Attorney general continues abroad program inquiry
Code of conduct in question at 15 different schools
By Mallory Passuite
Posted: 2/7/08, 11:56 PM EST Section: News
Some university officials may be packing their bags for free trips or accepting other undisclosed benefits while planning study abroad programs.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has widened his ongoing investigation of study abroad practices to include 15 colleges and universities.
The probe, which began with several private program providers in August, seemed to be on hold until Jan. 15 when the office of the attorney general issued subpoenas and document requests to the added schools.
The schools in question include Columbia University, Harvard University and Cornell University. Syracuse University was not included.
The information requested includes how a home university and college select programs abroad, and whether the institution has received any benefits from the program provider.
The inquiry seeks to develop a code of conduct between schools' abroad programs and the program providers, according to an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education on Jan. 28.
The investigation aims to ensure that "programs are chosen because they're best or right for the students placed into them," rather than for financial perks, said John T. Milgrim, a spokesman for Cuomo, to The Chronicle.
Lisa Eade, a sophomore business management major at SU, said the schools "have a responsibility to reevaluate their priorities."
Hoping to study abroad in Madrid, Eade is upset that she must be "wary of corruption within the academic program," she said.
"I understand educational centers operating as businesses, however, when financial benefits take priority over the education of the students we begin to lose the essence of learning," Eade said.
SUAbroad strives to put the student first, said Daeya Malboeuf, associate director of marketing and communications for SUAbroad.
SU is "at much less risk of facing controversial business agreements" because it creates its own abroad programs, rather than sending students to other schools, Malboeuf said.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has widened his ongoing investigation of study abroad practices to include 15 colleges and universities.
The probe, which began with several private program providers in August, seemed to be on hold until Jan. 15 when the office of the attorney general issued subpoenas and document requests to the added schools.
The schools in question include Columbia University, Harvard University and Cornell University. Syracuse University was not included.
The information requested includes how a home university and college select programs abroad, and whether the institution has received any benefits from the program provider.
The inquiry seeks to develop a code of conduct between schools' abroad programs and the program providers, according to an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education on Jan. 28.
The investigation aims to ensure that "programs are chosen because they're best or right for the students placed into them," rather than for financial perks, said John T. Milgrim, a spokesman for Cuomo, to The Chronicle.
Lisa Eade, a sophomore business management major at SU, said the schools "have a responsibility to reevaluate their priorities."
Hoping to study abroad in Madrid, Eade is upset that she must be "wary of corruption within the academic program," she said.
"I understand educational centers operating as businesses, however, when financial benefits take priority over the education of the students we begin to lose the essence of learning," Eade said.
SUAbroad strives to put the student first, said Daeya Malboeuf, associate director of marketing and communications for SUAbroad.
SU is "at much less risk of facing controversial business agreements" because it creates its own abroad programs, rather than sending students to other schools, Malboeuf said.
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