Our institution has changed to meet the specific requirements that are need to instil our good name as a college.
Gainful Employment regulations have made it even more important that our admissions staff inform potential students of the realistic demands of the industry they are exploring. Potential students need to understand the types of jobs that our training will prepare them for before enrolling in the program.
The change has been good because it has keep the school on top of things that were missed in the past. Now, when you need information it is there and you do not have to wait several weeks for an answer or even not get one at all. The new regulations are good because now everyone should be working on the same page from one book. Not everyone doing what they think are the regulations.
The more government involvement the more requirements and restrictions are put onto institutions. Most are helpful to the consumers or students but sometimes they become to repetitive and conflicting with agencies stepping over. For example in the lecture it indicated that the USDE did not have direct contact with the schools and relied on the accreditation departments to handle that interaction but then the question indicated that both agencies inspected school facilities.
Regulations have become tighter and more protective of the student. All involvement of admissions personnel with financial aid has been dissolved.
It has no impact on the school I am with right now, as we do not receive Title IV funds.
Our school we are very aware of compliance to make sure that we don't mislead or lie to the prospective students in any way. Sometimes I find myself repeating myself to make sure that the prospect knows what they will be getting into.
Dimitrios,
Agreed as well, it's all about student outcomes!
Jay Hollowell
Michelle
Your point about why we have the current regulatory environments is well said. It is sad that because of a scant few, the majority pay. Thanks for the added insight.
Over the past few years there has been a noted increase in defaulting of student loans, to the point of schools having to implement drastic measures to ensure students understand the importance of repayment. Because of the high default rate across the nation our school has become proactive so as not to allow students to fall into that sector and ensuring that each student understands their responsibilities to the lender.
Agreed Cindy! The increased regulatory oversight has increased which is a good thing. We are dealing with people and we need to ensure we are always doing right by students. If student outcomes at a College are positive, word of mouth on your school doing a great job will reach the community!
Thanks Victoria, you're right, training is the key!
Jay Hollowell
Nicole,
Thanks, Nicole, for your comments! As you reference, what's fair is fair, but it should be fair for everyone. As noted by many participants, regulatory policies regarding outcomes should be applicable to ALL institutions.
Jay Hollowell
The regulatory environment has intensified immensely over the past 5-6 years, with the focus squarely on for profit institutions. Rules and regulations have been introduced and finalized intended to focus on one sector of higher education over all others, and when other sectors are somehow swept up in the rules, the regulatory agency creates "exceptions" for those specific sectors. A discriminatory way to govern, to say the least. The for-profit institution that I work for has been adversely impacted to the point of a 40% drop in enrollment, the closure of a campus, and the loss of jobs for multiple employees. All so that the administration can further their agendas.
Compliance department, Monthly audits, scripts written, Training manuals, Mystery shopping, realistic expectation videos for prospective students.
The impact is still increasing, With that we will see an increase in faculty and staff training. Schools must ensure they are in compliance to maintain higher standards of the programs being offer providing gainful employment.
The current administration is not for-profit friendly. For example: the proposed gainful employment regulations would increase undue scrutiny mainly on the for-profit sector, while not applying the same amount of scrutiny on the public sector. Public colleges and university take the same federal aid and grant degrees that do not lead to gainful employment.
Gainful employment and the FERPA. My school is adhering to the new changes with positive attitude.
Terrence,
Absolutely, working professionals that also have a sense of community and service! Thanks!
Jay Hollowell
Amanda,
Thanks for your question. It is, of course, imperative that an institution's associates are confident in the training they are receiving. If not, the institution as a whole, in collaboration with employees, should research and implement training that is current, accurate and on-target, particularly if the training relates to compliance and regulatory requirements. That aside, if an associate is unsure of what he or she is saying is true, when interacting with students or potential students for example, then they are best to be conservative and base such communications on information, such as student outcomes, that is accurate, transparent and fully disclosed. The school catalog is also an important resource for school information as long as it is correct and up-to-date in its content. Hope this helps.
Jay Hollowell
Regulatory processes have affected our school with regard to placement rates. We have developed and written policies and procedures for every step of the admissions process including: scripts, training manuals, and additional disclosures. These have allowed us to not only to adhere to compliance with each individual applicant, but to remain honest and transparent as well.
