Please consider this a public records act request for documents in the possession of the university that relate to its decision to contract with outside, for-profit companies that help universities create online programs.
This included, at a minimum, documents pertaining to the university's decision to engage Trilogy Education Services, later acquired by 2U, Inc., to offer online "boot camps" in data analytics.
As a representative of a news organization, I am requesting the following documents:
- Copies of requests for proposals issued by the university and/or its affiliates, beginning in 2008, that pertain to its desire to partner with any outside company to offer online degree programs, certificate programs or boot camps.
- Copies of any and all contracts, beginning in 2008, that are between the university and/or its individual colleges or schools and outside companies related to the creation or management of online educational programs. This includes contracts for degree-granting programs (bachelor’s or master’s degrees); short courses, typically resulting in the awarding of certificates or badges; and boot camps, typically focused on the development of specific skills and resulting in the awarding of diplomas or certificates.
- Enrollment numbers, by year, for each online program.
- Student completion rates, by year, for each online program.
- Job placement rates, by year, for each online program.
- Statistics, by year, showing the revenues and profit or loss for each online program.
- Reports that evaluate the quality or effectiveness of online programs, the experience of online students, the impact of these programs on university finances or any accreditation issues.
- Correspondence between the university and/or its affiliated colleges and schools and online program managers in response to requests for proposals, solicitation of bids and management of contracts.
I am requesting this information at no cost, as I am a reporter for a news organization that is seeking this information to help inform the public about matters important to understanding the workings of publicly funded higher education.
Amended 5/12/2022 to:
To simplify and expedite this request, may I please have a copy of the contract between the University of Oregon and Trilogy Education Services, a unit of 2U, Inc., regarding the boot camps that Trilogy runs for the university?