for all private schools to be accredited by one of the private accrediting associations in the United States. Because Preston remains non-accredited, it moved its operations to Alabama, which has well developed standards for private schools, and does not limit educational opportunities by requiring private accreditation.[5] Preston University's academic standards are fully consistent with traditional academic requirements in the United States. According to its 2008 catalog, the school neither accepts non-academic transfer credits, nor does it award credit for "life experience." Students must earn their degrees through rigorous academic study. [6]

United States federal law forbids the federal government from regulating or addressing any accrediting bodies that accredit schools that do not administer federal financial assistance.[7] Preston University, because of its international scope, does not administer federal financial assistance. Preston therefore does not fall within the scope or mandate of most of the private accreditation associations in the US.

On March 15 2007, the The Chronicle of Higher Education reported, "In response to a crackdown on diploma mills in Wyoming, an entity known as “Preston University” is moving part of its operations to Alabama, where laws are laxer."[8] The Associated Press reported that a new school, Fairmount International University, would offer an online business program from Preston's former Cheyenne offices. According to the Associated Press, Preston and Fairmount would both be owned by Abdul Basit, who served as president of both institutions, and that Jerry Haenisch would serve as chancellor of both.[9] However, Fairmount International University was not established and does not operate in Wyoming. [10] Preston's website now identifies its world headquarters location as Montgomery, Alabama.[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection", Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  2. ^ Sara Carr and Andrea L. Foster, States Struggle to Regulate Online Colleges That Lack Accreditation, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 23, 2001
  3. ^ Official website (Accessed 20 June 2007)
  4. ^ Foster, Andrea. "Some Professors Are Surprised to Be on a University's Roster", The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2001. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  5. ^ Ronald B. Standler. http://www.rbs2.com/accred.htm
  6. ^ Official website (Accessed 20 June 2007)
  7. ^ U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg14.html#RecognitionCriteria
  8. ^ "Diploma-Mill Crackdown in Wyoming Sends Preston U. to Sweet Home in Alabama", The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  9. ^ Gruver, Mead. "New law prompts online school changes", Associated Press, March 15, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13. 
  10. ^ [1] (Accessed 20 April 2008)
  11. ^ Official website (Accessed 20 June 2007)

[edit] External links