GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Nuclear agency managers among diploma mill users

• 4736
  

  I only have one question. Nuclear agencies, and DHS? Who did the background checks for these people to get in to these jobs? Perhaps someone should answer that question.

  Rodger Catt Posted May 19, 2004 6:58 PM
• 4714
  

  The discovery is alarming, but where is the justice in all of this?

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 18, 2004 9:47 AM
• 4635
  

  Qualifications has never stopped a bad manager from hiring the unqualified person they want. They need someone to go to lunch with.

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 13, 2004 7:01 AM
• 4618
  

  This is an eye opener.

  How many of you have been turned down, or out-competed, for jobs by people who were heavily degreed?

  Ever wonder why someone with a doctorate might want a GS-12/13 job? Perhaps some of them may be cheaters, so honest employees who compete fairly are often left behind.

  Returning these cases to the agencies do nothing. The people who have allowed this to happen aren't going to indict their own actions.

  Merit principle in government promotions have gone to the dogs. That is why employees with 25+ years experience are being asked to retire rather than to lead.

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 12, 2004 10:53 AM
• 4617
  

  I seem to recall something about lying on your resume being grounds for dismissal or worse. I guess the new rule is that it's okay if you're a 15 and/or we didn't catch you soon enough.

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 12, 2004 10:03 AM
• 4616
  

  Let's not stop there...investigating federal employees with the phony degrees. How about investigating the promotions of federal employees with GED's and high school diplomas over more qualified federal employees with legitimate college degrees?!?!?!....and while you're at it, how about investigating the promotions of federal managers' spouses over more qualified federal employees with legitimate college degrees?!?!?!?

  Career Federal Employee Posted May 12, 2004 9:52 AM
• 4613
  

  I find it incredulous that $170k was approved by federal managers for their employees to attend diploma mills. These managers have an obligation to the taxpayer. They failed. They need to be held accountable for just signing off on a piece of paper. I cannot believe that the three managerial employees are not receiving some level of discipline with the charge of lying on an application form, whether for initial appointment or for a merit promotion announcement. They lied and that is the bottom line. If I were the ER person of that agency, I would say there is a clear nexus between the offense and the degree of punishment in both situations. The abuse of federal funds warrants no less than a reprimand for dereliction of duties. The three liars deserve no less than a 10-day suspension, with the possibility of downgrades.

  Deborah Cogill Posted May 12, 2004 9:15 AM
• 4608
  

  This comment really worries me: "the conditions of employment did not rest on the education that they were claiming".

  Those individuals that used diploma mills and those that attained degrees from universities that are not accredited should be removed from their jobs immediately. Whether or not they were given their jobs based on their education, as Senator Collins remarks, the people lack integrity. In particular, the people buying diplomas are fraudulent. All of these individuals are making a mockery of the hard-earned educations that true college graduates actually pursue.

  I don't care if you are good at your job. I don't care if you have street smarts and all the knowledge that your job requires. If you bought a diploma, you do not deserve the salary that the taxpayers are providing to you.

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 12, 2004 7:40 AM
• 4601
  

  Anyone with a false degree that has held themselves out as educated should be fired immediately without consideration. The fact that these people are not fired shows why pay-for-performance will not work. The system is corrupt! Friends hire who they want and promote those they like - there is no consideration for performance. Anyone with a fake degree is guilty of fraud and should be fired without hesitation. Rumsfeld also should be fired for his coverup of the Iraq prison situation for a year and the Red Cross should see contributions die because they did nothing about the situation for over a year when they saw no movement from DoD. The US government is on the verge of utter failure due to the corruption in government (Congress, White House and agencies). We now are fighting in Iraq in a totally hopeless war because of a few deranged people. If they were just following orders we know from Nurnberg what that means - they are guilty! All military involved int he Iraq prision conduct should be thrown out of the military with a dishonorable dischage, have all benefits taken away and not be eligible for government employment. A bunch of ignorant hillbillies have destroyed the entire purpose of the war that was totally unjust to begin with. This type of corruption is not just a few people it is rampant throughout the US Government and now the world sees it for what it is and the USA has lost its leadership place in world affairs.

  tax payer Posted May 12, 2004 6:19 AM
• 4600
  

  This from the GAO testimony: "28 senior-level employees have degrees from diploma mills and other unaccredited schools. In our follow-up interviews ... we were told that experience, rather than educational credentials, was considered in hiring and promotion decisions concerning these employees." We have SESers who have no degrees and were more likely evaluated according to their experience (or connections). Buying a degree is new 'experience' data and related to the trust & confidence we should have in them. It would be best if they go quietly. Some, however, will likely be protected by their friends.

  GovExec.com reader Posted May 12, 2004 6:03 AM