USM, in its efforts to boost its public image after a series of academic and managerial missteps have blatantly placed students confidentiality at risk. A number of students' names listed in the press release never took their tutorials at USM and were not even aware that their results were in. Their first notice that their results were in was from reading the newspaper. This lack of professionalism at USM's GED department is just the most recent in a string of problems that the institution have encountered due to its lack of professionalism and concern with the GED. For example, the GED exam that was mentioned in the press release was originally scheduled for November 2011. However, due to inefficiencies at USM, the examiners had no choice but to postpone their visit to January which is when the exam was held. In addition, students generally receive their GED results approximately 1 month after writing the exam if all administrative issues are handled properly by USM. The results came in April.
The complete lack of professionalism and lack of confidentiality at USM continues to place the GED exams at risk. This is a vital exam for students who have not finished high school or are from the VSBO schools and are applying for a scholarship. It is amazing and shameful that the future of our students, most of whom are fighting for a second chance in academia, is held hostage by a few individuals who do not have their academic interest at hand.
Delroy Pierre