Clayton Crumbles, Bear Boasts

[Martin Eisenstadt]

Clayton didn't take their money and run. The article says that they met with state officials this Monday to see about setting up a teach-out plan with another school.

As I said, it remains to be seen whether they are unscrupulous or not. According to the Facebook discussion, CCNH was cashing tuition checks right up until at least July 6. Meeting about a plan and doing it are two different things. For the sake of the students, I hope you are right.

[RespectableGent]

As I said, it remains to be seen whether they are unscrupulous or not.  According to the Facebook discussion, CCNH was cashing tuition checks right up until at least July 6.  Meeting about a plan and doing it are two different things.  For the sake of the students, I hope you are right.

Even if Clayton doesn't do teach-out, Clayton still provided service to those students who began their studies before the school closed. Clayton isn't obligated to provide refunds. They had instructors to pay for those courses the students took with the school.

It's like going to your local unaccredited career school and half way through your studies the college is attacked by a terrorist, destroying the school. The college isn't obligated to refund your money. They had to staff to pay, building resources, and had to pay the instructors for the courses you took.

You'll just have to find someone else who will accept your credits. There are plenty of money hungry unaccredited schools who will accept credits from almost anywhere.

All Clayton has to do is send students their transcripts and that's that.

The students in the article seem to want Clayton to just hand them their PhD for the few courses they did with the school.

[Martin Eisenstadt]

Even if Clayton is unable to find a school for teach-out, Clayton still provided service to those students who began their studies before the school closed. Clayton isn't obligated to provide refunds.

Again, check that Facebook discussion.  It appears that many CCNH students paid their full program tuition in advance.  You are right insofar as tuition earned for courses actually taught, but the unearned portion should be refunded.  

[RespectableGent]

Again, check that Facebook discussion.  It appears that many CCNH students paid their full program tuition in advance.  You are right insofar as tuition earned for courses actually taught, but the unearned portion should be refunded.  

Yep. I agree that the unearned portion should be refunded.

Truthfully, if I were Clayton I wouldn't bother with all of this drama of closing the school, risking lawsuits, catering to complaints, or dealing with all of this "teach-out" stuff. If I wanted to get out of the business I would axe my courses, lay off my faculty, and have my students do some book reports for the remainder of their degree. It's not like a book can't provide as much of an education as a college course.

[Winston Smith]

It became clear to me that his interest was far more in the direction of profitability than academics, and our discussions ended.

I see how this works.

Klempner + Profit = Good Choice

Anyone else + Profit = You greedy bastard!!

[BROWN TEAL]

I see how this works.
Klempner + Profit = Good Choice
Anyone else + Profit = You greedy bastard!!

Correct!
Right from the word L.I.A.R JB made a fortune from his promotion of private, non-state controlled, DL universities, and from his many years of publishing his 'guides'.
I believe that he was once quite highly regarded in education circles, but all that changed with his RA or NO WAY fanaticism - hence his leading role in the HALL OF SHAME.

[Winston Smith]

BTW, just how worthless is the Better Business Bureau?  Right up until CCNH went out of business the BBB was touting them as "A+" rated.  

No more worthless than the vaunted "USDLA/QS Certification" that CCNH claimed in 2008.  Starting to look more like BS Certification.  

"The school gets better and better!!!"  Until it gets so good it supernovas and destroys itself?  

"Met or exceeded our expectations!!!"  Because we expected them to go out of business last year?

It will be interesting to see what the real reason is behind the plug getting pulled here.  Contrary to what the clones would like people to believe, this was no diploma mill.  All this USDLA and DETC compliance activity isn't consistent with somebody planning to sneak out of town in the dead of night like the Baltimore Colts.  I don't believe their "it's the economy" explanation either.  There's another shoe to drop.

Clayton College of Natural Health Awarded Quality Certification by United States Distance Learning Association

04.23.2008, Birmingham—Clayton College of Natural Health has been awarded the Quality Standards Certification by the United States Distance Learning Association.

USDLA/QS certification is “a standards based program that recognizes excellence across a range of distance learning settings,” according to Dr. John G. Flores, USDLA Chief Executive Officer. Clayton College has been certified as an Alternative and Continuing Education provider under the Quality Standards program. Based on a rigorous peer review process, it is designed both to protect the public and to improve the distance learning experience.

“USDLA Quality Standards certification is a stringent program. The college can be justifiably proud of its accomplishment,” said Dr. Flores. “Even greater, though, is the confidence this gives students. With certification comes the assurance of fair treatment within a strong, responsive distance learning program. And because ‘continuous improvement’ is built–in — the school gets better and better!”

A school undergoing the certification process must agree to abide by the USDLA/QS Code of Conduct and complete a lengthy self–study. The certification process culminates with an on–site review by a USDLA site team, including interviews with faculty, staff, and students, to verify the institution’s compliance with the Standards of Practice.

“The USDLA Quality Certification is an important validation of the high quality of Clayton College and its programs,” said Clayton College COO Kay Channell.

The USDLA site team, chaired by Dr. Jan McMahill, Dean of the School of Education at Drake University, found that Clayton College “met or exceeded our expectations throughout.”

USDLA/QS certification is awarded for a five–year period, subject to continued satisfactory performance, adherence to the Code of Conduct, and an integral program of continuous improvement.

[WilliamW]

There's another shoe to drop.

I doubt it's anything so sinister.

Clayton had a pretty good setup there in Alabama.  Minimum regulation, hence minimum overhead, hence low tuition which gave him an irresistible marketing hook (you can afford it!).

Then suddenly Alabama decided it wanted to be Oregon and regulate the shit out of unaccredited schools.  He had already made his money, so why invest his retirement fund in unobtainium?  Clayton said, okay assholes, regulate this and dropped the hot potato in their laps.  

Now the Alabama government paper shufflers get to earn their money for a change.  "Clean up on Aisle 6!"  No doubt the sort of job for which they are best suited anyway.

[Ryan Steele]

It became clear to me that his interest was far more in the direction of profitability than academics, and our discussions ended.

I see how this works.

Klempner + Profit = Good Choice

Anyone else + Profit = You greedy bastard!!

It doesn't end with this guy. You would think that at some point in his life he would reach a stage of soul searching and realize "Wow, I'm a douche bag. Maybe I should stop."

Still waiting.

[Martin Eisenstadt]

Latest from the ACCS website:

UPDATE ON CLAYTON COLLEGE OF NATURAL HEALTH, July 20, 2010

Officials at the Clayton College of Natural Health have contacted DPE and have asked that we convey the following message:

"Please let people know that our being out of touch is not demonstrating bad faith and that we will contact them with information as soon as we possibly can."

DPE does not have any new information related to teach outs or transfers but has been contacted by other schools who are interested in pursuing the matter with CCNH. Please continue to monitor this website for new information.

http://www.accs.cc/