Service Members and Veterans Deserve Access to Education
Wall Street Journal Recognizes Fight For Due Process
This morning the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board recognized an important win for Arizona service members and veterans. Just a few days ago, the Department of Defense (DOD) lifted a warrantless probation it had placed on the University of Phoenix without due process and without presenting supporting evidence. This probation prohibited the University of Phoenix from participating in the DOD’s Tuition Assistance Program and effectively barred almost 10,000 service members from using their education benefits at University of Phoenix.
Not only is the DOD’s reversal a victory for basic fairness, the decision will let the University of Phoenix continue serving all working adults, service members, veterans, and single parents — ensuring that politics won’t stand in the way of a well-deserved education.
As the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator McCain is proud to fight for Arizona’s service members, our veterans, and the right to educational choice.
Here are some highlights from the Wall Street Journal article.
“The Vindication of Phoenix
The Pentagon backs off its punishment of the for-profit college.
Jan. 18, 2016 6:50 p.m. ET
The Obama Administration has conducted a running assault on for-profit colleges, so it’s notable when a target survives. On Friday the Pentagon removed the University of Phoenix, which enrolls about 9,300 service members, from probation after a three-month detention. In October the Defense Department blocked Phoenix from enrolling new students using military tuition assistance and from sponsoring job training or “any recruitment-type activities” on military bases. Probation was a disproportionate use of force.
In defense of due process, Senators John McCain, Lamar Alexander and Jeff Flake wrote to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter noting that the Pentagon seemed to be “unfairly singling out certain institutions of higher education” under pressure from Senator Dick Durbin. The Illinois progressive is Congress’s leading scourge of for-profits since Iowa’s Tom Harkin left for more gainful employment. They also noted that Phoenix, like many for-profits, has a “long history of serving working adults and others for whom traditional university schooling is unavailable.”
Defense backed off, citing its “internal review, the university’s response to the department’s concerns” and the “active engagement and cooperation by representatives of the University of Phoenix, and other relevant materials.” Phoenix is lucky it could call on Mr. McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Most Administration targets aren’t so fortunate.”
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-vindication-of-phoenix-1453161012
