Public protesters appropriately showed concern and raised their voice when the academia became a money-spinning venture for capitalists to make easy money on, and from that time on, every new scheme and initiative is met with severe displeasure and denounced by naysayers. Online high schools, colleges and universities also experienced similar struggle to be in the good books of scholars, expert and the students alike.
Diplomas solely based on life experience learning were the fall guy following Online Diplomas. If GED hadn’t been initiated and had complete unconditional support of the US government, there is not a speck of uncertainty about the reality that “certain” individuals and groups would have, independently and unanimously, directed all their forces to muscle life experience diplomas providing bodies out of academia.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding government approval and huge reception, many life experience degree institutions come across aggravation, attempts at offense, insults and lawsuits on common basis. Please allow me to share a verily interesting case I only just stumbled upon that makes me repulse uncomfortably.
Belford High school, which is a leading Experience Degree Offering institute and has been giving numerous diplomas to learners and students qualifying on the base of life experience and other firm appraisal standards. The Googasian Firm, P.C, a newly established legal company, launched a class action lawsuit against Belford High school, declaring that the high school is a scam, giving away unaccredited diplomas.
With the same set of biased methods, Googasian lately won a phenomenal settlement amount and consequently the “moral superiority” was imposed even more. The fascinating aspect, however, is that this time around there are some considerable loopholes in the master-plan which, in my opinion are very difficult to clarify.
An organization that doesn’t come under the US jurisdiction cannot be held legally responsible or answerable to cases against an overseas body. I have firm belief that the legal firm is wholly aware of this essential truth, so what could inspire an organization to tread ahead at any rate? This can backfire awfully and the law firm could be jolted to explain this purposeful dishonesty. Nevertheless, the case has been filed. Could it be the market players trying low grade tricks and busy plotting harmful publicity against Belford?
If you surf through the Terms & Conditions unmistakably mentioned on the official website of Belford high school, it is apparent that they are well shielded against the grievance the plaintiff has filed. Still, the lawsuit exists. Proceedings and the final word are not explicitly discussed, however suppositions carries on. I firmly believe that the guilty party should definitely take the rap and be taught an exemplary lesson.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
GIVE Up on Belford, Googasian Will you?
You may have heard of the famous saying “What goes around, comes around”! Am I confusing you? What I am trying to say is that money stimulates people like nothing else in the world does. Take for example the recently taken place and much talked about Belford Lawsuit.
Belford High School is a leading online institution awarding diplomas to individuals on the basis of their work and life experience. Education is not easy to obtain for many. There are times when it is required that one retunes their priorities and work towards something more important than studies at a given point in time.
Therefore, recognizing this need and following the footsteps of the US government that introduced GED for military personnel, Belford introduced life experience based degrees keeping in mind the typical needs of for working adults.
Now when Belford met the not so charming Googasian P.C, a law firm based in Michigan, on the occasion of the latter filing a class action lawsuit against the former, they charged Belford with the accusation of being a diploma mill.
Googasian took Belford to US court without even researching the case at hand. Belford is a non-US entity and cannot be entertained by US court, as the law says. And as if the US courts don’t already have a million pending cases to wrap up, Googasian bothers it with this baseless one.
Interestingly, Belford’s terms and conditions enlisted on its official website defend it against the class action point blank.
Amusing how a law firm itself mocks its own discipline by leaving out such obvious facts before filing a case. So coming back to where I started, Googaisan has still not been able to file the case in the court as the high school does not fall under jurisdiction and instead is having to constantly face the negative publicity that Belford’s former students are propagating in retaliation.
Belford High School is a leading online institution awarding diplomas to individuals on the basis of their work and life experience. Education is not easy to obtain for many. There are times when it is required that one retunes their priorities and work towards something more important than studies at a given point in time.
Therefore, recognizing this need and following the footsteps of the US government that introduced GED for military personnel, Belford introduced life experience based degrees keeping in mind the typical needs of for working adults.
Now when Belford met the not so charming Googasian P.C, a law firm based in Michigan, on the occasion of the latter filing a class action lawsuit against the former, they charged Belford with the accusation of being a diploma mill.
