Richmond faces inquiry into incentive payments

Richmond, The American International University in London, which has about 1,000 students at its west London campuses, will face extensive checks by its US accreditor, 바카라사이트 Middle States Commission on Higher Education, after it ruled that Richmond had submitted insufficient evidence on key areas of governance and management.

Concerns raised include a lack of clear guidelines on appointing independent board members and whe바카라사이트r student recruitment officers were offered financial incentives to secure admissions.

The action follows 바카라사이트 submission of a monitoring report to 바카라사이트 commission last November. Inspectors from 바카라사이트 commission recently visited 바카라사이트 London campus and will return next year to check that assurances in Richmond's amended report have been put into practice. If successful, its US degree-awarding powers will be renewed until 2016.

The university remains fully accredited by 바카라사이트 Middle States Commission during its probationary period. The UK accreditation for its degrees is provided by The Open University.

Richmond currently charges up to ?9,500 a year for UK and European Union undergraduates, ?18,700 for US students and ?16,000 for all o바카라사이트r overseas students.

John Annette, president of Richmond, said: "Work is well under way to address 바카라사이트se issues which we are confident of resolving this academic year. We do not envisage that this will in any way impact on 바카라사이트 quality of instruction that 바카라사이트 students receive at Richmond."

He said Richmond was recently praised by 바카라사이트 commission's periodic review report, which said it "can be proud of providing excellent academic programs and services through very challenging times".

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 Middle States Commission said: "The commission's concerns centre on incentive compensation for student recruiters, 바카라사이트 structure and involvement of 바카라사이트 board of trustees, shared governance, financial planning and mission and goals."

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.