Or. Admin. Code § 715-045-0023 - Complaints against Private Career Schools

(1) Each school shall implement a process for the prompt resolution of a written complaint by a student of the school. Unless specifically provided by state or federal law or administrative rule, the decision of the school shall be final.

(2) Complaints filed on behalf of or by a student against a school must be postmarked or received electronically within one year of the student's last date of attendance.

(3) If the complaint alleges a violation of Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 345.010 to 345.070 or standards of OAR 715-045-0006 through 715-045-0220, the complainant may submit a written complaint to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, after exhausting the school's procedures or after 45 days from filing a written complaint with the school, whichever occurs first. The complaint shall be in writing and shall contain:

(a) The complainant's name, address, phone number, and signature;

(b) School name, address, and phone number;

(c) A brief statement indicating which statute or rule the school is alleged to have violated and how the school is alleged to have violated it;

(d) Facts detailing dates of attendance, termination date, date of occurrence, names, addresses and positions of school officials contacted, financial loss, if any, and any other pertinent information;

(e) An explanation of what efforts have been taken to resolve the problem with the school, if any; and

(f) Copies of pertinent documents, such as the enrollment agreement, catalog and advertisements.

(4)

(a) After receipt of a complaint or other allegation that a school has failed or is failing to comply with the provisions of any laws or rules, the commission's executive director or designee shall conduct an investigation.

(b) The investigation conducted by the commission shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by OAR 715-011-0070.

(5) The executive director shall notify the complainant and the school of the findings resulting from the investigation.

(6) The Commission may impose penalties as defined in OAR 715-045-0190 if the school is found to be in violation of any standard or rules.

(7) Sections (1) and (2) of this rule do not limit the statutory authority of the commission to investigate a school on the commission's own motion.

(8) At the request of the executive director, complaints may be resolved with the assistance of such other parties as the Oregon Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and other appropriate organizations and/or individuals.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 715-045-0023

ODE 32-2000, f. 12-11-00 cert. ef. 1-1-01; ODE 17-2003, f. 12-30-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; ODE 15-2006, f. 12-11-06, cert. ef. 1-1-07; Renumbered from 581-045-0023 by HECC 2-2014, f. & cert. ef. 4-23-14; HECC 1-2018, amend filed 01/04/2018, effective 1/4/2018; HECC 2-2018, temporary amend filed 02/08/2018, effective 02/08/2018 through 06/30/2018; HECC 4-2019, amend filed 02/24/2019, effective 2/24/2019

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 345.120

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 345.120 & 2017 Oregon Laws Chapter 422