Envision EMI

Review: I, as a public school teacher, received a letter informing me that I was chosen and commended as a highly qualified educator and have been given the opportunity to nominate students for Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. I was given a nomination list to return to Envision with students' names and addresses. Their schools name and address is printed at the top. This is confidential information protected by law. Please stop this practice immediately as the parent is left out of the loop. I believe this is illegal and to ask for this information would certainly seem illegal. Thank You.Desired Settlement: Business should follow code of ethics especially in the case of minor children. Please let me know as soon as this is resolved. I request a phone call from the Revdex.com as soon as possible. Thank You.

Business

Response:

April 15, 2014Dear [redacted]:Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. The security of student information is of the utmost concern for us and we value your feedback. In all of our communications to teachers we refer them to our privacy policy to ensure they are aware of the care we take with all personal information,The requirements regarding student information are governed by federal law but are administrated differently within each school and school district. To ensure that teachers are aware of these differences we have updated our privacy policy on our web site to encourage teachers to refer to their specific school's policies prior to nominating students to attend our programs.Should you have any additional questions, please let me know.EXPERIENCE MAKES A L THE DIFFERENCE.Sincerely,

Review: My son was registered for [redacted] in New York, [redacted] University, form July 12 to July 20 2015. He was also registered for the Cultural Extension from July 20 to July23rd. He was not able to attend either, due to an injury in his knee. His physician would not clear him to be on his feet for the many hours required to attend. No refund was given for the forum ( due to their policy). I tried contacting several people in regards to finding out if the optional Cultural Extension was taking place. Their web site stated that a schedule for the New York Cultural Extension would be available the evening before it was to start. No schedule was ever made available and no one ever returned my phone calls inquiring if this OPTIONAL part, ever took place. Calls were made to the on site representative at [redacted] University, and Nicholle B[redacted], the admissions advisor for Envision.

I don't expect a refund for the 'Forum", but I do expect to be refunded the $1,195.00, I payed for the optional "Cultural Extension" which at this point, seems to have NOT taken place.Desired Settlement: I would like to be refunded $1,195.00 that I payed for the optional "Cultural Extension", that by their website ( and no returned calls), seems to have not taken place.

Business

Response:

Dr. [redacted],I apologize for any inconvenience you may have endured through this process. I can assure you that the cultural extension did take place as planned. Regardless, I have refunded the cost of the cultural extension, $1,195, to the credit card we have on file. In addition, we would encourage [redacted] to take advantage of the [redacted] program next summer. We will allow [redacted] to transfer the remaining tuition to next year as well as waive our $50 transfer fee.we hope that [redacted] has a speedy recovery and please feel free to contact me directly if you have any additional questions or concerns.Carl M[redacted]Director of Enrollment[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,

Review: On 7 Nov 2012 I registered my son for the Inauguration Conference 19 Jan – 23 Jan 13 and flight with Envison. I received confirmation email on 8 Nov 2012. I paid a total of $3,195 for the conference. On 19 Jan 13 when my son [redacted] went to [redacted] airport to catch flight on [redacted] to [redacted]( the flight information was emailed to me on 8 Nov 2012 from [redacted]). When he arrived at the airport he was informed that his ticket wasn’t in the system. We were unable to get him a later flight and he wasn’t able to attend the conference. We talked to several people ([redacted] Lead Admissions Rep). I spoke to [redacted] and she referred us to her boss. I’ve called and left him( not sure of his name) several message concerning this issue and I also request a refund. It has been almost 3 months and I still have not heard from themDesired Settlement: refund $3,195

