Today's Detroit Free Press has a story about the University of Phoenix laying off 700 people -- mostly admissions personnel -- in an attempt to "to better align our operations with our business strategy, refined business model and outlook." This is of great interest to me because I work for CMU's Off-Campus Programs in one of the metro Detroit centers and Phoenix is considered one of our "competitors" (for lack of a better word). There has been a lot in the press recently about how the federal government is starting to look more closely at for-profit schools in terms of their marketing and graduation rates. The majority of these schools, Phoenix being the biggest offender, are targeting low-income people in depressed areas and are paying them a stipend to attend school. Some also pay transportation costs and food money. The goal is to get these people enrolled and signed up for financial aid, even though some do not even have a GED or high school diploma. Most of these people drop out after the first semester because they are not equipped for the college experience. By that time, the school has already received their financial aid money and moves on to new prospects. The students are then liable to the federal government for their loans. There is talk that this student loan crisis will rival the banking debacle. My job is also to recruit new students; however, I don't get paid a bonus or have a quota for new enrollees, and my primary goal is to ensure a quality learning experience that will be recognized throughout the U.S. and other countries.
Read more: University of Phoenix lays off 700 nationwide | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101130/BUSINESS07/101130017/University-of-Phoenix-lays-off-700-nationwide#ixzz16mt92SUY
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