Florida Senate - 2011                             CS for SM 1654
       
       
       
       By the Committee on Higher Education; and Senator Wise
       
       
       
       
       589-03792-11                                          20111654c1
    1                           Senate Memorial                         
    2         A memorial to notify the Federal Government of
    3         colleges and universities in this state which are
    4         authorized to operate educational programs beyond the
    5         secondary level.
    6  
    7         WHEREAS, On October 29, 2010, the United States Department
    8  of Education issued its Final Rule on Program Integrity Issues,
    9  75 Federal Register 66832 et seq., which includes amendments to
   10  regulations at 34 Code of Federal Regulations s.
   11  600.9(a)(1)(i)(A) requiring that educational institutions not
   12  created by the state be “established by name as an educational
   13  institution by a State through a charter, statute,
   14  constitutional provision, or other action...” and be “authorized
   15  to operate educational programs beyond secondary level,
   16  including programs leading to a degree or certificate,” and
   17         WHEREAS, the Legislature chose to exempt from the
   18  jurisdiction or purview of the Commission for Independent
   19  Education “any institution that is under the jurisdiction of the
   20  Department of Education, eligible to participate in the William
   21  L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program and that is a
   22  nonprofit independent college or university located and
   23  chartered in this state and accredited by the Commission on
   24  Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to
   25  grant baccalaureate degrees,” pursuant to s. 1005.06(1)(c),
   26  Florida Statutes, and
   27         WHEREAS, all institutions exempted from the jurisdiction or
   28  purview of the Commission for Independent Education through
   29  accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
   30  Association of Colleges and Schools must meet state requirements
   31  regarding fair consumer practices under s. 1005.04, Florida
   32  Statutes, meet annual reporting requirements with respect to
   33  crime statistics and physical plant safety under ss.
   34  1005.04(1)(g) and 1013.11, Florida Statutes, and adopt hazing
   35  policies and rules under s. 1006.63, Florida Statutes, and
   36         WHEREAS, all institutions that are exempt from the
   37  jurisdiction or purview of the Commission for Independent
   38  Education under s. 1005.06(1)(c), Florida Statutes, may
   39  participate in one or more state-funded student financial aid
   40  programs subject to audit by the Florida Department of
   41  Education, including, but not limited to, the Florida Private
   42  Student Assistance Grant Program pursuant to s. 1009.51, Florida
   43  Statutes, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
   44  pursuant to s. 1009.53, Florida Statutes, and the William L.
   45  Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant Program pursuant to s.
   46  1009.89, Florida Statutes, and
   47         WHEREAS, the institutions that are eligible to participate
   48  in Florida’s student financial aid programs include: Ave Maria
   49  University, Barry University, Beacon College, Bethune-Cookman
   50  University, Clearwater Christian College, Eckerd College, Edward
   51  Waters College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler
   52  College, Florida College, Florida Hospital College of Health
   53  Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida Memorial
   54  University, Florida Southern College, Hodges University,
   55  Jacksonville University, Lynn University, Nova Southeastern
   56  University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Ringling College of
   57  Art and Design, Rollins College, Saint Leo University,
   58  Southeastern University, St. Thomas University, Stetson
   59  University, University of Miami, University of Tampa, Warner
   60  University, Webber International University, Keiser University,
   61  and Everglades University, NOW, THEREFORE,
   62  
   63  Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   64  
   65         That the 2011 Florida Legislature respectfully informs the
   66  United States Department of Education that the colleges and
   67  universities named in this memorial are authorized to operate
   68  educational programs beyond the secondary level.
   69         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
   70  dispatched to each college and university named in this
   71  memorial, to the United States Secretary of Education, to the
   72  President of the United States, to the President of the United
   73  States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House of
   74  Representatives, and to each member of the Florida delegation to
   75  the United States Congress.