136A.61 POLICY. The legislature has found and hereby declares that the availability of legitimate courses and programs leading to academic degrees offered by responsible private nonprofit and for-profit institutions of postsecondary education and the existence of legitimate private colleges and universities are in the best interests of the people of this state. The legislature has […]
136A.615 CITATION. Sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 may be cited as the “Minnesota Private and Out-of-State Public Postsecondary Education Act.” History: 2007 c 144 art 3 s 2
136A.62 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Words, terms, and phrases. The following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section for the purposes of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Subd. 2. [Repealed, 2014 c 149 s 75] Subd. 3. School. “School” means: (1) any partnership, company, firm, society, trust, association, corporation, or […]
136A.63 REGISTRATION. Subdivision 1. Annual registration. All schools located within Minnesota and all schools located outside Minnesota which offer degree programs or courses within Minnesota shall register annually with the office. Subd. 2. Sale of an institution. Within 30 days of a change of its ownership a school must submit a registration renewal application, all […]
136A.64 INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION. Subdivision 1. Schools to provide information. As a basis for registration, schools shall provide the office with such information as the office needs to determine the nature and activities of the school, including but not limited to the following which shall be accompanied by an affidavit attesting to its accuracy […]
136A.645 SCHOOL CLOSURE. (a) When a school intends to cease postsecondary education operations, announces its closure, or is informed by the office that the office anticipates the school’s closure due to its registration status or ability to meet criteria for approval under section 136A.65, the school must provide the office: (1) a notice of closure, […]
136A.646 ADDITIONAL SECURITY. (a) New institutions that have been granted conditional approval for degrees or names to allow them the opportunity to apply for and receive accreditation under section 136A.65, subdivision 7, shall provide a surety bond in a sum equal to ten percent of the net revenue from tuition and fees in the registered […]
136A.65 APPROVAL OF DEGREES AND NAME. Subdivision 1. Prohibition. No school subject to registration shall grant a degree unless such degree and its underlying curriculum are approved by the office, nor shall any school subject to registration use the name “college” or “university” in its name without approval by the office. Subd. 1a. Accreditation; requirement. […]
136A.653 EXEMPTIONS. Subdivision 1. Application. A school that seeks an exemption under this section from the provisions of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 must apply to the office to establish that the school meets the requirements of an exemption. An exemption expires two years from the date of approval or when a school adds a new […]
136A.657 EXEMPTION; RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS. Subdivision 1. Exemption. (a) A program is exempt from the provisions of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 if it is: (1) offered by a school or any department or branch of a school that is substantially owned, operated, or supported by a bona fide church or religious organization; (2) primarily designed for, […]
136A.658 EXEMPTION; STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT SCHOOLS. (a) The office may participate in an interstate reciprocity agreement regarding postsecondary distance education if it determines that participation is in the best interest of Minnesota postsecondary students. (b) If the office decides to participate in an interstate reciprocity agreement, an institution that meets the following requirements is […]
136A.66 LIST OF REGISTERED INSTITUTIONS. The office shall maintain a list of registered institutions authorized to grant degrees and schools authorized to use the name “college” or “university” and shall make such list available to the public. History: 1975 c 201 s 6; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; […]
136A.67 REGISTRATION REPRESENTATIONS. No school and none of its officials or employees shall advertise or represent in any manner that such school is approved or accredited by the office or the state of Minnesota, except a school which is duly registered with the office, or any of its officials or employees, may represent in advertising […]
136A.672 STUDENT COMPLAINTS. Subdivision 1. Authority. The office has the authority to review and take appropriate action on student complaints from schools covered under the provisions of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Subd. 2. Complaint. A complaint must be in writing, be signed by a student, and state how the school’s policies and procedures or sections […]
136A.675 RISK ANALYSIS. Subdivision 1. Standard development and usage. (a) To screen and detect whether an institution may not be financially or administratively responsible, the office shall develop financial and nonfinancial indicators. The development of financial and nonfinancial indicators shall use industry standards as guidance. (b) Annually, the office must provide a copy of the […]
136A.68 RECORDS. (a) A registered school shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years from the last date of the student’s attendance. A registered school offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the […]
136A.685 PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS; ADJUDICATION OF FRAUD OR MISREPRESENTATION. (a) The office may revoke, or deny an application for, registration or degree or name approval to a school if there has been a criminal, civil, or administrative adjudication of fraud or misrepresentation in Minnesota or in another state or jurisdiction against the school or its owner, […]
136A.69 FEES. Subdivision 1. Registration fees. (a) The office shall collect reasonable registration fees that are sufficient to recover, but do not exceed, its costs of administering the registration program. The office shall charge the fees listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) for new registrations. (b) A new school offering no more than one degree […]
136A.705 PENALTY. The commissioner may assess fines for violations of a provision of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Each day’s failure to comply with a provision of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 shall be a separate violation and fines shall not exceed $500 per day per violation. Amounts received under this section must be deposited in the […]
136A.71 INJUNCTION. Upon application of the attorney general the district courts shall have jurisdiction to enjoin any violations of sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. History: 1975 c 201 s 11