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: Last year (2013) my daughter was nominated by a teacher to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum: Careers in Law & CSI ran by Envision EMI. The tuition for my daughter to participate in this program was approximately $1698, and I had paid $787 dollars into before I realized I was going to be unable to complete the remainder for her to attend. I spoke with [redacted] a representative regarding this issue, and he told me that I should be able to transfer what I had paid to the following year (2014), so that my daughter can attend then. He told me it would take a few days to get an answer and that he would get back with me. I never heard back from him, and I contacted him several times at the direct line he provided me without ever getting in contact with him. This was about July of 2013. I had a lot going in with work and then I lost my job, so I kind of forget about getting back in contact with him. This year, around the beginning of March, I call the company to inquire about my daughter’s transfer and her registration status. This is where I am told that because I never got in contact with them, that although the transfer was approved, the case was closed and the transfer was no longer valid. They also told me that [redacted] had sent me emails and left me messages, which I for a fact never received. I advised them of the numerous times I attempted to contact [redacted] and the messages I left him, without ever receiving a response in return. After paying $787 into this program, I would have definitely responded to the emails had I received them. They also then tell me that my daughter is no longer eligible for a transfer for this year and that I would not get what was supposed to be the refundable portion of my money back. I tell them that is unacceptable, as anyone can go online and start a new registration, so why are they trying to keep my money. I say that for a program that is supposed to be about the kids, they are definitely making more about the money than an opportunity for the kid to get an experience out of. After much disputing and escalating to managers, I get told they will put the request for transfer in and to call back in a few days. In a few days I call back to get a status and I speak to [redacted], who very clearly told me the transfer was approved, but I would have to first pay a $50 transfer to get the registration active again. I then tell her I will call her in a few days when I get paid to pay the fee and re-register my daughter. I call her back on my payday, and that is when she tells me she never told it was for sure, that she had told me it was a maybe that the transfer got approved. I then tell her, why would I call her back to make a payment, if she did not very clearly tell me it got approved. I then request to escalate to a supervisor. I get [redacted], I go back and forth with her as well and restate my frustrations about how this program is more about the money than the kids, and she tells me she will put the transfer request in again and get back to me. For close to 4 weeks I called back every few days to get a status from her, and kept being told it was in review. Till finally 2 weeks ago, I call and have a very heated conversation with one of the reps, which then all of a sudden I get a call back and get told she got approved, and that they will be sending me the registration information along with the balance that was due. After a week I get all this information, and now I have 1 week to pay $1058 dollars (by May 1st), in order for my child to participate in this program. This program does not even include the air transportation to get her there. I am still not working I try, but I just cannot come up with the money by May 1st. I call back today to explain my frustrations over the fact that they have been giving me the run around since last year, they take over a month to tell me that my child is approved, only to give me 1 week to make payment. I tell them I feel that this is unethical practice on their part, as I was not afforded enough time to make payments and then they refuse to refund my money. I tell them I am not working and struggling and cannot afford to just give $787 away, to a company that ran me in circles unnecessarily. I requested to speak to a manager, at which point the rep took my number and told me one would get back with me.Desired Settlement: At this point the only resolution I am interested in is a refund of my $787. I am going through a hardship and their unethical behavior warrants my full refund. I did everything possible to try and get my daughter into this program only to be run around in circles and given push back.

Business

Response:

May 28, 2014Dear [redacted],We have investigated your complaint and regret that we will not be able to issue a refund in this case. Our records show that you waited until the last minute last year to request a transfer and did t follow up when we contacted you. Additionally, you agreed to our transfer/cancellation policy at the time of enrollment. Your daughters application was withdrawn from last years program 1 week before it was due to start due to lack of payment which was within the no refund zone. I have attached our policy here and you will see it states that any tuition paid is nonrefundable if it is transferred. A short version of the policy is below:Student cancellations and refundsBoth Student and Parent understand and agree that any cancellation and request for refund r ust be submitted in writing by mail, addressed to NYLF, or faxed to ###-###-####. The request mu; be signed by the Parent who signed the original enrollment application. Any supporting documentation related to a refund request must be received in writing no later than 30 days before the start f the Forum. Additionally, if Student has subscribed to the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan, a claim must also be submitted to the Plan administrator identified in the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan summary sheet and brochure. All cancellation requests must include Students full name, Students ID, a brief reason for cancellation and an acknowledgement of the cancellation fees. Student and Parent further understand and agree that the following cancellation fees will apply to Tuition and any additional Add-On or service as applicable:Cancellation Received by NYLF Eligible Refund31 days or more before the start Tuition less a 350of the Scheduled Forum Session nonrefundable deposit030 days before the start of the None scheduled Forum SessionStudents who are dismissed from the Forum for disciplinary reasons or who leave the Forum any for any reason whatsoever are not eligible for any refund of the Tuition.TransfersThere is a $50 nonrefundable administrative fee if Student transfers from the initially selected Forum session or program to another Forum session or program, Any tuition funds paid prior to the transfer request will be applied to the future session. Tuition is nonrefundable should the Student late cancel the new session or program. All transfer requests must be approved by the Office of Admissions.Kind regards,

Review: I have sent this letter via email to several offices at Envision, and made several phone calls with no response.

Hello,

My son (student ID [redacted]) attended your program in Los Angeles last week. While we found the program to be worthwhile academically, the lack of supervision for the children is not only unacceptable but negligent and potentially dangerous to children. I would like someone to contact me immediately.

(My Name, and Phone number)

This is an accounting of his experiences.

DAY ONE, Saturday June 28

My son enters the dormitory hall, goes to his room and goes to a meeting in the open area. Monday night I receive a call from my son on his cellphone that he cannot find his room key. He is crying. I ask him to find a counselor and he says he spoke to someone who said “I can’t help you, go back and look for it.” A second counselor says “If your card is lost it is $50 to replace it.” The first counselor was [redacted]. (not sure of spelling.) I call the night office and ask for someone to find my son. From the phone conversation with my son I am unclear if he is outside his room, or outside his dorm. The night office person says they will send someone to check. My son reports later that his roommate came with his key, let my son in. No one spoke to my son, no one called me back to tell me he was ok. I received a text from my son saying he found his key in the room.

DAY THREE, Monday June 30

My son calls me a few minutes after 9 am. He is crying and I cannot understand his words. After a minute he says he is lost. We determine he is outside the cafeteria and needs to be at [redacted]. While we were on the phone a stranger comes up to him and offers to lead him the way to [redacted]. I say stay put and do not hang up.

