The business practices of 2U (Nasdaq: TWOU) and other Online Program Management (OPM) companies that partner with universities need urgent investigation. These partnerships often lead to increased tuition costs for students while providing questionable value in return. A recent study by the Century Foundation found that some OPM contracts include revenue-sharing agreements, which can incentivize aggressive marketing tactics over educational quality. We call on regulatory bodies to increase oversight and implement reforms to protect students from exploitative practices. Please sign this petition to demand accountability and better regulation of OPM companies.

We ask the Federal Government to immediately get involved and cease 2U operations for the Fall 2024 Semester for all degree programs until a full investigation into their business practices can be completed. 

WE NEED TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUING OUR EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE FOR FAR TOO LONG: THE IMPACT OF STUDENT LOANS, THE LACK OF ADEQUATE REGULATION ON STUDENT EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FOR PROFIT/NONPROFIT COLLEGES & PARTNERSHIPS WITH FOR PROFIT BUSINESSES.

OVER THE YEARS, MANY STUDENTS, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE FACED THE HARSH REALITY OF STUDENT LOANS. THE BURDEN OF DEBT OFTEN FEELS INSURMOUNTABLE, AND IT PROFOUNDLY AFFECTS OUR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND FUTURE FINANCIAL STABILITY. A STUDY BY THE INSTITUTE FOR COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS REVEALS THAT NEARLY 45 MILLION AMERICANS OWE A COLLECTIVE $1.7 TRILLION IN STUDENT LOANS, WHICH UNDERSCORES THE SEVERITY OF THIS CRISIS.

MOREOVER, THE FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL SECTOR HAS EXACERBATED THESE ISSUES. THESE INSTITUTIONS OFTEN PRIORITIZE PROFIT & PROFIT SEEKING BEHAVIOR OVER THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, LEADING TO HIGHER TUITION FEES AND AGGRESSIVE RECRUITMENT TACTICS WITHOUT ENSURING THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT STUDENTS FROM FOR-PROFIT COLLEGES HAVE HIGHER LOAN DEFAULT RATES AND LOWER POST-GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT RATES COMPARED TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN NON-PROFIT AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS (BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, 2019). WE BELIEVE THAT THIS EFFECT IS PRESENT FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN NON-PROFIT COLLEGES PARTNERED WITH FOR PROFIT COMPANIES TO MARKET PROGRAMS.

THE LACK OF REGULATION IN THE STUDENT LOAN INDUSTRY AND THE FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL SECTOR HAS CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS ARE LEFT VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATIVE PRACTICES. THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU HAS HIGHLIGHTED NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN MISLED ABOUT THEIR LOAN TERMS AND REPAYMENT OPTIONS, FURTHER ENTRENCHING THEM IN DEBT.

OUR RESEARCH AND PROTEST IS INSPIRED TO ADDRESS THESE CRITICAL ISSUES BY PROMOTING ACCESS TO TRANSPARENT AND ACCURATE INFORMATION. WE BELIEVE THAT INFORMED STUDENTS ARE EMPOWERED STUDENTS.

WE CALL ON POLICYMAKERS TO ENFORCE STRICTER REGULATIONS ON STUDENT LOAN PROVIDERS AND FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PROTECT STUDENTS' INTERESTS. WE ALSO URGE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO PRIORITIZE TRANSPARENCY IN THEIR FINANCIAL AID AND ADMISSIONS PROCESSES.