Googasian took Belford to US court without even researching the case at hand. Belford is a non-US entity and cannot be entertained by US court, as the law says. And as if the US courts don’t already have a million pending cases to wrap up, Googasian bothers it with this baseless one.
Interestingly, Belford’s terms and conditions enlisted on its official website defend it against the class action point blank.
Amusing how a law firm itself mocks its own discipline by leaving out such obvious facts before filing a case. So coming back to where I started, Googaisan has still not been able to file the case in the court as the high school does not fall under jurisdiction and instead is having to constantly face the negative publicity that Belford’s former students are propagating in retaliation.
Friday, December 25, 2009
I want…money…some more…lots more!
What goes around comes around; and if you have money, you can make it go round the way you like. You can have what you like at the receiving end of your wish. Okay, it is getting rather confusing so I will try keeping it simple. My point is, money motivates people like nothing else does. This is evident from the much hyped Belford Lawsuit.
Belford is a high school that awards degrees and diplomas on the basis of work and life experience that a person has. Education is not accessible to all at all times. There are times in your life when you have to reset your priorities and engage in something crucial instead of studying as you should be. So recognizing this need and following the footsteps of US government that introduced GED for military personnel, Belford introduced prior learning based degrees for working adults. Anyway, so Belford met the charming Googasian when the latter filed a class action lawsuit against it. They accused Belford of being a diploma mill.
Imagine-a murderer tells you it’s not good to chew chewing gum in class and not just says so but slaps you hard to make a point. Okay-again an exaggeration of my over imaginative mind but it is a suitable analogy. Googasian took Belford to US court without even researching the case at hand. Belford is a non-US entity and cannot be entertained by US court, as the law says. And as if the US courts don’t already have a million pending cases as it is. Other than that, Belford’s terms and conditions safeguard it against the accusation altogether.
It is funny how a legal entity makes such blunders on their own turf! Ineptness at it’s best *smirk*
Belford is a high school that awards degrees and diplomas on the basis of work and life experience that a person has. Education is not accessible to all at all times. There are times in your life when you have to reset your priorities and engage in something crucial instead of studying as you should be. So recognizing this need and following the footsteps of US government that introduced GED for military personnel, Belford introduced prior learning based degrees for working adults. Anyway, so Belford met the charming Googasian when the latter filed a class action lawsuit against it. They accused Belford of being a diploma mill.
Imagine-a murderer tells you it’s not good to chew chewing gum in class and not just says so but slaps you hard to make a point. Okay-again an exaggeration of my over imaginative mind but it is a suitable analogy. Googasian took Belford to US court without even researching the case at hand. Belford is a non-US entity and cannot be entertained by US court, as the law says. And as if the US courts don’t already have a million pending cases as it is. Other than that, Belford’s terms and conditions safeguard it against the accusation altogether.
It is funny how a legal entity makes such blunders on their own turf! Ineptness at it’s best *smirk*
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Googasian’s Money Spinning Plan
Courts and lawsuits are the best source to witness exemplary power of speech, modes of persuasion and art of weaving a storyboard. But the lower-than-imaginable practices and unfair consequences makes one wonder about the authority fame and money has-the fact that it drives people to inconceivable depths of inhumanity.
A particular case that had me wondering on philanthropic horizon was Belford University Lawsuit. It is a much commented, debated and speculated piece of action, at least in education fraternity. Although there are no decisions regarding the case yet, several conclusions have been drawn already by individuals within intellectual circles and legal crowds. My interest was geared by the statement “millions of dollar won in settlement” and then I search some more for related information.
But as it turns out, all my efforts meet a blank wall! Yes, absolutely blank-no answers, not even questions! How can a legal firm file a class action lawsuit without background check and basic homework? Ok, let me share the reason for my agitation over worthless effort.
Terms & Conditions
Listed terms and conditions on Belford’s website clearly state that the allegation filed by Googasian cannot take Belford to court. This serves as the first reason for a baseless case.
Non-US Jurisdiction
If an organization doesn’t come under US jurisdiction, how can it be taken to US courts, even if the case is valid (which in this case, we can’t even ascertain yet!)?
