Rule 3332-1-17.2 - Question
With regard to the following: "(5) Refrain from attempting to influence a student to withdraw from a school that the student is presently attending. and (6)Refrain from encouraging a prospective student to change plans after signing an enrollment application and paying the registration free to another school."
So long as the agents aren't actively seeking and initiating contact with prospective students that fall under that criteria, one wouldn't be in violation of the ethical code of conduct?
Additionally, with regard to the practice of following up with potential students, after initial contact has passed... would that fall under violation if they have since enrolled elsewhere?
Zabrina,
It would not be a violation to provide information to a student who contacted your school but you need to be careful not to encourage the student to withdraw from the school they are currently attending.
John Ware
If a student is currently enrolled in another institution, but has expressed interest in one of the programs offered at our institution as a "back up plan", it would not be considered as violating the solicitation of the student, correct? Because they actively sought information from us and we did not directly approach them?
Shawn,
To be safe, once the student states they are enrolled somewhere else I would end the discussion.
Kimberly Stein
Just to clarify, if they state they are already enrolled elsewhere, and you ask them if they would still like to discuss course details or if they have any questions involving programs, would that be in violation?
It has been explained to me that if a person as applied at your school or expressed information about your institution, you may follow up with that student about his/her options.
There is a difference between following up with a student about your institution and the options the student has, and actively telling them they need to withdrawal from their current institution and attend yours.
Jessica,
Anyone working for the school, regardless if they are licensed as an agent, are required to adhere to the Board's rules.
Kimberly Stein
Sarah,
If you follow-up with a prospective student and they state they are enrolled in another school, you would not be in violation as long as you do not encourge them to enroll in your school.
Kimberly Stein
I had the same thought myself actually. The only way I was able to reconcile how this works is that if one is not technically trained and has not received a certification of completion to be an agent then they are not in violation. IF, however that same person were to take the steps to become a "certified agent". They are therefore expected to adhere to the OH rules and in that situation, YES they would be in violation by making calls to follow-up on leads who were "enrolled elsewhere". But again I believe this only applies to if the "agent" is certified and are contacting these specifics leads IN Ohio.
Yes? No?
Does anyone have a thought or think I'm on the right track?
