Dear Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Office ......May 14, 2015 · Dear Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Office of Degree Authorization, ... develop a world-class

Dear Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Office of Degree Authorization,

I am writing to you today with legitimate concerns about the administrative misbehavior that I observed while a professor and program director at "University of Western States", formerly Western States Chiropractic College. I will initiate this conversation by providing 1) background and context, 2) important concerns/questions, 3) initial evidence/documents.

1) Background and context

I graduated from Western states Chiropractic College in 1996, and I loved that school and dreamed of later teaching there. For many years, I contributed as a visiting faculty member and as a member of the post graduate faculty; I lectured on campus for their post graduate events on a regular basis for many years (roughly 2004 to 2013).

Starting in late 2013, I was hired as the founding Program Director for the Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine graduate/masters program; I also taught pharmacology on campus for the chiropractic program during this time and taught many of the courses within my masters program (Principles of Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Psychology, etc). What I observed during my experience as a professor and program director at Western States was perpetual chaos, lack of organization and low administrative and academic standards which quite frequently manifested as administrative abuse/misbehavior, accounting irregularities (numerous false budget items, disappearance of $101,000 from my program and the resultant chaos), and and what I perceive as gross administrative incompetence. After working hard to develop a world-class graduate program with high standards and expert faculty, my contract was not renewed / constructively dismissed in September 2013.

2) Important concerns/questions

Per communication with a fellow academician in Oregon, I've been informed that "Western States" does not meet criteria for its "University" status. My understanding is that to qualify as university, the school must provide 2 independent and complete bachelors degree programs, and Western states clearly does not meet this criteria. The question then arises, under what power does Western States call itself a "University", and why is it allowed to do so if it does not meet formal criteria?

As I am sure you are aware, the president of Western States also sits as the president of the Northwest Accreditation Commission (Dr. Joseph Brimhall President, Chair of the Commission, University of Western States http://www.nwccu.org/About/Commissioners/NWCCU%20Commissioners.htm) – the conflict of interest is so glaringly apparent that some would reasonably find it to be abhorrent. How can the commission possibly exercise its obligations with such a conflict of interest presiding with authority over each of its meetings? Not surprisingly, the Northwest Accreditation Commission has failed to hold Western States accountable to competent academic standards. Quite obviously, the use of "University" gives the school the appearance of social and cultural authority and is used as a marketing strategy to attract students. Please note: " As chair, Dr. Brimhall will exercise the executive powers of the office, set the time and place for commission

http://www.nwccu.org/About/Commissioners/NWCCU%20Commissioners.htm

board meetings, chair the board executive committee, and preside at all NWCCU board and business meetings. His term runs through July 2016." https://www.uws.edu/president-joseph-brimhall-elected-chair-northwest-commission-colleges-universities/.

"University of Western States" 1) profits from its "non-profit" status by being able to receive public donations, tax exemptions, etc., 2) trains healthcare professionals, who – if not adequately trained – could pose a risk to the public health. Does "University of Western States" receive public monies from the State of Oregon?

3) Initial evidence/documents

As a former professor and program director at Western States, I was constantly bedazzled and disappointed by the administration's allowance of lack of academic integrity and promotion of low standards. Per the attached, please note that the administration failed to ensure a competent online examination platform for the graduate program, and also please note that the internet infrastructure of this program was produced by the same personnel, on the same software, on the same internet servers as all of the online courses at Western States. The implications are quite obvious, clearly suggesting that these same defects pervaded the entirety of the online courses/degrees at Western States.

Please consider this context when you read the attached four PDF documents. Thank you for your serious consideration of the above/attached.

Dr Alex Vasquez

https://www.uws.edu/president-joseph-brimhall-elected-chair-northwest-commission-colleges-universities/https://www.uws.edu/president-joseph-brimhall-elected-chair-northwest-commission-colleges-universities/

4/15/13 IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity: Part 1, November 2012

https://mail.uws.edu/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAACF6l7Guh9HRJj4ZBTmEBm3BwB4aE08zuSgRLbWPwlYTX8QAAAAw9aIAAB4aE08zuSgRLbWP… 1/3

Ticket 2754: RE: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

.

