Preston University

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Preston University is a private for-profit non-accredited institution that offers a variety of academic degree programs by distance learning. Based in Wyoming until 2007 and later based in Alabama, Preston currently identifies Los Angeles, California as its base of operations.^[1]

Preston University is owned by Abdul Basit, who lives in Pakistan.^[2]

Preston lists about 30 affiliated campuses throughout the world.^[3] A number of degree programs ranging from Associate to Ph.D. in a variety of disciplines are offered.^[4]

History

Preston University states that it was established in 1984 and that its first United States campus was established in 1994.^[4]

As of 2001, Preston's chancellor, Jerry Haenisch, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that Preston had 30 "affiliated" campuses in 19 countries and about 8,000 students, mostly in Pakistan. About 18 students were reported to be taking classes at what was then Preston's official main campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming.^[5]

In 2001, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that it had randomly selected two of Preston University's listed faculty members and inquired about their relationship with the university. They both said that they were not associated with Preston University and did not know that they were on the school's faculty list.^[2] A Preston official acknowledged that only 15 out of 49 listed faculty actually worked for the university.^[6][7] Haenisch explained that over half of the faculty on their list had applied for jobs at Preston but had never actually been employed. They were listed in case a student was interested in the discipline the professor specialized in. Haenisch admitted that the practice was misleading and would be discontinued.^[2] Currently Preston faculty are listed on the school's website and in its online catalog.

In 2007, the state of Wyoming started requiring that higher education institutions operating in the state must be accredited. Because Preston remained unaccredited it moved its operations to Alabama.^[8][9]

In February 2008 the Preston University website listed at least 30 affiliated campuses.^[10]

Preston University's license to operate legally in Alabama expired on December 1, 2008.^[9] On February 6, 2009, Preston University was ordered to cease and desist operations by the State of Alabama for failing many of the standards enacted for educational institutions in Alabama. The rules set by the Alabama Chancellor of Education, effective on October 1, 2008, require all private schools to become accredited. Section IV, B, 3, a, 4. states: “All privately licensed degree granting, post-secondary educational institutions must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), be a candidate for accreditation or in process of application for accreditation as determined and monitored by the Department. This requirement becomes effective beginning October 1, 2008 for any degree granting institutions applying for initial or renewal licensure.”^[11] The Alabama Department of PostSecondary Education rejection letter to Preston states that "during the on-site visits, it was determined that the location for the institution is based out of a virtual office setting which is not staffed properly nor has operating equipment." Also, "The admissions policies are not rigorous and are unacceptable." Also, "All assessment decisions are based on a fee for diploma rather than class attendance , lecture participation and projects...", and finally "Evidence has been received by the Department that Preston University issues Honorary Degrees for a fee."^[12] The letter did not mention what evidence had actually been received and appears to be in contradiction with Preston University's website which states that the Academic Program Coordinator would recommend award of the appropriate degree only when the following requirements have been met:

• satisfactory completion of all course work;
• completion of an approved project, thesis or dissertation, if required;
• full payment of all tuition, fees and costs;
• written approval of the supervising professor; (Doctoral degrees only)^[13]

In August 2008, The Straits Times reported that Preston University was a degree mill from which some leading businessmen in Singapore held PhD degrees. The Straits Times' assertions about Preston were strongly disputed by Dr. Jerry Haenisch, Preston's chancellor, who confirmed that the university had no accreditation from any US Department of Education approved body but said the school was "absolutely not" a "degree mill".^[6] Dr Haenisch demanded that the newspaper apologize for publishing articles based on superficial research and for repeating erroneous assumptions and untrue innuendo from other writers. He said that the University was "legally licensed and authorized to operate by the state of Alabama". Finally he took issue with the Straits Times' statement that the move from Wyoming to Alabama was a sign of disrepute. He said the move was made because Alabama is more populated than Wyoming and has much greater support resources. He also pointed out that the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation both state the voluntary nature of accreditation in the country, and caution that a school's accreditation status should not be the sole criterion for assessing its quality or validity.^[14] The Straits Times responded, "The Straits Times on Friday made it clear that it was not about to apologise to Preston University for telling its readers the truth about its credentials - or rather, its lack of. Said Editor Han Fook Kwang: 'We stand by our story and am satisfied that our journalist was accurate in her reporting of Preston University'."^[6]

From 2009, Preston University has been using a Los Angeles address for its world headquarters. In April 2009 the Cheyenne Herald described the headquarters as an unoccupied office suite.^[1]

Miscellaneous

In 2007 the Associated Press reported that a new school, Fairmount International University, would offer an online business program from Preston's former Cheyenne offices. According to the Associated Press, Preston and Fairmount would both be owned by Abdul Basit, who served as president of both institutions, and that Jerry Haenisch would serve as chancellor of both.^[15] However, Fairmount International University was not established and does not operate in Wyoming.^[16]

In 2008 Preston University in Pakistan in association with Life Savers Foundation put on a workshop on disaster response.^[17]

On March 31, 2009 when Warren National University ceased operations, it announced that Preston would act as the registrar of record for WNU alumni.^[9][18]

See also

• Preston University Pakistan
• Rutherford University

References

External links

• Official website
• Official website from February 2008