Complaint Review: Pioneer Pacific College - Springfield Oregon

When I went to this school, I had the same experience with more being self taught than anything. Teachers would always show up late, never prepared. There were many times new teachers did not have a clue to what they were doing or how the system worked. I would step up to the plate and give them the information and I didn't even work there. I was in a class and they had a student nurse teaching the class, and everyone was not passing, the gave everyone a passing grade just to get them through it. "Wow how that is going to help". I also had a teacher that would never correct and give your work back to know what you were getting wrong and expect you to take the tests, (Midterm & Finals).. The administration was told over and over for many terms and never stepped up to get this problem taken care of. Most of all the teachers are like this throughout the school. They have career services that say they are there for you in looking for work. The most they have ever done is to send you emails with job postings from the web..and mostly just Craigslist ads. You get those already. I have had no success in finding a job in my degree and I am very head strong and keep pushing, and have an excellent employment history - With no work found yet..... $28,000 dollars wasted for no school instruction and don't have a clue to what little learned.. Also, I have seen many students go back for second Associates degrees because they cannot find work ( they should be going for Bachelors degree's)- but they come back a second  Associates degree in a different program so they will not have to pay student loans - while they still look for work... That is a racket. My suggestion find a different and good school.... that is going to teach you something and help with finding employment.

Everyone thanks for all the comments. I actually thought that this school was a decent school. So far i have read comments about what a horrid place this is if your majoring in computer or Medical assisting. Can someone please tell me about their Practical Nursing program? I am want to be a nurse but I do not want to get my training at a place that doesn't do any training.

I'd looked into PPC because it's close to where I live and seemed decent enough. They make it sound like your credits are completely transferable, and that I'd be getting a solid education with plenty of job opportunites once I graduated. I thought the entrance exam was a joke, but I just figured most Private Schools were like that. Sounds like that isn't the case at all. I was supposed to start on December 6th, but decided to push it back, I'm glad I did. I thought I'd do some searching and see if anything came up and happened across this site. It's really disappointing to hear how little they care for the education and the student. I'd think they'd want to be putting quality students out into the workforce, but I guess not. Needless to say I wont be going to PPC. Thought you all would like to know you've saved one person from suffering the same frustrations!! Clackamas, OR

I am the parent of a student attending PPC and have major complaints about this college. She has been attending this school for a month and has yet to see any money for living expences. she was given a Pell grant (large sum) and two stafford loans.. which total enough to cover two sem. at a REAL college..and has gotten $000.00 back for living expences. and when she told them she wanted to withdraw. she was told by the Fin. Aid Officer it would be in her best interest to finish. and that if she did withdraw she would owe them another $2,000 dollars.. but did not tell her why????? I am filing a complaint with the BBB and OIG.. I have called the Fin. Aid Officer at her school for two days and have yet to hear back from them.... save your money and go to a real college

6. NO EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES and NO STUDENT SERVICES --PPC has NO library, NO advisors, NO tutoring center, NO services or accommodations which are required by ADA for any organization that receives federal funding for students who are disabled, minority or veterans! If you want to talk to your teachers, they might post official "office hours" but you are not allowed in the teacher's lounge and there is no private place on campus for you to meet! If they meet you off-campus they could get fired for fraternization. Services cost money and space (which means money). Shouldn't your tuition pay for some of them? At other colleges, it certainly does -- check them out and compare where your money goes! PPC has NO student organizations, NO extra-curricular activities, NO meeting rooms or lounges for students, NO social or sports facilities, NO cafeteria, NOT EVEN A PICNIC TABLE (even though they promised one for over two years where is it? You know they never will do it!) There is a small room with a sink, four small tables and vending machines filled with low quality food, candy and drinks. This is to serve hundreds of students at a time? You cannot take food or drink out of this room. No even water! PPC wants students to come to classes and then leave. They do not want you hanging around. They don't encourage a comfortable atmosphere or socialization. Look around: where do you see anything that shows they want you to spend time there? At the local community college, these services are provided: Academic Advising Admissions/Enrollment Services Athletics Bookstore Career and Employment Services Childcare Community Center for Family Counseling Cooperative Education Counseling Department Disability Services Financial Aid Fitness Education Center Food Service Health Services Housing Human Development Classes International Students Library Multicultural Center Peer Assistants Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) q***r-Straight Alliance (QSA) Recovery Center Recycling Services Sports and Fitness Student Activities: Student government and legal services Student Groups: Muslim Student Union, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, International Student Community Program, Native American Program, Hip Hop Club, and Asian Club Student Media Testing Trio Learning Center Tutoring Services Veteran's Office Women's Program In addition, each department at the local community college has advisors. Instructors are really available and willing to work with students. 7. TEACHERS ARE NOT TRAINED or SUPPORTED -- Most teachers take these jobs because they truly love to teach. Once they figure out what's going on at PPC, they either leave, complain and get fired or they stay because they are desperate for money. They are given no guidance, support, encouragement or training -- either in the science of teaching or in their subject area. In fact, many teachers are handed a recycled copy of your textbook two days to two weeks before class begins and told to "prep" (prepare) -- it might be the very first time they've ever seen this material. Teachers have no status and no voice. There is no functional grievance process. They are miserably paid and expected to work long, thankless hours. Teachers at PPC have been referred to by their management as "a dime a dozen" and "dispensable". Good schools invest in their teaching staff to ensure you get a high quality education. But PPC really isn't a "good" school, is it? 8. SALES PPC's sales team is its admissions staff. Their job is to make you feel good about giving them your money. They are given attractive perks for doing their job well; for example, a company-paid vacation in Hawaii. They are paid far better than the instructors (doesn't this say it all?). Shouldn't the school reward the educators at least as much? They simply do not give any perks to instructors, ever. 9. MARKETING By far, PPC's largest expense is advertising. They pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into television advertising and professional marketing consultants. Shouldn't they allocate the most money for direct educational purposes? 10. ATTORNEY FEES PPC spends thousands upon thousands of dollars paying for legal services. They consult with their lawyers regularly when they have employment issues (like when they want to get rid of employees, which is frequent), when government agencies investigate complaints against them (which are numerous), and when students and employees file lawsuits against them (which is increasing). There is so much ill-will within the community toward them, you'd think they'd wake up and change their ways. But I think they are blinded by their greed and arrogance. The immense profitability of the business they are in (over a million dollars in profits last year) allows them to view fighting endless complaints and paying exorbitant attorney fees as normal costs of business. They define their business as "education" but that is just talk, hype. They can call it whatever they want but it doesn't change what it really is: a shameless rip off of trusting people who merely want to better themselves. -Past Instructor

