Demand justice for international students affected by ACICS' loss of accreditation power
- by: Kowshikk K
- recipient: Department of Education, United States
We are aware that Department of Education (DOE) has revoked the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools' (ACICS) accreditation power. But DOE did not consider the immediate harm done to existing international students.
DOE should provide alternatives to existing students, which they failed to provide. Our goal is to achieve some allowance for international students. I am a current student in one of the universities which lost accreditation due to ACICS shut down.
Fremont,
Date:01-11-2017.
To
U.S. Department of Education,
United States.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Request for justice to International students affected by the withdrawal of recognition for ACICS.
The withdrawal of recognition for ACICS, on 12/12/2016, has impacted the international student community on an immediate basis. More than 16,000 international students have been adversely affected by this decision.
In this regard, we would like to highlight the plight of students affected by this decision
Students from ACICS accredited institutions, who are on the cusp of graduation (immediately after Dec 12, 2016) will earn degrees which will bear no value as they will be conferred by a non-accredited body. The significant time, effort and resources invested by the students would be brought to a naught through no mistake of theirs.
Students who graduated this Fall 2016 (December 2016) are the worst affected. International students in this situation cannot transfer to other universities as the spring admission deadlines for most of the universities have well passed. They will have the additional unwanted dilemma of maintaining their visa status ( F1 Visa) as the grace period of 60 days is not enough to join a new university.
The worst affected segment are the set of students who already received their Optional Practical Training ( OPT ) . Whether applied for OPT or currently undergoing their training they are left with rather unfavorable choices:
1)Complete their initial OPT of 12 month and leave US without an accredited Degree as the STEM OPT extension (24 months) would not be applicable for them.
2)Return to their countries without an accredited Degree.
In all the above scenarios and cases the victims are the students who are left with no choice but to accept the situation coupled with the unwanted humiliation and ignominy of having gained skills through a “non-accredited” institution.
The subsequent loss of self esteem, not to mention time, money and other resources, in pursuit of a solid education and valuable recognized degree in US, has put many on the brink of rather severe choices and some in harm’s way.
In light of above we would like to request the U.S Department of Education to reconsider their decision and provide some alternative measures for those who are already on OPT and for those who are about to complete their degree within few months.
We also would like to put forth alternatives which would help the affected students
For the students who have completed their programs by Dec 2016, but have not received their degrees - Their degrees be conferred by a recognized/accredited provisional body.
Permit the students undergoing or about to start their training through initial OPT program be allowed to avail the regular 24 month extension in STEM OPT.
Despite any outcome from the arbitration scheduled on Feb 1, 2017, we humbly beseech the department to consider the measures suggested and otherwise to protect the students affected by the derecognition of ACICS.
We appreciate all your kind consideration.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
International students in the United States of America.
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