Possible plans to expand the University of Akron by extending its boundaries with more online ventures have been very secretive.
The University of Akron is neither confirming nor denying any negotiations with Higher Education Partners LLC, which works with colleges to provide them with startup capital and financing for new facilities, initiatives and online solutions.
UA also won’t discuss any talks it is reportedly having to join with ITT Educational Services, one of the largest operators of for-profit technical schools, for future satellite campuses.
Those associated with UA who have been consulted about any possible business venture with HEP or ITT said they had to sign a nondisclosure form, which prohibits them from talking because of security laws. They did, however, confirm the two potential ventures are part of the same deal.
One faculty member said: “Those who can say don’t know and those who know, can’t say.”
Community leaders have asked why the University of Akron, a state university, is considering business deals with these two for-profit companies, particularly ITT, which is under federal scrutiny for alleged fraud.
“Distance learning and for-profit online schools are struggling. How is the University of Akron structured to be able to monitor the online educational experience and not lower standards and cheapen our current degree offerings?” members of Advocates for the University of Akron, Students and Faculty asked in an email to the Beacon Journal. The group has questioned the cutbacks and policy changes made under President Scott Scarborough.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed fraud charges against ITT Educational Services Inc., and two of its chief executives alleging that the company concealed from ITT’s investors the poor performance and financial impact of two student loan programs that ITT financially guaranteed.
‘Nothing to share’
When asked about a possible partnership with ITT, UA spokesman Wayne Hill issued a statement and declined to answer any questions.
“The University of Akron is always looking for ways to expand our services and offerings to help even more people reach their educational and life goals,” Hill said in an email. “Some conversations are initiated by the university; others come from outside parties. Some are protected by nondisclosure agreements until there is an actual proposal to be presented to the UA Board of Trustees and other interested parties. There is nothing to share at this time.”
Hill issued a similar response when asked about any potential deals with HEP: “At the moment, and on advice of legal counsel, we are not able to provide any additional information beyond that which already has been provided.”
HEP, founded in 2010 and based in Providence, R.I., “facilitates classic ‘public/private partnerships’ and provides an alternate, low-risk funding source to colleges that need to meet increased demand in the face of decreased support from state and local governments,” according to its website.
Although he didn’t specifically mention ITT or any talk of online courses, Scarborough did hint about expanding boundaries in his first State of the University speech in October. He talked about wanting the school to evolve into a “national university with an international reach.”
Last week, Scarborough spoke to the Faculty Senate about expanding technology at its satellite campuses within a 42-mile radius, which included Wayne College, Lakewood, Brunswick, Medina County and Holmes County. A presentation summary given to faculty labels UA as “Ohio’s National University.”
Nicole Elam, spokeswoman for ITT Educational Services, said she would only respond to questions submitted by email. After questions were sent to her via email Friday, she didn’t respond.
Michael Perik, the CEO of Higher Education Partners, and other company officials couldn’t be reached for comment. The company website doesn’t list any contact information, and HEP’s only listed phone number is a shared line with a fax machine.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.