"These are the only factors considered when adding a program to the list," Hallworth said.
Representatives of the affiliated programs also denied culpability.
"I don't have any information that we are involved in that," said Lori Bauer, Director of University Relations at the Arcadia program, of providing perks to universities. "We're fully complying with the attorney general's office."
Giavanna Palazzolo, director of media relations at IES, said IES is cooperating with the attorney general's office and that "no allegations of wrongdoing or legal action have been taken against IES."
Using these affiliated study abroad programs enables GW to send students to more locations around the world.
David Heckman, a senior who just returned from Amsterdam on an IES program, said he would not have been able to go to the city he wanted if it weren't for the company. He said the suspected practices are ethically questionable but that it is up to the University to be fair to students.
"I think as long as university study abroad officials are being honest with students it is not problematic; however, these incentives certainly call into question the independent nature of the advice given by these officials," Heckman said. "In my experience, the study abroad office was nothing but honest with me."
Katie McGraw, a senior who recently returned from her IES study abroad program, said she would not have known about the university she attended in Amsterdam had she not used IES.
"I (wouldn't) really begrudge IES for the incentives, even though it might not be right. When it comes down to it, it's just a business trying to outsell the competition," McGraw said.
Representatives of the affiliated programs also denied culpability.
"I don't have any information that we are involved in that," said Lori Bauer, Director of University Relations at the Arcadia program, of providing perks to universities. "We're fully complying with the attorney general's office."
Giavanna Palazzolo, director of media relations at IES, said IES is cooperating with the attorney general's office and that "no allegations of wrongdoing or legal action have been taken against IES."
Using these affiliated study abroad programs enables GW to send students to more locations around the world.
David Heckman, a senior who just returned from Amsterdam on an IES program, said he would not have been able to go to the city he wanted if it weren't for the company. He said the suspected practices are ethically questionable but that it is up to the University to be fair to students.
"I think as long as university study abroad officials are being honest with students it is not problematic; however, these incentives certainly call into question the independent nature of the advice given by these officials," Heckman said. "In my experience, the study abroad office was nothing but honest with me."
Katie McGraw, a senior who recently returned from her IES study abroad program, said she would not have known about the university she attended in Amsterdam had she not used IES.
"I (wouldn't) really begrudge IES for the incentives, even though it might not be right. When it comes down to it, it's just a business trying to outsell the competition," McGraw said.
