UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202
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In the Matter of Docket No. 95-66-ST
SIMMONS SCHOOL, Student Financial Assistance Proceeding
Respondent.
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Appearances:
Before:
On March 15, 1995, the Office of Student Financial Assistance Programs (SFAP) of the
U.S. Department of Education (Department) issued a notice of intent to terminate the eligibility
of Simmons School (Simmons) to participate in the student financial assistance programs
authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). 20 U.S.C. §
1070 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq. This termination notification followed an emergency
action which was initiated by the Department against Simmons on February 17, 1995. Simmons
filed a request for hearing on March 24, 1995.
The basis for SFAP's action was the withdrawal of Simmons' accreditation by the
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which became effective on
August 18, 1994. Apparently such withdrawal was precipitated by a change of ownership of
Simmons. On May 15, 1995, Simmons submitted a copy of a May 12, 1995 letter from ACICS
which confirmed that Simmons was accredited through August 31, 1995. In its June 14, 1995
opening brief, SFAP withdrew its allegation regarding accreditation and amended its notice to
include two additional allegations: failure to file compliance audits for the 1992-1994 award
years, as required by 34 C.F.R. § 668.23(c); and failure to meet the standards of conduct required
of a fiduciary. Simmons did not respond or file a brief or evidentiary material, and SFAP filed a
motion on September 5, 1995, requesting that I terminate the proceedings and enter judgement
against Simmons. SFAP also noted that Simmons' accreditation apparently had expired and that
it closed on June 20, 1995.
Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 668.89(c)(3), I have the authority and responsibility to terminate
the hearing process and issue a decision against a party if that party has not met the time limits
which I have established. Simmons failed to file anything after its initial appeal and, as a result, I
hereby grant SFAP's motion and terminate the hearing process. In addition, I have examined the
record and find that the evidence of Simmons' failure to file the audits as alleged is compelling.
As a result, Simmons must be terminated. 34 C.F.R. § 668.90(a)(3)(v).
On the basis of the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED that the eligibility of the Simmons
School to participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 be terminated.
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Judge Ernest C. Canellos
Dated: October 11, 1995
A copy of the attached initial decision was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested to the
following:
Mr. A.J. Squitieri, President/Director
Simmons School.
1900 East Post Road
White Plains, NY 10601
S. Dawn Robinson, Esq.
Office of the General Counsel
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-2110