Trump University pressured students into signing personalized glowing reviews.

[DetlefK]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/us/politics/donald-trump-trump-university.html?emc=edit_na_20160311&nlid=53173147&ref=cta&_r=1

Robert Guillo gave a glowing evaluation to his instructor at Trump University because, he said, the teacher pleaded for the best possible score, warning that without it, “Mr. Trump might not invite me back to teach again.”

Jeffrey Tufenkian offered excellent ratings because his Trump University-assigned mentor refused to leave the room until he did so, standing “right in front of me” as he filled out the evaluation form, he said.

John Brown tried to give his Trump University teacher a poor review — but said he was talked out of it by employees of the program, who called him three times, hounding him to raise his original scores.

“Tired of the continuing phone calls,” he later testified, “I finally gave in.” His dismal marks changed to top scores, Mr. Brown said.

...

At the conclusion of every program, teachers instructed attendees to complete surveys, rating the experience on a scale of 1 to 5. But, in what academics and experts said were unusual practices, Trump University did not explicitly offer students anonymity on the forms, often asked them to complete the documents in the presence of instructors and, according to internal Trump University documents made public in litigation, asked students to submit the surveys in exchange for their graduation certificates.

...

Mr. Trump has dismissed the criticism that Trump University’s evaluation system encouraged positive reviews. Asked about the lack of anonymity, he said under oath in a January deposition, “I think it’s much better when a student puts their name on it.” Without names, he said, “they don’t mean anything, actually.”

Pressed on whether students might fear repercussions, Mr. Trump rejected the notion. “Only a lawyer could think of that,” Mr. Trump said, continuing, “You mean that’s why they said such great things about the school?”

He added: “I think they meant it was very good. Until they found out they could get their money back.”

But experts said such practices were designed to influence the evaluations.

...

“That,” Mr. Reed added, “is where you get your 98 percent.”

[Initech]

1. And this guy is the front runner in the presidential election.