OAR 715-045-0067: School Closure

(1) In the event a school closes, the school shall file a plan with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission designed to protect the contractual rights of its students and graduates, including the right to complete the course of instruction in which they were enrolled. The school shall return its license to the Commission immediately by certified mail upon cessation of instruction, except as provided in 715-045-0069 (2) A school that is closing, either voluntarily or involuntarily, shall: (a) Inform the Commission of this action by certified mail at least 30 calendar days prior to the anticipated cessation of instruction and other normal school business practices. Such notice shall detail the school's closure plan including: (A) Teach-out arrangements (if made with another school); (B) The name, address, and telephone number of the person, who will be responsible for closing arrangements; (C) The name, address, telephone number, and the name of the course of instruction for every student who will not complete their course of instruction; and (D) The amount of class time left for each student to complete the course with the amount of refund, if any, for which each student is eligible; (b) Provide written notice to all registered and enrolled students of the school's closure plan at least 30 calendar days prior to closure; (c) Furnish the Commission with copies of the written notice being mailed to all enrolled students explaining the procedures they are to follow to secure refunds or to continue their education; (d) File procedures for disbursement of refunds with the Commission and set a date no later than 30 calendar days from the last day of instruction to issue refund checks in the full amount for which students are entitled; and (e) Within four calendar days of its closing transfer permanent student transcripts and roster of all students enrolled at the time of closure to the Commission. All transcripts of students not enrolled at the time of closure are due to the Commission within 90 calendar days after closure. (3) If students are receiving instruction prior to the school's closing, the school shall submit a plan, to be approved by the Commission, to ensure that the school's students will continue to receive training of the same quality and content as that for which they contracted. (4) If the Commission, in any situation in which students are receiving instruction prior to a school's closing, determines that the school has not fulfilled its contractual obligations or that a student has reasonable and justifiable objections to the proposed transfer resulting from the closing, the school shall refund all tuition, fees, and other charges as related to OAR 715-045-0026(6). (5) If the school to be closed offers a combination of distance learning and resident training, the school shall refund the entire cost of both the distance learning and resident portion paid. (6) Any school owner, including a corporation and/or any of its officers, involved in the decision to close a school in violation of this section will not be granted a license to operate any other private career school in Oregon. (7) When a school closes or ceases operation, for any reason, its license is automatically revoked effective the day following the date of closure or cessation of operations, except as provided in 715-045-0069.