IP Protection or Theft? Full Sail University Enrollment Agreement - University Admissions Requirements for Higher Education
IP Protection or Theft? Full Sail University Enrollment Agreement - University Admissions Requirements for Higher Education
Upon endeavoring to complete my application for admission to Full Sail University today online, I noticed an enrollment agreement with the following stipulations that troubled me.
A portion of the enrollment agreement grants Full Sail perpetual license (or any license for that matter) to my intellectual property creations is ridiculous and unethical (even if arguably only for educational or promotional purposes).
Take a look here to read it:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/11223821...
IP protection is a huge issue for University professors across the globe who work for Universities and Colleges, but write outside of the scope of their employment. Hence my interest in this topic of IP protection (not just focusing on Full Sail but all higher education and academia). Certainly these principles and issues often apply at many levels to faculty and students alike. Therefore we should be alert to our rights and any infringements (or potential infringements) of our IP.
Also I don't agree to allow Full Sail to use my image, likeness and voice to promote itself (without an agreement and full compensation).
An institutional fee of $3,000 for a "Launch Box" (Mac computer and software - surely Full Sail is profiting from this arrangement as the cost seems a bit excessive).
$10 fee for access card (to get on campus) - I'm an online student (Internet Marketing). I was told this fee can be waived (after asking) since I am an online student, but why not have two separate documents for online and on campus students to complete?
1.5% a month for nonpayment of loan is 18% a year - a bit extreme for an educational institution. New York University charges 1% a month, 12% a year (still excessive, but Full Sail is 50% more a month than that).
Contractual revisions should be an option, but based on my interaction thus far with Full Sail admissions reps their students just have to grin and bear these contractual enrollment agreements to be accepted.
Conflicts with standard practices for accredited universities regarding student loan disbursements, Fafsa, and Direct Loans, can be pursued with the Ombudsmen group at 877-557-2575 and the U.S Department of Institutional Compliance 404-974-9303 if you feel like you have been misled or fraudulently been taken advantage by any institution of higher education.
Complaints also can be filed with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (note the name "career schools" - not public universities, which tells me they likely favor the private institutions policies they serve).
http://www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/C...
What troubles me most is the Full Sail rep wrote me on 1/23/2014 stating:
"There is no way to modify, alter, change or remove anything from the enrollment agreement. ...We would be in violation of school and ACCSC policy if this document is altered in any way."
I then replied asking the Full Sail admissions rep to tell me who the ACCSC is so I can contact them to verify the legitimacy of the IP clause surrendering students' intellectual property.
In the email thereafter when stating who the ACCSC was, the Full Sail rep wrote:
"The ACCSC is our accrediting body. www.accsc.org . The IP policy is not their policy..."
So in the initial email Full Sail kind of lied to (and nearly misled) me purporting the IP Policy as a ACCSC policy, which upon pressing the Full Sail rep further - I found to be untrue by his own admission.
Surely then the IP policy can be edited and removed I thought... but later the Full Sail rep (a nice guy I might add) replied:
"The ACCSC doesn't dictate what is or is not in our agreements. They do however have to approve what we put in them. Once the agreement is approved it would be a violation to alter said agreement for individual students."
Later in the day the Full Sail manager for Online Document Management was kind enough to write me and elaborate on the Enrollment Agreement to provide clarity (assuming her characterization of the agreement not construed or pursued any further by the written word).
The online document manager's (ODC's) characterization and understanding of the Perpetual License section is "students who write a script or produce anything during their time as students at Full Sail the student will retain ownership of that property. This section only stipulates that Full Sail can use this material for promotional or educational activities, not commercial."
ODC's characterization indeed makes me feel better (I wish the Full Sail written contract said the same). Nevertheless I understand Full Sail wants to protect itself too. Providing no untimely promotional and marketing for educational activities (which could potentially damage and/or reduce the value of commercial intellectual property) occurs, in most cases with the majority of students Full Sail should not come into any conflict (if this characterization is followed and adhered to).
Since Full Sail "will not customize the Enrollment Agreement at this time," to study with the University students must sign the enrollment agreement as is or be denied admission.
Note the difference in the college and university accrediting bodies ACCSC http://bit.ly/1atbF2Y vs ACICS http://bit.ly/LZO4Mr along with the different approach to Colleges and Universities complaint procedures.
I am interested in pursuing a Master degree in Internet Marketing online with Full Sail and only wanted the IP policy to be removed so I can do so. Disallowing me admission on this basis only (for not signing) seems discriminatory, but certainly good protection and acquisition (potentially) for Full Sail of intellectual property.
I'm still thinking about it. Do any of you reading this have any thoughts? If you were the author of over 20 books, would you sign such a contract?
Nevertheless in the end I'm going to trust God and let His peace rule my heart and mind. After all Full Sail is requiring the same of all students (no inequality there on that front).
If a University or College has discriminated against you, Equal Opportunity Complaints with the federal government may be filed by visiting this web link:
http://www.eeoc.gov/employees/charge.cfm
Former students of Full Sail who had problems with the University have written much here as well worth considering before proceeding as a student. Keep in mind good things often don't get said and written enough online, but the disgruntled voices also are revealing.
http://reviewopedia.com/workathome/fu...
Paul F Davis - Consumer Advocate, Academic Success Speaker
http://www.PaulFDavis.com/academic-su...
Paul F Davis - author of "The Future of Food" (volumes 1 & 2) http://amzn.to/HVYxX0 and Global Properties Consultant http://www.Beach-Homes.org
Paul is a Wellness Trainer, Health Coach, Nutritional Consultant, and Disease Prevention Speaker who has touched over 70 countries serving the U.S. Military, Companies, Luxury Cruise Lines, the Travel Industry and Universities.
