Bucky and Central Ray have constructed the following timeline. These events are to the best of our knowledge, and we will post links so the readers can verify our research.
January, 16th 2007 ACCSCT issued a probation order to the schools owned and operated by High Tech Insitute, inc. This includes Cambridge College of Aurora, CO
October, 2nd 2007 There was a public notice of probation by ACCSCT for Cambridge College
October, 23rd 2007 Classes were cancelled for a teacher inservice meeting
October, 24th 2007 A surprise meeting was called during which the student body was informed for the first time of the probation status and a possible loss of accredidation from the ACCSCT
Later that day we, your humble scribes Bucky and Central Ray, performed research. We found lots of material that helped us answer some questions we had. Some of these questions were asked, but not answered by our administration.
We've posted links to the right for everyone's benefit. Please contribute in any way you see fit.
You can make comments on any of our posts you see by clicking on the comment button located below each posting. If you would like us to publish a posting for you, email it to Bucky and Central Ray @: cambridgewtf@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
About This Project
This is intended to be a discussion about the accreditation problems at Cambrige College in Aurora, Colorado. We are two students that go there. We are not affiliated with the administration in any way. Our intention is to band together as a student body in an effort to benefit all individuals affected by the recent events. Keep in mind this is not a bitch session and any complaining just will not do. We must however share experiences and ideas to get what we were all promised. Let there be no confusion, we were promised an education of quality and an accreditted degree. So let's get together and see what we can do!
Drink the Kool-Aid!!!!
Your humble scribes have noticed a disturbing trend. Often, questions are asked of the administration, and rarely definitive answers are given. We’re disturbed at how easy it is to find some of these answers on our own. If the answers are out there in internet land, why isn’t the administration savvy to it? That makes your humble scribes’ pointy little ears perk up. It makes us wonder if something is being sugarcoated. Let’s face it, folks, the powers that be have jeopardized several months of our hard work and money. Is it fair for us to pay for their lack of diligence? No matter what sweet nothings they whisper in our pointy little ears, we are still faced with the prospect of a “degree” that’s worth as much as a cup of water is to a drowning man.
Some folks may remember a meeting in July, where the old president (Raymond Ada) instructed us to: 1 – come to school every day, 2 – Pay our money on time, and 3 – don’t worry about the job the administration is doing. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, right? Our accreditation will be fine! Drink the Kool-Aid!
Your humble scribes, Bucky and Central Ray, are sitting here scratching our heads. We did what we were told. Where the hell is Raymond Ada now?
Some folks may remember a meeting in July, where the old president (Raymond Ada) instructed us to: 1 – come to school every day, 2 – Pay our money on time, and 3 – don’t worry about the job the administration is doing. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, right? Our accreditation will be fine! Drink the Kool-Aid!
Your humble scribes, Bucky and Central Ray, are sitting here scratching our heads. We did what we were told. Where the hell is Raymond Ada now?
Suspicions, Fear and Loathing
There are two new subjects that surfaced today, that led your humble scribes to perk up our pointy ears.
1. It appears that some new GE teachers are on a “Term Contract” until January 2008. This may be a normal hiring practice, but why would the school have such short contracts? Your humble scribes think it is suspicious that the school isn’t making better arrangements to keep these teachers employed for a longer period of time. It’s not like we have had GE teachers falling from the sky lately. Are we anticipating not needing GE teachers after January?
2. Some newer students have told us that they are being called at home and encouraged to switch to the diploma program. We aren’t aware of any students who have been at the school for a long period of time getting the same special treatment. Is this because more senior students have already paid enough money to cover the diploma program and then some? Does this mean that if the school loses it’s accreditation and the senior students are forced at gunpoint from the degree program to the diploma program, the school doesn’t risk all that juicy tuition money? Plus, some of the senior students want a call at home too! We are lonely! Don’t they love us after we’ve paid? We’ve dated people like that, and it always ends in tears.
1. It appears that some new GE teachers are on a “Term Contract” until January 2008. This may be a normal hiring practice, but why would the school have such short contracts? Your humble scribes think it is suspicious that the school isn’t making better arrangements to keep these teachers employed for a longer period of time. It’s not like we have had GE teachers falling from the sky lately. Are we anticipating not needing GE teachers after January?
2. Some newer students have told us that they are being called at home and encouraged to switch to the diploma program. We aren’t aware of any students who have been at the school for a long period of time getting the same special treatment. Is this because more senior students have already paid enough money to cover the diploma program and then some? Does this mean that if the school loses it’s accreditation and the senior students are forced at gunpoint from the degree program to the diploma program, the school doesn’t risk all that juicy tuition money? Plus, some of the senior students want a call at home too! We are lonely! Don’t they love us after we’ve paid? We’ve dated people like that, and it always ends in tears.
Colorado Department of Higher Education
On October, 30th Central Ray spoke to Rene at the Colorado of Higher Education CDHE in a phone conversation. In that conversation, Rene stated that to her knowledge the accredidation was valid until June 2008. She also stated that currently enrolled students have the following 3 options:
1. Withdraw now and continue your education on your own. The Cambridge College Enrollment Agreement states the following graduated payment structure.
If you have
completed:................... You pay:
1-10% ..............10%
10-25% .............25%
25-50% .............50%
50-75% .............75%
75-100% ............100%
2. school-out or teach-out program that you can read more about this program by following the link for the school out program
3. Transfer from the degree program to the Diploma program in which case the school will apparently give you "credit" for whatever General Education classes you have already completed and payed for.
