News Release

OPM Director James Arms Agencies to Battle Bogus Degrees

Washington, DC - On August 12 and August 13, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management hosted "Diploma Mills in 2003", two half-day seminars devoted to providing a comprehensive overview of diploma mills and guidance for adjudicating bogus or inflated education credentials. Approximately 435 professionals and investigators participated in the two seminars at the OPM Auditorium.

"These seminars are part of OPM's continuing effort to educate and serve as an information resource for federal human resource workers and security professionals in their efforts to find and weed out job applicants who have obtained bogus degrees or exaggerated their educational achievements. They are also an effort on our part to help ensure that Merit System Principles are protected," said OPM Director Kay Coles James.

Allen Ezell, who is a leading expert in education credentials and diploma mills, discussed a number of topics including bogus degrees from diploma mills, accreditation, and transcript fraud. Mr. Ezell, a former FBI agent, was previously in charge of the FBI Diploma Mill Investigation and is frequently asked to serve as an expert witness on such matters due to his expertise.

Another speaker was John Bear, Ph.D, who wrote the book 'Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees Nontraditionally.' This book is used as a reference guide for law enforcement, personnel offices and the media to detect diploma mills and unaccredited educational institutions.

During the seminar OPM's Investigations Services staff provided guidance on suitability adjudication when fraudulent or inflated credentials are identified.

James thanked Senator Collins for her efforts to highlight the issue of bogus degrees and stated, "Senator Collins has worked diligently on this issue and is committed to assisting federal efforts to uphold the integrity of the Merit System Principles. Senator Collins and I will work closely to make certain agencies and managers protect the best interest of the taxpayers and maintain perfect high standards of academic excellence among the federal workforce."

Senator Susan Collins (R- Maine), Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, has actively worked to expose the problems associated with diploma mills for more than two years. She recently asked the General Accounting Office to investigate the use of diploma mill degrees to obtain positions and promotions within the federal government. In addition, she has asked OPM to review the authority which allows federal agencies to receive compensation from the federal government for coursework completed at diploma mills. Director James wrote Senator Collins in June stating that OPM is closely reviewing the issue.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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