On 11/27/12, at 1:36 pm, Daniel Russo wrote:

Jim,

It looks like you assessment of the situation is correct. The adaptive mode is the issue that is messing

things up. Closing ticket.

Daniel


Jim,

Have you looked at these exams and if so did you determine the problem?

If you need assistance, let me know.

Daniel

On 11/21/12, at 3:21 pm, Jim Friscia wrote:

I am going to review the midterm exam settings and each question to see if I can figure out the issue

with this one. We can then review any others to be sure they are set up correctly.

Thanks!

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia

Director of Online Education

University of Western States

From: Alex Vasquez

IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity: Part 1, November 2012Alex VasquezSent:Monday, April 15, 2013 11:33 AMTo: Joseph Brimhall; Laura Lamm

From: IT Support

Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 1:36 PM

To: Alex Vasquez

Subject: Ticket 2754 Closed --> RE: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings: I a...

TlCKET 2754

Alex VasquezHighlight

Alex VasquezCalloutBrimhall = university presidentLamm = provost

Alex VasquezCalloutUWS online course designer for all courses

Alex VasquezTextboxDOCUMENT # 1

https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fhelpdesk.uws.edu%2fhelpdesk%2fWebObjects%2fHelpdesk.woa%2fwa%2fTicketActions%2fview%3fticket%3d2754



Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 2:47 PM

To: Jim Friscia

Cc: IT Support; Alisa Fairweather; Gary Schultz

Subject: Re: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

Hi Jim,

The students reported this problem related to the midterm exam in evidence-based nutrition, which is

also apparently missing some images from the original document. However, there's no reason to

suspect that the other exams in other courses aren't affected, and we can't afford to take the risk of not

looking at them. As was reviewed in our recent on-site assessment by our accreditation commission,

the integrity of assessments is of high importance, especially considering the online nature of the

program. Therefore, there needs to be some systematic assessment of the security and integrity of the

exams.

Dr Alex Vasquez

www.OptimalHealthResearch.com

www.HealGrowThriveMedicine.com

iPhone: 503.432.5341

On Nov 21, 2012, at 1:55 PM, "Jim Friscia" > wrote:

Alex …

I think I need a little more information. Are there specific exams that should be checked? Is it all exams in

every class in the program? There are setting in exams that can be adjusted and I would be more than

happy to review how these are set for the exams. You and I should also discuss the variety of settings in

exams and how they affect students’ view of the exam, answers, etc …

Thanks!

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia



From: Alex Vasquez


To: IT Support; Jim Friscia

Cc: Alisa Fairweather; Gary Schultz; Alex Vasquez

Subject: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

I've talked now with two students who have told me that the exams in Moodle can be virtually

bypassed (at least in part) simply by selecting multiple answers, as the settings are allowing




https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.OptimalHealthResearch.com



students to make multiple attempts at some (probably not all) questions and thereby get the answer

"right" simply through a process of elimination. Also, for questions that require more than one

correct answer, students appear to be able to get the answer "right" by selecting all of the answers

and thereby including the correct answers; obviously, this should not be allowed. These issues need

to be corrected if the exams are to hold authentic value for knowledge assessment. Thank you.

Alex Vasquez DC ND DO

Adjunct Professor, Evidence-Based Nutrition, Immunology and Inflammation, Principles of Functional

Medicine

Director, Master of Science in Nutrition and Functional Medicine http://www.UWS.edu/

Personal website: www.OptimalHealthResearch.com

TlCKET


https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.UWS.edu%2fhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.OptimalHealthResearch.com

Jim Friscia

Actions

In response to the message from Alex Vasquez, 2/1/2013

To:

Alex Vasquez

Cc:

Ashley DeBoer; Daniel Russo; Alisa Fairweather

Inbox

Monday, February 04, 2013 9:33 AM You forwarded this message on 7/3/2013 1:29 PM.

Alex ...