A particular case that had me wondering on philanthropic horizon was Belford University Lawsuit. It is a much commented, debated and speculated piece of action, at least in education fraternity. Although there are no decisions regarding the case yet, several conclusions have been drawn already by individuals within intellectual circles and legal crowds. My interest was geared by the statement “millions of dollar won in settlement” and then I search some more for related information.
But as it turns out, all my efforts meet a blank wall! Yes, absolutely blank-no answers, not even questions! How can a legal firm file a class action lawsuit without background check and basic homework? Ok, let me share the reason for my agitation over worthless effort.
Terms & Conditions
Listed terms and conditions on Belford’s website clearly state that the allegation filed by Googasian cannot take Belford to court. This serves as the first reason for a baseless case.
Non-US Jurisdiction
If an organization doesn’t come under US jurisdiction, how can it be taken to US courts, even if the case is valid (which in this case, we can’t even ascertain yet!)?
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Who Really is Behind the Belford Lawsuit?
We have recently come across a press release stating as to how a leading online life experience granting high school – Belford has been targeted by a law firm of small stature by the name of Googasian P.C. The firm has filed a class action against Belford High School declaring that ‘they are selling unaccredited diplomas’ and that ‘profit schools offering education to adults with High School diplomas and GEDs are big business in the United States’.
To begin with, let us assure you that if anything else, Belford should not simply have been accused as yet another ‘profit school in the US’ as it is accredited by not just one but two prestigious accreditation agencies for on-line education, the International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU) and the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA).
These accrediting agencies aim to promote high quality online education, having extensively evaluated and accredited various reputable online educational institutions on the basis of the standards they maintain for their educational services. Surprisingly Googasian P.C. has not even bothered to look up their case in depth before irresponsibly having filed a case against Belford that does not function under the US jurisdiction in the first place. Only because they hold a post box address in Texas does not qualify them into a US based entity as ultimately their diplomas are proven to be delivered by the UAE.
The press release also mentioned that the law firm in question is still on high on the success it tasted recently, having won a case over a local university. Their week homework on the Belford case only suggests as to how they are in for some more easy bucks this time round too. We are afraid they might also be unaware of the fact that Belford’s Terms & Conditions and even the information given on the TOS page of its official site only works in the favor of Belford even if by the farthest of chance Googasian P.C. does manage to prove it to be a body operating in the US. Having analyzed the scenario of the Belford Lawsuit so far, it appears to be a waste of time and energy for Googasian P.C. while Belford on the contrary enjoys the free publicity.
Even though online education has been benefiting people worldwide for the last one decade now and has churned out some remarkably valuable human resource for a wide range of professions, it unfortunately still seems to be facing apprehensions from the ardent supporters of the traditional education system.
In such a scenario it is but expected that there are certain groups of people who stand severely firm against the concept of life experience degrees altogether. The opponents can be educationists who may find themselves out of job due to the online classroom feature offered by most of the leading online universities and high schools and if they are not ‘tech-savvy’, and thus find themselves ‘out of demand’.
The can very likely be the on-campus educational institutions who are left way behind in the race as when a student can study at his own pace, convenience and much affordably in comparison, it is unlikely that they would opt for a university or a high school two hours far from their homes on the expense of getting late for work, as in today’s fast paced world it is unlikely to come across full-time students anymore or leaving their kids unattended and the list goes on.
To begin with, let us assure you that if anything else, Belford should not simply have been accused as yet another ‘profit school in the US’ as it is accredited by not just one but two prestigious accreditation agencies for on-line education, the International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU) and the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA).
These accrediting agencies aim to promote high quality online education, having extensively evaluated and accredited various reputable online educational institutions on the basis of the standards they maintain for their educational services. Surprisingly Googasian P.C. has not even bothered to look up their case in depth before irresponsibly having filed a case against Belford that does not function under the US jurisdiction in the first place. Only because they hold a post box address in Texas does not qualify them into a US based entity as ultimately their diplomas are proven to be delivered by the UAE.
