SECTION 1.111. Scope and Purpose

(a) This subchapter shall govern all instances in which complainants file written complaints with the Agency regarding institutions.

(b) This subchapter implements Texas Education Code, §61.031, concerning Public Interest Information and Complaints, and 34 C.F.R. §600.9(a)(1) of the United States Department of Education's Program Integrity regulations, which requires each state to establish "a process to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning an institution of higher education including enforcing applicable State laws." This subchapter implements Texas Education Code, §132.002(k), which requires the Agency to take appropriate action, including by making appropriate referrals to an accrediting agency or to the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, to address any complaints received by the Agency from a student or prospective student of a Title IV participating exempt school to which Texas Education Code, §132.002(h) exemption applies and is regulated by the Agency.

(c) The purpose of this subchapter is:

(1) to encourage the early resolution of student complaints through use of the institutions' grievance procedures or informal processes in appropriate cases; and

(2) to establish procedures for the administration of all student complaints filed with the Agency.

Source Note: The provisions of this §1.111 adopted to be effective November 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 9353; amended to be effective November 24, 2013, 38 TexReg 8421