1. (1) The Commission may deem a school "at-risk" if the Commission determines, based on evidence, that the school has a pattern or history of one or more of the following conditions, considering up to three years prior to the determination:

   1. (a) Failure to meet the standards of financial responsibility or reporting;
   2. (b) Misrepresentation;
   3. (c) Frequent substantiated complaints filed with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission;
   4. (d) A decrease in enrollment from the previous annual reporting period of 50 percent or more or 25 students, whichever is greater;
   5. (e) Staff turnover from the previous annual reporting period of 50 percent or more or three staff, whichever is greater.
2. (2) The school owner and/or director shall be required to meet with the Commission to discuss the conditions. If conditions listed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (1) can be shown to be caused by unusual circumstance or reason the school may request an exemption from an “at-risk” designation. Exemption requests will be evaluated by the Commission.

3. (3) A school determined to be "at-risk" at any time, will be required to provide:

   1. (a) A school improvement plan acceptable to the executive director within 30 days after meeting with commission staff;
   2. (b) A letter of credit if appropriate; and
   3. (c) A monthly report for up to 12 months. During that time the school shall demonstrate improvement or the executive director may review and determine if further action may be warranted.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 345.120

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 345.120 & 2017 Oregon Laws Chapter 422

History

HECC 2-2026, amend filed 02/13/2026, effective 02/13/2026
HECC 4-2019, amend filed 02/24/2019, effective 02/24/2019
Renumbered from 581-045-0066 by HECC 2-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-23-14
ODE 21-2002, f. 9-26-02 cert. ef. 10-1-02
Renumbered from 581-045-0024 by ODE 32-2000, f. 12-11-00 cert. ef. 1-1-01
EB 13-1996, f. & cert. ef. 7-26-96