- Report: #82695
Complaint Review: Ohio Center For Broadcasting - Lakewood Colorado
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Ohio Center For Broadcasting
www.beonair.com Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.A.
Phone:
303-975-0382
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Ohio Center For Broadcasting BLATANTLY RIPPING OFF PEOPLE IN COLORADO ripoff Lakewood Colorado
It is with great remorse that I find it necessary to make this grievance, I paid ELEVEN-THOUSAND-FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS ($11,500.00) to the OHIO CENTER OF BROADCASTING, in LAKEWOOD, COLORADO, for professional training in radio broadcasting only to find that I have been blatantly ripped off, the school has failed to live up to its end of the agreement. Despite my gradual accumulating remorse, I took it upon myself to give the school an honest chance. My allegations are detailed as follows:
1. Poor climate control facilities. On a regular basis students were forced to sweat out class sessions in over crowded non-air-conditioned classrooms. While forced to freeze in other portions of the building.
2. Insufficient learning facilities. Our class started with 30+ students, there are far fewer production rooms necessary to learn and do projects and assignments, this is not including the other class of the same that takes place at the same time during portions of the course, also requiring these facilities. At times students would even fight over studios.
3. 50% of the time at the school, was spent doing absolutely nothing. The school would issue simple independent assignments, where students were at the mercy of other students to learn. The instructor would not teach during these periods. These projects were given absurd amounts of time to complete, usually months for a single project that only required days to complete. This was clearly done in an effort to highly dilute the course.
4. Unqualified instructors. Many of the instructors taught without commitment, where students may have several different teachers, to teach a single topic. All of this at the convenience of the school and or teacher as to weather or not to come. At times students had no instructor at all when a teacher would simply not show up. The school found it acceptable that teachers would tell students that they made better money elsewhere and that they only came to teach when they really had too. It wasn't uncommon that a given teacher would start an important assignment with the student, and would be allowed to be let go without any regard to how important it was to have that instructor who was qualified to teach the given topic. Much hard work ended up fruitless because another teacher would be thrown in to baby sit, and the project at hand forgotten, such as with our audition tapes necessary to get a job.
5. False sales practices, claims. Students where led to believe it was a 10 month course, the course was cut short by a month upon the last 2 months of school, and the school did not know when we would officially graduate until the last 2 months of school as well.
The school is not owned and operated by professional television and radio broadcasters, as it tells students. The school director has never worked in broadcasting and regularly tries to impose his supposed knowledge of the business upon the students. I was shocked to realize that this was also the same individual that qualified me to enter the school, and tried to tell me how a person with my qualifications would benefit from the school.
The school president also falls into this category. This is demonstrated by the informational videos the president creates himself and sends to the Colorado branch of the school, (depicting himself talking of the business, to the students) where the videos are of such embarrassingly poor quality production that even those teachers who are actually professionals and teach there, are in openly admitted disgust of how even the president of the school knows absolutely nothing about what he claims to
The school also promised that it would teach me how to create an industry specific demo necessary to get an on-air job, via a professional broadcaster working in the field that authentically knows how it should be done. This was not true. We were given 4 class sessions with a qualified instructor during the very last week of school, and on the 4th day when I had planned on having that instructor determine weather or not my demo was good enough to send to employers, the school once again failed to provide. Instead having an other instructor(who did not work in radio and hence unqualified) baby sit the class for 2 hours before we were dismissed 2.5 hours early on the last day because the school wasn't able to provide an instructor at all that evening. The qualified instructor was Instead ordered to teach another class going on at the same time. And hence was not available to our class. When the school was asked for the name of the qualified instructor who would verify my demo, after graduation, it could only offer the services of the education coordinator who has not worked in radio for decades. This causes great remorse- where the sole reason above all else, That I entered this program was to learn ultimately how to create a professional demo that would get me my first radio job.
It lead students to believe they would receive training such as demonstrated in its sales video's, used to enroll students- whereas the training depicted is that of an entirely different school campus in another state.
The last thing I want is to have my career damaged because I sent out a poor product that was not verified by an up-to-date industry professional. For it to be necessary for me to explain why this is important- to the school, would be ridiculous when it should already know the business entirely.
6. The school downsized its qualified staff. When I enrolled it was important to me that when I graduate, I be provided with an experienced industry professional, who knew the business, to act as my placement coordinator to help me find a job. I personally interviewed the placement coordinator at ohio center for broadcasting who would do this for me, before enrolling-this was part of my decision to attend the school. I developed a close relationship with this individual in an effort to find a great job, however in the last 2 months of school, the school decided to do away with its placement coordinator position.
