By Mikel Holt
While the fight may not be over, a coalition of Black fraternity and civil rights organizations claimed a significant victory in their attempt to derail the application of a for-profit nursing college from operating in Milwaukee.
On Thursday the Common Council’s Zoning, Neighborhood and Development Committee followed a previous ‘rejection’ by its City Planning Commission in denying a permit for the Arizona College of Nursing to occupy a building at 900 Chester St.
Led by the local branch of the NAACP and the Black Nurses Association, a coalition warned city officials of previous for profit entities that have closed down unexpectedly, forcing minority and poor students to scramble for their educational aspirations.
Some were forced to abandon their nursing career goals after paying thousands of dollars in student fees.
Among the colleges to close in recent years were Kaplan, ITT, and Sandford Brown.
A coordinated campaign to oppose the Arizona college, started over two months ago, at which time this reporter was asked to pursue a story.
The Community Journal reached out several times to the college for reaction to the protests, only to be provided with what can only be called ‘public relations rhetoric.’
When the MCJ finally announced it was developing a story without their input, representatives quickly responded, days before the zoning meeting.
To a questions about whether they were being unfairly attacked, Alesha Guenther, of Arizona’s pubic relations firm, Michael Best, said: “the college prides itself on providing student-centric educational opportunities that support positive outcomes, such as our students’ nursing exam (NCLEX) pass rate of 89%, which is in line with Wisconsin’s average pass rate.
“We hope that by sharing our commitment to helping Wisconsin reduce its nursing shortage, we can further foster partnerships, as we have nationally and at local chapters with both the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), covering the fees for student memberships as well as funding of $250k annually in scholarships to members”
The statement also read the college has never closed a campus.
But Milwaukee NAACP Branch President Clarence Nichols rejected the college’s response, lamenting the risks out weigh whatever reward they offered.
Additionally, he noted, Arizona College of Nursing fell short of the education requirement of a completion rate of 70% for CCNE accreditation. ing fell short, reporting a 65% program completion rate and a completion rate of only 58% in 2021.
Said Nichols: “The state of Arizona has placed the college on
probation for three years for serious violations including leaving students unsupervised during clinicals and for employing unqualified nursing instructors.”
Nichols noted for-profit colleges have a history of targeting Black and Latino students and military veterans with little experience in high education. Research by the U.S. Senate found students who opt for for-profit schools over similarly selective public colleges “borrow more, default at a higher rate, and have lower graduation rates.
“These organizations game the federal aid system to make millions while leaving students with nothing but broken dreams, credits that don’t transfer, useless degrees and huge debts.”
Additionally, there is an active federal lawsuit filed by 19 students
from Dallas, Texas that have accused AZCN of fraudulent practices. The student plaintiffs allege they were overcharged for courses, not informed that credits they earned were not transferable to other schools, and that they were discouraged from completing their studies successfully.
The matter may not be settled as attorneys for the college believe the city committees don’t have the authority to deny occupancy permits.
A lawsuit is expected, for which the NAACP is prepared.
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