6. NO EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES and NO STUDENT SERVICES --PPC has NO library, NO advisors, NO tutoring center, NO services or accommodations which are required by ADA for any organization that receives federal funding for students who are disabled, minority or veterans! If you want to talk to your teachers, they might post official "office hours" but you are not allowed in the teacher's lounge and there is no private place on campus for you to meet! If they meet you off-campus they could get fired for fraternization. Services cost money and space (which means money). Shouldn't your tuition pay for some of them? At other colleges, it certainly does -- check them out and compare where your money goes! PPC has NO student organizations, NO extra-curricular activities, NO meeting rooms or lounges for students, NO social or sports facilities, NO cafeteria, NOT EVEN A PICNIC TABLE (even though they promised one for over two years where is it? You know they never will do it!) There is a small room with a sink, four small tables and vending machines filled with low quality food, candy and drinks. This is to serve hundreds of students at a time? You cannot take food or drink out of this room. No even water! PPC wants students to come to classes and then leave. They do not want you hanging around. They don't encourage a comfortable atmosphere or socialization. Look around: where do you see anything that shows they want you to spend time there? At the local community college, these services are provided: Academic Advising Admissions/Enrollment Services Athletics Bookstore Career and Employment Services Childcare Community Center for Family Counseling Cooperative Education Counseling Department Disability Services Financial Aid Fitness Education Center Food Service Health Services Housing Human Development Classes International Students Library Multicultural Center Peer Assistants Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) q***r-Straight Alliance (QSA) Recovery Center Recycling Services Sports and Fitness Student Activities: Student government and legal services Student Groups: Muslim Student Union, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, International Student Community Program, Native American Program, Hip Hop Club, and Asian Club Student Media Testing Trio Learning Center Tutoring Services Veteran's Office Women's Program In addition, each department at the local community college has advisors. Instructors are really available and willing to work with students. 7. TEACHERS ARE NOT TRAINED or SUPPORTED -- Most teachers take these jobs because they truly love to teach. Once they figure out what's going on at PPC, they either leave, complain and get fired or they stay because they are desperate for money. They are given no guidance, support, encouragement or training -- either in the science of teaching or in their subject area. In fact, many teachers are handed a recycled copy of your textbook two days to two weeks before class begins and told to "prep" (prepare) -- it might be the very first time they've ever seen this material. Teachers have no status and no voice. There is no functional grievance process. They are miserably paid and expected to work long, thankless hours. Teachers at PPC have been referred to by their management as "a dime a dozen" and "dispensable". Good schools invest in their teaching staff to ensure you get a high quality education. But PPC really isn't a "good" school, is it? 8. SALES PPC's sales team is its admissions staff. Their job is to make you feel good about giving them your money. They are given attractive perks for doing their job well; for example, a company-paid vacation in Hawaii. They are paid far better than the instructors (doesn't this say it all?). Shouldn't the school reward the educators at least as much? They simply do not give any perks to instructors, ever. 9. MARKETING By far, PPC's largest expense is advertising. They pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into television advertising and professional marketing consultants. Shouldn't they allocate the most money for direct educational purposes? 10. ATTORNEY FEES PPC spends thousands upon thousands of dollars paying for legal services. They consult with their lawyers regularly when they have employment issues (like when they want to get rid of employees, which is frequent), when government agencies investigate complaints against them (which are numerous), and when students and employees file lawsuits against them (which is increasing). There is so much ill-will within the community toward them, you'd think they'd wake up and change their ways. But I think they are blinded by their greed and arrogance. The immense profitability of the business they are in (over a million dollars in profits last year) allows them to view fighting endless complaints and paying exorbitant attorney fees as normal costs of business. They define their business as "education" but that is just talk, hype. They can call it whatever they want but it doesn't change what it really is: a shameless rip off of trusting people who merely want to better themselves. -Past Instructor