If it is a technical problem related to Moodle, then you should open an IT ticket (by emailing itsupport or going to

the Help Ticket system) ... copy me. If it is request for updating changing, or adding something to a course also use

the IT ticketing system, but also copy me and Ashley. All Moodle-related tickets are seen by Daniel - Ashley and I

will let him know if we take care of a course-related change. Daniel and IT will help resolve any technical

problems. The ticketing system is the best way we have to track both problems and requests and ensure they are

resolved.

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia



Ashley DeBoer

Inbox

Friday, February 01, 2013 7:31 PM Hello,

I think I got it all sorted out. Quiz 1 and 2 and Part 5 of theexam were set up as shells but, never utilized. I deleted

them from your course and the gradebook looks much cleaner.

Alex Vasquez

Sent Items

Friday, February 01, 2013 4:44 PM Okay, I was just trying to not copy everyone. Mostly, I just want an accurate and clear grading system so that time

and resources are used efficiently grades are reported accurately.

Jim

So do you want me to copy Ashley and IT on everything related to Moodle and the website?

Alex VasquezTypewriterMissing examinations....


Alex VasquezTextboxSo, what is being discussed in this conversation is the fact that the grading system was allowing students to miss entire exams and quizzes and then receive a score based on the fraction of completed assignments rather than the entirety of the assignments. For example if a student received 90% on one exam and then failed to take another exam, the UWS system was assigning a score of 90% as the final grade, rather than a failing 45%.

Dr Alex Vasquez

iPhone: 503.432.5341

On Feb 1, 2013, at 3:59 PM, "Jim Friscia" wrote:

> Alex ...

>

> Please include Ashley on these. I am having her look into the issue. You can also submit this as a ticket to IT

Support - it will also go to Daniel to figure out.

>

> I might be able to take a look tomorrow, but hopefully Ashley will beat me to this.

>

> - Jim

>

> ====================

> Jim Friscia

> Director of Online Education

> University of Western States

Alex Vasquez

Sent Items, Immunology

Friday, February 01, 2013 3:54 PM Three out of the seven exams don't exist per this list -- attached


Alex VasquezTextboxSo, what is being discussed in this conversation is the fact that the grading system was allowing students to miss entire exams and quizzes and then receive a score based on the fraction of completed assignments rather than the entirety of the assignments. For example if a student received 90% on one exam and then failed to take another exam, the UWS system was assigning a score of 90% as the final grade, rather than a failing 45%.

Alex VasquezCalloutTwo quizzes missed, but the recorded score (at the bottom) was 98%.

4/15/13 IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity: Part 2, March 2013

https://mail.uws.edu/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAACF6l7Guh9HRJj4ZBTmEBm3BwB4aE08zuSgRLbWPwlYTX8QAAAAw9aGAAB4aE08zuSgRLbW… 1/3

IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity: Part 2, March 2013Alex VasquezSent:Monday, April 15, 2013 11:34 AMTo: Joseph Brimhall; Laura LammCc: Alex Vasquez

From: Jim Friscia

Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 12:21 PM

To: Alex Vasquez

Cc: Eric Blumenthal; Alisa Fairweather; Daniel Russo; Kris Rosenberg; Ashley DeBoer

Subject: RE: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

This was taken care of – there are no exams set up in adaptive mode and this problem should not occur.

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia



From: Alex Vasquez

Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 12:11 PM

To: Jim Friscia; Daniel Russo; Kris Rosenberg

Cc: Eric Blumenthal; Alisa Fairweather


I am following-up on this request from November 2012 given that it is crucial for the integrity of our examination

process for students.

Have the settings / system been changed to ensure that students cannot fraud the grading system and examination

process, and will the system in place prevent this problem from occurring again?

Alex Vasquez D.C., N.D., D.O., F.A.C.N.

Adjunct Professor and Program Director

Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine http://www.UWS.edu/


From: IT Support

Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 1:36 PM

To: Alex Vasquez



Alex VasquezCalloutAs you can clearly see, the problem with examination integrity existed throughout the entire first year of the program April 2012-2013, and may have persisted thereafter. All administrators were perfectly aware.

