Saint Regis University

:The subject of this article should not be confused with Regis University of Denver, Colorado.

Saint Regis University is a now-defunct diploma mill operation with several other connected institutions. The Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization has stated that Saint Regis University was a diploma mill, although Oregon has admitted that their database may not be accurate."List of unaccredited schools and diploma mills" Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, 2006 The school issued degrees based on "life experience" instead of requiring the taking of actual academic classes or a formal course of study. It sold both college degrees and high school diplomas.

In November 2005, The Higher Education Supplement noted that prosecutors discovered the university formed part of an elaborate online scam masterminded by a former estate agent called "Dixie."Stephen Phillips A stress-free PhD? A snip at $250 The Higher Education Supplement 25 November 2005 Furthermore, "Dixie Ellen Randock, her husband, Steven Karl Randock Sr, and six alleged accomplices were indicted last month after a US Secret Service sting. Experts say the group was one of the biggest fish in the booming $1 billion (£584 million) a year phoney degree and diploma-granting racket." Ibid.

Criticism and controversy

Teachers in Georgia

Saint Regis University became notorious when 11 teachers in the US state of Georgia were found using degrees from this institution to increase their salaries. In July 2004, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission revoked the licenses of all 11 teachers."11 educators will lose state licenses." Atlanta Journal Constitution. July 9, 2004.

The Liberian controversy

On October 4, 2004 the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C. posted the message "URGENT DISCLAIMER ON THE ILLEGAL ESTABLISHMENT AND RECOGNITION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA" declaring "null and void whatever documents St. Regis University may claim to possess emanating from the [National] Commission [of Higher Education]."Urgent Disclaimer on the illegal estblishment and recogniton of higher education institutions in the Republic of Liberia The Embassy of Liberia, 2004.

The regionally accredited Regis University of Denver, Colorado filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against St. Regis on December 6, 2004. This action, case no. CV-04-462-RHW, was publicly filed in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Washington State. Most St. Regis academic material was transferred to the James Monroe University site after the lawsuit was filed. A few months later the domain administrator for .lr (Liberia) internet domains cancelled saintregis.edu.lr, in effect eliminating the worldwide web presence of St. Regis.U.S. Attorney Press Release - US v. Randock, et al.

Arrests

In October, 2005 the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced the indictments of eight alleged operators of St. Regis. Charged with violations of Title 18 of the United States Code were Dixie Randock, Steven Randock, Sr., Blake Carlson, Richard Novak, Heidi Lorhan, Amy Hensley, Roberta Markishtum, and Kenneth Pearson. In January, 2006 Pearson was also indicted on "federal charges of possession and receipt of child pornography." According to prosecutors, four computers seized from Pearson's home in association with the diploma mill investigation were found to contain more than 10,000 sexually explicit images of children."Spokane diploma mill's webmaster hit with child porn indictment" The Olympian'', Jan. 25, 2006

Carlson pled guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud" on March 7, 2006. Novak pled guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud and to Violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" and a second Class D felony count of "Violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" on March 20, 2006.

James Monroe International University

James Monroe International University formerly known as James Monroe University, claims to be based in Seborga and have accreditation from the Minister of Education in Seborga and from the Distance Education Council (DEC) of India. It used to claim that it was located in Liberia and that it was be accredited by the Liberian Government. It does not appear on the IAU Universities List, and critics describe the school as a diploma mill. It was revealed to be ran by the same operators as Saint Regis University.

CNN coverage

On December 15, 2005, CNN aired a report on diploma mills and terrorism. The reported explained that "H-1B visas can be issued to anyone who is highly skilled and can get a job in the U.S. McDevitt is concerned a phony advanced degree could be the first step for someone in a terrorist sleeper cell."Diploma Mills Represent Security Threat to United States December 15, 2005 CNN, Paula Zahn Now,

The report explained how the United States Secret Service "bought their own degree for a perfect terrorist candidate, although theirs was fictional." The person was "Mohammed Syed", who had no formal education, but chemical training and chemical engineering with the Syrian army. "The Secret Service even added to Syed's application that he needed a degree quickly, so he could find employment and obtain an H-1B visa, allowing him to stay in the US." Furthermore, "In less than a month, the imaginary Syrian army expert was notified James Monroe University was awarding him three advanced degrees in engineering and chemistry, all for $1,277.". Many of the "degrees" 'Saint Regis University,' 'Robertstown University' and 'James Monroe University' sold went to Saudi Arabia. Diploma mill webmaster indicted on child-porn charges January 25, 2006 The Seattle Times.

Robertstown University

Robertstown University used to claim that it was in Liberia and was accredited by the Liberian Government. It has been closed until the issues involving its accreditation by the Liberian Government are resolved."Stephen Phillips A stress-free PhD? A snip at $250 The Higher Education Supplement 25 November 2005 Subsequently, the website has been pulled offline. It was revealed to be ran by the same operators as Saint Regis University.

Connected Institutions

The following are defunct "schools" ran by the Regis operators[1]
*Al Qasim University (Pakistan)
*All Saints American University (Liberia)
*Bangalore Inst of Science, Tech. and Mgt (India)
*Blackstone University
*Capital American University (Liberia)
*Center College of Executive & Professional Development (India)
*Colony University (Liberia)
*Concordia University
*InTech University (Liberia)
*James Monroe University (Liberia, operated from Washington, Idaho and Arizona)
*Miranda International University (Tennessee, Washington, and Seborga, Italy)
*Nation State University
*North United University
*Panama Canal University
*Port Rhode University
*Robertstown University (Liberia, operated from Washington state, Idaho and Arizona.)
*St. Lourdes University
*St. Renoir University
*Synergystics (ODA notes it "may" be connected)
*University College for Advanced Studies (India)
*Van Ives University
*West Coast University (Panama, Western Australia, UK)

Accreditor

:''The following is the "accreditation mill" run by the Saint Regis University operators:
*Distance Education Council

Former websites

The following are defunct websites once run by the Saint Regis operators
*www.sru.multiservers.com/ Saint Regis University
*www.jamesmonroeuniversity.ac/ James Monroe University
*www.ru-edu.ac Robertstown University