IP Protection or Theft? Full Sail University Enrollment Agreement - University Admissions Requirements for Higher Education
Upon endeavoring to complete my application for admission to Full Sail University today online, I noticed an enrollment agreement with the following stipulations that troubled me.
A portion of the enrollment agreement grants Full Sail perpetual license (or any license for that matter) to my intellectual property creations is ridiculous and unethical (even if arguably only for educational or promotional purposes).
Take a look here to read it:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/11223821...
IP protection is a huge issue for University professors across the globe who work for Universities and Colleges, but write outside of the scope of their employment. Hence my interest in this topic of IP protection (not just focusing on Full Sail but all higher education and academia). Certainly these principles and issues often apply at many levels to faculty and students alike. Therefore we should be alert to our rights and any infringements (or potential infringements) of our IP.
Also I don't agree to allow Full Sail to use my image, likeness and voice to promote itself (without an agreement and full compensation).
An institutional fee of $3,000 for a "Launch Box" (Mac computer and software - surely Full Sail is profiting from this arrangement as the cost seems a bit excessive).
$10 fee for access card (to get on campus) - I'm an online student (Internet Marketing). I was told this fee can be waived (after asking) since I am an online student, but why not have two separate documents for online and on campus students to complete?
1.5% a month for nonpayment of loan is 18% a year - a bit extreme for an educational institution. New York University charges 1% a month, 12% a year (still excessive, but Full Sail is 50% more a month than that).
Contractual revisions should be an option, but based on my interaction thus far with Full Sail admissions reps their students just have to grin and bear these contractual enrollment agreements to be accepted.
Conflicts with standard practices for accredited universities regarding student loan disbursements, Fafsa, and Direct Loans, can be pursued with the Ombudsmen group at 877-557-2575 and the U.S Department of Institutional Compliance 404-974-9303 if you feel like you have been misled or fraudulently been taken advantage by any institution of higher education.
Complaints also can be filed with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (note the name "career schools" - not public universities, which tells me they likely favor the private institutions policies they serve).
http://www.accsc.org/Student-Corner/C...
What troubles me most is the Full Sail rep wrote me on 1/23/2014 stating:
"There is no way to modify, alter, change or remove anything from the enrollment agreement. ...We would be in violation of school and ACCSC policy if this document is altered in any way."
I then replied asking the Full Sail admissions rep to tell me who the ACCSC is so I can contact them to verify the legitimacy of the IP clause surrendering students' intellectual property.
In the email thereafter when stating who the ACCSC was, the Full Sail rep wrote:
"The ACCSC is our accrediting body. www.accsc.org . The IP policy is not their policy..."
So in the initial email Full Sail kind of lied to (and nearly misled) me purporting the IP Policy as a ACCSC policy, which upon pressing the Full Sail rep further - I found to be untrue by his own admission.
Surely then the IP policy can be edited and removed I thought... but later the Full Sail rep (a nice guy I might add) replied:
"The ACCSC doesn't dictate what is or is not in our agreements. They do however have to approve what we put in them. Once the agreement is approved it would be a violation to alter said agreement for individual students."
Later in the day the Full Sail manager for Online Document Management was kind enough to write me and elaborate on the Enrollment Agreement to provide clarity (assuming her characterization of the agreement not construed or pursued any further by the written word).
The online document manager's (ODC's) characterization and understanding of the Perpetual License section is "students who write a script or produce anything during their time as students at Full Sail the student will retain ownership of that property. This section only stipulates that Full Sail can use this material for promotional or educational activities, not commercial."
ODC's characterization indeed makes me feel better (I wish the Full Sail written contract said the same). Nevertheless I understand Full Sail wants to protect itself too. Providing no untimely promotional and marketing for educational activities (which could potentially damage and/or reduce the value of commercial intellectual property) occurs, in most cases with the majority of students Full Sail should not come into any conflict (if this characterization is followed and adhered to).
Since Full Sail "will not customize the Enrollment Agreement at this time," to study with the University students must sign the enrollment agreement as is or be denied admission.
Note the difference in the college and university accrediting bodies ACCSC http://bit.ly/1atbF2Y vs ACICS http://bit.ly/LZO4Mr along with the different approach to Colleges and Universities complaint procedures.
I am interested in pursuing a Master degree in Internet Marketing online with Full Sail and only wanted the IP policy to be removed so I can do so. Disallowing me admission on this basis only (for not signing) seems discriminatory, but certainly good protection and acquisition (potentially) for Full Sail of intellectual property.
I'm still thinking about it. Do any of you reading this have any thoughts? If you were the author of over 20 books, would you sign such a contract?
Nevertheless in the end I'm going to trust God and let His peace rule my heart and mind. After all Full Sail is requiring the same of all students (no inequality there on that front).
If a University or College has discriminated against you, Equal Opportunity Complaints with the federal government may be filed by visiting this web link:
http://www.eeoc.gov/employees/charge.cfm
Former students of Full Sail who had problems with the University have written much here as well worth considering before proceeding as a student. Keep in mind good things often don't get said and written enough online, but the disgruntled voices also are revealing.
http://reviewopedia.com/workathome/fu...
Paul F Davis - Consumer Advocate, Academic Success Speaker
http://www.PaulFDavis.com/academic-su...
Paul F Davis - author of "The Future of Food" (volumes 1 & 2) http://amzn.to/HVYxX0 and Global Properties Consultant http://www.Beach-Homes.org
Paul is a Wellness Trainer, Health Coach, Nutritional Consultant, and Disease Prevention Speaker who has touched over 70 countries serving the U.S. Military, Companies, Luxury Cruise Lines, the Travel Industry and Universities.
IP Protection or Theft? Full Sail University Enrollment Agreement - University Admissions Requirements for Higher Education
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