The College of Saint Rose Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The College of Saint Rose announced on November 30, 2023, that it will close.
The College of Saint Rose has reported that it will close June 30, 2024. On April 25, 2024, the Commission acted to note that accreditation will cease on December 31, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, the College of Saint Rose will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The College of Saint Rose has provided additional information regarding closure, including a frequently asked questions (FAQ) resource, on the College of Saint Rose website.
Students
What are teach-out plans and teach-out agreements?
The Commission required the College of Saint Rose to complete and submit for approval a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements.
On April 25, 2024, the Commission acted to request an updated teach-out plan, due May 17, 2024.
A teach-out plan is a written plan developed by the institution that provides for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education. The purpose of the teach-out plan is to make reasonable accommodations and assist students with completing educational programs or credentials or transferring to a new institution. The Commission requires a teach-out plan and teach-out agreements when an institution risks the loss of accreditation or intends to close. Teach-out agreements are specific agreements made by the institution with appropriate teach-out partner institutions. The purpose of the teach-out agreement is to make accommodations for and assist students as much as possible and provide clear and transparent information regarding those arrangements. They are intended to facilitate students’ transition to another institution so they can graduate in a program of their choosing. These agreements are to be negotiated between The College of Saint Rose and other institutions with similar programs of study.
The Commission has approved teach-out agreements with the following MSCHE institutions:
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY
Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY
Iona University, New Rochelle, NY
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA
Misericordia University, Dallas, PA
Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY
Niagara University, Niagara University, NY
Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
Siena College, Loudonville, NY
SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY
SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY
SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY
SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY
SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY
Utica University, Utica, NY
The Commission approved teach-out agreements with the following institutions that hold accreditation with another accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education:
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA (Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education)
Can students transfer to another institution?
The institution has announced its closure as of June 30, 2024. Current students can transfer at any time and to any institution, including those without a teach-out agreement. Students are entitled to receive clear, accurate, and thorough information from the College of Saint Rose about their options to pursue other educational opportunities.
Students cannot be charged additional fees for exercising the option to transfer.
Where can students transfer?
Students can apply for transfer to any institution that meets their needs and where they may qualify for admission. Transfer opportunities are not limited to those institutions that have teach-out agreements with the College of Saint Rose. Students can transfer at any time and to any institution.
What other things should students consider when transferring?
Students should look for an institution that is in good standing with accreditors. Students should always research the accreditation status of the institution they are considering for transfer. MSCHE posts accreditation status for its member institutions in the Institution Directory on our website.
Individual programs may also be accredited by a programmatic accreditor. Students are encouraged to contact both the institutional and programmatic accreditors of institutions and programs to verify the accreditation status of the institution they are considering.
Visit the MSCHE Student Resources page for additional information.
Can the College of Saint Rose charge students additional fees if they withdraw or transfer?
No, The College of Saint Rose cannot charge students additional fees for withdrawing or transferring.
Will all students receive a copy of their transcripts?
The College of Saint Rose has reported that students can obtain transcripts from the College of Saint Rose register or by ordering from the National Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering Center.
Commission policy and procedure require the institution to provide a copy of transcripts to all current students. The College of Saint Rose cannot withhold student transcripts. New York law prevents institutions from withholding student transcripts and from charging students higher fees for their transcripts if they have unpaid debts (N.Y. Educ. Law § 640).
The College of Saint Rose student records are available now electronically through National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering Center.
SUNY at Albany, Albany, NY has been designated as the final repository of all College of Saint Rose student records and students may obtain academic records at SUNY at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222. On June 20, 2024, the Commission acted to require notification when student records have been transferred to SUNY at Albany.
What does the closure mean for students who expect to graduate by the closure date?
All who are eligible to graduate in May 2024 and have completed their degree requirements will earn a College of Saint Rose degree.
Where can students find more information on The College of Saint Rose’s website?
The College of Saint Rose has provided additional information on its webpage, The College of Saint Rose Teach-Out Plan.
Visit Resources for additional information.
International Students
How does The College of Saint Rose’s closure affect international students?
International students attending The College of Saint Rose on a student visa have unique considerations. International students may find more information at the U.S. Department of State’s International Student Visas page.
Please note that the institution cannot withhold the transfer of international students’ I-20 to another institution due to unpaid balances. International students should research the SEVP Certification status of the institution they are considering for transfer. SEVP posts SEVP Certified schools on its School Search webpage.
Visit Resources for additional information.
Who should international students contact for more information?
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) encourages international students to contact the SEVP Response Center for assistance:
Phone: 703-603-3400
Email: [email protected]
Student Athletes
How does The College of Saint Rose’s loss of accreditation affect student athletes and eligibility?
The College of Saint Rose and the NE10 are assisting student-athletes as they work on their future plans. As per NCAA rules, all individuals with intercollegiate eligibility remaining will be free to pursue opportunities at other institutions; no permission to contact or transfer releases will be required. The College’s athletic administration will assist student athletes who wish to have their contact information available in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Those students who signed National Letters of Intent will no longer be bound by those agreements and are free to speak to any other institution.
The College of Saint Rose participates in the transfer portal for athletes and has offered transfer assistance to student-athletes.
Visit Resources for additional information.