Alex VasquezCalloutBlumenthal = vice president of finance, supposedly oversees the IT Department Fairweather = then Dean of Graduate Programs Russo = designer of all online courses Rosenberg = head of the IT Department DeBoer = secretary who helped with course implementation

https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.UWS.edu%2fhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.OptimalHealthResearch.com



Ticket 2754: RE: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

.


Jim,

It looks like you assessment of the situation is correct. The adaptive mode is the issue that is messing things up.

Closing ticket.

Daniel


Jim,

Have you looked at these exams and if so did you determine the problem?

If you need assistance, let me know.

Daniel

On 11/21/12, at 3:21 pm, Jim Friscia wrote:

I am going to review the midterm exam settings and each question to see if I can figure out the issue with this one. We

can then review any others to be sure they are set up correctly.

Thanks!

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia



From: Alex Vasquez


To: Jim Friscia

Cc: IT Support; Alisa Fairweather; Gary Schultz

Subject: Re: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings

Hi Jim,

The students reported this problem related to the midterm exam in evidence-based nutrition, which is also apparently

missing some images from the original document. However, there's no reason to suspect that the other exams in

other courses aren't affected, and we can't afford to take the risk of not looking at them. As was reviewed in our recent

on-site assessment by our accreditation commission, the integrity of assessments is of high importance, especially

considering the online nature of the program. Therefore, there needs to be some systematic assessment of the

Subject: Ticket 2754 Closed --> RE: Integrity of exams and Moodle settings: I a...

TlCKET 2754

Dr Alex VasquezHighlight


Alex VasquezUnderline



https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fhelpdesk.uws.edu%2fhelpdesk%2fWebObjects%2fHelpdesk.woa%2fwa%2fTicketActions%2fview%3fticket%3d2754



security and integrity of the exams.

Dr Alex Vasquez

www.OptimalHealthResearch.com

www.HealGrowThriveMedicine.com

iPhone: 503.432.5341

On Nov 21, 2012, at 1:55 PM, "Jim Friscia" > wrote:

Alex …

I think I need a little more information. Are there specific exams that should be checked? Is it all exams in every class in

the program? There are setting in exams that can be adjusted and I would be more than happy to review how these

are set for the exams. You and I should also discuss the variety of settings in exams and how they affect students’ view

of the exam, answers, etc …

Thanks!

- Jim

=======================

Jim Friscia



From: Alex Vasquez


To: IT Support; Jim Friscia

Cc: Alisa Fairweather; Gary Schultz; Alex Vasquez


I've talked now with two students who have told me that the exams in Moodle can be virtually bypassed (at least in part)

simply by selecting multiple answers, as the settings are allowing students to make multiple attempts at some

(probably not all) questions and thereby get the answer "right" simply through a process of elimination. Also, for

questions that require more than one correct answer, students appear to be able to get the answer "right" by selecting

all of the answers and thereby including the correct answers; obviously, this should not be allowed. These issues

need to be corrected if the exams are to hold authentic value for knowledge assessment. Thank you.

Alex Vasquez DC ND DO

Adjunct Professor, Evidence-Based Nutrition, Immunology and Inflammation, Principles of Functional Medicine

Director, Master of Science in Nutrition and Functional Medicine http://www.UWS.edu/


TlCKET






https://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.OptimalHealthResearch.comhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspxhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=mailto%3ajfriscia%40uws.eduhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=mailto%3ajfriscia%40uws.eduhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.UWS.edu%2fhttps://mail.uws.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QemTdvM_5E6TEbLxq-DhwEyM17HnCdAIs-eKJ_POGMBPMFOg1VLMoWyqAzJfFtQOP1wfFep8bsc.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.OptimalHealthResearch.com

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Alex VasquezCalloutUWS online course designer for all courses

Alex Vasquez public comment01_IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity_ Part 1, November 201202 IT Missing grades and exams -- February 04, 201303_IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity_ Part 2, March 201304_IT Failure to ensure Examination Validity_ Part 3, April 2013

Dear Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Office ......May 14, 2015 · Dear Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Office of Degree Authorization, ... develop a world-class

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