6. NO EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES and NO STUDENT SERVICES --PPC has NO library, NO advisors, NO tutoring center, NO services or accommodations which are required by ADA for any organization that receives federal funding for students who are disabled, minority or veterans! If you want to talk to your teachers, they might post official "office hours" but you are not allowed in the teacher's lounge and there is no private place on campus for you to meet! If they meet you off-campus they could get fired for fraternization. Services cost money and space (which means money). Shouldn't your tuition pay for some of them? At other colleges, it certainly does -- check them out and compare where your money goes! PPC has NO student organizations, NO extra-curricular activities, NO meeting rooms or lounges for students, NO social or sports facilities, NO cafeteria, NOT EVEN A PICNIC TABLE (even though they promised one for over two years where is it? You know they never will do it!) There is a small room with a sink, four small tables and vending machines filled with low quality food, candy and drinks. This is to serve hundreds of students at a time? You cannot take food or drink out of this room. No even water! PPC wants students to come to classes and then leave. They do not want you hanging around. They don't encourage a comfortable atmosphere or socialization. Look around: where do you see anything that shows they want you to spend time there? At the local community college, these services are provided: Academic Advising Admissions/Enrollment Services Athletics Bookstore Career and Employment Services Childcare Community Center for Family Counseling Cooperative Education Counseling Department Disability Services Financial Aid Fitness Education Center Food Service Health Services Housing Human Development Classes International Students Library Multicultural Center Peer Assistants Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) q***r-Straight Alliance (QSA) Recovery Center Recycling Services Sports and Fitness Student Activities: Student government and legal services Student Groups: Muslim Student Union, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, International Student Community Program, Native American Program, Hip Hop Club, and Asian Club Student Media Testing Trio Learning Center Tutoring Services Veteran's Office Women's Program In addition, each department at the local community college has advisors. Instructors are really available and willing to work with students. 7. TEACHERS ARE NOT TRAINED or SUPPORTED -- Most teachers take these jobs because they truly love to teach. Once they figure out what's going on at PPC, they either leave, complain and get fired or they stay because they are desperate for money. They are given no guidance, support, encouragement or training -- either in the science of teaching or in their subject area. In fact, many teachers are handed a recycled copy of your textbook two days to two weeks before class begins and told to "prep" (prepare) -- it might be the very first time they've ever seen this material. Teachers have no status and no voice. There is no functional grievance process. They are miserably paid and expected to work long, thankless hours. Teachers at PPC have been referred to by their management as "a dime a dozen" and "dispensable". Good schools invest in their teaching staff to ensure you get a high quality education. But PPC really isn't a "good" school, is it? 8. SALES PPC's sales team is its admissions staff. Their job is to make you feel good about giving them your money. They are given attractive perks for doing their job well; for example, a company-paid vacation in Hawaii. They are paid far better than the instructors (doesn't this say it all?). Shouldn't the school reward the educators at least as much? They simply do not give any perks to instructors, ever. 9. MARKETING By far, PPC's largest expense is advertising. They pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into television advertising and professional marketing consultants. Shouldn't they allocate the most money for direct educational purposes? 10. ATTORNEY FEES PPC spends thousands upon thousands of dollars paying for legal services. They consult with their lawyers regularly when they have employment issues (like when they want to get rid of employees, which is frequent), when government agencies investigate complaints against them (which are numerous), and when students and employees file lawsuits against them (which is increasing). There is so much ill-will within the community toward them, you'd think they'd wake up and change their ways. But I think they are blinded by their greed and arrogance. The immense profitability of the business they are in (over a million dollars in profits last year) allows them to view fighting endless complaints and paying exorbitant attorney fees as normal costs of business. They define their business as "education" but that is just talk, hype. They can call it whatever they want but it doesn't change what it really is: a shameless rip off of trusting people who merely want to better themselves. -Past Instructor

