ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 7 (AScribe Newswire) -- The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has announced the availability of its newly revised "Statement of Students' Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admission Process" for students interested in pursuing education beyond high school. The new "Students' Rights" brochure includes a statement of a student's right to be free of "high pressure sales tactics" in the college admission process, an addition motivated by recent evidence of commissioned-based recruiting practices at some institutions of postsecondary education.
"Students are exploring many different options for postsecondary education, including online education and other innovative programs. In this rapidly changing landscape for higher education, we believe it is particularly important for students to read and understand their rights in the admission process," stated Beverly Henry Wheeler, NACAC president and Regional Representative of Admissions for the University of Tulsa. "NACAC's 'Students Rights' brochure, which includes information about starting the college search, understanding admission and financial aid options, and finding data about campus security and academics, can be a useful reference for anyone applying to college."
Jon Westover, chair of the NACAC Government Relations Committee and senior associate director of admission at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, stated, "In light of evidence from the last two years about recruiting tactics at some institutions, we believed that it was essential to inform students of their right to be free from high pressure sales tactics as they make the transition from high school to college. Institutions that use high pressure, commissioned sales tactics set up a situation where students may receive little to no academic benefit as a result of their enrollment, which could result in a substantial cost to the student, who may end up with thousands of dollars in student loan debt."
Federal law prohibits colleges from paying commissions to admission officers based on the number of students they enroll. Compliance with the law has been the subject of several lawsuits and federal regulatory cases over the past two years. NACAC also prohibits the practice of commissioned based sales in admission through its Statement of Principles of Good Practice.
The "Students' Rights" brochure is available on the Web for free at http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/ForStudents/.
ABOUT NACAC
NACAC is an Alexandria, VA-based education association of more than 9,200 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice. More information about NACAC is available at www.nacacnet.org.
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CONTACT: Shanda Ivory, NACAC communications, 703-299-6803, sivory@nacac.com
Media Contact: See above.
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