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BPPE presents modified refund-policy text and proposed catalog requirements; committee to review before 15-day modified-text comment period
Summary
Staff reviewed proposed changes to refund documentation rules and catalog-disclosure requirements, including adding a requirement that institutions provide students written documentation explaining refund calculations and clarifying catalog elements such as business hours, access to records and externship distance.
Bureau regulatory staff presented modified text for a refund-policy package and proposed changes to catalog requirements and sought advisory committee input before potentially posting modified text for a 15-day public comment period.
Parker Strohmeyer, the bureau's regulation specialist, summarized proposed changes to the refund policies package. The modifications would change the definition of "pro rata refund" to be calculated by period of attendance (to align with California Education Code sections cited during the discussion), add a requirement that institutions provide students with written documentation in their student file explaining refund calculations and add a five-business-day receipt requirement for payments. The text would require institutions to provide an updated student ledger or an equivalent payment record and to provide written notice of how refunds were calculated, including the date, amount, payer and method of calculation; if a refund is issued to a third party, similar documentation would be required to be provided to the student within the same overall refund timeframe.
Strohmeyer also presented proposed changes to California Code of Regulations section 71810 on catalog requirements. Proposed changes include allowing updates directly to a catalog, more specificity for students with limited English proficiency and international students (including designating a principal designated school official for institutions that admit foreign students), and requiring disclosure of hours for administration, instruction and student services. The bureau proposed removing an existing regulation that requires a catalog disclosure about availability and approximate cost of nearby housing and instead require disclosure of business hours and other administrative access. The proposed text would also require institutions to specify whether internships or externships are required for program completion and provide their distance from the institution if applicable.
Committee members asked about next steps. Strohmeyer said if the bureau proceeds with modified text the package will be posted for a 15-day comment period and the bureau will issue a listserv notice with links. Public commenters supported student-facing changes around refund documentation and expired approvals.
No votes were taken; staff asked the committee for feedback on drafting choices such as the phrasing "normal business hours" and the distinction between "policies" and "procedures."