6. NO EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES and NO STUDENT SERVICES --PPC has NO library, NO advisors, NO tutoring center, NO services or accommodations which are required by ADA for any organization that receives federal funding for students who are disabled, minority or veterans! If you want to talk to your teachers, they might post official "office hours" but you are not allowed in the teacher's lounge and there is no private place on campus for you to meet! If they meet you off-campus they could get fired for fraternization. Services cost money and space (which means money). Shouldn't your tuition pay for some of them? At other colleges, it certainly does -- check them out and compare where your money goes! PPC has NO student organizations, NO extra-curricular activities, NO meeting rooms or lounges for students, NO social or sports facilities, NO cafeteria, NOT EVEN A PICNIC TABLE (even though they promised one for over two years where is it? You know they never will do it!) There is a small room with a sink, four small tables and vending machines filled with low quality food, candy and drinks. This is to serve hundreds of students at a time? You cannot take food or drink out of this room. No even water! PPC wants students to come to classes and then leave. They do not want you hanging around. They don't encourage a comfortable atmosphere or socialization. Look around: where do you see anything that shows they want you to spend time there? At the local community college, these services are provided: Academic Advising Admissions/Enrollment Services Athletics Bookstore Career and Employment Services Childcare Community Center for Family Counseling Cooperative Education Counseling Department Disability Services Financial Aid Fitness Education Center Food Service Health Services Housing Human Development Classes International Students Library Multicultural Center Peer Assistants Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) q***r-Straight Alliance (QSA) Recovery Center Recycling Services Sports and Fitness Student Activities: Student government and legal services Student Groups: Muslim Student Union, Latino Student Union, Black Student Union, International Student Community Program, Native American Program, Hip Hop Club, and Asian Club Student Media Testing Trio Learning Center Tutoring Services Veteran's Office Women's Program In addition, each department at the local community college has advisors. Instructors are really available and willing to work with students. 7. TEACHERS ARE NOT TRAINED or SUPPORTED -- Most teachers take these jobs because they truly love to teach. Once they figure out what's going on at PPC, they either leave, complain and get fired or they stay because they are desperate for money. They are given no guidance, support, encouragement or training -- either in the science of teaching or in their subject area. In fact, many teachers are handed a recycled copy of your textbook two days to two weeks before class begins and told to "prep" (prepare) -- it might be the very first time they've ever seen this material. Teachers have no status and no voice. There is no functional grievance process. They are miserably paid and expected to work long, thankless hours. Teachers at PPC have been referred to by their management as "a dime a dozen" and "dispensable". Good schools invest in their teaching staff to ensure you get a high quality education. But PPC really isn't a "good" school, is it? 8. SALES PPC's sales team is its admissions staff. Their job is to make you feel good about giving them your money. They are given attractive perks for doing their job well; for example, a company-paid vacation in Hawaii. They are paid far better than the instructors (doesn't this say it all?). Shouldn't the school reward the educators at least as much? They simply do not give any perks to instructors, ever. 9. MARKETING By far, PPC's largest expense is advertising. They pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into television advertising and professional marketing consultants. Shouldn't they allocate the most money for direct educational purposes? 10. ATTORNEY FEES PPC spends thousands upon thousands of dollars paying for legal services. They consult with their lawyers regularly when they have employment issues (like when they want to get rid of employees, which is frequent), when government agencies investigate complaints against them (which are numerous), and when students and employees file lawsuits against them (which is increasing). There is so much ill-will within the community toward them, you'd think they'd wake up and change their ways. But I think they are blinded by their greed and arrogance. The immense profitability of the business they are in (over a million dollars in profits last year) allows them to view fighting endless complaints and paying exorbitant attorney fees as normal costs of business. They define their business as "education" but that is just talk, hype. They can call it whatever they want but it doesn't change what it really is: a shameless rip off of trusting people who merely want to better themselves. -Past Instructor

1. TEXTBOOKS -- as part of your tuition, you will pay approximately $1,200.00 for all of your books, but you won't get to keep them. Depending on what program you choose, you get to keep only ONE-FOUR new books. They tack on 40% to their cost to come up with the book expense amount, so their cost is roughly $860. They rotate the sequence of courses so that they can rotate the books between campuses, so the books never sit idle. Since they re-use the books until they fall apart, the books continue to generate profit for more than 6 terms. But let's say the books last only 6 terms, which is modest. Their profit would be over $6300.00 -- just on books. ($1200 x 6 - $860). You get to use ratty books, you'll get to keep 1-4 new books but they'll get all that money. What a racket! 2. FINANCIAL AID -- when you are eligible for financial aid, THEY receive all of the money you are "awarded", not you. You will receive a big nothing for your living expenses. You can be sure they won't be there to help you if your car breaks down, but they won't miss a heartbeat when it comes to helping you get a loan (which they keep and you will repay) to pay your tuition. At the local community college, grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships are available. Part of their financial aid is for supplies, living expenses, and childcare costs. An estimate of a two-year associate program at the local community college is $6,300 for tuition, $2,000 for books (that you could resell and make back some money), and $370 for fees. That adds up to only $8,670! 3. BAD REFUND POLICY -- if you miss the first 2 classes, you will be dropped from school with NO refund. They want your money, not your excuses. If you miss more than 5 absences in a typical class, you get an "F" and you are dropped from the class with no refund. Too bad, you already paid for it. Management claims that the attendance policy allows them to prove to employers that only the most dedicated students complete their programs. If you accept the premise of this argument, then finishing the program alone will show this. Why must students who choose to leave also forfeit their money? How can this policy be based on anything other than greed? 4. MISINFORMATION ABOUT TESTING OUT OF CLASSES -- If your program requires you to take certain classes that you don't actually need, you are allowed to test out of them for $40 per class. However, admissions does not tell you that THE ONLY TIME you can only take the tests is BEFORE you start your first classes at PPC. You are limited to how many you can test out of. For example, if you can type more than 25 words per minute you should test out of the first keyboarding class (everyone has to take at least one!) and save yourself about $400.00 (after paying the test-out fee). But if for ANY reason, you don't take the test before orientation, then too bad if you CAN type 60 words per minute! You have to take the class or get an F. They don't care about the nuisance or the F. They got your $500, right? 5. NOT ENOUGH CLASSROOMS -- Imagine trying to listen to your teacher while another class is going on. Every single term there are several classes that meet in the same room at the same time, with different instructors. Two separate classes meet in the same room! We're not only talking about keyboarding classes, but Computers/Network Technology, Business and General Education classes. At PPC, it's about MONEY; not you, not your education! -Past Instructor

