Minnesota Supreme Court Denies Globe University's Petition for Appeal in Whistleblower Ruling

Last week the Minnesota Supreme Court denied Globe University's petition for an appeal of the decision in former dean Heidi Weber's whistleblower lawsuit against the school. This marks the end of the line for Globe University officials to appeal the decision.

Just over a year ago, a jury decided that Globe University/Minnesota School of Business fired Weber after she blew the whistle on the school's misleading, illegal, and unethical practices. The family managed group of for-profit colleges was ordered to pay nearly $1 million to the former Globe University dean.

Globe Education Network Performance Appraisal for Former Dean Heidi Weber

Even more baffling (and a bit humorous), is that school officials originally claimed that Weber was not fired for poor performance, but switched its position in later testimony to say it was.

Weber's case is important because it revealed the inner workings of Globe University and how executives place profit well above the interest of their students. The Globe Education Network Admission Representative Training Manual was made available during the trial and is an example of how far school executives will go to enroll students (ie: increase profits).

Globe Education Network Admission Representative Training Manual by Kyle McCarthy

Admissions representatives must memorize word-for-word the 60-75 minute powerpoint presentation so they can then deliver the canned presentation to prospective students. According to the training manual, the "Contents of a Good Presentation" include the following:

1.) It must catch the prospect's instant and undivided ATTENTION by aiming at his/her self-interest by promising them a benefit, appealing to their curiosity, or rendering a service.
2.) It must AROUSE HIS/HER INTEREST by describing benefits and pointing out the advantages of them.
3.) It must STIMULATE HIS/HER DESIRE for the benefits, and their advantages by offering factual proof and evidence.
4.) It must MOTIVATE HIM to take action to ENROLL.

The Minnesota Supreme Court's decision to deny Globe University/ Minnesota School of Business' petition for an appeal is just one of many recent public relations nightmares involving Globe University and school executives. As Steve Kaplan of the Twin Cities Business Journal suggests, "The jointly owned Globe University (GU) and Minnesota School of Business (MSB) have been sued so often these last few years, you'd think they might consider offering a course on how to run afoul of the law."

Other gems include:

• Two former deans sue Globe University / Minnesota School of Business.

• Former students sue Globe University for consumer fraud.

• Minnesota Attorney General, Lori Swanson sues Globe University for misleading students about the jobs they could get after graduation.

• Globe University / Minnesota School of Business closes Shakopee campus.

• Globe University shuts down criminal justice program.

• Broadview University listed as a "Red Flag" school for having a student loan default rate higher than the school's graduation rate.

• Broadview University is forced to shut down nursing program.

• Owner of the schools has issued predatory private student loans to students with 18% interest.

• Globe University and Minnesota School of Business have been suspended from receiving money from the DoD.

Will this latest court decision convince Globe University officials to stop pointing the finger at others and deflecting blame? Hopefully. It's well overdue and their students and graduates deserve better.

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