Upping the Ante

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust hey
Hey I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust
-Queen

Good morning, Toads and Toadettes,

As the simple yet repetitive lyrics by Queen note, another one has, indeed, bitten the dust. While continuing with our “Hall of Shame” for spurious seminaries, a bit of correspondence relating to St. George’s School of Theology in Texas surfaced. The alert reader who forwarded the material noted that “degrees” from this “institution” are used as resume fodder by several alleged Anglican bishops and Archbishops, as well as “professors” on the rosters of other questionable. Whoa! Bunko alert! Bunko alert! Clergy with false credentials? Dr. Toad, say it isn't so!

So, here's the upping of the ante. We’ll be checking those names and invite all of you alert readers who might know a fraudster to send in an anonymous tip to info@planetanglican.com If you are listing a "degree" from St. Georgie or a similar joint in your educational credentials, pally, it’s going to be a rough ride. Because, boys and girls, the Toad plans to publish the identities of all claiming degrees from the institutions identified as less-than-legit. Why? Just so that you know we care! You can then 'splain it to the faithful why that Doctorate in Medieval Metaphysics might not actually exist. (That's a little ontological humor, gang.) Bet you won't be getting another educational sabbatical, bunkie!

But, today, the Toad doesn’t have to write it all out for you. He’ll let Mr. David Linkletter, Program Specialist at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tell you the tale of good old St. George’s in song and story (well, e-mail, at any rate) with a little boldface to highlight the savory bits. We are sure that St. George would be proud. Rawk, rawk, Rawk!*

Yr. Obed. Serv.,


R. Toad, DD, LSMFT
*The sound of one Toad barking


From: Linkletter, David
To:
Date: 10/7/2004 3:20:14 PM
Subject: St. George's School of Theology

Dear Mr. [Alert Reader]:

Yesterday in our telephone conversation, you asked about the legal status of St. George’s School of Theology. That institution may legally operate as a teaching institution preparing individuals for religious vocations; such activities are not regulated in Texas.
However, the institution may not offer or grant degrees or credits alleged to be applicable to degrees. It may not use protected academic terms to describe itself, such as “college,” “university,” or “seminary.”
The Texas Education Code (Chapter 61, Subchapter G) prohibits such activities
unless the institution has a certificate of authority from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or is accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the Coordinating Board. St. George’s School of Theology does not have a certificate of authority, and never has applied for a certificate of authority, and is not accredited by a recognized accrediting association.
It has come to our attention that the institution is claiming that it can award degrees and that it has authority to do so through Woolsey Hall, Oxford, England. Both of those
statements are false. Even if there were some relationship between St. George’s and Woolsey Hall, Woolsey Hall does not have authority to offer degrees in Texas.
If you have evidence that St. George’s School of Theology is or has granted degrees, I would be pleased to receive it. We can only address violations of the law with the appropriate evidence of a violation.

Cordially,

David Linkletter
Program Specialist
Private and Out-of-State College Certification
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Box 12788
Austin, Texas 78711