Hi Alfonso I know that Velda and I would really like to get in contact with you I know this site does not really make it convenient but I have experience with hiding email addresses so here it goes if you don't mind taking about you experience with us. My e ma il address is lecialoo and that is at yahoo dot com then hopefully we can all get in contact cause I know we have a lot of taking to do and I also know Velda said she would really like to chat with you. I talked to her extensively on the phone last night she has A LOT of useful insight to the school. And for anyone else interested in PPC or that wants to talk about experience or just wants to email me you are also free to do so, I will get back to you! (unlike some people who shall remain nameless (LOL).

Hello, I am a current student enrolled in the CNT program at the Eugene/Springfield location. This last term has been horrendous! The lack of communication and education within this building is a joke. The CNT program has gone through 3 IT directors and multiple teachers for each and every class. The majority of the students have dropped out... The TCP/IP instructor this term failed to show up after the first 2 weeks of classes, and when present didn't teach anything relevant to the class. When students attempted to express their concerns to the faculty and administrative staff they were ignored. I personally have addressed several issues with multiple IT directors, the dean, the registrar, and submitted a formal complaint in writing to the executive director. I have yet to hear any response or real concerns from this school. I encourage any and all present/past students to file a formal complaint with not only the Better Business Bureau, but to file a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). This is a confidential hotline/email where you can report fraud, waste, or abuse involving federal student aid funds or Department of Education funds, programs, or employees. Office of Inspector General 1-800-647-8733 [email protected] Since the college only seems to respond to money let's hit them in the pocket book, and get their federal funding taken away! The classes taught at PPC do not meet federal standards, and shouldn't be allowed to waste federal funding. To Pioneer Pacific College: Teach your students or get out of the business (in short - s**t or get off the pot)

For being the original poster of this rip off report I must say that I am very glad that the word is spreading and that Pioneer Pacific can be exposed for the frauds they are. If anyone thinks that they got anything out of their education at PPC they are just kidding themselves. There are so many instances that I can think of that would make any educational professional laugh with the quality of instruction that is provided to the students at PPC. The job I have now, is in no thanks to PPC. In the 1 1/2 year program I did there I only learned something in 1 class to prepare me for this job and it was only because I asked about it. The sad thing is I remember that day KJ was walking around to all the CNT students handing out the 'most recent' salary benefits to a graduate in Computer Science reported by CNN. Well .. I got some bad news KJ ... PPC does not teach Computer Science, we don't and didn't learn how to program! It's not even a part of the curriculum. CS is something they teach at real schools like U of O and even Lane's program is so much in strides ahead of PPC that if anyone is reading this and you are deciding to go to college but can't afford the University, do yourself a favor and go to LANE! The whole guise that some of the instructors at PPC can make a student feel like they are going to succeed after finishing there is such a joke. Students are not prepared properly to go into the workforce to make a difference. It's sad because the teachers in the CNT program are good people. I'm not sure why they can't seem to have some sort of discipline for the students to actually teach. Every exam I took at PPC was open book. Let me say that again for you that didn't get it the first time ... OPEN BOOK! There were points that I didn't even want to go to class because it was so pointless. Why enforce an attendance policy? I know that at the beginning of each term they didn't take the student reviews of their instructors seriously from the previous term, but they sure as hell made sure they called you into the financial aid office to sign off on your aid. I would have no problem telling any of the PPC elites that the instruction and classroom discipline is atrocious and they should be ashamed of themselves. Although I am only speaking for the CNT students, I have heard through the grapevine that the other programs are just as bad. People have told me that they don't hire the medical personnel from PPC because they "don't know a whole lot". What does that tell you? It's anecdotal yes, but being involved in one of the programs I can see this being true. I have 2 degrees. One is a transfer Computer Science degree from Lane and the other is from PPC. Needless to say, I list my Lane one first and in size 8 font I list the PPC one. I would just say to everyone that is thinking of going to college, do not, do not go to PPC! Tell them about this site, tell them that previous students and faculty want them exposed!

