Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision Room 974 EBA Albany, NY 12234 www.highered.nysed.gov/bpss

To:  Current Students of the Hendriks Institute

 From:  The New York State Education Department, The Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS)

Date:  July 8, 2003 

 Re:   Status of the Hendriks Institute  – Student Information Bulletin No. 1

             In April 2003, the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) became aware of potential financial problems regarding the Hendriks Institute and its four licensed school locations at Brooklyn, Westbury, Lindenhurst, and Lake Grove.  BPSS immediately evaluated the situation, conducted on-site inspections at the school locations, spoke with various school staff and students, and held a series of meetings with the school owner and administrators to assist in addressing the situation.

            On May 8, 2003, BPSS recommended a plan of organized consolidation of the Hendriks Institute that included, among other things, an approved closing of the Brooklyn and Westbury school locations, a reduction of overhead and operating expenses so as to enable the school to continue at its two other locations, and assurances from the school owner and administrators that current students would be taught-out at the other locations or be provided with options to teach-out at other approved schools in the area.  The plan also included the opportunity for Hendriks to secure additional funding and investment opportunities from outside sources so that the two remaining school locations would gain the adequate resources to continue providing training programs to current and future students.  BPSS worked with staff at Hendriks to speak with students at the closing school locations to minimize transition issues and to inform them of their rights and options.

            During this time period, BPSS staff continued to monitor the Hendriks Institute at Lake Grove and Lindenhurst and addressed ongoing student complaints and concerns.   BPSS conducted a follow-up status meeting with the school owner and administrators on June 17, 2003 in which Hendriks notified us of some improvements in the financial situation and the prospect for the necessary infusion of resources to address and resolve educational and administrative deficiencies.  At all times, BPSS insisted upon and Hendriks provided assurances of ultimate accountability for the liabilities that may be imposed upon students and the State Education Department.

            On July 3, 2003, Hendriks’ owner notified BPSS that the financial resources that were forthcoming had not come to fruition.  The school owner and his assistants were still trying to organize one additional investment opportunity over the holiday weekend in order to avoid the closure of the two remaining school locations.   On that same day, BPSS notified Hendriks that a school closing at this time was not approved and would be considered an illegal and unauthorized school closing in violation of Section 5001(8) of the Education Law.

            Yesterday, July 7, 2003, BPSS received notice from the school owners that the plan for new investors had fallen apart over the weekend and that the school “cannot attempt to open this evening  .  .  .  . ” 

             BPSS is now working to ensure that all student records are secure and that Hendriks students and staff are aware of the situation.  We will update you with additional information as it is developed.  At this point, if you were a current student at the Lindenhurst or Lake Grove locations of the Hendriks Institute, you should file a BPSS student complaint form.  You can access this form from the BPSS web site at www.highered.nysed.gov/bpss/frmComplaint.pdf.  The purpose of this complaint form is to provide BPSS with all relevant student information.  In addition, BPSS will be evaluating your individual situation and notifying you of your eligibility for a tuition refund through the Tuition Reimbursement Account (TRA).  Please read the instructions and complete and submit the form back to our NYC office.  Due to the volume of student complaints that are expected on this matter, it may take BPSS some additional time to process and evaluate your complaint.  In order for BPSS to properly address your concerns, however, it is critical that you have a complaint on file with BPSS.   If you have any further questions, you can contact BPSS at (212) 643-4760.

            Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this difficult period.  You can be assured, however, that the student protection provisions of the Education Law and the Commissioner’s Regulations will be properly implemented by BPSS to address the rights of every eligible student.