Dade Medical college?!!

[sayitaintso]

This is so sad!

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (WSVN) -- The president and founder of Dade Medical College and the University of Southernmost Florida announced Friday that all campuses and the corporate offices have closed for good, leaving students, faculty and staff demanding answers.

Ernesto Perez sent a letter to students and staff announcing the immediate closure of the schools. He did not give a reason why.

When 7News arrived at the Miami Lakes campus, Friday afternoon, approximately 30 students were standing outside, some for class and others to inquire about the e-mail they received announcing the campuses' closure. Some of them chanted, "We want our degree" over and over.

"I actually showed up today because I had lab today from 1 to 10 [p.m.]," said student Irene Pantoja. "As soon as we walked in, the professor said that she was not going to give us class 'cause she hasn't been paid for the last three weeks, and then she sent us on lunch break."

An hour or so later, the doors at six campuses were locked for good. "On our lunch break, we received an e-mail stating that the school was closed," said Pantoja.

In his letter, Perez stated that all six campuses, from South Florida to Jacksonville, would close Friday afternoon. It read in part, "Today it is with great sadness that I must announce that Dade Medical College and the University of Southernmost Florida will be closing, effective October 30, 2015, across all of our campuses and our corporate offices."

"I used to work here, until today at 2 p.m.," said Ramon Gonzalez, a professor of anatomy and physiology.

More than 500 professors and staff have been left unpaid for weeks of work. "The last paycheck was completely unfunded in the bank ... it was fake," said Gonzalez.

Employees were instructed to file for unemployment immediately.

One student said she received an e-mail from her professor stating she also recently found out about the closing. In the e-mail, she asked students to refrain from contacting her, referring them to the corporate office instead.

Approximately 2,000 students attended the two-year college, and more than 500 employees worked there. Some have worked at this college since it opened its doors in 1999.

Even though professors' last paychecks didn't clear, tuition payments to the college were still cashing out from student's bank accounts on Friday night. "For me to get that diploma in my hands from the school, I had to be in zero debt, zero balance from the school, which right now, I'm [at] zero balance," said student Elizabeth Gonzalez.

Elizabeth said she was just two weeks from walking at graduation, after having paid $47,000. Another student told 7News that she only had three classes left to graduate.

Many students are in a similar situation and must find another way to get their college degree. "This was a next step for me, for better living for my kids, and they took that away," said student Joanne Saint Tolbert.

One student said they found a flier for another college placed on the campus door. These colleges may be willing to step in and help the students take the next steps to graduating.

Students are so desperate for answers that a handful of them showed up at Perez's Coral Gables home, Friday night. "Who's going to give us the money back? Who's going to credit our classes?" said a student.

Even there, they got no answers. 7News called Perez at his home, and the person who answered said they would pass along the message.

Students and faculty members said they plan to return to several of the campuses Monday morning to demand their transcripts and paychecks.

[Firemedicmommy, EMT-P]

That is insane. I'm baffled as to why someone would do that all of a sudden out of nowhere. I'm sure there is a lot to this story to come. I just feel so bad for the poor students and teachers. I couldn't imagine going through what they are!

[tanahaLPN]

I just wonder what will be done to refund the students their money. All that time and money lost .I was going to Dade but I saw myself getting nowhere but deeper in debt so I withdrew the first part of this year. I still talk to classmates that were almost done with the program,they were excited because they were almost done, Then this happens. All I can say WOW!.

[LPN~RN00]

Unfortunately that school is not accredited, and the tuition was ridiculous! I wish those student well, and hopefully they can get their money back. The pass rate for that school was really low too!

[sayitaintso]

I sure do hope some authoritative personnel steps in and order them to pay back these people, this is just sad all the way around, teachers haven't been paid with all the money that they took for tuition?.. I hope something good happens so

[mursynursy]

Thank God Obama passed the bill for tuition forgiveness when stuff like this happens. At the same time people always want the quick way to things and they end up trapped. Just go to an accredited school. I wouldn't be able to handle myself if this were to happen to me. On the news some of the students even went to the presidents house. It's really sad.

[Firemedicmommy, EMT-P]

My heart goes out to the student. I about cried when I listened to that girl talking about how they took this opportunity away from her. This is a garbage school that took advantage of unsuspecting people. Hopefully there's a light at the end of the tunnel for them.

[sailornurse]

I thought he had resigned 2 years ago over some scandal.

Amid criminal charges, CEO of Dade Medical College resigns | Miami Herald

I came across this article when researching the new director that was hired for another for profit LPN school that I used to teach at. That's when I was shocked at the low NCLEX pass rates.

[sailornurse]

mursynursy said:

Thank God Obama passed the bill for tuition forgiveness when stuff like this happens. At the same time people always want the quick way to things and they end up trapped. Just go to an accredited school. I wouldn't be able to handle myself if this were to happen to me. On the news some of the students even went to the presidents house. It's really sad.

Can you explain the tuition forgiveness or any links to this? I did not know it applied to students in these situations.

[tanahaLPN]

I think the resigning thing was a lie to get students and teachers to put their trust and money back into the company because they had so many people leaving after that time.

[Psata]

Despite a gazillion of warnings, students continue to flock to these unaccredited institutions whose sole purpose is to rip-off the federal government (subsidized loans, Pell Grants, etc.) and unsuspecting students. Even though Dade Medical is now out of business, these students will simply move on to the next school of similar ilk. The majority of these students are not ready academically to attend college, even a for-profit one.

[mursynursy]

Psata said:

Despite a gazillion of warnings, students continue to flock to these unaccredited institutions whose sole purpose is to rip-off the federal government (subsidized loans, Pell Grants, etc.) and unsuspecting students. Even though Dade Medical is now out of business, these students will simply move on to the next school of similar ilk. The majority of these students are not ready academically to attend college, even a for-profit one.

Many people go to these schools and graduate and their intelligent people. I don't think it was OK for you to say that 'the majority of these student are not ready academically to attend college'. How do you know they aren't ready? Especially since regardless of profit or nonprofit schools you have to have taken prerequisites.