The former responsibilities held by the position were then placed with the school director, who aside from having no knowledge of the business at all, (And never worked in the business) is busy handling the job of school director and can't possibly focus enough resources to the job of placement for all the students it needs to support. The school director has made it clear that the school fully intends to have him be solely responsible for our placement indefinitely.
AND IN ADDENDUM- The school printed out our names on our diplomas with an empty toner cartridge, they didn't even care that our names were faded and that the diplomas didn't look as nice as they could have. A clear demonstration that the school only cares about making millions of dollars from ripping people off. Just Because a school is certified by the Colorado Broadcasters Association and or the State Education Board doesnt guarantee legitimacy!
A. Remorsed Customer
denver, Colorado
U.S.A.
1. Poor climate control facilities. On a regular basis students were forced to sweat out class sessions in over crowded non-air-conditioned classrooms. While forced to freeze in other portions of the building.
2. Insufficient learning facilities. Our class started with 30+ students, there are far fewer production rooms necessary to learn and do projects and assignments, this is not including the other class of the same that takes place at the same time during portions of the course, also requiring these facilities. At times students would even fight over studios.
3. 50% of the time at the school, was spent doing absolutely nothing. The school would issue simple independent assignments, where students were at the mercy of other students to learn. The instructor would not teach during these periods. These projects were given absurd amounts of time to complete, usually months for a single project that only required days to complete. This was clearly done in an effort to highly dilute the course.
4. Unqualified instructors. Many of the instructors taught without commitment, where students may have several different teachers, to teach a single topic. All of this at the convenience of the school and or teacher as to weather or not to come. At times students had no instructor at all when a teacher would simply not show up. The school found it acceptable that teachers would tell students that they made better money elsewhere and that they only came to teach when they really had too. It wasn't uncommon that a given teacher would start an important assignment with the student, and would be allowed to be let go without any regard to how important it was to have that instructor who was qualified to teach the given topic. Much hard work ended up fruitless because another teacher would be thrown in to baby sit, and the project at hand forgotten, such as with our audition tapes necessary to get a job.
5. False sales practices, claims. Students where led to believe it was a 10 month course, the course was cut short by a month upon the last 2 months of school, and the school did not know when we would officially graduate until the last 2 months of school as well.
The school is not owned and operated by professional television and radio broadcasters, as it tells students. The school director has never worked in broadcasting and regularly tries to impose his supposed knowledge of the business upon the students. I was shocked to realize that this was also the same individual that qualified me to enter the school, and tried to tell me how a person with my qualifications would benefit from the school.
The school president also falls into this category. This is demonstrated by the informational videos the president creates himself and sends to the Colorado branch of the school, (depicting himself talking of the business, to the students) where the videos are of such embarrassingly poor quality production that even those teachers who are actually professionals and teach there, are in openly admitted disgust of how even the president of the school knows absolutely nothing about what he claims to
The school also promised that it would teach me how to create an industry specific demo necessary to get an on-air job, via a professional broadcaster working in the field that authentically knows how it should be done. This was not true. We were given 4 class sessions with a qualified instructor during the very last week of school, and on the 4th day when I had planned on having that instructor determine weather or not my demo was good enough to send to employers, the school once again failed to provide. Instead having an other instructor(who did not work in radio and hence unqualified) baby sit the class for 2 hours before we were dismissed 2.5 hours early on the last day because the school wasn't able to provide an instructor at all that evening. The qualified instructor was Instead ordered to teach another class going on at the same time. And hence was not available to our class. When the school was asked for the name of the qualified instructor who would verify my demo, after graduation, it could only offer the services of the education coordinator who has not worked in radio for decades. This causes great remorse- where the sole reason above all else, That I entered this program was to learn ultimately how to create a professional demo that would get me my first radio job.
It lead students to believe they would receive training such as demonstrated in its sales video's, used to enroll students- whereas the training depicted is that of an entirely different school campus in another state.
The last thing I want is to have my career damaged because I sent out a poor product that was not verified by an up-to-date industry professional. For it to be necessary for me to explain why this is important- to the school, would be ridiculous when it should already know the business entirely.
6. The school downsized its qualified staff. When I enrolled it was important to me that when I graduate, I be provided with an experienced industry professional, who knew the business, to act as my placement coordinator to help me find a job. I personally interviewed the placement coordinator at ohio center for broadcasting who would do this for me, before enrolling-this was part of my decision to attend the school. I developed a close relationship with this individual in an effort to find a great job, however in the last 2 months of school, the school decided to do away with its placement coordinator position.
The former responsibilities held by the position were then placed with the school director, who aside from having no knowledge of the business at all, (And never worked in the business) is busy handling the job of school director and can't possibly focus enough resources to the job of placement for all the students it needs to support. The school director has made it clear that the school fully intends to have him be solely responsible for our placement indefinitely.