Faculty and Staff
What is The College of Saint Rose doing to support faculty and staff?
The College of Saint Rose will provide faculty and staff with information and resources through its Human Resource Department.
Institutions Interested in Teach-Out Agreements with The College of Saint Rose
What do other institutions with questions about teach-out agreements need to know?
In accordance with the Commission’s Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures, the teach-out institutions must have candidate for accreditation status or accreditation status and be in good standing with an accrediting agency recognized by the USDE.
In addition, the teach-out institution must not be subject to any of the following criteria:
- A determination by an independent auditor expressing doubt about the institution’s ability to operate as a going concern, or an adverse opinion or a finding of material weakness;
- The institution is on probation or equivalent status;
- The institution is participating in title IV, HEA under a provisional participation agreement;
- The Secretary has placed the institution on heightened cash management (HCM2);
- The Secretary has initiated an emergency action against the institution to limit participation in any title IV, HEA program;
- An agency has acted to withdraw, terminate or suspend the accreditation or pre-accreditation of the institution;
- The institution intends to cease operations entirely;
- A state licensing or authorizing agency will or has revoked the institution’s legal authorization; or
- The institution is under investigation, subject to an action, or being prosecuted for an issue related to academic quality, misrepresentation, fraud, or other severe matters by a law enforcement agency.
Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures Section IV. Procedures for the Submission of Teach-Out Agreements of the Procedures outlines the purpose of teach-out agreements, what the agreements should include, and the conditions that a teach-out partner must meet. The responsibility to develop teach-out agreements rests with The College of Saint Rose, which is required to submit a teach-out plan and agreement(s), and MSCHE does not develop the agreements. Teach-out plans and agreements must be approved by MSCHE.
A teach-out agreement should include a comprehensive description of the arrangements being made for students between the two institutions, including at least the following critical information:
- Information on the number and types of credits that will be accepted by the teach-out institution.
- Information on the specific locations where instruction will be offered by the teach-out institution.
- Any additional financial charges or changes in tuition and fees.
- A description of the relevant educational program to ensure that it is comparable in quality and reasonably similar in content, delivery modality, and scheduling.
- Any institutional policy or curriculum exceptions for the benefit of the students.
Can institutions without an approved teach-out agreement accept students who wish to transfer from The College of Saint Rose?
Yes, any institution can consider transfer students from The College of Saint Rose. Institutions without an approved teach-out agreement can accept students who wish to transfer from The College of Saint Rose. If any exceptions to institutions’ policies or procedures are made to facilitate the award of transfer credit and academic progress for students, including but not limited to admissions, transfer of credit, or residency requirements, the exceptions and conditions under which the exception was applied must be justified and documented and must continue to comply with applicable law.
Can institutions receiving The College of Saint Rose students make exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies to assist students?
Some institutions do include exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies in the teach-out agreements; however, institutions must document under what circumstances an exception was made and the conditions that must be met for the exception to be applied. Without a teach-out agreement, institutions making exceptions to accommodate The College of Saint Rose students who transfer must also document exceptions.
Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures requires institutions to seek to minimize the loss of credit for students wherever possible. Institutions should strive for appropriate balance among consistency, fairness, flexibility, good educational practice, and academic program integrity.
In addition, institutions must always remain mindful of state requirements and regulations and, in matters governed by state regulations, comply with state law or obtain an exception from the appropriate state agency. The institution must also comply with the requirements for programmatic accreditors.
Can institutions enter into a teach-out agreement that includes a program not currently offered?
The partner institution must have the appropriate state authority and the capacity to offer a program. Institutions are responsible for ensuring appropriate program approval and registration. Institutional representatives should outreach to their state licensing agency to ensure any requirements relating to programs delivered in the state are met. Institutions must be mindful of programmatic accreditor requirements and should consult with the programmatic accreditor to ensure that their requirements are met.
Can institutions make exceptions to some degree and/or general education requirements?
Partner institutions should do a program-to-program articulation, which includes an analysis of how student learning outcomes for courses in one institution are equivalent to outcomes for courses in the other institution. Institutions must determine degree requirements and any substitutions based on institutional policies and procedures. If exceptions are made, those should be documented and justified.
MSCHE Policies and Procedures
Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures
Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures
Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures
Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures
Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation
Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures
Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures
Resources
United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
Federal Student Aid Closed School Contacts
Office of Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid Feedback Center
Federal Student Aid Closed School
The above link can provide assistance if your college or career school closed while you were enrolled, or soon after you withdrew.
Federal Student Aid Borrower Defense Loan Discharge
If your school misled you or engaged in other misconduct in violation of certain state laws, you may be eligible for “borrower defense to loan repayment,” sometimes shortened to “borrower defense.” This is the discharge of some or all of your federal student loan debt. Visit the link above for more information.
New York State Education Department
New York State Education Department
Student and Exchange Visitor Program
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Department of Homeland Security Study in the States
SEVP Response Center:
Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: [email protected]
Education USA
Education USA International Student Visas
New York Legal Assistance Group:
Phone: 212-659-6166
Athletic Association Websites
Contact
How can I contact MSCHE?
MSCHE welcomes inquiries and questions. Please email [email protected].
Version 1.1 – June 28, 2024
Version 1.0 – June 13, 2024
