The University of Akron has ended talks with ITT Educational Services Inc., one of the nation’s largest operators of for-profit technical schools.
“The university will not be entering into any agreement involving ITT,” UA President Scott Scarborough and Board of Trustees Chair Jonathan T. Pavloff said in an email Thursday afternoon to faculty and staff.
The talks between university officials and ITT came under fire by critics who accused the president of making secret plans to partner with the company to create satellite campuses across the United States and globally and to turn the community-based school into more of an online resource.
Earlier this year, the University of Akron would neither confirm or deny any negotiations with Higher Education Partners LLC, which works with colleges to provide startup capital and financing for new facilities, initiatives and online ventures. UA’s conversations with Higher Education Partners involved ITT.
University officials said on Thursday there are also no ongoing talks with HEP.
The email from Scarborough and Pavloff didn’t explain why the discussions concluded, and a university spokesman declined to provide details.
Those involved with the discussions had to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Some questioned why UA was considering a deal with ITT, which has been charged with fraud by the Securities Exchange Commission and is under restrictions by the U.S. Department of Education for its use of federal student aid.
ITT is a publicly traded, for-profit chain with about 130 locations across 38 states.
In their letter, Scarborough and Pavloff said UA “will continue to search for appropriate ways to strengthen the University of Akron and enhance its profile as a leading research and teaching institution, offering students unparalleled opportunities for an education that is rich in experiential learning and connects them with great career options.”
Although he didn’t specifically mention ITT or any talk of online courses, Scarborough did hint about expanding boundaries in his first State of the University speech in October. He talked about wanting the school to evolve into a “national university with an international reach.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.