Part III. Role of the Council and Staff
8VAC40-31-80. Role of the council.
A. Pursuant to § 23-276.9 of the Code of Virginia, the council may establish fees for services and the methods for collecting such fees.
B. Pursuant to § 23-276.3 E of the Code of Virginia and unless otherwise indicated, the council delegates authority for administering the requirements of Chapter 21.1 (§ 23-276.1 et seq.) of Title 23 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter to the executive director.
C. Pursuant to § 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia, the council shall adopt certification criteria for the operation of postsecondary schools in Virginia.
D. Only the council may refuse to grant certification, or revoke or suspend certification. In these instances, the council will be responsible for ensuring due process and compliance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006.
8VAC40-31-90. Role of the executive director.
A. In addition to other administrative responsibilities vested in the executive director of the council, the executive director shall carry out the following administrative responsibilities relative to this chapter:
1. Authorize certification to operate for postsecondary schools that meet the certification criteria.
2. Authorize the use of the term "college" or "university" in a school's name.
3. Authorize religious exemptions.
4. Authorize emergency action pursuant to § 23-276.7 of the Code of Virginia, in the event a school has received an adverse action by the USDOE or by its accrediting agency that threatens a disruption of the operation of the school and exposes students to a loss of course or degree credit or financial loss. All emergency actions shall be reported to council at its next meeting to either ratify or take such actions as it may deem necessary. The authority of the executive director in these instances includes the authority to:
a. Suspend new enrollment in specified programs, degree levels or in all programs and degree levels.
b. Require the school to provide a guaranty instrument or increase the penal amount of a current guaranty.
c. Take other actions as may be necessary to protect the rights of currently enrolled or future students.
5. Assess administrative fees.
6. Authorize the release of a surety instrument requirement.
B. The executive director may delegate certain administrative responsibilities to the council staff.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006.
8VAC40-31-100. Role of the council staff.
A. The council staff shall:
1. Provide oversight and administration for purposes of compliance with Chapter 21.1 (§ 23-276.1 et seq.) of Title 23 of the Code of Virginia.
2. Review initial and annual certification requirements for all schools.
3. Perform random and periodic school visits to review, inspect and investigate school compliance.
4. Investigate as necessary all noncertified postsecondary school activities operating in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
5. Monitor the accreditation activities of all nonaccredited postsecondary schools operating in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
6. Investigate all written and signed complaints or adverse publicity or any situation that may adversely affect students or consumers.
7. Share with state or federal agencies and appropriate accrediting bodies information regarding the operation or closure of postsecondary schools operating in Virginia.
B. The executive director may delegate other responsibilities as deemed appropriate.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.