APSCU Statement on the GAO Report Containing a Significant Number of Revisions

APSCU released the following statement on the significant number of corrections made to the Government Accountability Office report on private sector college and university recruitment and financial aid practices:

“While it is good that GAO has corrected its report in several instances, the original report did disproportionate damage to the sector. We are fearful that if the negligent practices that led to the need for so many changes are repeated in future reports, the consequences could be as great or greater. Therefore, we ask the GAO to live up to its name and act with accountability. Putting research in a broad context would be a good first step. Further steps in the right direction would be stating the number of schools visited in its original report (as opposed to those reported on), releasing the videotapes collected by mystery shoppers to the schools involved, and discontinuing the use of disingenuous prompts in mystery shopping activity. We need to understand how and where this process went off the rails and take steps to assure that it never happens again. We also understand that there are findings that stand as reported in August and have been working diligently to address them. At the same time, this new information is highly material in the debate over the value provided by private sector higher education. We express our dismay over a process that was flawed, a story that was essentially incorrect, and the harm the original report delivered to the sector and the 3.2 million students who attend private sector colleges and universities.”