Excelsior Diploma RANT

[chosin01]

I'm not so sure you should let it sway you, but I do understand what you're saying about how it will look. People are skeptical enough of online learning as it is, why give them ammunition like this cheesy diploma. I guess you get what you pay for..... No wait, that's not true here because I paid a lot for this....:eek:

I didnt realize that you submit your actual diploma for any job interview that the actual appearance of it would matter. Isnt it the transcript that the employer looks at if at all??

[ShotoJuku]

I didnt realize that you submit your actual diploma for any job interview that the actual appearance of it would matter. Isnt it the transcript that the employer looks at if at all??

[SIZE="2"]More often than not all that is required to apply for a position is listing you degree on the application. The employer may then require either an "official" transcript and/or copy of a diploma.[/SIZE]

[Basket Weaver]

All,
Much like a dog with a bone, I could not...and will not...let this one go. I have been trying to contact someone at Excelsior about their horrible diplomas and finally received a canned response. Here's my response to him.

I'll keep all concerned in the loop as it progresses. Feel free to contact this gentleman, the more people who write and voice their concern, the better. Besides the outrageous "graduation Fees" they charge, one should have something to be proud of after putting so much work into their degree.

Mr. Stewart,
Thank you for the response. I am serving overseas and this diploma was the only thing I received for all the work I put into earning my degree. There was no walk across the stage, just the diploma in the mail. Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope to find this "diploma". I have received better looking training certificates for one week military courses.

This diploma is how people interpret your school; if they see a plain sheet with a gold seal, then compare it to a more ornate diploma from a respected university, it will make them think twice of the education you provide. This is why I am embarrassed to display the diploma...and don't; it is currently filed away in a drawer.

Luckily, I have continued my education and will receive my MBA in December; the diploma from my current university is quite impressive and a testimony to my efforts. I know that I am not the only person with these same concerns. I am a member of an educational forum, when I brought this subject up, many of the board's members voiced their disproval as well; it is simply a horrible looking diploma.

Has Excelsior considered offering a better diploma at a premium? It could be a revenue generating idea and provide a service for those wanting a more prestigious looking diploma for display. While I don't feel as though I should have to pay extra for a decent diploma (I paid over $800 for "graduation fees"...) I would if one were available.

Finally, since I am a graduate of Excelsior, are there any college by-laws preventing me from making my own diploma for display? These days, one can work wonders with Photoshop. I know this issue was raised on the forum and several members were very interested in the finished product. While I understand that it could not replace the original, is there anything illegal about this idea? I am simply not content with the response of "We're looking into it". I know this is not the first time this issue has been raised to Excelsior, but for whatever reason, Excelsior has turned a deaf ear. We would truly appreciate some action.

Here is a link to the discussion online:

http://www.instantcertonline.com/forums/...or+diploma

Thank you for your time,

//SIGNED//



-----Original Message-----
From: wstewart@excelsior.edu [mailto:wstewart@excelsior.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:21 PM
To:
Cc: alumni@excelsior.edu
Subject: re: Diploma


Dear #### #######,

Our apologies for your not having received an earlier reply to your emails. The honest fact is that since forwarding your original email to our Registrar, that office has had to process an unusually large number of new enrollments the past couple of weeks and staff there have not been able to respond.

I want you to know that we acknowledge your concern and are looking into ways that we can make improvements in the printing of our diplomas. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Regards,

William M. Stewart
Assistant Vice President - Institutional Advancement
Excelsior College
7 Columbia Circle
Albany NY 12203 USA
518-464-8775
518-464-8777 (fax)

[highlanderburial]

I am military as well, and while I have not seen the diploma, I have not heard overwhelming response to it's receipt.
Excelsior has prided itself on not being a "diploma mill" and yet it puts out crappy final products. When I finish, and if I get the same crappy diploma, I will voice the same concerns as you. Maybe then if enough people chime in, then it will become apparent they need to shell out the extra 5 bucks per diploma.
Well spoken by the way.
-HB

[acs1122]

It would be nice if the diploma from EC was at least 11X14 instead of 8-1/2X10, and replace the gold sticker with embossed gold lettering instead. Not sure about anything else. How would you improve the look, exactly? Is there such a thing as a standard size for diplomas?

[Basket Weaver]

Good idea about the size, that's just for starters. The type of lettering used, maybe a background picture of the school, getting rid of the elementary school like gold sticker, a nice frame with backing/matting. All they would have to do is look at how 90% of the respected school's diplomas are and then upgrade theirs; this is not rocket science...just laziness. I can't envision it costing that much more either.

[4dkids]

I'd love to see what YOUR finished product would look like!! Maybe one of us should send a finished example to EC??!! I also dig the idea of having the school on there, maybe as a watermark, since I will probably never get to see it in person.

[chromo]

I have not seen Excelsior's diplomas; however, I am enrolled there and I am on track to graduate in June of 2008. I just wanted to show my support for your battle. When I graduate I definitely want a diploma that I can proudly display and show off to my family. I have enough stuff "filed away in my drawers".

Thank you,
Chris
93 credits

[beckysharp]

Thank you Basket Weaver for taking this on and writing that letter. Maybe we should start a petition or something. My daughter's 2yr community college diploma is more impressive than the one I've heard you describe.

My husband is a designer. I know it's not that difficult to make this change, if they truly wanted to please their graduates. Maybe they should take some of the funds from that bogus Information Literacy class and apply it to the diploma fund.

Crystal

[Basket Weaver]

I go back in to work Sunday night and will check to see if I get any response from them. If I don't, then I'm just going to make my own. If they are too lazy to even respond to an e-mail, chances are they are too lazy to do anything about their diploma. I am at least hoping I can get a ruling on the legality of me making my own. How can a college get it this wrong; are these not educated people?