Apollo Group Essay Example for Free

Apollo Group Essay The Apollo Group was founded by John Sterling, a professor at San Jose State University, in 1976. They are a for-profit educational provider that specializes in educating working adults. The Apollo Group has many subsidiaries both domestic and abroad. The University of Phoenix- the largest private university in the United States Institute for Professional Development- a consultant service that provides private colleges and universities in the US with adult education program development, administration and management support The College for Financial Planning Institutes- a national leader in providing financial services education the and certification to people and companies in the financial services industry Meritus University- an online university with degree programs in Canada Apollo Global Inc- a partnership with The Carlyle Group that invest in international education services in various countries The University of Phoenix is their main subsidiary and has an enrollment of over 550,000 students. They provide undergraduate, masters and doctorial programs both online and at on-campus locations in 40 states. Since the University of Phoenix is a for-profit educator, they recognize their students as customers and have tailored their business to fit the educational needs of their customers. Their programs are geared toward working adults; they are able to educate their customers at a rapid pace with low overhead. They have simple online platforms that are easy to use and their on-campus locations consist of basic classrooms. Since their primary customers are working adults and commuting students, they do not invest in building dorms, student unions or recreational facilities at these on-campus locations. Current Issues While this business model has been profitable for Apollo Group, there are some concerns that will force them to adjust their plan. Because of the perception that online classes are ineffective, and proprietary colleges and universities are degree factories that are not providing a quality education, prestigious universities are sticking with traditional programs. This perception is shared by potential students and their employers. Apollo needs to improve the reputation of their brand. The federal government has put some regulations in place to ensure that proprietary educators are educating students and not pushing them through their programs and granting degrees to create a revenue stream from federal financial aid and student loans. The Gainful Employment Rule- If programs fail the three test of gainful employment three times in a four year span they will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid dollars. The 90/10 Rule- If the institution get more than 90% of its cash revenue from student loans, the institution cannot participate in student federal loan programs. Student Loan Defaults- The federal government sets a three year default limit on cohorts of students. If the students’ loan default rate of the cohort drops below the limit, the institution cannot participate in student federal loan programs. In addition to the negitive reputation and government regulations, the Apollo Group is facing competition from both traditional and proprietary educators. As the technology increases, more schools are investing in their distance learning programs. Apollo will need to find a way to differentiate themselves from these institutions. Recommendations I think the Apollo Group should leverage the relationships that their other subsidiaries have built with their clients, as well as the ones their professors have with their employers, to get input on redesigning their degree programs. If done properly these programs will set industry standards and change the reputation of the University of Phoenix. These redesigned programs should create more employment opportunities for their graduates and help them pass gainful employment test. Working with major corporations to create these programs and gaining their public endorsement will give them an advantage over their competitors. While their business model does not include the extra amenities of a traditional university, the University of Phoenix needs to invest in career counseling and job placement services to help their students find good jobs, this will increase the likelihood of being in compliance with federal regulations. They should also develop a business case showing how the 90/10 rule will cause them to deny enrollment to low income students and petition elected officials who serve low income areas to modify some of the federal regulations that they are governed by. Wall Street Metrics As of this writing, The Apollo Group, with a ticker symbol of APOL is trading at $20.83 per share. Its 52-week high was $29.47 and its low was $15.98. It has a P.E. ratio of 8.54% compared to 24.38% of the SP 500 and 36.39% for the sector. Its dividend yield is 0 compared to 1.85 of the SP 500 and 2.14 of the sector. It has a Beta measurement of 0.70. Based upon my analysis, I would not currently purchase this stock. Post Script The University of Phoenix recently had some trouble retaining their accreditation. A peer group with The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, recommended that they be put on probation. â€Å"Specifically, the review team concluded that the University of Phoenix has insufficient autonomy relative to its parent corporation and sole shareholder, Apollo Group, Inc., to assure that its board of directors can manage the institution, assure the university’s integrity, exercise the board’s fiduciary responsibilities and make decisions necessary to achieve the institution’s mission and successful operation.† 1 The Apollo Group was able to work with the HLC’s Institutional Actions Council First Committee to retain its regional accreditation, but that the university will be placed on notice for two years. In efforts to retain students by reducing the cost of tuition, the university has created a scholarship reward program that gives eligible undergraduate degree students up to $10,000 in tuition reductions. They also instituted a tuition freeze so students will not have tuition increases as long as they are consistently enrolled in classes.

Environmental Change and Bounded Cultures :: Essays Papers

Environmental Change and "Bounded" Cultures Viewing â€Å"‘cultures’ as shared, bounded wholes, relating to single, static environments† is a deceptive perspective in global environmental science today. As â€Å"global environmental problems have local environmental impacts,† the way that scientists think of local indigenous communities affects the relevancy of any international aid a global scientific community can offer (209). Ultimately, â€Å"environmentally benign beliefs translate into environmentally benign practice,† and unless scientists overcome predispositions about the inertness of culture, any valuable international relationship towards a â€Å"common future† will be lost (215, 222). As with other indigenous languages around the world, local West African languages entail political significance in terms of relationship between land and farmer. Such political terms â€Å"do not translate easily into those of Western environmental science,† and appreciation for their meaning requires an authentic â€Å"globalization of environmental discourse† (211, 222). Because foreign scientists have no knowledge of the West African â€Å"cultural embeddedness† of language and land, they are often unaware of the â€Å"enduring links† between contemporary West African farmers and their ancestors who once worked the same plot of earth. Invariably, contemporary global sciences evaluate indigenous environmental practices â€Å"only on their own [Western] terms,† and do not allow for reinterpretation of ideas that could inform care of the earth (224). A limited understanding of indigenous practices also promotes the â€Å"repackaging† of local knowledges as â€Å"romanticized notions,† allowing Westerners to invent their own interpretations of what is â€Å"traditional† and ultimately â€Å"suppress local creativity† (211). In â€Å"the imposition of global orthodoxies and analysis† upon â€Å"environmental values and notions of sustainability† in Non-Western cultures, Western scientists infringe â€Å"not only on local livelihoods but also on cultural freedom† of fellow human beings (224). The scientific power of a dominant culture in defining the environmental practices of other cultures limits our international potential for environmental sustainability, as it limits the voices and legitimate contributions of indigenous societies. The political reality of â€Å"globally defined environmental agendas† simply does not reflect the agendas of every community around the globe, rather, it reflects â€Å"the priorities of those in positions of power† (Leach and Fairhead 210).

