|
Suba thought Rochville University online degree was genuine; seeks investigation against "diploma mill"
"No studies, no attendance, no waiting, no examination, no hefty fee - get an accredited degree." Such is the message web surfers are greeted with when browsing to AffordableDegrees.com, an online service that grants various degrees in exchange for a fee - without forcing the consumer to have ever taken a class. The site's slogan even asks, "Does this sound like you: You have more experience yet your colleague gets promoted?"
The site even guarantees you can get an accredited degree from Rochville University within 15 days. It apparently was attractive enough for Captain Paul Suba, acting deputy police chief of the Guam Police Department. He told KUAM News, "Obviously I'm not the only person that has gone this route, thinking that it was very legitimate and one of the most affordable that I've ever seen."
I applied too, for a bachelors degree package, even selecting the option to, for a few dollars extra, graduate with honors. I also was able to backdate my degree to make my graduation date effective this past May. Rochville U was going to charge me $619. As for Captain Suba's bill, he says, "What I had to pay was near the figure that I don't have the receipt or anything like that on hand, I believe it was the amount that you stated, about $600-$700...something to that effect.
When asked if he selected the option to "graduate" with honors, as I did when I mock applied, getting cum laude designation for an extra $30. "I don't remember," Suba stated, "I know that in what they sent to me the information was a complete package. As far as everything that goes along wit the certificate as proof of my submission of my resume."
And his resume is a lengthy one - three pages, in fact. It lists accomplishments, honors and accolades from all over the country, citing the fact that Suba took classes at the University of Guam, the Guam Community College, at Central Oregon Community Collage, and Mammoth Community College. Captain Suba's work experience also states his having been on the force at GPD for close to three decades.
His resume lists him as having served several high-ranking roles within the Guam Police, including operations chief for Juvenile Investigations; operations chief for the GPD Intelligence Section; operations chief for Special Investigations; chief for operations; and chief for the Criminal Investigation Division. With all this experience and knowledge in investigative techniques, could it be possible he was duped? "That is a very good possibility," he admitted.
As a result of our reports, Captain Suba says he has called on professors at the University of Guam and other members of the community, to help him look into the validity of his online degree from Rochville U. "I've also begun an investigation to determine if this university is legitimate. I have packets that I had set aside to present to Dr. Judith Guthertz and Dr. Ron McNinch that I have spoken to about this issue and also the compiler of laws, Charles Troutman," he said.
In July, the Department of Administration issued a response to a job rating appeal to Captain Suba for his application to move up the ranks to police major or police commander. That letter did not recognize his degree from Rochville as being a legitimate one. Said Suba, "I can say this barring the issue of the Rochville issue: I still believe that I do qualify for at least the very least for police major. Why do I say that? Because I've held that position an acting division chief, or a division chief for over four to five years, which is a police major position. There was no request or requirement for a degree from anyone as I held those positions and did the job."
So what should happen if the investigation he's asked to be launched result in his degree from Rochville University being determined bogus? "Then I'll have to accept that, but what I do appreciate is that if that is the case, then its going to be revealed to not only myself and many people who are looking into that possibility," said Suba.
For his sake, Captain Suba's hoping the results from the investigation won't turn out that way, as he feels his experience should speak for itself.
During our interview today the acting deputy chief said meetings are underway with GPD staff and personnel to determine what type of language should be included in legislation that could be introduced to clear up the issue of experience and education qualifications for promotions at the Guam Police Department.
|