The press release also mentioned that the law firm in question is still on high on the success it tasted recently, having won a case over a local university. Their week homework on the Belford case only suggests as to how they are in for some more easy bucks this time round too. We are afraid they might also be unaware of the fact that Belford’s Terms & Conditions and even the information given on the TOS page of its official site only works in the favor of Belford even if by the farthest of chance Googasian P.C. does manage to prove it to be a body operating in the US. Having analyzed the scenario of the Belford Lawsuit so far, it appears to be a waste of time and energy for Googasian P.C. while Belford on the contrary enjoys the free publicity.
Even though online education has been benefiting people worldwide for the last one decade now and has churned out some remarkably valuable human resource for a wide range of professions, it unfortunately still seems to be facing apprehensions from the ardent supporters of the traditional education system.
In such a scenario it is but expected that there are certain groups of people who stand severely firm against the concept of life experience degrees altogether. The opponents can be educationists who may find themselves out of job due to the online classroom feature offered by most of the leading online universities and high schools and if they are not ‘tech-savvy’, and thus find themselves ‘out of demand’.
The can very likely be the on-campus educational institutions who are left way behind in the race as when a student can study at his own pace, convenience and much affordably in comparison, it is unlikely that they would opt for a university or a high school two hours far from their homes on the expense of getting late for work, as in today’s fast paced world it is unlikely to come across full-time students anymore or leaving their kids unattended and the list goes on.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The New ‘Vampire’ –Googasian P.C.
Googasian P.C. - a law firm of small stature recently claimed that ‘Belford sells unaccredited diplomas’ and that ‘profit schools offering education to adults with High School diplomas and GEDs are big business in the United States’. For starters, rest assured that Belford cannot possibly be accused as yet another ‘profit school in the US’ as it is accredited by not just one but two prestigious accreditation agencies for on-line education, the International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU) and the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA).
Surprisingly Googasian P.C. has not even bothered to look up their case closely enough to have missed such a high up point that Belford does not even function under the US jurisdiction in the first place. Their week homework on the Belford case only suggests as to how they are in for some more easy bucks this time round too.
Besides, they have not even vaguely surfed Belford’s official website as yet and had the nerves to file a class action against the institution as had they done so, it would have both saved them time and effort as Belford’s Terms & Conditions and even the information given on the TOS page of its official site only works in the favor of Belford even if by the farthest of chance Googasian P.C. does manage to prove it to be a body operating in the US.
I can bet you could not have guessed the new vampires ‘on the block’ being lawsuits, when it comes to creating unnecessary speculations and irrelevant accusations Googasian P.C. should therefore be held responsible for wasting the court’s time and efforts on a case not even structured well enough to be further presented, let alone winning the case.
Googasian P.C.’s only claim to fame is a case where they have lately won a gigantic $ 5 million against a university within the boundaries of their hometown. Since then they cannot seem to get enough of the chance of generating easy revenue on the expense of defaming reputable education bodies like Belford due to which they have stooped down to the level of launching a website reserved solely for this purpose. Talk about being malicious!
Surprisingly Googasian P.C. has not even bothered to look up their case closely enough to have missed such a high up point that Belford does not even function under the US jurisdiction in the first place. Their week homework on the Belford case only suggests as to how they are in for some more easy bucks this time round too.
Besides, they have not even vaguely surfed Belford’s official website as yet and had the nerves to file a class action against the institution as had they done so, it would have both saved them time and effort as Belford’s Terms & Conditions and even the information given on the TOS page of its official site only works in the favor of Belford even if by the farthest of chance Googasian P.C. does manage to prove it to be a body operating in the US.
I can bet you could not have guessed the new vampires ‘on the block’ being lawsuits, when it comes to creating unnecessary speculations and irrelevant accusations Googasian P.C. should therefore be held responsible for wasting the court’s time and efforts on a case not even structured well enough to be further presented, let alone winning the case.
Googasian P.C.’s only claim to fame is a case where they have lately won a gigantic $ 5 million against a university within the boundaries of their hometown. Since then they cannot seem to get enough of the chance of generating easy revenue on the expense of defaming reputable education bodies like Belford due to which they have stooped down to the level of launching a website reserved solely for this purpose. Talk about being malicious!
