OAR 583-070-0020: Approval Process for Accreditors

Effective January 13, 2015: (1) Any accreditor applying for approval will be approved by the commission if the commission finds that the accreditor has adequate academic standards comparable to ODA standards. Standards used by an accreditor need not be identical to state standards but must be adequate to ensure academic quality at a level comparable to that required by the state. (2) Any accreditor seeking commission approval must submit a request for approval to the commission. The accreditor’s request must be accompanied by the following: (a) A copy of the accreditor's academic standards; (b) A description of how the accreditor evaluates institutional effectiveness, demonstrating a commitment to rational standards; (c) The accreditor’s standards for faculty and administrative qualifications, showing that it requires accredited or demonstrably equivalent degrees, and information on how such standards are enforced; (d) The accreditor’s standards for adequate institutional finances, demonstrating that it ensures appropriate management of funds and disallows charging students on any basis other than a per-term basis; (e) Names and professional qualifications of all persons employed by the accreditor and any persons serving on its board of directors, demonstrating that such people have backgrounds and qualifications comparable to those serving in similar roles at a federally-recognized accreditor; and (d) Names and professional qualifications of all people who have served on evaluation teams in the previous year and those who are scheduled to serve in the next year, if known, in order to show that only people with appropriate accredited degrees and professional qualifications are chosen for such teams. (3) The executive director must evaluate the accreditor and make a recommendation to the commission within 60 days of receiving the application. (a) If the commission objects to approval of an accreditor on grounds that the accreditor has inadequate academic standards, the accreditor may contest the commission’s decision under either ORS 183.435 or 183.484. (b) The commission shall determine whether an accreditor is permitted to operate in Oregon only after the accreditor has had, if necessary, an opportunity to exercise its rights under this rule.