AND IN ADDENDUM- The school printed out our names on our diplomas with an empty toner cartridge, they didn't even care that our names were faded and that the diplomas didn't look as nice as they could have. A clear demonstration that the school only cares about making millions of dollars from ripping people off. Just Because a school is certified by the Colorado Broadcasters Association and or the State Education Board doesnt guarantee legitimacy!
A. Remorsed Customer
denver, Colorado
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Eric
Lakewood,Colorado,
USA
Colorado Media School
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, October 25, 2016
I too went to this school and graduated in 2015. When I signed up I was promised that I would not know a thing because I stated before I even signed paperwork that I did not want any extra student loans so the finance lady she told me that I wouldn't just to trust her. Big mistake one month before graduating we had to sign papers stating what we are now I owe over $9,000 to the school that have promised me a good entry into the broadcasting field which I have yet not received. I also did not receive my certificate of completion yet due to the school saying that I owe an extra $1, 100 to the school. And that it was sent to a collection agency which I got an e-mail a week before they cancel it and said that I needed to call the school to reset payment plan well when I called Shelly the finance lady left several messages she has never called me back. I have been in forbearance with the loan company do to not being able to afford more student loans on top of the ones that are already have. I also know other students who have not received their diploma either. During classes we were also promised a class on lighting which we never got lots of the instructors were too busy smoking instead of teaching and most have attitudes like if we were a burden to them. I am really disappointed in this school and I wish and hope I could get my money back but I'm sure it won't be easy or it will never happen. If anyone knows any information please let me know. I am thinking civil suit . But I'm no lawyer so I don't know . thank you
charles
carlsbad,California,
U.S.A.
We can stop them together
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, September 25, 2010
I am gathering up everyone who has been screwed over by this school and bringing a lawsuit against them. I already have several who are willing to put words to action and give this "school" what they deserve for blatantly lying to all of us. Please respond if you are ready to take action now.
Gary
Cleveland,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Response by Ohio Center for Broadcasting Colorado Campus
#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, October 29, 2004
Response by Ohio Center for Broadcasting Colorado Campus to Anonymous Student Complaint Letter Allegation 1 Poor Climate Control Facilities As with most businesses, the attempt to provide HVAC uniformity cannot always please the occupants of each space at all times. In an effort to accommodate the comfort needs of the students, we installed two climate control thermostats. These digital thermostats can be set on pre-determined temperatures to regulate the heat and air conditioning needs. One is placed in the front and one in the rear of our office space. During our class times, the thermostats are set at a comfortable 70 degrees, no matter if the outside temps are in the 90s during the summer or in the teens in the winter. However, because of the nature of our equipment, there can be some temperature fluctuations. We try to keep our digital editing rooms as cool as possible because of the equipment sensitivity to heat. Meanwhile, the TV production studio can get warmer than normal under the hot studio lightsto which any TV anchor person can relate. Allegation 2 Insufficient Learning Facilities The Colorado school has 10 full size audio studios that are available for student use up to 7 days a week. While our other schools have the same or more student enrollment as Colorado, and are able to fully meet the training needs of their students, the Colorado facility has the advantage of as many as 2 more studios than the others. Students who want to use the studios for their independent practice sessions are asked to schedule times in advance. During class times, students are grouped to work cooperatively on their projects and the groups are distributed among the studios. All audio equipment was purchased brand new when the school was opened 2 years ago. No expense was spared to provide equipment reflective of what the students would find in the industry. Each studio has the best broadcast quality sound board as well as non-linear editing equipment and Cool-Edit software. Allegation 3 50 % of the Time, Students Doing Nothing Following classroom instruction, all students are assigned their studio projects per the day's lesson plan. The students are monitored and helped by, not only the instructor teaching the class, but the Instructor Assistants who assist the students understand what the lesson requires. If, however, a particular student chooses not to participate, despite encouragement to do so, the grade will reflect poor effort on their part. Allegation 4 Unqualified Instructors All members of the instructional staff are qualified to teach in their field of expertise. Each has a background in either radio or video production related to the broadcasting industry. Many are qualified in both areas. In rare instances, an instructor may call in at a last moment's notice to report that he or she cannot make it in to teach a class. Our educational coordinator, who is a qualified instructor in both audio and video, will occasionally teach a class if another qualified instructor is not available. The students are informed from the very beginning of the program that they will be exposed to many different instructors, each accomplished in their particular field. This exposure provides the students different viewpoints and techniques of the broadcasting business, broadening their hands-on experiences. All of our students are told that they need a