|
The for-profit college industry includes many schools that arescamming students and taxpayers. The industry accounts for 11 percent of college students but a whopping 44 percent of student loandefaults. Meanwhile, the industry has sucked up billions of dollarsof taxpayer money through loans and grants without any properoversight. The reason it can do this is because of the army of lobbyists andpublic relations consultants that it has hired to keep the supportof Congress. Last week, my colleague Lee Fang and I confronted one of these scamschools' greatest allies, Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings (D). Hastingshas voted against allowing the federal government to have greater accountabilityover for-profit colleges. The Federal Bureau of Investigationrecently raided a for-profit college, Fast Train University, towhich Hastings has extensive ties . Last November, Hastings delivered the commencement address at FastTrain, and FastTrain established the Congressman Alcee Hastings Annual Leadership Scholarship. When Fang and I asked Hastings for an interview in the CapitolBuilding, he was explaining to a group of students about how wecan't fix our schools without making sure there are better teachersin the buildings -- something which is especially ironic given hissupport for the dismal for-profit education sector. Hastings quickly agreed to an interview, and I started to explainhow it's a huge problem that the federal government continues toallow taxpayer money to flow to subprime colleges that leavestudents in debt and with near-useless degrees. "I disagree with your premise, I believe that there are badfor-profit colleges, and then I believe that there are bad, interms of where you're coming from, there are bad colleges in thisnation who are not dealing with the subject of educating people. Idon't agree with all...if you lump everybody into any one thing youwill find the same kinds of concerns that Arne Duncan and the restof them have demonstrably pointed to, I can take you through theentire college system of America and show you similarities," heresponded. "But this sector overall, has much worse results, and continues toget goverment funds," I said. "That's your view." "No, this is the statistic - " "Your view is that they just have much worse results." "That's the fact as YOU put it! That isn't how I put it." "Hold on just a minute -- you're asking me and I'm telling youI know more about gainful employment than you would know if youwere born again," he told me. "Well sir," I started. "They fund your campaign, they don't fund mycampaign. That may be why you're giving their spin. Will you givetheir money back? Do you really appreciate their funds?" Hastings then got a very serious look on his face and grabbed myshoulder. "Let me make it clear to you son. When my mother died,the last two years of his life, there were eight persons who helpedwith their care, every one of them went to a for-profit college.End of story." He then walked away. "Sir, why are you helping out colleges that were recently raided bythe FBI?" asked Lee as the congressman continued to walk away. Werepeatedly asked Hastings about his continued support forfor-profit lobbyists and the sector, but he continued to walk,refusing to answer any more questions. Watch our interview of Hastings and his hasty retreat: The education sector is Hastings's top donor this election cycle, with large donations from for-profit college lobbying groups, DeVry, Bridgepoint, andother scam schools. These donations seem to have an impact, asHastings has consistently defended the industry's atrociousbehavior towards students. Follow Zaid Jilani on Twitter: /zaidjilani. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Waterproof LED Flood Lights , China LED Flood Lighting, and more. For more , please visit T8 LED Tube Light today!
Related Articles -
Waterproof LED Flood Lights, China LED Flood Lighting,
|
