SARA- Is it right for your institution?

SARA is a voluntary state-level process agreement that allows institutions to offer distance education courses and programs to residents of other states/members of the Agreement.  Along with many other states, Ohio is now a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Once a state joins SARA, institutions may apply, and agree to ensuring consumer protection, financial stability, and preserving quality assurance. The intent is to make state authorization more efficient, effective, and uniform regarding reasonable and necessary standards that could span states. Whether an institution decides to join SARA depends on several factors: current status of state authorization, program market strategy, the effect on the students, and the true cost of compliance. This session includes a panel of institutional representatives discussing their individualized approach and strategy toward state authorization compliance, approach toward vetting SARA with internal compliance administrators and general counsel, outcome of participation in SARA, and ongoing dual maintenance of state authorization compliance. Those who attend this session will discuss specific considerations regarding the SARA agreement, engage in a cost-benefit analysis, and participate in a Q&A for general state authorization questions.