school-approved audition tape and a resume in order to qualify for job placement assistance. The students are fully instructed on the content and production of these job-seeking tools. Allegation 5 False Sales Practices & Claims All of our students are given a school catalog before they start the course and are told the program is 38 weeks long and what the approximate date of graduation will be. The actual date of graduation may be extended due to weather-related class cancellations and the like throughout the term so that the students receive all 114 class sessions as scheduled. The school is owned and operated by broadcasting professionals. The school director has extensive background in education as a High School principal and coach, which relates well to working with our student base, whose majority is in the 17-to-24 age range. Our school director was hired for his position months in advance of his starting at the school so that he could receive extensive hands-on training at our Cleveland facility, which has been in business for over 18 years. The school director was hired to focus his activities on the administration of the school while being supported with experienced broadcasters responsible for the instructional aspect. The school president has over 30 years of broadcast industry experience. When the school president furnishes an informational video to the schools, it is meant to be informational in nature only, not to be an example of a professional quality video filled with dazzling video effects, which would only detract from the message being conveyed. There was an instance at our Colorado school in which an instructor needed to leave a class session early due to a family emergency on the very last day of that class. The Educational Coordinator filled in for the session and made himself available to assist the students finishing up their audition tapes. A few decided to leave, but the majority stayed to work on their projects. It is not unusual for students to panic over their audition tapes because they tend never to be satisfied with the finished product, despite positive feedback from staff. It must be remembered that, although there are basic guidelines to follow in the production of an audition tape, the opinion of the finished product is often very subjective in nature. Allegation 6 The School Downsized Its Qualified Staff There was never a period of time where the students were not helped with their placement, as evidenced by the documented high placement rate of this students class. Between the National Placement Director, School Director and Executive Director, there was over 50 years of broadcasting experience to call on. There is even more placement available now. The school is holding a Career Fair, for the graduates, where some 80 broadcast stations Will be represented on campus. What schools do that for their students? Maybe someone should ask the student who wrote this report, why he is not working in the business today? Had he followed up and maintained the good attitude, demonstrated by other graduates, maybe he would still be working in radio, instead of blaming someone else. I have also sent a few letters from recent graduates. Here is what graduates of the Ohio Center For Broadcasting have to say about their school. From a 2002 Graduate: I am a grad and I have been working in the business. Hi gang. I have been a writer for a syndicated 80's radio program called "Magic of the 80's". I also freelance my own production studio, where I use cool edit pro exclusively!!! I can provide quality instruction for my fellow OCB alumni, who are currently under your instruction. I can reveal the "DEEP DARK SECRETS" of Cool Edit to your students, I can teach script writing and I can tell them what to expect when they work for a radio station. I am not looking to make a living from OCB, I just want to pass some experience on to my successors. When I was a student, if you told me that my words would be syndicated, I would ask you to show me the bigfoot that said this!!! OCB Has changed my life!!! Whether you want to or not, attitude, in all aspects of life, is the primary factor that creates success!!! I have been an OCB success, And I will continue to be an OCB success!!!! I LOVE MY SCHOOL!!!! From a 2004 graduate: Greetings from Clinton Iowa! Just thought I'd send a quick update. The last time I contacted you was to inform you that I had just accepted an Afternoon Drive On Air position at Kix 101.1. Last month I accepted a Morning Show On Air position at The Eagle, 94.7. Mornings are FANTASTIC. I couldn't be happier! I've established a sizeable fan base over the past few weeks. I also received my first promotion two weeks ago. Along with mornings, I'm also the stations new Music Director. From a 2003 Graduate: I started working part time, doing the weather on the weekends at KATR and KRDZ. I had the pleasure to announce area high school football games on the FM station and was able to do Play by Play for the Class A Six-man Championship Game. In November I was offered a full time position and logically, I took it. Now I'm doing a lot of Production. The wisdom I can pass on to future grads is, if you really want to get into radio, learn the digital editing program from top to bottom. No matter what market you work in, that station will have Cool Edit or some similar program to work on. My last piece of advice Start at a small town station. You can do a lot more at a small station than you ever will be able to do at a bigger station. The bigger stations may not give you the chance. Listen to the teachers at OCB, they know what they are talking about. 2003 Graduate writes: I would like to stress to all the students at OCB that this is a vocational school and you get out of it, what you put into it. I look back and know deep down that I could have put so much more into school ad my internship. However, I failed myself by taking the last two months of the program and sliding through. I urge all current students not to do this. Wait till after graduation, then take a week off, relax and go crazy. THEN GET TO WORK LOOKING FOR A JOB, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE PLACEMENT, & GO TO WORK.
