National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity's odd ideas regarding quality, integrity, and transparency

From: "Griffiths, Carol"

Subject: FW: NACIQI and higher education accreditation

Date: October 15, 2012 at 12:55:31 PM EDT

To: [Christopher K. Philippo]

Dear Mr. Philippo,

Your email regarding your concerns about the University of Albany was forwarded to me for a response by Chair Studley. The reason for this is that members of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) can only discuss their work for NACIQI in established public meetings. Members should not receive or reply to communications outside of the meeting protocol. This protocol reinforces that the NACIQI operates in a transparent manner. To reinforce this, I request that you please not contact NACIQI members individually.

Furthermore, and perhaps you are unaware, the NACIQI’s functional authority is to evaluate the operations of accrediting agencies; it does not extend to institutions. NACIQI cannot address your concerns. You may want to contact the school directly with your questions.

Carol Griffiths

Executive Director, NACIQI and NCFMEA

Office of Postsecondary Education

1990 K St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20006

From: Christopher Philippo [...]

Date: October 15, 2012 8:42:20 AM PDT

To: Jamienne Studley

Subject: NACIQI and higher education accreditation

Dear NACIQI Chair Studley,

The University at Albany, under the heading "Accreditation" states in many places (and has done for many years):

"Graduates are recognized by the American Association of University Women."

AAUW had written me, "AAUW does not do accreditations" and furthermore, "the University at Albany had held a membership in AAUW. However, we can’t be certain if that is the reason for the reference".

The University at Albany's membership in the AAUW might have ended in 1992 if the "AAUW, Albany Branch Records, 1921-1992"http://library.albany.edu/speccoll/findaids/apap002.htm archive is any indication.

Pages that state "Graduates are recognized by the American Association of University Women" or some close variation thereon include:

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/About_University_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/graduate/university_questions.php

http://m.albany.edu/graduate/university_questions.php

http://www.albany.edu/graduatebulletin/general_information.htm

http://www.albany.edu/senate/handbook_section2.htm

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/print_version.htm

http://web.archive.org/web/19970607221200/http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/1999/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2000-2001/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2001-2002/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2002-2003/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2003-2004/general/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2004-2005/general/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2004-2005/downloads/Section1.pdf

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2005-2006/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2006-2007/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2007-2008/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2008-2009/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2009-2010/general_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2010-2011/About_University_information.html

http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2011-2012/About_University_information.html

It doesn't appear that any other university in the entire country makes such a claim. Why does the University at Albany state it; what does it even mean?

They do a lot of things strangely there:

"the State is not an insurer or guarantor of the safety of SUNYA students"

McEnaney v. State of New York, 267 AD 2d 748 - NY: Appellate Div., 3rd Dept. 1999.

http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14949034404515783354

They're evidently not very careful about reporting sex offenders:

"There are currently three (4) registered sex offenders enrolled or working at the University. The following Information has been released:"

http://police.albany.edu/SOR2.shtml

Typically, when one types a number as a word and then follows it by a digit in parentheses, they'll match.

Following the colon on that page are not three (3), or four (4), but six (6) registered sex offenders. The copyright on the page is 2009. Has it not been updated in three years?

The University at Albany has a second, separate Sexual Offender Registry. That one is problematic too: "There are currently two (2) registered sex offenders enrolled at the University. The following Information has been released:"

However, it then goes on to list three (3) offenders. There's no date, but it looks to be from 2007-2008.

Thank you for any help you can provide,

Christopher K. Philippo

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“Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” - Edward W. Bok

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" whistleblower protection:

"The statute now includes language specifically protecting whistleblowers who report violations of the Clery Act. This section is effective immediately" (2). Storch, Joseph. "2008 Changes to Clery Act Reporting Requirements." September 2, 2008. SUNY.edu. http://www.suny.edu/govtRelations/federal/pdf/2008-68%20Guidance%20on%202008%20Changes%20to%20Clery%20Act%20Reporting%20Requirements.pdf

"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f) (17)

"Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit an institution, or an officer, employee, or agent of an institution, participating in any program under this subchapter and part C of subchapter I of chapter 34 of title 42 to retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to the implementation of any provision of this subsection."