Biology 3.3 Dna Structure

3. 3 & 7. 1 DNA Structure Worksheet 1. Draw and label the structure of a simplified single nucleotide, including sugar, phosphate and base. 2. Complete the table below to show the pairings of the bases in DNA: Purine| Pyrimidine| Adenine| Thymine| Guanine| Cytosine| 3. Where would one find the base uracil? RNA, it replaces thymine 4. In the space below, draw a single strand of three nucleotides, naming the bonds between them and showing the correct relative position of these bonds. The sequence of these bases makes up the genetic code. The red linesrepresent covalent bonds.They are read in groups of three called triplets. These triplets arethen used to send instructions in the cell: to switch genes on and off. 5. Define the term double helix. The term double helix is two strands of DNA that twist around each other. Anti-Parallel 6. In the space below, draw a section of DNA, showing two anti-parallel strands of three nucleotides. Label the bonds which hold the bases together as well a s the correct complementary base pairs. Also include the 3’ and 5’ linkages (and ends), and the distinction between purines and pyramidines. . Explain the relevance of the following in the double-helix structure of DNA: a. Complementary base pairing Complementary base pairing is when G only bonds with C and T only bonds with A and these are found on each strand of the double helix b. Hydrogen bonds Hydrogen bonds between the bases hold together the strands of DNA c. Relative positioning of the sugar-phosphate backbone and the bases The relative positioning of the sugar-phosphate backbone are on the outside and the bases are on the inside of the double helix 8.In the space below, draw the structure of a simplified nucleosome, including the H1 linker and histone proteins. 9. Nucleosomes allow the DNA to be supercoiled. a. What is the approximate length of the DNA strand in one chromosome? The length is (length of 1 bp) (number of bp per cell) which is 2 meters. b. During which phase of the cell cycle is DNA most likely to be supercoiled? Prophase c. Outline how nucleosomes help regulate transcription. 10. Distinguish between unique or single-copy genes and highly repetitive sequences: Single-copy genes| Highly-repetitive sequences| . 5% of genome makes polypeptides. Each codon (mRNA) (3 bases) codes for one amino acid. 3% codes for ‘on/off' gene switches. Within each eukaryotic genes there are:Exons (coding regions)Introns (non-coding regions which are edited out)  Ã‚  Every gene has a ‘switch', for example a skin cell will turn off unnecessary genes so it does not perform the wrong activity (e. g. producing blood)  | Makes up about 5% – 45% of the genome. Once called junk DNAAlso known as satellite DNA, each repeated sequence can be 5-300 base pairsHRSs are used in genetic fingerprinting.This is because they accumulate mutations rapidly| Not all of the base sequences in DNA are translated. Highly repetitive base sequences ar e not translated. They consist of sequences of between 5 and 300 bases that may be repeated up to 10 000 times. They constitute 5-45% of eukaryotic DNA. Single-copy genes or unique genes are translated and constitute a surprisingly small proportion of eukaryotic DNA. 11. Distinguish between introns and exons in eukaryotic genes. Exons (coding regions) Introns (non-coding regions which are edited out)

What are the Problems of Rising Cost in College Tuition

What are the Problems of Rising Cost in College Tuition? College fee is the main factor that depends on which institution of higher learning that a student is likely to join unless awarded a scholarship. It directly depends on one’s financial capability. The poor afford the cheap and less desirable intuitions that they can be able to afford while the rich can get access to high class type of education. Policies exist that govern the ability of institutions increasing their fees and at the same time federal government provides payment subsidy to students in order to make the education more affordable. Literature review Governments have shrunk their support for higher education. This decreasing support of higher education by the state†¦show more content†¦While studying this topic of increased college fees, economist from the Federal Research bank, noted that state funding is responsible for rising up the college fees(De George, Ferguson, Spear, 2012) The research is necessary due to the following reasons. Firstly, it ensures equality in terms of opportunities because the study persuades the federal government to make the higher education free so that every student with higher education qualification to study. Secondly, the study provides positive consequences of higher education because it leads to more educated individuals and workforce which is more productive. Economists note that if the issue of rising cost of higher education is addressed then it will lead to more students accessing university education. Research shows that states with more university education are more innovative and productive in growth. Lastly the research is necessary to help state governments to come up with laws that will govern giving payment subsidy to students and not institutions hence refocusing importance on instruction and increase competition.(Steve, 2005) How will it help lawmakers develop good policies or change existing policies? Study of rising cost of college fees will help lawmakers come up with policies or modify existing policies. These kind of policies will be aimed at controlling the cost of higher education and at the same time ensure that all individual that meet theShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Rising Tuition On Students Choice Of Future Career Field1308 Words   |  6 Pagesof Rising Tuition Costs on Ferrum Students’ choice of future career field Christin C Hyslop Ferrum College Fall 2014 The Effects of Rising Tuition Costs on Ferrum Students’ choice of future career field Introduction Do rising tuition costs affect Ferrum College students’ choice of major? 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