Chapter 147 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

AN ACT

SB 166

Relating to courses at community colleges; creating new provisions; amending ORS 341.425; repealing sections 2 and 3, chapter 270, Oregon Laws 1997; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 341.425 is amended to read:

341.425. (1) Before an educational program is commenced at any community college, the board shall apply to the State Board of Education for permission to commence the program. [The application shall be made prior to July 1 of the first year in which courses related to that program are offered and shall include a full statement of the courses offered the first year.] After the first year of the program, course additions, deletions or changes must be presented to the state board or a representative of the Office of Community College Services authorized to act for the state board for approval.

(2) Until the community college becomes accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or its successor, the community college shall contract with an accredited community college for its instructional services, including curricula, to ensure its courses carry accreditation and are acceptable for transfer.

(3) After reviewing the contractual agreement between the nonaccredited and the accredited colleges and after suggesting any modifications in the proposed program of studies, the state board shall approve or disapprove the application of a district.

SECTION 2. ORS 341.425, as amended by section 1, chapter 270, Oregon Laws 1997, is amended to read:

341.425. (1) Before an educational program is commenced at any community college, the board of education of a community college district shall apply to the State Board of Education for permission to commence the program. [The application shall be made prior to July 1 of the first year in which courses related to that program are offered and shall include a full statement of the courses offered the first year.] After the first year of the program, course additions, deletions or changes must be presented to the State Board of Education or a representative of the Office of Community College Services authorized to act for the state board for approval.

(2) Until the community college becomes accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or its successor, the community college shall contract with an accredited community college for its instructional services, including curricula, to ensure its courses carry accreditation and are acceptable for transfer.

(3) After reviewing the contractual agreement between the nonaccredited and the accredited colleges and after suggesting any modifications in the proposed program of studies, the State Board of Education shall approve or disapprove the application of a district.

[(4) The board of education of a community college district shall:]

[(a) Follow the plan developed under subsection (5) of this section if the plan is approved by the Legislative Assembly; or]

[(b) If a plan is not approved by the Legislative Assembly, submit any course that it deems is transferable for credit at state institutions of higher education to the State Board of Higher Education. After reviewing the course, the State Board of Higher Education shall approve or disapprove the transfer of credits to all state institutions of higher education. If the State Board of Higher Education disapproves the transfer of credits, the board shall notify the community college board and suggest modifications so that the course may transfer for credit. If the State Board of Higher Education does not approve or disapprove a course for transfer of credits within 90 days after the course was submitted, the course shall be considered transferable for credit at all state institutions of higher education.]

[(5) The State Board of Education and the State Board of Higher Education shall jointly develop a plan for the transfer of credits between community colleges and state institutions of higher education. The boards shall submit the plan to the Legislative Assembly for approval.]

SECTION 3. Nothing in the amendments to ORS 341.425 by section 1 or 2 of this 1999 Act affects the operative date provisions of section 3, chapter 270, Oregon Laws 1997.

SECTION 4. Sections 2 and 3, chapter 270, Oregon Laws 1997, are repealed.

SECTION 5. This 1999 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 1999 Act takes effect June 30, 1999.

Approved by the Governor May 3, 1999

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 3, 1999

Effective date June 30, 1999

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