For being the original poster of this rip off report I must say that I am very glad that the word is spreading and that Pioneer Pacific can be exposed for the frauds they are. If anyone thinks that they got anything out of their education at PPC they are just kidding themselves. There are so many instances that I can think of that would make any educational professional laugh with the quality of instruction that is provided to the students at PPC. The job I have now, is in no thanks to PPC. In the 1 1/2 year program I did there I only learned something in 1 class to prepare me for this job and it was only because I asked about it. The sad thing is I remember that day KJ was walking around to all the CNT students handing out the 'most recent' salary benefits to a graduate in Computer Science reported by CNN. Well .. I got some bad news KJ ... PPC does not teach Computer Science, we don't and didn't learn how to program! It's not even a part of the curriculum. CS is something they teach at real schools like U of O and even Lane's program is so much in strides ahead of PPC that if anyone is reading this and you are deciding to go to college but can't afford the University, do yourself a favor and go to LANE! The whole guise that some of the instructors at PPC can make a student feel like they are going to succeed after finishing there is such a joke. Students are not prepared properly to go into the workforce to make a difference. It's sad because the teachers in the CNT program are good people. I'm not sure why they can't seem to have some sort of discipline for the students to actually teach. Every exam I took at PPC was open book. Let me say that again for you that didn't get it the first time ... OPEN BOOK! There were points that I didn't even want to go to class because it was so pointless. Why enforce an attendance policy? I know that at the beginning of each term they didn't take the student reviews of their instructors seriously from the previous term, but they sure as hell made sure they called you into the financial aid office to sign off on your aid. I would have no problem telling any of the PPC elites that the instruction and classroom discipline is atrocious and they should be ashamed of themselves. Although I am only speaking for the CNT students, I have heard through the grapevine that the other programs are just as bad. People have told me that they don't hire the medical personnel from PPC because they "don't know a whole lot". What does that tell you? It's anecdotal yes, but being involved in one of the programs I can see this being true. I have 2 degrees. One is a transfer Computer Science degree from Lane and the other is from PPC. Needless to say, I list my Lane one first and in size 8 font I list the PPC one. I would just say to everyone that is thinking of going to college, do not, do not go to PPC! Tell them about this site, tell them that previous students and faculty want them exposed!

For being the original poster of this rip off report I must say that I am very glad that the word is spreading and that Pioneer Pacific can be exposed for the frauds they are. If anyone thinks that they got anything out of their education at PPC they are just kidding themselves. There are so many instances that I can think of that would make any educational professional laugh with the quality of instruction that is provided to the students at PPC. The job I have now, is in no thanks to PPC. In the 1 1/2 year program I did there I only learned something in 1 class to prepare me for this job and it was only because I asked about it. The sad thing is I remember that day KJ was walking around to all the CNT students handing out the 'most recent' salary benefits to a graduate in Computer Science reported by CNN. Well .. I got some bad news KJ ... PPC does not teach Computer Science, we don't and didn't learn how to program! It's not even a part of the curriculum. CS is something they teach at real schools like U of O and even Lane's program is so much in strides ahead of PPC that if anyone is reading this and you are deciding to go to college but can't afford the University, do yourself a favor and go to LANE! The whole guise that some of the instructors at PPC can make a student feel like they are going to succeed after finishing there is such a joke. Students are not prepared properly to go into the workforce to make a difference. It's sad because the teachers in the CNT program are good people. I'm not sure why they can't seem to have some sort of discipline for the students to actually teach. Every exam I took at PPC was open book. Let me say that again for you that didn't get it the first time ... OPEN BOOK! There were points that I didn't even want to go to class because it was so pointless. Why enforce an attendance policy? I know that at the beginning of each term they didn't take the student reviews of their instructors seriously from the previous term, but they sure as hell made sure they called you into the financial aid office to sign off on your aid. I would have no problem telling any of the PPC elites that the instruction and classroom discipline is atrocious and they should be ashamed of themselves. Although I am only speaking for the CNT students, I have heard through the grapevine that the other programs are just as bad. People have told me that they don't hire the medical personnel from PPC because they "don't know a whole lot". What does that tell you? It's anecdotal yes, but being involved in one of the programs I can see this being true. I have 2 degrees. One is a transfer Computer Science degree from Lane and the other is from PPC. Needless to say, I list my Lane one first and in size 8 font I list the PPC one. I would just say to everyone that is thinking of going to college, do not, do not go to PPC! Tell them about this site, tell them that previous students and faculty want them exposed!

For being the original poster of this rip off report I must say that I am very glad that the word is spreading and that Pioneer Pacific can be exposed for the frauds they are. If anyone thinks that they got anything out of their education at PPC they are just kidding themselves. There are so many instances that I can think of that would make any educational professional laugh with the quality of instruction that is provided to the students at PPC. The job I have now, is in no thanks to PPC. In the 1 1/2 year program I did there I only learned something in 1 class to prepare me for this job and it was only because I asked about it. The sad thing is I remember that day KJ was walking around to all the CNT students handing out the 'most recent' salary benefits to a graduate in Computer Science reported by CNN. Well .. I got some bad news KJ ... PPC does not teach Computer Science, we don't and didn't learn how to program! It's not even a part of the curriculum. CS is something they teach at real schools like U of O and even Lane's program is so much in strides ahead of PPC that if anyone is reading this and you are deciding to go to college but can't afford the University, do yourself a favor and go to LANE! The whole guise that some of the instructors at PPC can make a student feel like they are going to succeed after finishing there is such a joke. Students are not prepared properly to go into the workforce to make a difference. It's sad because the teachers in the CNT program are good people. I'm not sure why they can't seem to have some sort of discipline for the students to actually teach. Every exam I took at PPC was open book. Let me say that again for you that didn't get it the first time ... OPEN BOOK! There were points that I didn't even want to go to class because it was so pointless. Why enforce an attendance policy? I know that at the beginning of each term they didn't take the student reviews of their instructors seriously from the previous term, but they sure as hell made sure they called you into the financial aid office to sign off on your aid. I would have no problem telling any of the PPC elites that the instruction and classroom discipline is atrocious and they should be ashamed of themselves. Although I am only speaking for the CNT students, I have heard through the grapevine that the other programs are just as bad. People have told me that they don't hire the medical personnel from PPC because they "don't know a whole lot". What does that tell you? It's anecdotal yes, but being involved in one of the programs I can see this being true. I have 2 degrees. One is a transfer Computer Science degree from Lane and the other is from PPC. Needless to say, I list my Lane one first and in size 8 font I list the PPC one. I would just say to everyone that is thinking of going to college, do not, do not go to PPC! Tell them about this site, tell them that previous students and faculty want them exposed!

