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Globe University - Minnesota School of Business

how state officials viewed the regulation of for-profit colleges 

At the time, it appeared that only state Attorney General Lori Swanson and private litigators were prepared to carry out an aggressive watchdog role.

Swanson had already said she was looking into a handful of for-profits regarding deceptive practices -- 

a few months later -- and attorney Clayton Halunen was working on 

two whistleblower lawsuits against the school.

I noted that the Minnesota School of Business had twice settled lawsuits -- one in 1983 and the other in 1997 -- by former students who claimed the school had misled them. (In the 1983 case, the school was not under its current ownership.)

I could find no record of any state enforcement.

Pogemiller told me the office did not have the resources to carry out full-scale investigations, and that Minnesota schools might not have enough problems to warrant them. He said any extra state education money might be better spent on financial aid.

 I revisited the issue. I asked Pogemiller whether he saw enough smoke to warrant an investigation, and whether his office had the will and resources to carry one out.

Pogemiller, whose position was recently elevated to commissioner, said he's monitoring the case. But he said he could not make a final decision until it's fully adjudicated and his office knows all the facts.

(Globe's attorney, Matt Damon, said he's taking steps toward an appeal.)

I pressed him on just how far he'd be willing to go if the verdict stood. But he didn't budge, saying only that he would "proceed appropriately."

Education News

On Campus Blog

Alex Friedrich

Author

As part of my look last summer into recruiting practices at Globe University – Minnesota School of Business, I assessed how state officials viewed the regulation of for-profit colleges in Minnesota. At the time, it appeared that only state Attorney General Lori Swanson and private litigators were prepared to carry out an aggressive watchdog role. 

As part of my look last summer into recruiting practices at Globe University – Minnesota School of Business, I assessed how state officials viewed the regulation of for-profit colleges in Minnesota. At the time, it appeared that only state Attorney General Lori Swanson and private litigators were prepared to carry out an aggressive watchdog role. Read more →


Minnesota higher-ed chief: We’re monitoring Globe-MSB case

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