Wash. Admin. Code § 250-61-160

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 250-61-160 - Discontinuance or closure requirements

(1) In the event an institution plans to discontinue a program and/or site currently available to Washington residents, but maintain other operations, it shall notify the council immediately and submit alternative opportunities for program completion, acceptable to the council, that allow currently enrolled students a reasonable opportunity to complete their studies. Institutions may be subject to additional reporting requirements as specified by the council.

(2) In the event an institution plans to discontinue all its operations in Washington, the chief administrative officer of the institution shall:

(a) Notify the council immediately by certified mail and email;

(b) Furnish enrolled students with a written notice explaining the reasons for closure and what procedures they are to follow to secure refunds and their official records, and what arrangements have been made for providing continuing instruction at other institutions;

(c) Provide current students with alternative opportunities, acceptable to the council, to complete their studies; and

(d) Submit to the council the following:

(i) A timeline for the planned discontinuance of operations including the planned closure date;

(ii) A list of all students currently enrolled in program(s) of study at the Washington locations showing student name, contact information, program name, number of credits completed, and number of credits remaining for program completion;

(iii) The total number of students currently enrolled in each program of study for each site at which the program is offered;

(iv) The alternative opportunities for program completion, acceptable to the council, that are provided by the institution for students currently enrolled in programs of study;

(v) A copy of all information regarding the closure that is provided to students, administrators, and faculty at the Washington locations;

(vi) A copy of all documents provided by the institution's accrediting agency related to the closure;

(vii) A copy of any signed transfer agreement;

(viii) A copy of any signed teach-out agreement;

(ix) Electronic copies of transcripts for all current and past students;

(x) An account ledger for each student that includes, at a minimum, clear and correct information about student charges, payments, and the source for each payment; and

(xi) A plan for the maintenance of student records.

(3) Upon discontinuance of all Washington operations, the institution shall:

(a) Submit to the council a list of all students enrolled in program(s) of study at the Washington locations showing student name, contact information, program name, number of credits completed, number of credits remaining for program completion, and the alternative opportunities selected for program completion by each student;

(b) Provide at least ten official transcripts to each student who is currently enrolled or who was enrolled at any point in the preceding term, at no cost to such students;

(c) Provide for the permanent maintenance of official records; and

(d)Submit the following:

(i) Contact information for the location where records for Washington students will be maintained; and

(ii) A description of the method and language used to inform students as to how final transcripts may be obtained.

(4) In the event it appears to the council that the official records of an institution discontinuing its operations are in danger of being destroyed, secreted, mislaid, or otherwise made unavailable to the students and the council, the council may seek a court order to take possession of the records and provide for their permanent maintenance.

Wash. Admin. Code § 250-61-160

Amended by WSR 15-02-021, Filed 12/30/2014, effective 1/30/2015

Amended by WSR 17-09-041, Filed 4/14/2017, effective 5/15/2017

Amended by WSR 19-03-020, Filed 1/4/2019, effective 2/4/2019

Amended by WSR 20-07-008, Filed 3/5/2020, effective 4/5/2020

Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-02-008, § 250-61-160, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-160, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-160, filed 11/20/86.