Keep in mind this is information from a source outside of Cambridge College and the above options were not gauranteed by the school Administration
We were puzzled to find from the CDHE their opinion is that our Accredidation is valid until June of 2008. If this is true why was that confidence not conveye by our own administration.
Also the "credit" that was mentioned in return for GE classes if choosing the diploma program is undefined. You can't skimp on your diploma training, you can't get a refund for it, and you can't take it to another school for credit, so what good is it?
1. Withdraw now and continue your education on your own. The Cambridge College Enrollment Agreement states the following graduated payment structure.
If you have
completed:................... You pay:
1-10% ..............10%
10-25% .............25%
25-50% .............50%
50-75% .............75%
75-100% ............100%
2. school-out or teach-out program that you can read more about this program by following the link for the school out program
3. Transfer from the degree program to the Diploma program in which case the school will apparently give you "credit" for whatever General Education classes you have already completed and payed for.
Keep in mind this is information from a source outside of Cambridge College and the above options were not gauranteed by the school Administration
We were puzzled to find from the CDHE their opinion is that our Accredidation is valid until June of 2008. If this is true why was that confidence not conveye by our own administration.
Also the "credit" that was mentioned in return for GE classes if choosing the diploma program is undefined. You can't skimp on your diploma training, you can't get a refund for it, and you can't take it to another school for credit, so what good is it?
The Famous Letter
Here is a letter that was presented to Sheila on September 27th, 2007. The students that composed this letter gave us permission to post their names.
Cambridge College Administration
350 Blackhawk
Aurora, CO 80011
Dear Cambridge College Administration,
Subject: Questions from the student body
Recently, there have been many changes within the school. These changes have given rise to a multitude of concerns. Collectively the student body would like to have these concerns addressed by the Administration. Our goal is to resolve the following issues to the satisfaction of both the students and the Administration. Please devote your time and attention to the following questions:
1. Some students still don’t fully understand the results of the new accreditation process. Is the process complete? Is the school in danger of losing it’s accreditation?
2. What can the student body do to improve communication with the Administration? We felt that under the previous Administration, some concerns were brushed off. ”You don’t need to know” is not an appropriate answer.
3. What is the cause of the high faculty turnover rate? Is there anything the student body can do to help?
4. What is the Administration doing to address faculty burnout? Does the Administration feel that a teacher who teaches four sessions a day can deliver the same performance in the classroom as a teacher who only teaches two sessions per day?
5. Why do we not have the appropriate number of instructors? We know there are ongoing efforts to hire new instructors, but they don’t appear to be effective. Is there a plan to address this deficiency?
6. We have seen several instructors leave the school in the last few months. Is there a plan to retain the present, high quality staff, as well as retain future employees?
7. There is concern among the student body about the quality of education we get for our tuition. Several times, instructors have indicated dissatisfaction with textbooks. Some textbooks are rarely or never used in the class. There are also instances where students have chosen to purchase books from outside vendors that were of more use during the course. Is a more effective use of the textbook dollars possible?
In closing, we would like to reinforce the idea that this letter is not meant to be confrontational or accusatory. We are cognizant of the high reputation the school has in the community, and we wish to maintain the level of respect the school enjoys. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that is equitable for students and staff. We would like the school to be profitable and continue to serve as a place of employment for the many fine staff members. We as students would like to receive an education that we would be proud to recommend to our friends and family members. We would be happy to sit down on a one-on-one basis to provide any necessary clarification, or provide ideas for addressing these concerns. We appreciate the administration’s time in reading this letter.
Respectfully,
Matthew Sarchet and Owen Bradshaw
Cambridge College Administration
350 Blackhawk
Aurora, CO 80011
Dear Cambridge College Administration,
Subject: Questions from the student body
Recently, there have been many changes within the school. These changes have given rise to a multitude of concerns. Collectively the student body would like to have these concerns addressed by the Administration. Our goal is to resolve the following issues to the satisfaction of both the students and the Administration. Please devote your time and attention to the following questions:
1. Some students still don’t fully understand the results of the new accreditation process. Is the process complete? Is the school in danger of losing it’s accreditation?
2. What can the student body do to improve communication with the Administration? We felt that under the previous Administration, some concerns were brushed off. ”You don’t need to know” is not an appropriate answer.
3. What is the cause of the high faculty turnover rate? Is there anything the student body can do to help?
4. What is the Administration doing to address faculty burnout? Does the Administration feel that a teacher who teaches four sessions a day can deliver the same performance in the classroom as a teacher who only teaches two sessions per day?
5. Why do we not have the appropriate number of instructors? We know there are ongoing efforts to hire new instructors, but they don’t appear to be effective. Is there a plan to address this deficiency?
6. We have seen several instructors leave the school in the last few months. Is there a plan to retain the present, high quality staff, as well as retain future employees?
7. There is concern among the student body about the quality of education we get for our tuition. Several times, instructors have indicated dissatisfaction with textbooks. Some textbooks are rarely or never used in the class. There are also instances where students have chosen to purchase books from outside vendors that were of more use during the course. Is a more effective use of the textbook dollars possible?
In closing, we would like to reinforce the idea that this letter is not meant to be confrontational or accusatory. We are cognizant of the high reputation the school has in the community, and we wish to maintain the level of respect the school enjoys. Our goal is to achieve an outcome that is equitable for students and staff. We would like the school to be profitable and continue to serve as a place of employment for the many fine staff members. We as students would like to receive an education that we would be proud to recommend to our friends and family members. We would be happy to sit down on a one-on-one basis to provide any necessary clarification, or provide ideas for addressing these concerns. We appreciate the administration’s time in reading this letter.
Respectfully,
Matthew Sarchet and Owen Bradshaw
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