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Higher Education Coordination Commission

Updates and Consumer Alerts

The Higher Education Coordinating Commiss (HECC) Office of Academic Policy and Authorization: Private Postsecondary Education team is committed to student and consumer protection. On this page, you can find important updates on the regulatory status of private postsecondary colleges and institutions serving Oregonians, including school closures. We play a supporting role in the event of sudden school closures.

Click on the school name or topic below for the most recent update.

You can find a list of closed institutions and guidance on transcript requests here.

Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
School Closing/End of Instruction and Announcement of TPF Claim Process
Description

On January 3, 2024, Epicodus informed the HECC that it planned to close. Epicodus also cancelled the following three courses after their January 2024 meetings, reporting to the HECC that these cancellations were related to the planned closure:

  • October 2023 part time cohort, scheduled to end December 20, 2024
  • January 2024 full time cohort, scheduled to end August 16, 2024.
  • January 2024 part time cohort, scheduled to end March 21, 2025

Epicodus notified the HECC that it ended course instruction on March 8, 2024. EPICODUS has informed HECC that the business will remain open to provide student support for internships and career services.

On January 22, 2024, the HECC began the process of suspending Epicodus’ PCS License per OAR 715-045-0065. Under school license suspension, the school may not advertise to, recruit, enroll or begin instruction of new students. The school may, however, remain open to complete training of the currently enrolled students and provide other services as described in OAR 715-045-0001(62).

The HECC has required the School to pay appropriate refunds for the cancelled classes listed above. Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR)715-045-029(9)(b), Students that were not refunded and that were enrolled at the school on January 3, 2024 can file a claim for unreimbursed tuition against the state’s Tuition Protection Fund (TPF) for a refund.

You may file a TPF claim:

  1. If you were enrolled in any of the three cancelled classes listed above;
  2. If you paid tuition to Epicodus; and
  3. If you have not yet received an appropriate refund from the School.

You may also submit a TPF claim if you were enrolled in another Epicodus course that was underway on or after January 3, 2024, if you subsequently withdrew from or were dismissed from the course and are still owed a refund of tuition you paid to the school.

All TPF claims must be filed by July 19, 2024. Please note that CLAIMS RECEIVED AFTER JULY 19, 2024, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED by THE HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMISSION.

To file a TPF claim please do the following:


If you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, please send them to: EpicodusClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov​. Please also see our Frequently Asked Questions document.

Students needing to request a transcript:

  • You can contact EPICODUS for your transcript: Rachel Bussert, phone: (503)420-0275, E-mail: rachel@epicodus.com​

We will provide any further relevant updates on our HECC Updates and Consumer Alerts Webpage.


Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Closure – August 31, 2024
Description

​See the following links on the college's website for more information:  

Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Notice of License Suspension
Description

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission(HECC) has issued ​Anchors and Ink Tattoo School a Notice of License Suspension (5/3/2024). This Oregon private career school offers Tattoo training in Bend, Oregon.

  • The notice issued on March 5, 2024 to the school provided the school with 21 days to contest the agency's action. (715-0045-0065(5)(c).
  • Under school license suspension, Anchors and Ink can teach-out the remaining students that were enrolled when the school received notice of school license suspension. The HECC will work with the school to help the remaining students complete their program.
  • Under school license suspension, the school may not advertise, recruit, enroll students, or begin instruction of new students, but may remain open to complete the training of the currently enrolled students as provided by OAR 715-045-0001(62)
  • We will provide any relevant updates on our HECC Updates and Consumer Alerts Webpage.​​

Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Closure
Description

Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Closure
Description
Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon, LLC, a Portland-based CDL training program has closed. Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 715-045-0029(9)b, students who enrolled in the school prior to July 8, 2023, and were attending Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon at the time of its closure on August 7, 2023 had the ability to file a claim for unreimbursed tuition against the Tuition Protection Fund (TPF) for a refund. 
To file a TPF Claim, please do the following:
If you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, email SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov.​  
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Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon, LLC can be contacted about the following:

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Last updated
2023
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Operating without a License
Description
​ Updates Related to Myco-Method, 2023​

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission has issued a Cease and Desist order against Myco-Method Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program on May 18, 2023.

  • Myco-Method appears to operating in the state of Oregon, and/or operating an instructional program targeting an Oregon professional license, without the required Private Career School License or exemption (ORS 345.030). 
  • A “Cease and Desist" order means the school must cease marketing for, enrollment in, and operation of its Oregon instructional program until it completes the licensing process or successfully receives an exemption from licensure.
  • Students should know that the school is not licensed and there may be no mechanism for ensuring that the school is following state rules meant to ensure the minimum standards of ORS 345.325, including financial reporting, fair enrollment contracts, or compliance with financial aid requirements and consumer protection standards that apply to properly licensed Private Career Schools. Also, in the event that Myco-Method school closes, any students enrolled at the closing will be unable to submit claims to the state's tuition protection fund to recover some or all of their tuition and fees.
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Last updated
2024
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Closure
Description
Synthesis Digital, LLC, D.B.A Synthesis Institute, has closed and ceased their business operations on November 30, 2023. Synthesis Digital LLC, dba Synthesis Institute (the school) has provided the HECC with a contact person to handle inquiries after closing:​ Michelle Heinz​​
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Before the school's closing, the HECC took the following enforcement actions against Synthesis:

  • A notice of license suspension, violations, and an assessment of civil penalties was issued in November of 2023. This notice is subject to appeal.
  • The notice includes a requirement that the school pay full refunds to students who dropped because of the school’s unplanned closure/cessation of classes in March of 2023.
  • An Order by Default Letter

For students who qualify for a refund but are not properly refunded by the school, the HECC also maintains a Tuition Protection Fund (TPF) under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 715-045-0029(9)b. Only students who initially enrolled after the school's initial licensing date of October 26, 2022, and who qualify for but have not received a full refund from Synthesis, were able to submit a claim to be paid from this fund. The HECC will administer a TPF refund claim process.

The Deadline to submit a TPF claim closed on April 30, 2024.

Please note that CLAIMS RECEIVED AFTER April 30, 2024, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED by THE HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMISSION

If you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, please send them to: SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov. Please also see our Frequently Asked Questions​ document.
  • For Synthesis Institute students that have submitted your TPF claim form to the HECC by the April 30th, 2024, deadline via US mail, and if you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, contact SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov.

Please note that the school has an appeal opportunity before the HECC's enforcement actions become final.

Any new updates will be posted on this HECC webpage, so please check back.

Last updated
2023
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Closure
Description
6/5/2023 Update​​

Alchemy Code Lab, a Portland-based software development training program, has closed. Under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR)715-045-029(9)(b), Alchemy students attending Alchemy Code Lab at the time of its closure on February 1, 2023, can file a claim for unreimbursed tuition against the Tuition Protection Fund (TPF) for a refund. You must file a claim by July 1, 2023. Please note that CLAIMS RECEIVED AFTER JULY 1, 2023 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED by THE HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMISSION.

To file a TPF claim please do the following:

  • Read this notice to students​ which explains the terms and conditions
  • Download a Tuition Protection Fund Claim form​ and submit the form along with any supporting documents to SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov
  • Submit the claim before July 1, 2023
  • Please note that claims will only be accepted from students who were attending Alchemy Code Lab at the time of its closure on February 1, 2023

If you have questions about the Tuition Protection Fund claim process, please send them to: SchoolClosure.Info@HECC.oregon.gov. Please also see our Frequently Asked Questions ​document.

Students needing to request a transcript:

You can contact Alchemy Code Lab for your transcript. If you are unable to obtain your transcript directly from the school, you can request one from the HECC. In order to obtain your transcript from the HECC, please click on the Transcript Request Form on the HECC's website: State of Oregon: Private Postsecondary - School Closures and Transcript Requests​.The HECC will waive the $12 transcript request fee for all Alchemy Code Lab students until July 1, 2023​. Any transcript requests submitted by Alchemy Code Lab students after July 1, 2023 will require the $12 fee.

Please contact Alchemy for more information about the following:

  • Students needing to request transcripts or verify attendance dates, please contact admissions@alchemycodelab.com
  • Teacher's assistants needing employment information or verification, please contact finance@alchemycodelab.com
  • Current students will be contacted as the school has more specific transition plan activities for their cohort. They are welcome to reach out to the school in the meantime. Please direct message the school from "Slack," or email the school at info@alchemycodelab.com

Any new updates will be posted on this HECC webpage, so please check back. Please note that we are working with Alchemy to help facilitate a smooth transition for Alchemy’s students.​​​​

Last updated
2023
Type of Update or Consumer Alert
Program Status Update
Description
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission's Private Career School Licensure is working with PDX Code Guild, LLC to resolve the status of its programs and to provide clear options to students as soon as possible.​
  • Notice of recomm​ended License Suspension has been issued to PDX Code Guild, LLC a Portland-based private career school offering training programs in computer programming and software development.
  • ​The notice issued on May 8,2023 provides the school with 21 days to contest the agency's action. (715-0045-0065(5)(c). PDX Code Guild LLC has requested an Administrative Hearing.
  • The HECC has not received a formal closure notice from PDX Code Guild, LLC. If HECC is notified of plans for closure or if the agency determines that closure has taken place, we would provide any relevant updates on this Updates and Consumer Alerts Webpage.
  • In the event of a closure or any other change that significantly interrupts instructional activities, PDX Code Guild, LLC is required to notify the Commission and HECC will work to determine what options are available for students.​

Other Resources for Students of Private Institutions

In addition to consumer alerts, we offer numerous other services for private institution students. We provide basic information on approved schools, intervene when a crisis occurs (for example, a sudden school closure), secure transcripts from closed schools, investigate student concerns that are not resolved at the institutional level, and more.

Public Hearings on Proposed Administrative Rule Changes

Many of our responsibilities are detailed in Oregon Statute or in Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). When our agency proposes changes to OARs, we welcome input at public hearings.




 

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