Betsy DeVos taps former for-profit college official to oversee unit investigating for-profit college fraud
A former official at the for-profit college DeVry University is going to run the Department of Education's unit investigating fraud at for-profit colleges. BuzzFeed News reported Wednesday that it had obtained an email confirming that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos had selected former DeVry official Julian Schmoke to lead the enforcement unit, which is currently looking into claims that DeVry defrauded its students.
Schmoke was the head of DeVry's science and engineering school until 2012, which BuzzFeed noted means he likely was not "closely involved" with DeVry's slew of recent cases. Last year, the for-profit college reached a $100 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over claims it "misled students about their chances of getting a job," BuzzFeed reported.
The decision to tap a former for-profit college official to head the unit has left many scratching their heads. People within the Department of Education are reportedly worried this could complicate the unit's capacity to hold for-profit colleges fully accountable. "This is a joke, right?" tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). "Basically akin to nominating influenza to be the surgeon general."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published