Oklahoma Administrative Code, Title 15 — State Accrediting Agency

Chapter 1 Administrative Operations

Subchapter 1 Agency Organization

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-1-1 Purpose

The purpose of the State Accrediting Agency is responsibility for the approval and supervision of courses offered by educational institutions in accordance with the standards and provisions of Title 38, U. S. Code and V.

A. Regulations under the following chapters:

(1) 32

(2) 34

(3) 35

(4) 36

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-1-2 Creation

The State Accrediting Agency herewith referred to as "SAA" was created by 72 O. S. 1949, Section 241.

Subchapter 3 Agency Structure

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-3-1 Agency

All actions taken on behalf of said agency shall be presented by the Agency for approval during its regularly scheduled meetings.

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-3-2 Director

The Director of the SAA shall have the authority on behalf of the SAA to perform those functions necessary to carry out the provisions as created by 72 O.S. 1949 Section 241. All actions taken on behalf of said Agency shall be presented by the Agency for approval during its scheduled meetings.

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-3-3 Assistant Director

In the absence of the Director, the Assistant Director shall have the authority to perform those functions necessary to carry out business of the State Accrediting Agency.

Subchapter 5 Forms and Records

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-5-1 Information and instructions relating to forms

Information and instructions used by said Agency in the discharge of its functions are available to the public upon written or oral request to the Director by contacting: State Accrediting Agency, Veterans Memorial Building, P. O. Box 53067, Okla. City, OK 73152.

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-5-2 Release of records

All files, records, reports and other papers pertaining to any individual, are confidential and appropriate release will be made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974. For release of files or records, contact should be made to the Director of the State Accrediting Agency either by phone or by letter.

Subchapter 7 Hearing Procedures

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-7-1 Hearing Procedures

Once it has been determined that an establishment is in violation of appropriate VA Regulations, the following procedures in accordance with VA Regulations shall apply:

(1) Written notice. A written notice of hearing is sent to the party by a certified letter with a return receipt secured which shall include the following:

(A) a statement of the time, place and nature of hearing;

(B) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;

(C) a reference to the particular laws and rules involved;

(D) a short and plain statement of the issues involved;

(E) a statement that all parties are afforded the opportunity to respond and present evidence and argument on all issues involved.

(2) Hearing procedures before agency.

(A) Agency representative presents statement of issues with supportive documentary evidence.

(B) The party and authorized representatives shall have the right to challenge through oral proceedings and presentation of documentary evidence.

(3) Final notification.

(A) The final decision shall be a matter of record and the party notified personally or by mail.

(B) The final decision shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated.

(4) Appeal procedures.

(A) A decision in the individual proceedings shall be subject to rehearing, reopening or reconsideration by the Agency within ten days from the date of its entry.

(B) The grounds of such action shall be contained in 75 O.S. 1971, Section 317.

History

• Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Okla. Admin. Code § 15:1-7-2 Suspension or withdrawal of approval

Continuing approval of a course or courses is contingent upon maintaining prescribed standards and conformance with standards and provisions of Title 38, U.S. Code and V.A. Regulations under Chapters 32, 34, 35, and 36.

(1) After approving any course or licensing or certification test, the agency may suspend the approval of a course for new enrollments, or approval of a licensing or certification test, for a period not to exceed 60 days to allow the institution to correct any deficiencies, if the evidence of record establishes that a course or licensing or certification test fails to meet any of the requirements for approval . [38 CFR 21.4259(a)(1)]

(2) If an institution has not corrected discrepancies at the time the suspension of approval expires, or if the deficiency cannot be corrected within the 60 day time period, the agency shall immediately withdraw approval from the institution. [38 CFR 21.4259(a)(2)]

(3) Prior to withdrawing approval, the agency shall notify the institution by certified mail with return receipt requested of its intended action and shall include a statement of the institution's right to a hearing to respond to the agency's intended action. If the institution has failed to correct discrepancies, the hearing will serve as the institution's opportunity to show it is in compliance with the appropriate VA regulations.

(4) Hearings under this section will take place according to the procedures set forth in OAC 15:1-7-1 and the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act.

History

• Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017