University of Phoenix
On May 17, the University of Idaho abruptly announced its plan to acquire the University of Phoenix, sending shockwaves through the state’s education and political circles.
At $685 million, it could be the largest and most polarizing transaction in Idaho higher education history. The U of I insists the deal will be a moneymaker. But Phoenix, a for-profit online giant with an enrollment of 85,000 students, is saddled with a checkered history and a tarnished reputation. Idaho Education News’ Kevin Richert has closely followed this story for months, breaking news and fighting for the public’s right to know.
See you in court: Open meetings lawsuit will head to trial
The lawsuit will continue to loom over the University of Idaho’s proposed University of Phoenix purchase — possibly for several more months. The deal faces a May 31 deadline.
Court documents provide a detailed look inside the State Board’s closed-door Phoenix meetings
Most of the deliberations about the $685 million University of Idaho purchase took place behind closed doors. Now, depositions and public records allow us to pull back the curtain.
State Board’s legal bills in open records case exceed $81,000 — so far
Idaho Education News received the invoices Wednesday, after filing a public records request.
Feds write off $37 million in Phoenix student loans. Will U of I end up on the hook?
The U of I downplayed Wednesday’s U.S. Department of Education announcement. But university officials have already said the U of I could be on the hook for $7 million a year, or more, stemming from loan writeoffs.
Analysis: The U of I’s Phoenix purchase is a federal case — and a complicated one
Supporters say the University of Phoenix purchase would thrust University of Idaho into a national education spotlight. But the deal would also entangle the U of I in some gnarly federal education issues.
The University of Phoenix Interview
University of Phoenix officials sit down for an extended interview about their school’s past — and its future.
‘We want this deal to happen:’ Phoenix officials tout sale, downplay risk to U of I
“You’re gonna see a very different University of Phoenix than you read about,” university President Chris Lynne said in an Idaho Education News podcast interview.
State Board launches all-out defense against attorney general’s lawsuit
The four court motions represent the State Board of Education’s most concerted push against Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s lawsuit.
New details, and a fast rewrite: the U of I updates its Phoenix messaging
In one case, the University of Idaho rewrote its page of “frequently asked questions,” days after an Idaho Education News story refuted the university’s facts.
Document pokes a hole in U of I’s Phoenix timeline
The University of Idaho has said it began looking at a University of Phoenix purchase in March, when the for-profit online giant “approached” U of I officials. But that timetable is inaccurate and incomplete.