Concluding remarks

[dhfr]

To provide an end point for the online interview, we agreed with Dr. Capogrossi that both he and degreeboard.com would provide some concluding remarks, and that we would then close the interview.

The concluding remarks written by myself and by Dr. Capogrossi are presented below.

Further discussion of Akamai University is of course welcome -- please use the main "Distance Educational Discussions" forum for this purpose.

[dhfr]

We thank Dr. Capogrossi for agreeing to participate in this online interview, and for his detailed responses to our questions.

Dr. Capogrossi and his colleagues at Akamai University are clearly making an earnest, even idealistic, effort at establishing a non-traditional distance education institution.

Akamai University may well be an appropriate choice for people for whom the mission of the university resonates, and in particular for those attracted to the individualized, mentorship-oriented approach centered on the students' ongoing professional work. On the other hand, Akamai will clearly not be the best choice for someone who wants the easiest or most convenient path to a degree. More importantly, we believe that Akamai University should be approached with caution by prospective students who want to maximize the acceptability of their degrees in a wide variety of circumstances (especially in the conventional academic world).

Before pursuing an unaccredited non-traditional degree, prospective students truly need to do their homework regarding the acceptability of the degree within the context of their career paths -- both in the short term (where matters may be somewhat predictable) and the long term (where greater uncertainty evidently prevails). We recommend that people discuss their options in depth with their employers, colleagues, and potential faculty advisors and mentors. And, of course, discussion boards such as this can provide information and opinions. Such contributions should, however, be evaluated carefully and critically -- although they’re often well-informed and helpful, on other occasions they can be misdirected, prejudiced, and self-serving.

Accreditation by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education would provide prospective (and current) students with some assurance that the University can meet its educational obligations. We appreciate that the achievement of such accreditation takes time and carries costs that go well beyond the costs of the application process itself. Dr. Capogrossi has indicated that Akamai University may, in the interim, pursue accreditation from ICDE. This would provide evidence in particular of the University’s ability to provide student services and support. Some of the Degreeboard staff feel that such accreditation would be misleading because it does not carry the same connotations as institutional accreditation from the recognized U.S. accreditors. In particular, ICDE focuses even less on the quality of education than do the recognized U.S. accreditors. I believe, however, that ICDE accreditation would be a valuable way for Akamai University to initially establish evidence of its legitimacy as a distance education institution.

Akamai University's use of affiliates is the most disquieting aspect of the university. It seems dangerous to expand through affiliates while the university is still evolving its policies and procedures, and still establishing a track record that sets a standard for affiliates to match. We do not, however, have any specific reason to doubt Dr. Capogrossi's statements about the bona fides of its partners or about the efficacy of the procedures in place.

Finally, we find the development of Akamai University to be an exciting step in the ongoing evolution of higher education. We wish Dr. Capogrossi and his colleagues well in this endeavor. We will be tracking their progress with interest.

[dhfr]

21 June 2005

Recent attacks by certain of the educational forums involved accusations about Akamai University that were both erroneous and mean-spirited. In the fallout of these accusations, in diverse locations, the press picked up on the commentaries and published the errors without further verifying the facts. Therein lies the exceptional power of the educational forums.

Akamai experienced defamation and suspicion, internationally, and a good deal of embarrassment, personally, as professionals. Throughout all this activity, we remained fully focused upon building a world-class institution, one that will live beyond the contributions of the founders. In the face of ridicule, we upheld what is right and moved forward in the challenge toward our higher calling in service to the human community. After all, what do we teach, if we ourselves, leaders in higher education, follow a path of greed, deceit and shoddiness? What do we teach? If we are determined to improve our personal wealth and have little concern for the quality of our educational product and even less concern for serving the individual needs of our students, what do we teach? Are we not condemned in our endeavors, if we walk wrongly?

As has been the case over the past three years, Akamai University continues to make progress in advancing standards and procedures relative to our programs worldwide, especially as this relates to our affiliated programs and services. We are determined to have all of our endeavors fully respected and we will continue in our maturation until our operations fully match our written policies and guiding principles. We remain equally committed to serving the needs of our adult students and will remain vigilant in our assessment of our progress in that regard. We invite all American colleges to likewise carry that banner.

We wish to offer our sincere gratitude to the moderators and participants at Degreeboard.Com for the opportunity to address the public and clarify details concerning Akamai University, our programs, our faculty and our mission. The integrity by which Degreeboard.Com has conducted its affairs speaks well of their intentions and their governance.

In closing, let me again make the offer to all sincere educators and professionals that wish to make recommendations to Akamai University, that you make them to my office directly. If you wish a more formal association with Akamai, we have a counsel of advisors with which you may participate. We are open to hearing your concerns and recommendations, and while we must remain focused upon the tasks at hand, serving our students and evolving the integrity of our academic programs, we will made changes based upon the counsel of our colleagues from the arena of higher education, and government ministries worldwide, whenever merited.

Kind regards,

Douglass Capogrossi, Ph.D.
President
Akamai University