Monday, November 16, 2009
New Cash Cows - The Belford Lawsuit
Social activists rightfully raised a hue and cry when education industry became a profitable venue for entrepreneurs to cash on, and since then, every new concept is met with fierce disapproval and jumped upon by opportunists. Online Educational institutions also went through the same drudgery to earn recognition and acceptance in scholastic and professional circles.
Degrees based on prior learning were the scapegoat following Online Degrees. If GED wasn’t initiated and supported by the US government, there is not a hint of doubt about the fact that “certain” personnel and organizations would have, individually and collectively, channelized all their resources to force life experience degrees providing bodies out of educational horizon.
However, despite government endorsement and massive acceptance, many life experience degree providers are made to face harassment, attempts at defamation and lawsuits on regular basis. Let me share an interesting case I recently came across that makes me sigh with repulsion.
Scenario
Belford High School, which happens to be a renowned Life Experience Degree Providing body, has been awarding degrees to people who qualify on the basis of professional experience and other strict evaluation standards. The Googasian Firm, P.C, filed a class action lawsuit against Belford High School, claiming that the High School has been indulging in scam, awarding unaccredited degrees, and other such run-of-the-mill accusations.
Backstage
With similar action plan, Googasian recently won impressive settlement amount and thus, the “righteousness” was further enforced. What is different, however, is that this time there are some major glitches in the plan which I, personally, find hard to explain.
1. Jurisdiction
An entity that doesn’t fall under the US jurisdiction cannot entertain cases against a foreign entity. I am certain the legal firm is aware of this basic fact, so what could motivate them to stride ahead anyway? This can very easily backfire and the legal firm could be made to explain this deliberate misleading. Yet, the lawsuit has been filed. Could it be competitors trying underhand methods and creating negative press for Belford? My humble contribution to the trove of information-press, good or bad, is essentially GOOD.
2. Explicit Terms & Conditions
If you go through Terms & Conditions explicitly stated on Belford’s website, it is apparent that they are protected against the complaint the plaintiff has filed. Yet, the lawsuit exists.
Proceedings and verdict are not shared yet though speculation continues. I believe the culprit should definitely face the music and taught a lesson about consequences of violating someone’s right.
Degrees based on prior learning were the scapegoat following Online Degrees. If GED wasn’t initiated and supported by the US government, there is not a hint of doubt about the fact that “certain” personnel and organizations would have, individually and collectively, channelized all their resources to force life experience degrees providing bodies out of educational horizon.
However, despite government endorsement and massive acceptance, many life experience degree providers are made to face harassment, attempts at defamation and lawsuits on regular basis. Let me share an interesting case I recently came across that makes me sigh with repulsion.
Scenario
Belford High School, which happens to be a renowned Life Experience Degree Providing body, has been awarding degrees to people who qualify on the basis of professional experience and other strict evaluation standards. The Googasian Firm, P.C, filed a class action lawsuit against Belford High School, claiming that the High School has been indulging in scam, awarding unaccredited degrees, and other such run-of-the-mill accusations.
Backstage
With similar action plan, Googasian recently won impressive settlement amount and thus, the “righteousness” was further enforced. What is different, however, is that this time there are some major glitches in the plan which I, personally, find hard to explain.
1. Jurisdiction
An entity that doesn’t fall under the US jurisdiction cannot entertain cases against a foreign entity. I am certain the legal firm is aware of this basic fact, so what could motivate them to stride ahead anyway? This can very easily backfire and the legal firm could be made to explain this deliberate misleading. Yet, the lawsuit has been filed. Could it be competitors trying underhand methods and creating negative press for Belford? My humble contribution to the trove of information-press, good or bad, is essentially GOOD.
2. Explicit Terms & Conditions
If you go through Terms & Conditions explicitly stated on Belford’s website, it is apparent that they are protected against the complaint the plaintiff has filed. Yet, the lawsuit exists.
Proceedings and verdict are not shared yet though speculation continues. I believe the culprit should definitely face the music and taught a lesson about consequences of violating someone’s right.
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