I served my time at PPC so to speak, and graduated. Throughout the whole time, I felt out of place with the caliber of the other students. Those comments were not misplaced in the least. I never even felt challenged by the work. It was that lack of difficulty which motivated me to find other ways to challenge myself, which it seems that is the case for many of you. I took it upon myself to read the whole book instead of just the 7 chapters, and I also took pleasure in helping many of my other classmates in any way I could. The instructors were hit and miss, but I'm proud to say that I applied myself in classes with the instructors who I believed actually cared, and who took their jobs serouis, like Velda. I believe that any kind of school is an experience. It forces you to break out of your comfortable shell, and do something different, something where you apply youself. Was the classes easy? Yes. But the experience meant something to me, proving that I could succeed if I tried. College to me is having the freedom to learn something, or not take any of it with you. I made something out of it. I now know I can be challenged and rise to it, even if the challenged lay elsewhere than in the test material. Jeff Yapuncich PPC Graduate, '03

Your frustration is nothing new. It has happened at the Springfield campus since the first week it opened. This has all been replayed many times before. Students before you have complained and complained. Debra and Peggy have even brought down the vice president and president from Wilsonville. They will smile politely and tell you that they will take care of things, but nothing will really happen. I have repeatedly encouraged students to contact the Better Business Bureau, but I just checked and there have been no complaints against PPC. Once you have signed the papers, it's very hard to back out. You will owe lots of money, and they will try to convince you that you will be better off finishing the program. It's all about the money. Alicia, you didn't mention which program you are in, but I know there are a lot of current students who are frustrated as well as many former students. Some former students completed their degrees, and some of them quit beforehand. It doesn't really matter what any of the students say because PPC gets their money. They have convinced so many businesses in the area that they are doing a great job. They take a few of their students who are proud of their degrees and show them off to local businesses. PPC has an extremely poor record of placing students after they compete their degrees. From my experience the students who have gotten jobs in their career field would have gotten them without a PPC degree. PPC is preying on innocent people who do not have the money to defend themselves. The instructors at the school also have very little say. Most of them are there because they need the money or the insurance. PPC does not care about their employees any more than they do about their students. They routinely fire instructors (or do not rehire the part-time ones), and I believe they do that to keep things mixed up. If any instructor cares about students, he or she will not be there long. I agree that something should be done. We all need a savior to come in and put a stop to this scam college. I have seen an attorney, but it costs a lot of money to take PPC to court. It is wrong, and I've begun sending the ripoffreport web page to everyone I know. If nothing else, we can spread the word. If anyone has ideas on what else can be done, please let us know. If you do not want to post to this web site, you can call me at the business department of Lane Community College. PPC plans to build another building this fall, so they see continued success in their future. Let's try to reverse that.

I would like to know why no one is taking steps to really make sure this school is not getting away with what they are. I tell you what I am a current student at PPC and I am VERY DISCRUNTLED and I AM doing something about it I went in to talk to Debra today which I only found out recently who she even was. I have a meeting with her on this week and I can tell you I will give her the time she needs to take care of the problem. But if things are not resolved I will go to the better business bureau with other students in my program, and I will not hesitate to take other measures to see that things are taken care of.

As a former instructor at Pioneer Pacific College, I must respond to the students' comments. I was an instructor at a local community college, and because of budget cuts I was laid off. Then I started at PPC in Eugene when they opened their doors in August, 2002. I did so because I believed everyone deserves a chance at a quality education. I put in a lot of long days and encouraged a lot of students who "never thought they could succeed in college." Thanks to me, a lot of great people have succeeded in buying an expensive piece of paper that's only real value is to decorate a wall. The really sad part is that several of those students realized they were not as stupid as they had been told during their public education years, and they aspired to go on. The degrees from PPC are not transferable to most colleges. Students can attend a religious college in the area or a few of the online colleges. It is extremely frustrating for a student to have spent $15,000 for an associate's degree to find out that he has to start all over as a freshman to get a bachelor's degree from a state college. I was frustrated with this when I worked at PPC, and I was repeatedly told that the legislature was working to make all the private colleges' credits transferable. Realistically, I do not see how any credible college would accept credits from the courses taught at PPC. It all looks good on paper, but that paper is very thin. I feel Shayla's comments about the students are a little harsh. Many of the students who go to PPC know that they do not have the skills to succeed in college level work. PPC is marketing directly to those students. A better way to say that is that PPC is PREYING on these students. While at PPC I tried to modify the math course so that it reflected 100 level work, but the administrators refused to increase the level. They stated that it had to be so low because they could grant students federal financial aid for remedial courses. At the local community college where I again work, there are many programs to help these students who are going to PPC. We must get the word out to these students to stop throwing their money away by going to PPC and give the community colleges a chance. As an additional note: PPC had their annual planning conference a few weeks ago. At the conference they proudly told all their employees that their corporation, Pacific Education Corp., Inc. made $1.2 million profit last year. (That is profit, which means it comes after all expenses!) There are two owners that I know of: Donald N. Bauhofer and Raymond C. Gauthier. I do not know if there is any type of profit sharing for the upper administration, but their tactics are to make money at all costs. With fewer than 1,500 students on their 4 campuses, they are making a lot of money. In closing, when I found this web site I sent it to as many former PPC students as I could. One student forwarded it on to others who are currently attending PPC. One medical student printed out the web site and took it to an administrator in Eugene. The administrator told her not to worry because it would simply go away in a short period of time.

