20100816-NEWS--1-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 8/13/2010 3:14 PM Page 1 Vol. 31, No. 32 $1.50/AUGUST 16 - 22, 2010 INSIDE A SCHOOL’S FALL FROM GRACE For-profit Chancellor in hot water Accrediting body watching closely amid questions over leadership, recruiting practices By SHANNON MORTLAND “(Losing accreditation) ... might make problems for investors because Instead, Chancellor reported only 422 students
[email protected] as of April 2010, prior to spring commence- (Chancellor) couldn’t attract students.” ment, according to the Higher Learning hancellor University has existed – Robert Appleson, vice president of accreditation relations, Higher Learning Commission Commission in Chicago, which accredits quietly at Chester Avenue and East Chancellor. Catherine Nita, Chancellor’s 40th Street since it transformed from Calif., bought Chancellor in September 2008 14%, increased full-time faculty to 26 from 16 executive director of human resources, would financially downtrodden Myers for $5.25 million. The purchase followed years and created 30 online courses. Mr. Clifford not disclose current enrollment. CUniversity two years ago. of financial struggles for Myers University, also convinced former General Electric Co. Who’s at the helm? But behind the blue and silver façade, which had failed to close deals with multiple CEO Jack Welch to invest $2 million into what the for-profit school has been plagued by a buyers. is now the Jack Welch Management Institute, Mr. Clifford declined to speak to Crain’s for revolving door of executives, has resorted to Initially, Significant Partners, headed by the online MBA program launched this year at this story, as did several other Chancellor unconventional recruiting practices such as Michael Clifford, had grand plans to build Chancellor.