George Mason University, Among First With an Emirates Branch, Is Pulling Out

One wonders whether there will be a domino effect:

George Mason has struggled since it opened its branch in Ras al Khaymah, an emirate with neither the dazzle of Dubai nor the oil wealth of Abu Dhabi.

It never attracted many students, with about 120 in degree programs and 60 in its English-language program. None of the faculty members came from the home campus, there was constant turnover in the leadership, and the branch had not completed the lengthy process of gaining local accreditation.

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But the George Mason experience highlights some of the difficulties overseas branches face.

To maintain their credibility, they must admit students by the same standards overseas as at their home campus. But finding students with excellent English skills, SAT scores comparable to their American counterparts and college-ready academic preparation is not easy.

There is also the question of academic control. The vice president running the branch campus reported to Dr. Stearns, as United States accreditation requires. But the job has recently been held by an interim leader, and the local backers did not want to pay to hire a new vice president, seeking instead a leader who would report to them.