I attended the Clackamas location in the spring/summer/fall of 2002. I was interested in their office systems/business degree. The admissions counselor was extremely friendly and informative - unfortunately, most of the information she gave me was lies. I to should have ran for the hills after taking the "placemant exam", which was comparative to schooling I received in the 6th grade. I found it ridiculous when the admissions counselor raved about how high my score was on the test and how no one ever scores that high. A retarded blind monkey could've passed that test. I can type 110 words a minute, but they only "allow" you to test out of the first 2 typing classes. So I was forced to take what was still considered a basic typing class, which basically consisted of typing memos. A lot of pointless memos. The math class was basic math. Fortunately in my class, most of the students were smart and agreed the class was a joke (of course there were only 6 of us in the class). THE INSTRUCTOR HIMSELF TREATED THE CLASS LIKE A JOKE. He was super friendly, but would end each lesson with, "I'm sure you all know this stuff, so we don't really need to go over it." If that's what he thought - why was he "teaching" it? One girl there was completely brainless. She was a waitress in her late 20's who decided she needed a better job for herself and her child. As nice as she was, she spent most class sessions talking about her verbally abusive husband and how he wouldn't "allow" her to do certain things and how he was against her getting an education, so she might have to drop out of school. She also couldn't do basic addition and subtraction. The accounting instructor was also the program director. He threw a book at us and that was that. Now I'm smart, but had no prior accounting experience, and the book was about 8 years old and read like complete giberish. I would turn in assignments that would come back to me with a note saying I had done it wrong, but no feedback as how to do it right. So I dropped the class and received a W as a grade. The 2nd term was not any better. The office management class was a JOKE. We received a little box with index cards in it and were told we were going to learn the proper way to "file". I was astounded at how many people in that class didn't "get it". Apparently they didn't learn the alphabet in preschool. The first day of the 3rd term, I couldn't take anymore and didn't want to waste anymore money. So I withrew from the school. Two months later I received a bill for $2300 that was not covered by my financial aid. I'm currently exploring other educational options. Bottom line: Don't waste 12,000 on a "piece of paper".

Sorry to hear that it isn't different up in Clackamas Shirley. You are right about the students. I don't mean to insult anyone, but if you can't add/subtract fractions by college you have no right business being there. I found a good IT job down in Medford, but it was no thanks to PPC! If I had not prepared myself individually I would of bombed out in the interview. It's a real shame really, because the stuff in my interview was on the PPC curriculum for the CNT program. Things such as: Unix Administration, HTML and PHP web design, TCP/IP and Networking fundamentals. It would be scary to see the people that graduated with me in this interview, I can almost guarantee they wouldn't of had 10% of their answers correct. Yes, the fact of the matter is, I have this degree hanging on my wall at home that I would use for toilet paper if the material wasn't so rough >=)

I hear you, Alfonzo. I too, am a "student" at PPC. I thought it was just me, but it's good to know that there are others out there. I attend the Clackamas location and am in my 4th term. If I wasn't so far along, I would have dropped out by now. There is a phenomonon I have noticed about the students that attend PPC. They all appear to have extremely low IQ levels. I am in the math class right now, and there is a woman in my class that is having the hardest time in the world, get this...ADDING AND SUBTRACTING NEGATIVE NUMBERS! I amazed by how retarded the students are. I can only relate it to the fact that PPC advertises their commercials on daytime television. The only idiots that watch daytime TV are fans of Jenny Jones and Maury Povich, so I guess that pretty much explains it. Another thing, none of the "teachers" even have degrees in education. One of my teachers was hired to teach a business class. She has a degree in art or something, and she once owned a business, but it failed. I don't know. I'm just hoping that after I get my degree and I go on an interview, that an employer will be able to see past the school I went to and be able to recognize my intelligence for what it's worth. I'm confident and I have learned alot at PPC. Although, a good portion of the computer classes, like yours, were using like 16 chapter books and stopping at chapter 7. All this time, I couldn't figure out why all of the students were so illiterate. I swore I must've been a genious. It's definately shocking to realize how many stupid people there are in the world. Thank you for speaking out. I'm glad to know there are other active minds out there.