I keep my son on the line, and call the help line from my husband’s cell phone. [redacted] answers the phone, my husband tells her my son has been separated from the group and someone needs to get him. [redacted] stays on the line but it is a few minutes before [redacted] gets [redacted] and [redacted] and explains the situation. Another 10 minutes goes by and eventually [redacted] and [redacted] find my son. [redacted] comes on to my son's phone and identifies herself. They take him to get something to eat and return him to [redacted]. Due to lack of supervision my child misses two of the daily programs. We ask [redacted] to have her supervisor call us. [redacted] informs us that [redacted] ([redacted]?) will call us back.

After two hours and no return phone call, my husband and I go to the camp to speak to [redacted] ([redacted]?) regarding the incident. We are waiting and eventually [redacted]’s assistant [redacted] comes to talk with us. [redacted] tells us she is the Asssistant Program coordinator and that [redacted] is on the phone and cannot come down. Explains all of the steps to insure kids are accounted for. Has no answer to why any of those systems did not work. [redacted] joins us in the middle of the conversation.

Getting no answers to our questions we leave. [redacted] explains that when my son did not show up for role call at his first class, role call should have been taken at 8:30, but was not taken until at least 9, a “sweep” was being performed. The “sweep” consisted of two counselors together looking for my son on foot. I was not called. The police were not called. Security was not called. When I asked why campus security was not contacted [redacted] answered “We are independent of the campus.” I said using their cameras to find a lost child would be an efficient way of locating a child she said “Oh, that’s a good idea.” Where was [redacted], [redacted], the office personnel, etc while my son was missing. What event, meeting, phone call could be more important that finding a lost child? My son explained that night that he and his roommate overslept. They ran independently to the cafeteria. Both boys 100% unsupervised on the campus from the dorm to the cafeteria. The roommate ran off without my son and my son lost his way. My son called me early the next day to tell me that while he was missing someone from [redacted] gave him a ride to the cafeteria. My child was in a VEHICLE with a strange man. Thankfully the intentions of the employee were good and all was ok. I find the actions of NYLR to be not only incompetent, but grossly negligent in the supervising of the camp members.

When we return home I call the administrative office to speak to someone. I explain my child had been missing from the program earlier in the day and want to speak with a supervisor. The person on the phone asks me my students ID number. I do not ask her “Why, were there other children missing from the program in Los Angeles today?” She tells me I need to speak with the person in charge at the camp. I tell her I went to the camp and was not seen by the supervisor. She says she cannot help me.

DAY FOUR, Tuesday July 1

Kids are fighting in the hall at 1 in the morning. my son and his roommate hear the fight. He hears from the other boys that one boy is punched in the face by the other boy. There is NO SUPERVISION in the hall. Eventually someone comes and the boy who allegedly hit was moved to another dorm. The boy who allegedly hit the other boy remained at camp. The code of conduct the children sign is moot.

DAY SIX, Thursday July 3

Pick up. I get my son and take him to the car. He says I need to get him signed out. We go to pick up luggage and see Jessica. [redacted] is at the archway of the luggage area and is asking each child if they have checked out. Each child says yes and takes their bag. There is no checkpoint here. We get my son's luggage, put it in the car and then go to check out. Person at the table marked MALES K-Z asks for my ID and checks off our name. We could have easily driven away with him, and no one would have known.

At pick up, I spoke with [redacted] and thanked her for her level of concern in finding My son when he was missing. [redacted] apologized to my son for his experience while being “lost."Desired Settlement: I would like to prevent this negligence from happening to another family. I would like and apology, an explanation how this would not happen again, and I would like a refund.

Business

Response:

[redacted],

Envision provided a full refund at the request of the family on July 16, 2014.

DIRECTOR, RETENTION & MARKETING OPERATIONS

From: [redacted] [mailto:d[redacted]@myRevdex.com.org]

Sent: [redacted]

To: [redacted]

Subject: [redacted]

Review: I received unsolicited mail for my underage son from these people. I want to know how they got my child's information and I do not want them contacting any members of my family.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: My daughter was elected to attend a youth Leadership confrence for business and inovation. After several differnet conversations [redacted] the assocaite advised my daughter (16 years old) to enroll to assure she would have a place at the time when the scholorship was not granted I advised [redacted] I needed to apply for a refund .. she said in non refundable I asked why she advised my daughter to enroll in a program knowing it was not refundable and scholorship is not guarenteed. During other conversations I was advised by [redacted] and [redacted] that if scholorship isnt granted they would help // [redacted] knew nothing about it. Within the last 5 days my daughter is now attending college classes this summer when the trip is scheduled and the will now they are willing to offere her a scholorship // I feel this is a scam During multiple conversations I was hung up on asking for a supervisor .Desired Settlement: I would like a refund I am not in th position to be out this kind of money Please help

Business

Response:

May 28, 2014Dear [redacted],We have investigated this complaint and could find no record in our recorded telephone conversations of the one you referred to in your complaint that said we would help if a scholarship was not granted. However, we will grant a refund anyway in this case.Please sign the attached release (note: it must have a witness signature as well) and return it back to me via fax at ###-###-#### or email it to me at: [redacted] and I will a sure the refund is initiated right away. We will refund $804.00 by way of credit to your card if that is the way you paid. Otherwise, I will [redacted] a check out to you once the release has been returned back to me,Kind regards,

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,